School of Islamic and Occidental Studies

The School of Islamic and Occidental Studies (SIOS) is the first Hawzah in Qum founded by, and for, scholars and students from the West. Centred on the Qurʾān, and specializing in the intellectual and traditional streams of knowledge flowing forth from this last Revelation, the school provides a comprehensive introduction to Islam for seekers of knowledge who come from the West, or from places in the East that have been Westernized.

SIOS is Distinguished in Being

VALIDATED  |  TRADITIONAL  |  RELEVANT  |  THOROUGH  |  LOCATED IN A HOLY CITY AND CENTRE OF KNOWLEDGE

Validated

Accredited by the main  Hawzah, with a Program based on its classical curriculum.

Affiliated with two internationally recognized universities,.

Traditional

Offers in-person classes providing direct interaction with teachers and enriching the education (taʿlīm) and edification (tarbiyyah) of students.

Upholds the noble tradition of learning in Islam of providing education gratis.

Relevant

Addresses the crisis of the modern world, provides a principled understanding of our times, and facilitates students to derive intelligent responses and practical solutions by making use of the great intellectual and traditional heritage of the Hawzah.

Thorough

Allows for extended and in-depth studies.

Located in a Holy City and Centre of Knowledge

  • Offers a unique opportunity to be in the city of Qum and in the sacred precincts of the Holy Shrine of Lady Maʿṣūmah (s), providing students with solace, tranquility, and a truly serene spiritual ethos.
  • Allows access to a considerable number of leading scholars, as Qum is currently one of the greatest centres of Islamic knowledge in the world.
  • Provides support to students who have left the comfort of their home to seek knowledge by including them in a tight-knit student community and affording them mentorship by experienced faculty.

  • Nourishes and invigorates students, along with their families, as they will be able to experience Islam as a living tradition by residing in a Muslim city that has experienced and is at the epicentre of the revival of Islam in the contemporary world.
PROGRAMS
Hawzah Program:
  • Comprehensive thirteen-year program offered in three phases.

Phase One (5yrs)

Classical and Spoken Arabic, Comparative Theology, Ethics, Ḥadīth, Occidentology, History, Islamic Theology, Law/Jurisprudence, Logic and Philosophy, Principles of Jurisprudence, Qurʾānic Exegesis, Qurʾānic Studies, World Religions. Over forty specialized seminars and workshops, and weekly contemporary book discussions.

Phase Two (3yrs)

Core Curriculum: Contemporary History, Critique of Modernity, Ethics, Intermediate Theology, Islamic Anthropology, Islamic Mysticism, Islamic Philosophy, Jurisprudence, Principles of Jurisprudence, Psychology, Sociology, Topical Qurʾānic Exegesis. Over twenty specialized seminars and workshops.

– Specializations:

  • Islamic Philosophy: History of Islamic Philosophy, Comparative Philosophy, Peripatetic Philosophy, Philosophy of Illumination, Research Paper, Transcendental Philosophy, Western Philosophy.
  • Islamic Mysticism: Comparative Mysticism, History of Islamic Mysticism, Mystical Anthropology, Practical Mysticism, Research Paper, Theoretical Mysticism. (Coming soon)
  • Qurʾānic Exegesis: Hermeneutics, History of Qurʾānic Exegesis, Methodology of Qurʾānic Exegesis, Principles of Qurʾānic Exegesis, Research Paper, Sequential Qurʾānic Exegesis, Textual Criticism. (Coming soon)

Phase Three (5yrs)

Part I: Advanced courses in the area of Specialization, Advanced Theology, Ethics, and Jurisprudence, Principles of Jurisprudence, Sequential Qurʾānic Exegesis.
Part II: Treatise (risālah).
  • Classes selectively offered in English, Farsi and Arabic, depending upon Phase, Year, and Subject.
  • A Certification of Completion will be issued to students who successfully complete the Program.
Intensive Language and Maʿārif (ILM) Program:
  • Language: 5 and a half month course in Classical and Spoken Farsi.
  • Maʿārif (Teachings): 4 and a half month introductory course in Islamic sciences (offered in English and Farsi).
ADMISSIONS
Requirements:

Hawzah Program (Phases 1, 2, and 3)

  • Commendable Academic Record
  • High proficiency in the English Language
  • Successful Completion of the Admissions Interview
  • Successful Completion of the ILM Program or equivalent
  • Successful Completion of the previous Phase or equivalent

ILM Program

  • Commendable Academic Record
  • High proficiency in the English Language
  • Successful Completion of the Admissions Interview
Applications:
  • Start your application here.
Application Deadlines:
  • ILM Program: 15th of April 2025 (Beginning September 2025)
  • Phase 1 – August 15th 2025 (beginning in January 2026 with Farsi Language Program for 6 months)
    • Applicable to students who have completed the necessary pre-requisites through a recognized institution
  • Phase 2 – August 15th 2025 (beginning in January 2026 with Farsi Language Program for 6 months)
    • Applicable to students who have completed the necessary pre-requisites through a recognized institution
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