Yaseen, postgraduate in accounting, first year Mizan

Assalamu Alaykum brothers and sisters 🙂 Before I began to write this, I looked at the previous student experiences and was amazed by the diverse group of people we have at Mizan, Alhamdulillah! This year I was in my 4th and final year at university and decided to join Mizan. Campus life can be extremely stressful in so many ways. A good support base is really needed, and structures such as the MSA really assist in this. However, in my first 3 years of uni it still felt like something was missing. I thought to myself, you are literally spending 8-10 hours of your day on your studies, where is your time for Allah?

Yes, of course, we are encouraged to excel in the fields we are in and I am a firm believer in that. But, at that stage, I realised that as a Muslim and future leader of a household (iA), I can’t continue with a superficial connection to Islam. I needed something more. I need to learn. I needed the Qur’an. Looking back, I actually wished I started at Mizan from first year already! But, Alhamdulillah, Allah’s plan is best 🙂 I really encourage every single student / working adult to join this class in sha Allah.

If you’ve ever felt like something was missing in life, or a lack of meaning/purpose in life (this feeling tends to creep in the night before finals!), then this class is for you iA. Looking forward to seeing you all next year! Wslm 🙂

Dawrah year, IT software Test Manager

Being part of this life changing experience is something that cannot be translated into words, just like the Quraan in English cannot do Justice to the true beauty of Arabic. As a student and a career woman, mom and wife it’s not always an easy to juggle. There’s been times when giving up was an option but it soon hit me that my life is incomplete without the life as a Mizan student.

I might not know all my grammar but despite that, being in that environment and the Sakeena that you find in your life is something worth striving for. Subhanalaa the journey has touched my heart, my life and changed my outlook and perspective of people and those around me. The love in you heart towards Allah swt creation increase and you have a heart filled with gratitude and gentleness. You see life and the creation of Allah swt through a different lense.

Making dua and ibaadah has more meaning, the connection to our rabb is addictive and the gems that you pick up as you work through the Quraan is worth more than anything. If you seek contentment in your life studying the Quraan is the only way to attain it. It takes dedication, preserveance and sacrifice and most importantly the battle with your lower self and shaytaan. I look forward to my weekly dose of inspiration and it gives me the boost for the week ahead, Alhamdulilah. Remember, that when you tread on the journey of seeking beneficial Islamic knowledge, shaytaan will be on the path the through you off. Don’t give in to our common enemy. May Allah swt reward the teachers of the institution and may it prosper and be there to serve the ummah until eternity. Ameen

Muneerah, 2nd year student, Town & Regional Planner

Aslm dear brothers & sisters Wow!!! Subhan’Allah! There are only 2 words to describe my experience = life changing.

At the end of 2015 I was going through a rough patch (as we all do from time to time) and I felt that something was missing in my life, I felt spiritually dead. Even though I was making salaah and reading quraan I still felt that something was missing. I started searching for courses / madrassah’s and found myself on the website of Darun Naim Sunday Intensive [now called Mizan Institute]. The course seemed interesting but it wasn’t really what I was looking for, but I registered for 2016 in any case. I remember sitting in class the 1st day and thinking okay this is “nice”. Boy was I wrong! “Nice” doesn’t even describe what I felt after that day. My journey since then has been amazing! Starting the class with no arabic understanding besides knowing the meanings of basic words we learn in madrassah to now being able to read quraan, understand what I am reading and understanding the sentence structure, subhan’Allah.

 

Not only has this course helped me to understand Arabic and the words of Allah but my connection with Allah through quraan has grown tremendously. That feeling you have in your heart when you are reciting quraan and understanding what Allah is telling you in that moment is priceless. Never did I ever think that I would be addicted to quraan the way I am now. All I want to do is learn more and know more about what the quraan says. Not only do we have amazing teachers but the tutors are amazing too, may Allah reward them, ameen. They are so patient and helpful and no matter how much you are struggling they are always there to assist. You also get introduced to these amazing people, your classmates, who bring this joy and happiness every Sunday morning just knowing you are there for the same reason and who are always there to help you along the way. If I think about my life before 2016 I can’t believe that I was missing out on this spiritual food for the soul.

 

Growing up you read all these fairytales like Cinderella and her struggles with her stepsisters but wouldn’t you rather want to read about Nabi Yusuf (AS) and his struggles with his brothers, a story filled with many lessons and gems. And by “read” I mean read in the Arabic language and understand what you are reading. This can definitely be achieved at Mizan Institute. Registering in 2016 may not have been what I was looking for but Allah knew it was what I needed. JazakAllah Kairan Wslm

2nd year DNSI Student, IT Systems Analyst

My journey towards the Quran has really been a gift from the Almighty SubhanAllah. Sometimes we want to change our lives and gain closeness to Him however we’re not really sure what steps we should put in place to make this happen.

I’ve come to realise that the Quran was revealed as gift to all of us and yet, for so long we recite it now and then and we keep the Qurans almost seperate from our existence. Doing the DNSI [now called Mizan Institute] course with my husband has changed my complete being and has changed our lives and our marriage, Algamdullielah.

Waking up in the morning, I am now more thankful to Allah and completely understand the depth of me just saying “Algamdullielah” – though before I felt I knew the meaning, just being able to break down the Arabic words and understanding the root letters makes me see the beauty of Allah and the wonder of the Quran at another level.

Algamdullielah – All praise, utmost praise, the most praise is only to the Lord of ALL the worlds. Not to me, not to my parents, to Allah! To the Lord of everything.

Performing Salaah and being able to understand what I am reciting in each posture – from Allahu Akbar right through to Surah Al Fatigah and (a lot of) the surahs I recite. SubhanAllah. It’s amazing. It’s one of those lightbulb moments that’s been going on for these past 2 years Algamdullielah and it’s not being turned off. I feel the connection and conversation with Allah SWT and I am in awe of how much Allah loves us and how He’s guided us through every aspect of our lives.

Allahu Akbar – Allah is GreatER – Allah is GREATER than anything else we think is great or important. Allah is GREATER than work, so we leave it to perform salaah. Allah is GREATER than our families, so we stop interacting with them to perform salaah. Allah is GREATER than eating, so we plan our meal times around salaah. Allah is GREATER than sleep, so we wake up to perform salaah. Allah is GREATER than every single thing and that’s why our main focus is completely on Allah and we try to be in a constant state of Thikullah.

When I am having a good day, I feel reminded of Allah’s mercy.

When I am having a bad day, I am reminded of Allah’s hope.

When I am experiencing anything, understanding the Quran has opened my mind and more importantly opened my heart. The stories that we’ve learnt from the Quran has been instilled in me. And the promise of Jannah and the warning of Jahannam – though I heard it before – is constantly on my mind because now I understand the words Allah uses to explain this to us.

SubhanAllah, I make duah that all my family members and friends get to experience their own journey towards the Quran.

Algamdullielah, I would definitely recommend this course to everyone – no matter what age. Sundays have become the highlight of our weeks.

It’s common to put things off until “one day when we have more time” however I’ve also realised that just committing to this course on Sundays, I’ve had more barakah in my time Algamdullielah.

2nd year DNSI Student, IT Systems Analyst

Bcom Honours Financial Management, 1st DNSI year student

DNSI has certainly been a spiritual upliftment for me!

I have for a long time been seeking to increase my knowledge to better
understand islam, the Quraan and to be closer to Allah and this course
has certainly paved the way.
I have many family members and friends that attends Darul Naim who
always provided positive reviews, however I was always reluctant
because I did’nt know how I am going to fit it in, that being a wife,
a mom of 2 boys and a career woman with a demanding corporate
position. I was also already attending a tajweed class which also on a
Sunday Morning.

My younger sister and her husband was attended the DNSI class and they
always encouraged us just to come and at least sit in and see whats
its all about, they use to send recordings via watsapp and it was
inspiring, but I was still reluctant for some reason.

However in January 2016 I was blessed to be able to perform Umrah
pilgrimage with my parents and on my return my mind was made up and I
register for the DNSI class, after the first class, I was blown away
of how amazing it was, I was emotional and the Naseehah brought tears
to my eyes. I then convinced my eldest sister to join and the next
Sunday she joined me. My Younger sister and my sister just older than
me was also attending the Darul Naim but the Friday part time class in
Wynberg.

The course is convenient and accommodating in that if you do miss a
class the notes and class audio is uploaded to the DNSI webpage thus
easy to catch up, and if you unable to attend a class, the class is
live streamed for you to join in from home.

This past year has come with many trials and blessings, I have made
many life changing decisions and I am grateful Alhamdulillah.

I may not have taken a way a lot through the little effort I have put
in the homework and individual revision during the week, however I
still have gain and know much more than what I knew a year ago, also
the main aim was the journey to be closer to Allah.
Even though I feel I am still far away from Allah I continue to push
myself to seek Allah’s happiness.

DNSI has certainly played its role in my life changing decisions that
I made this past year, I felt that every word and Naseehah was meant
for me and was Allah guiding me to be closer to him. It have placed my
trust in Allah.

I am excited to see what second year has to hold and I fully recommend
the DNSI class to anyone and everyone.

Shukran so much.

Farzaana, Graphic Designer, 27 – 1st Year Student

Dear Sister/brother

If you are reading this you might be interested in doing the DNSI course.
Before I started the course I came across many students from different parts of the institute who said how life changing it is.

I came into the year feeling slightly arrogant with a hard heart thinking to myself “How can one Sunday a week be so life changing?” and “It will probably not have the same impact on me.”

Oh boy was I wrong. It was life changing indeed.

So what was so life changing? There were several reasons for me joining this course but what made it so life changing for me personally was its ability to connect me with Allah and the Quran in a way, which I had not experienced before. This is after all the primary objective of the course.

I didn’t realize how disconnected I was from the word of Allah. I went about my life doing all the right things but without any understanding. That connection didn’t happen all at once, it was a slow and gradual changing or turning of my heart. The more I learnt the more connected I felt. The excitement you feel when you travel and see a new place for the first time is the feeling you get walking into class and knowing that today I am going to learn something new about my creator.

This doesn’t mean that I didn’t miss a few lessons here and there. Our modern society is a busy one and the teachers understand this and make it easy for us. Once I fell ill and couldn’t physically be in class but I could stream the lesson from bed. Another time I couldn’t make class so I just downloaded the audio recording afterward and felt like I was there.

And if you have any fear about being singled out and asked to answer a question, don’t be. If you are an introvert like myself this class is perfect. You can communicate via your phone and ask questions to the teachers in that way. This was an absolute dream for someone like me.

The examples above are only a few ways of how they have integrated technology into each lesson. I found this made the learning easy and engaging.

My first year is coming to an end and I feel like I know very little but I know more than I did a year ago. And at the end of the day it is not so much about the class but about the end goal of getting closer to Him.

With love,

A student of the deen

Lutfiyya – 1st Year Student

I went to a muslim school from SubA so I do have an Islamic background but Darun Naim has been nothing compared to it. I’m originally from PE so we didn’t have much schools or programs such as this, or maybe none that I knew about. Darun Naim has changed my life. May Allah reward all my teachers!

It’s such an amazing feeling knowing that you understand the short surahs and that you can partially understand the bigger surahs. Not only has Darun Naim brought me closer to who I want to be as a person but it has brought me closer to my Creator Algamdulillah.

It’s so amazing how 1 ayah can have so many explanations or stories behind it. I will never forget when we did Surah Duhaa. I was going through a tough time and couldn’t seem to get out of my “slump”. That Sunday we did the Surah and I literally couldn’t stop crying. It was as if Allah spoke directly through my teacher to me. In that moment there was no one in that class but me and the words of “from” Allah. In my mind, myself and Allah was having a conversation. Subhana Allah.

Sunday class is my favourite part of the week, I enjoy talks where I’m spiritually uplifted, I crave it and what better way is there to be spiritually uplifted than from the teachings of the Quraan?

Joining DNSI has been one of the best choices I’ve ever made in my entire life, and would advise anyone and as much people as I can to do the same. It has honestly changed my life for the better Algamdulillah. Not only because of the ‘educational’ part but it has introduced me to beautiful people who have similar goals and life story’s as I do. It introduced me to people and friends that bring me closer to my Jannah rather than take me further away from it.

Lutifyya Ravat (1st year DNSI student)

Kaashifa – Registered Counsellor – First Year Student

After attempting to learn Arabic for a month in a Darul Uloom many years ago, I gave up on Arabic, as it was simply too hard. Last year I attended my first unveiling and that was where my niyyah was made to enrol at DNSI [now called Mizan]. From the word go, I was taken impressed by the quality of the classes. The administration is exceptionally efficient. Having all the multi media resources and other resources like tutors creates enough outlets for learners to acquire additional support. The highlight is the moral lessons and the application that Arabic has to our everyday lives. Teachers are unique in this way. They challenge us to think, to find balance and to CONNECT to our Creator! What I find most inspiring is that we are taught about Allah’s mercy and bounty which gives us hope and gratitude for being Muslim. My experiences before this was that fear was used as a medium to get us to “practice” Islam. I was a mechanical Muslim. I am now experiencing Islam with my heart!

Challenges for me has been that there were very little breaks. As a mother of three children under 8 and with a full time job, juggling became tricky.Despite this I encouraged my husband to go for short periods of itikaaf to experience DNSI. He has registered for first year next year. The spiritual benefits outweigh the family logistical challenges.

Prospective students need to know that it is intensive and thus a certain amount of commitment is needed. Homework has to be done in order to practice concepts and get help as soon as you start struggling. Leaving it for too long will make it too overwhelming. Encourage some friends to join with you so that you have moral and practical support.

Kaashifa – First Year Student – Registered Counsellor

First Year Student – Business Director

Assalamu Alaikum, Waraghmatullahi Wabarakhaatu,

I wish to share my experience and path to attending the DNSI Quran studies, program (1st year 2016).
My wife studied at DNSI, for two years, during which time she really inspired me and taught me many lessons, which really made me realise how “disadvantaged & under privileged” I am by this lack of real Quran (& Islamic) insight.

As a leader within my corporate business, I am always being looked upon for the advice, skills, direction and leadership, to guide my staff. I have always felt the need to educate myself of matters of this world, to ensure I can add value to my staff (their lives and their families improvement).
It struck me one day that included in this “skills/knowledge”, is the spiritual support to be shared with everyone. Added to the fact that by now I was really yearning to gain my own spiritual enhancement and draw closer to my Allah. As Fathers, Husbands and leaders in our homes, businesses and communities, we are always “busy” and do not find the “time”, for “madressa”.

I finally enrolled for the 1st year Sunday intensive class 2016. To my amazement and astonishment, I finally felt even closer, to my Rabb. (by understanding my recital in Salah & more. We “speak” to Allah SWT 5 times a day, minimum, yet many of us do not realise what we are saying).

I was really impressed at the way the course was structured and support offered by the lecturers. (May Allah SWT, grant that they are able to remain doing it for many years inshallah, and the institution of Islamic learning grows in the hearts of ALL).
Halfway through the 1st year I realised that it is too little to be doing just on a Sunday, as I was now experiencing a “void”, in my life by not attending or being in “class”.

The class lectures are structured not to talk “down”, to students but a full interactive, participative and supportive manner.
My advice is for every family (Muslim or Non Muslim), to at least have 1 member attending these classes. I am also really encouraged at the amount of young students attend.
We would easily spend R150 000 on an MBA (for Dunyah & temporary gain), yet be afraid so spend a few thousand on a course, that we will take to our grave (and benefit us in Aaghirah & eternity).

I wish to continue every year at DNSI and any other institution, inshallah.
Shukran.

Islamic student learner (55years old)

5th yr Mizan Student (f), (and in corporate finance)

I started this class at the start, in 2011.  Algamdulillah. I feel that there are times when Allah doesn’t just guide us to where we belong, but HE actually carries you there


How it all started for me:

On hajj 1431 (2010), I heard Sheikh Hudhaify read at Fajr, I felt very uneasy because I couldn’t understand what he was reading and I felt like I was missing out. I wanted to know what he was reading, and I wanted to understand it. The same happened in Makkah, over and over again


I got back to work around mid-December 2010, when I got the first flyer from my contact. I opened it, closed it and deleted the email. I think I got the same flyer about two or three times thereafter.  I don’t really remember when the “light went on,” but I remember thinking: “This is what you’ve been looking for!”  Algamdulillah
Before the first class in January 2011 I was registered and I paid the class fees for the year so that I’m committed. I have never looked back, except in gratitude.

Ok, 5years down the line what have I learnt? That’s what everyone wants to know
 Can you speak Arabic? Do you know what “this means”? So, one certainly has to be patient, so that’s one thing, I guess: Patience. When you start class, you look at the world through a different lens:a clearer, cleaner, softer and more subdued lens.

Five years later you have more patience with the sister at work who wears clothes that are a tad more revealing than is necessary. You’re more patient with the Muslim brother who finds it funny that you try to avoid his attempts at hugs. But, mostly, without thinking or trying you’re able to see their good qualities and strengths and that’s what you see every time you see them now.

Five years later I realise that I’m a lot more grateful for my Saturday class than I was during my first two years
 Lesson number two: Gratitude. The Qur’aan shows you, in amazing 3D, detailed imagery, what Allah has subjugated for us.  Come to class and learn what that is. (Yes, it’s a challenge.)

I’ve learnt to thank Allah during times of ease, so that when I experience a challenge, it becomes lighter. Sounds like words, right? Not quite. I’m being retrenched. After 15years at the same company: “there’s no security in a permanent job.” The question is why? The answer is simple. Allah is Ar-Razaaq, and HE is Al-Aleem, Al-Khabeer, Al-Gakeem, Al-Azeez, Ar-Rahmaan and Ar-Raheem. It took me a good few months to really soak this up, mentally. But here I am
 I know that accepting this would have been much harder without knowing what these words really mean. Come to class
 Find out their REAL meaning.

My salaah is definitely different. I didn’t make any conscious changes; it simply comes down to understanding a couple of words in a position that makes your heart stop. My fasting is different because my heart finds pleasure in breaking fast now; it’s not just another meal. Charity has taken on a different form, it’s not about giving: it’s about the opportunity to gain reward, the opportunity Allah created for you to gain THAT reward on THAT day.

In the past 5years we’ve shared many a chuckle, some tears, births, some of our classmates have passed on (may Allah bless them with wide quboor, save them from the Fire and enter them into Jannah without reckoning, Aameen) , but we have all grown.  A lot. We still make mistakes, but out teachers, Ma Sha Allah, are patient with us, Algamdulillah. May Allah increase them in all the good they’re doing.

Fairuz – 3rd Year Student & Finance Business Partner

Algamdoelielah, I am so Grateful and even more Thankful for the Blessings and being guided towards this journey of being a Student of Al-Quran.

In the Ramadaan of 2012, my friend (Fairuz, whom I lovingly call “my other half”), attended a course and during one of the modules our facilitator, made this statement:

“Did we know that Arabic is compulsory?”. [ed: Arabic being personally obligatory on everybody is a minority opinion among scholars] This question touched me in a way that left me in tears. I was filled with so much shock and sadness because no-one has ever told me this, and that my parents or grandparents were never told. The more the Facilitator quoted from the Quran and played the video of “Nouman Ali Khan”, explaining that the English language is limited and therefore the English Translation is not correct, the more I cried. I kept thinking that if only my parents had known this, they would have ensured that we learned the Arabic of the Quran like they made us learn Surah Fatigah or our “Koels’. I had mixed emotions – sad over the time lost but Thankful for hearing this before it was too late.

I turned to my friend, and she too was sobbing, Soebagaanallah, we were both experiencing the same feelings and emotions. Right there, I made my Nieyah that I would go and study Arabic the following year. Our lecturer then went further to explain how we need to know the language of our Rabb and the language of Jannah. She then ended this lecture talking about our Beloved Nabie Muhammad saw and his “Inheritance that he left us” via the Sunnah and the Quran. This Living Quran which is a Miracle and how we are depriving ourselves from experiencing the miracle of the Quran by not knowing the Arabic of the Quran. We are unable to understand or know the conversation the Quran has with us, we cannot access Our Beloved Prophet’s Inheritance and we fail to experience the Miracle of the Quran.

At this stage I was so overwhelmed by emotion that I never realised that my friend also had the same experience and that she had also made her nieyah. After the class, we were both sitting in the car crying and we told each other, that our Nieyah has been made , Algamdoelielah.

I then went and researched different courses as well as the topic. I looked at many different courses on offer and found that Darun Naim’s course [now called Mizan Institute] content and the fact that it is offered on a Sunday morning satisfied my needs. My friend and I registered along with almost 140 people.

Little did I know how sacrificing a Sunday morning would impact my life. As you know most of our family responsibilities and events that are on Sundays and I had to learn to re-organise my life because I found that most of my weekend I just spent at home with my homework. The more I learned, the more I wanted to learn and the more my love for the Quran grew Algamdoelielah. Giving up a social life and exchanging it for the Quran was a challenging journey but today 3yrs later, it has become an accepted part of my life. I find myself wishing I could find more time, my friend and I often say we wish we could “be foreign exchange students” and take a few months out of our lives and go to an Islamic Country to study Arabic.

My very first lesson from Ml Khalil, made me realise that I had made Nieyah to do what I thought at that stage was a “course” for 4years and then I would have achieved my goal.

How wrong I was, when I heard Ml Khalil explain that this is a course like no other course and that it is a Lifetime journey, again I was completely overwhelmed with emotions. Right there I knew, my study of the Arabic; of the Quran will stop when I die. Today when people ask me when is your course finishing I respond “There is no end, once on this journey you remain a Student of the Quran until you die.”

Every lesson, every word, every phrase, every naseegah, was a transformation happening. My passion and love for the Quran continued to grow. I started researching and studying topics and buying different books to help me understand. I was committed and dedicated, I found myself spending over 20hrs a weekend just trying to understand my lessons. (yes, you guessed it, I hardly slept on a Saturday night) This has been the most challenging course I have ever been on, despite all my efforts, I keep feeling “I am not on track with the rest of the class, I am just not understanding, I just don’t get it”. So when Ramadaan came during my 1st year, we had begun with the Translation of Quran and had received our “special Quran”, imagine hearing the Quran being recited and you realise you have learnt so much. During Taraweeg Solaah, I started understanding Arabic words, and even during the Duahs and Lectures. Needless to say, I couldn’t stop sobbing, even now whilst writing this letter the tears are streaming down my face. Soebagaanallah to start experience the “Miracle of the Quran” is one of the biggest gifts we can ever receive.

Algamdoelielah I am now finishing up my 3rd year with Darun Naim but I don’t think of it in that manner or as a course that I have to pass and complete but rather as a Lifelong Journey of study. I am a student who perseveres and is committed but am really struggling to understand the Grammar, often leaving me feeling like I am “lagging behind”. In spite of this, I never feel like quitting instead it keeps me motivated to keep trying because I am learning all the time, even if it was 1 word. From Day 1, I decided not to have any expectations but instead to be Grateful for even 1 letter or word I have learnt and understood. Words can never describe how one feels when you hear an Arabic word or phrase or Sentence/s of the Quran and you understand. Your Qalb (Spiritual Heart) is touched and quivers and all I do is cry and cry out of Gratitude and Thanks to my Rabb.

Every lesson, every learning of the Quran, every word I understand, I feel the Transformation within my heart, in my feelings, my words, my action, my life, to the extent that it has and is impacting the people whom I come in contact with. The Quran is really the Best Friend we could ever have, Allah Hoe Akbar and it brings a Contentment and Peace in once Life that you have never imagined possible.

Lastly, I would like to say that this journey is nothing like you will expect and there will be times when “you lose momentum” or when you feel frustrated because you are not understanding or you don’t have any free time or you’re not seeing your family or friends, or can’t write fast enough ; or can’t memorise your homework or due to unforeseen circumstances can’t attend a lesson but knowing that the Quran is a Miracle we want to experience, makes this journey worth every sacrifice.

Our class of 140 has shrunk to less than 40 but my friend and I are still continuing our journey In-Shaa-Allah. This journey of learning is not an “Arabic Course” but a learning and understanding of who we are and how we must live our lives and what our purpose is. In-Shaa-Allah make Duah that these few words will inspire and encourage you to make your Nieyah and that you too become a “Student of Al-Quran”.

In-Shaa-Allah ,I make Duah that these few words will inspire and encourage you to make your Nieyah and that you too become a “Student of Al-Quran”.

Fairuz Zaindeen (Isaac)

Finance Business Partner

3rd Year DNSI Student

1st year DNSI student (dentist)

I was very anxious when I started. Gradually ,as time went on ,it became easier. Some of the challenges for me was giving up my sleep on a Sunday and spending the time doing the homework during the week since I work 6 days a week.

Grasping the sarf scales was extremely difficult but the nahwu classes inspired me and kept me interested and inspired. Sheikh Khalil was constantly encouraging us not to drop out and I held on.

Every single lecturer has such a beautiful adaab and shares their lecture with us in such a beautiful manner. I have certainly developed a deeper love for the Quran and feel blessed that I can understand some of what I am reciting.

I have started encouraging others in my circle to register. This class is a hidden jewel. Maasha Allah. May Allah swt grant the continued success of the school and allow it to grow from strength to strength. Insha Allah

1st year DNSI [now called Mizan Institute] student (dentist)

Waseem – Investment Analyst

Prior to hearing about the course, I had a very superficial and somewhat prejudiced view of Islam and Muslims in general. My view was shaped by an upbringing that had strong Western influences and I was unmindful of my Deen. My ultimate goals in life were enjoyment in this world and money. There is no question in my mind of what my final destination would have been on that trajectory.

The DNSI course [Now called Mizan Institute] was a complete eye-opener and life changer for myself, my wife and many of those around me. I had always been aware of the apparent wonders of Qur’an and Hadith but the way the information had been presented prior to joining DNSI was lacking and left me unengaged. The way the DNSI course was taught, the sincerity and quality of the Ustadh’s, their non-judgemental and encouraging attitude, and the engaging way in which the material was presented, encouraged me to immerse myself in the Word of Allah and the ways of His Messenger. It unlocked the door to unlimited wonders and I feel that my heart is now attached to the Qur’an. The course also provides context and insight into key topics, many of which I had previously misunderstood. It has equipped me to face the world as a Muslim and, although there is much room for my own personal improvement, I am surely in a far better position to meet my Lord now than I ever have been.

Some of the more obvious changes that the course has brought about in my life:
– I have managed to lengthen my beard whereas I was previously clean shaven
– I strive to cover my awrah regardless of the weather
– I have managed to maintain daily prayers consistently
– I have given up listening to music in favour of listening to Qur’an and lectures, and have given up watching fiction
– I make extra effort to honour my parents and to be good to them

I highly recommend the course to anyone who does not understand what is being recited in Salaah, who does not understand why we perform certain acts as Muslims, or who is disillusioned with their role in this world.

Waseem Hassen, Investment Analyst