THE
REVELATORY
SCIENCES


Takhaṣṣuṣ in Ḥadīth & Tafsīr

Mission Statement

The Revelatory Sciences program at DarusSalam Seminary is a rigorous postgraduate takhaṣṣuṣ program committed to the advanced study of the Islamic textual sciences (ʿulūm naqliyyah) of ḥadīth and tafsīr and their ancillary sciences. The program emphasizes close engagement with classical texts and methodologies, equipping students with the research skills necessary to critically analyze and synthesize foundational works. Through this process, students are prepared to address contemporary critiques and misconceptions surrounding the Quran and Sunnah, and to articulate a principled, academically grounded defense of the revelatory tradition in the modern intellectual landscape.

Introduction

Imām Mālik reported that the the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said,

"I have left with you two things. As long as you hold on to these, you will never stray: The Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم."

The Quran and Sunnah have always served as the bedrock of a Muslim’s belief and practice, providing grounding amidst turbulent times and shifting ideas. Now, more than ever, there is a pressing need to cultivate well-trained scholars who are deeply rooted in the revelatory sciences, able to aptly apply them and defend them in today’s increasingly complex world.

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم once deputed Hadhrat Ḥassān b. Thābit, a poet, to respond to criticism of the disbelievers on his behalf, saying, “Ḥassān! Respond on my behalf. Allah! Aid him through Jibrīl!”

Regarding this incident, Imām Ibn Ḥibbān commented, “The Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم told Ḥassān to respond to the disbelievers on his behalf, even though their baseless allegations did no harm to the believers nor altered creed or legislation. It is then more imperative to fend off falsehood about the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم from other Muslims —falsehood which does alter creed or legislation. I ardently pray Allah will aid those who defend the Sunnah through Jibrīl, just as the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed for Ḥassān, who defended the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم himself.” (al-Majrūhīn)

Program Overview

Through the ḥadīth module, students will, in shāʾa Allāh, gain the ability to:

  • Locate narrations in their primary sources.
  • Assess the status of narrators.
  • Compare variant narrations.
  • Ascertain the authenticity of individual narrations.
  • Identify weakness in narrations.
  • Understand and appreciate the methodology and approaches of authors inḥadīth literature.
  • Identify signs of spurious narrations.
  • Understand and weigh varying approaches to ḥadīth sciences.
  • Understand challenges to the ḥadīth corpus and gain competency to address these challenges

Through the tafsīr module, students will, in shāʾa Allāh, gain the ability to:

  • Navigate through tafāsīr and understand the authorial methodologies behind individual tafāsīr, appreciating their contributions to explaining āyāt.
  • Utilize fundamental sciences to aid in understanding tafsīr, such as naḥw, ṣarf, balāghah, lughah, fiqh, & uṣūl.
  • Analyze difficult excerpts in tafāsīr using other tafāsīr and source material.
  • Practically apply their knowledge of tafsīr in a public or private setting.
  • Comprehend and apply uṣūl al-tafsīr accordingly to recognize unsound explications from sound ones.
  • Research different questions pertaining to tafsīr or requiring tafsīr-based knowledge.

General Overview

This program is ultimately geared towards equipping students to serve the ummah as specialists of the revelatory sciences in today's increasingly complex world. The modules studied will serve to train students in three main areas of focus:

  1. al-Taʾhīl al-ʿIlmī: Equipping students with a strong foundation in Quran and ḥadīth sciences, providing a grounding and basis for further research.
  2. Khidmat al-Nās: Public Service. There should always be specialists who serve as a recourse in Quran and ḥadīth matters for both ʿulamāʾ and the general public. These matters include explaining misunderstood ḥadīth and āyāt, locating ḥadīth, prioritizing some aḥādīth and tafāsīr over others, understanding the role and usage of weak ḥadīth, avoiding spurious narrations, reviving forgotten sunan, explicating āyāt in new ways, explaining real-world phenomena using the Quran, etc.
  3. al-Difāʿ ʿan al-Kitāb wa-l-Sunnah: Defending the Quran and the ḥadīth corpus. Today, in a world that advocates for dismissing either one or both of these glowing lights, a defense of both sources is needed more than any other time.

Curriculum

Year One, Semester One

Year One, Semester Two

Program Details

Starting August 2025

Monday through Friday

On-Site Only

7:40 AM to 12 PM

Instructors

Application Process

Applicants are required to have completed a formal Islamic seminary education (the Dars Nizami curriculum or its equivalent). As part of the admission process, all applicants will have a conversation with the faculty to gauge their readiness in the key areas essential for success in the program. Applicants who may need additional preparation will be provided resources and recorded lectures by some of the faculty members. Upon completing this material, applicants will undertake an evaluative exercise designed to assess their readiness. Admission to the program is contingent upon demonstrating the necessary competence, ensuring that applicants are well-equipped to meet the rigorous demands of the curriculum.

  1. Complete the Online Application - You will be guided through the process to provide the necessary information. Please take your time to ensure that all required fields are completed accurately.
  2. Schedule Your Interview - Once your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. This email will contain important information, including instructions on how to schedule your interview. Be sure to check your email promptly after submission and select a convenient time for your interview.
  3. Interview and Evaluation - During your interview, we will discuss your application in more detail and explore your motivations for applying to the program. This is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about our program. As part of the interview process, we will conduct an evaluative exercise to assess your preparation. Following the interview, we will review your application, along with the insights gained during our conversation, and contact you regarding the next steps.

Important Information

  • This is a two-year program that follows a 1 + 1 format.
  • Merit and need-based aid is available; no applicant will be denied due to financial constraints.
  • On-site attendance is required. Participants who are unable to attend onsite due to extenuating circumstances may email revelatorysciences@masjidds.org to request accommodations. In certain cases, accommodations for a tailored hybrid onsite/online setup may be provided. These may include international applicants who find difficulty securing a visa for extended stay in the US.
  • Classes will begin in August 2025 taking place Monday through Friday from 7:40 AM to 12 PM.
  • Qualified applicants, both male and female, are welcome to apply.
  • Complete your application as outlined above. Your interview will include a discussion of your application and motivations for applying, as well as an opportunity to ask questions. Afterward, we will review your application and contact you with the next steps.
  • For any immediate questions not addressed in the prospectus, please send an e-mail to revelatorysciences@masjidds.org.