Winter Intensive 2026 | DarusSalam
← Back to main site
Winter Intensive 2026

The Authority of Hadithin an Age of Doubt

Preservation   ·   Interpretation   ·   Responses to Modern Criticism

For college students, working professionals & families
Parallel sisters’ and youth sessions

Reserve your place ↗Explore the sessions ↓
December 19–21, 2026Saturday through Monday
10:00 am–6:00 pmEach day · Central Time
Masjid DarusSalamA three-day Winter Intensive
The enduring light

Rooted in scholarship.
Steadfast in conviction.

Explore the preservation, authority, and interpretation of Hadith through twelve sessions with DarusSalam’s scholars.

How do we know Hadith has been faithfully preserved? Why is it authoritative? How should we understand narrations that seem troubling?
The curriculum

Twelve sessions.
One enduring tradition.

From the compilation of Hadith to contemporary questions, study the foundations that inform our understanding of the Sunnah.

01

Tadwīn al-Ḥadīth

Compiling the Hadith

02

Ḥujjiyyat al-Ḥadīth

Establishing authority of Hadith

03

Inkār al-Ḥadīth

Roots of Hadith rejection

04

Uṣūl al-Istinbāṭ

Deriving fiqh from Hadith

05

Unseen Foundations

How worldviews frame reality

06

Hadith Historiography

Methods, sources, and scholars

07

Mushkil al-Ḥadīth

Seemingly difficult Aḥādīth

08

al-Aḥādīth al-Mawḍūʿah

Filtering the fabrications

09

al-Aḥādīth al-Ḍaʿīfah

Handling weak Aḥādīth

10

ʿAdālat al-Ṣaḥābah

Integrity of the Companions

11

Diqqat al-Muḥaddithīn

Precision in Transmission

12

Guardians of the Sunnah

Conviction in the modern age

Learn with our scholars

Your instructors

Mufti Minhajuddin Ahmed
Mufti Azeemuddin Ahmed
Mufti Sahil Vahora
Mawlana Farhan Sharif
Mawlana Yousuf Ghouse
Mawlana Tahseen Khan
Mawlana Sulaiman Mahmood
Mawlana Umar Farooqie

Program schedule

Coming soon

The detailed program schedule will be available here as a PDF.

Kids & youth program

Coming soon

Program details, age groups, and registration information will be shared here.

Helpful information

Frequently asked questions

When is the Winter Intensive?

The Winter Intensive will take place December 19–21, 2026, Saturday through Monday, from 10:00 AM–6:00 PM each day (Central Time).

Where will it take place?

At Masjid DarusSalam, located at:
21W525 North Avenue
Lombard, IL 60148
Get directions ↗

Who is the intensive for?

The intensive is for brothers and sisters, including college students, working professionals, and families interested in deepening their understanding of Hadith—its preservation, authority, and interpretation. There will also be sessions for kids and youth.

How do I register?

Register online here. Enter any applicable discount code at checkout. If you need financial assistance, please contact us before completing your registration.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. Financial assistance is available. Please email office@masjidds.org to discuss your needs and learn how to apply.

Is there a discount for out-of-state attendees?

Yes. Attendees traveling from outside Illinois can enter Winter26 at checkout for the out-of-state discount. For eligibility questions, email office@masjidds.org.

Is there a student discount?

Yes. Students can enter Winter26Student at checkout. For eligibility questions, email office@masjidds.org.

Will there be sessions for sisters?

Yes. Parallel sisters’ sessions are planned. Additional topics and scheduling details will be shared when available.

Will there be a kids’ or youth program?

Yes. There will be sessions for kids and youth. Details about age groups, activities, hours, and registration are coming soon.

Where can I find the detailed schedule?

The daily program runs from 10:00 AM–6:00 PM. The detailed schedule is coming soon and will be posted as a PDF in the program schedule section.

Will online access or recordings be available?

Details about online attendance and recordings will be announced. Please contact us before registering if you require online access.

Are meals included?

Yes. Lunch and refreshments are included. Dinner will also be available for purchase, InshaAllah.

Is lodging available?

Joining us from out of town? Book your stay with one of our partner hotels for a special discounted rate. Both hotels are located minutes from DarusSalam. Use the links below to reserve your room:
Fairfield Inn — reserve a room ↗
Comfort Suites — reserve a room ↗

Can brothers stay at DarusSalam for iʿtikaf?

Yes. Iʿtikaf is available at DarusSalam for brothers ages 18 and older. Register for iʿtikaf here ↗.

Which airport should I fly into?

You can fly into Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).

Who can I contact with questions?

Email sulaiman.mahmood@darussalamfoundation.org or call 630-360-2373.
Visit our main website: www.masjidds.org.

Our sponsors

Coming soon

Our sponsors will be announced here.

Winter Intensive 2026

The program at a glance

Winter Intensive 2026 event flyer with theme, dates and hoursWinter Intensive 2026 complete session and instructor list
December 19–21 · Winter Intensive 2026

Deepen your understanding.
Strengthen your conviction.

Register for the Winter Intensive ↗

WINTER INTENSIVE 2025

This year's Annual Winter Intensive will focus on key aspects of family life and personal development; covering the foundations of successful marriage, conflict resolution, and the roles within a marital relationship. It will also address modern challenges in Islamic parenting, and explore Islamic concepts of manhood, womanhood, and identity, with the aim of building strong family bonds and fostering community engagement.

Classroom Resources

Enrolled in the course? Submit a question to the instructor or get access to documents, slides, and other resources below!

I've never followed a madhhab before, how do I pick one?
Can I change which one I follow?
Why can't I follow a different madhhab for different issues?
Why should I even follow one instead of just doing my own ijtihad?

If you've ever asked the above questions, this year's Winter Intensive is for you! During these three days, you will discover how we understand and practice Islam. Upon concluding this course, you will have acquired a good understanding of how the four schools are inherited traditions representing more than a thousand years of scholarship, inshaAllah.

Alhamdulillah, this year we are blessed to have an amazing, diverse and highly qualified group of scholars for the Winter Intensive. Join us as these scholars provide an in-depth discussion on the four Madhahib, differences of opinions, development of fiqh, and more!

Instructors

Main Session Speakers

Mufti Ehzaz Ajmeri
Mufti Abrar Mirza
Shaykh Murabit Benavediz
Dr. Ahmed Metwally
Ustadh Farid Dingle
Mawlana Shibly Rahaman
Mufti Minhajuddin Ahmed
Mufti Azeemuddin Ahmed
Mawlana Yousuf Ghouse

 

Sisters Speakers

Alimah Husna Ajmeri
Alimah Zaaiba Vhora 
Alimah Sidrah Rabbani
Alimah Hafsa Ajmeri 
Alimah Sabrina Ahmed
Alimah Khadija Lakhi
Alimah Sadaf Khan

Courses

Main Sessions

Exploring Islamic Ikhtilaf
The Wahhabi Movement of Najd
Wisdom and Goals Behind the Law
Differences of Opinion in Early Islam
Tracing the Origins of Distorted Approaches
The Ahle Hadith Movement of the Subcontinent
⁠Unpacking Misconceptions about the Madhahib

Sisters' Only Sessions

Islamic Epistemology: The Architecture of Knowledge in Islam
The Qur’anic and Prophetic Basis for Taqleed: An Analytical Study Part I
The Qur’anic and Prophetic Basis for Taqleed: An Analytical Study Part II
Fiqh of Ḥijāb & Makeup: Modesty, Beauty & Boundaries
Modern Muslimah: Fiqh, Mental Health, and Life's Challenges
Fiqh of Social Media: Navigating the Digital World Responsibly
Fiqh of Ḥayḍ & Nifās: Principles & Rulings
Fiqh of Istiḥāḍah: Identification & Application
Many Opinions, One Ummah: Embracing Scholarly Diversity

Accommodations

Joining us from out of town? Book your stay with one of our partner hotels for a special discounted rate. Both hotels are located minutes from DarusSalam. Use the links below to reserve your room.

Brothers' I'tikaf

Prefer to stay in the masjid instead of a hotel? Brothers 18 and over are welcome to perform i'tikaf in the masjid for the weekend!

Program Schedule

Kids and Youth Programs

Our parallel kids and youth program follows the same schedule as the adult Winter Intensive, making it a perfect opportunity for the entire family to benefit! Please note that parents must remain onsite during the duration of the program. Stay tuned for the detailed schedule!

What Will I Learn?

  • How ahadith are used to derive opinions
  • How to understand and navigate differences of opinions
  • The history of the four madhahib, their foundations, and their development over time
  • The history of the Salafi movement and Ahle Hadith movement in India
  • How to answer common objections to the madhahib

Reserve your spot now!

Course Fee: $150

Registration for Winter Intensive is now open for all brothers and sisters. Click below to reserve your spot!