The Bab al-Ridha intensive short course (BRisc) is a three-week Islamic course held in December in the holy city of Qum, Iran.
Organised by students of the Hawza, the course provides the Muslim youth with essential and profound Islamic knowledge and vision, practical skills and an excellent opportunity to meet like-minded fellow Muslims.
With classes, workshops, discussion circles, field trips, visits to scholars, sports and other recreational activities, the 3 week course is a whole package.
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Testimonials
This course will bring you closer to the truth, know your surroundings, and help you understand yourself
BRisc has helped me in following the path of Allah (SWT). It has made me confident that my worldview is based on reality. It will definitely quench your thirst for knowledge and questions that you have regarding your purpose.
The course exceeded all my expectations. It’s not only packed with lots of information but also lots of fun activities and trips that balance things out perfectly. Best of all, you get to meet new people and mentors who will be friends for life now!!
I was apprehensive before coming as to how much I’d be able to learn in just three weeks. However keeping in mind the practical aspects of learning, I’ve realised that it was totally worth coming here despite the sacrifices I had to make to come. The learning here is much better than at local centres…
Taking this course is the best decision I’ve made in my life, the knowledge, experience, life long friendships, love, and the change it brought in me doesn’t compare to anything else, I’ll forever be grateful and I ensure that you won’t regret taking this course either.
BRisc is honestly a life changing course, it caters for everything you’d want. It’s a great way to spend your holidays because you will visit so many different places, and see so many great things. You get your ziyarat, your tourism, and a lot of amazing content from the classes too.
Aims of the Course
Acquire a much deeper and significant amount of Islamic knowledge on various crucial subjects, including aqaid (theology), ahkaam (jurisprudence and law), akhlaq (ethics), as well as other exciting novel topics relevant to modern day.
Learn to adopt the ideal Islamic lifestyle, which takes into consideration all aspects of the human being, i.e. your spiritual, physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.
Get help in your spiritual journey at the hands of reliable and approved spiritual teachers of akhlaq – A unique opportunity for a lifetime change
Develop an understanding of the profound Islamic worldview and outlook on life – Basically, learn to see the world through an Islamic lens.
Meet other youths and members of various organisations to share your experience, learn to work as a team and discover innovative ways to help your Muslim Community
Strengthen your skills and gain resources for a more effective tabligh effort to spread the beautiful teachings of Islam
Course Program
(Click on the tabs below to read about each aspect of the program.)
Classes and workshops are fundamental for your learning, and we have been blessed to have some very experienced teachers and studious students from the Hawzah who will share their knowledge in a very interactive and proficient manner.
Classes are divided into 6 topics as follows:
Theology (Aqaid) – Reassess your beliefs and worldview;
Ethics (Akhlaq) – Learn how to progress spirituality and become a better person in light of Islamic teachings
Jurisprudence (Ahkam) – Study important and relevant topics in Islamic rulings
Uns with the Quran – Find out how to get closer to the Divine Book
Workshops – Practically learn various skills in social interaction, leadership and project management
Gender specific classes – Discuss gender-specific issues
Sitting in an informal circle for discussion is an excellent opportunity to summarise class content in your own words, as well as challenge, question and clarify any misconceptions. Similarly, debriefing sessions after field trips will help you to maximize your experience and be able to analyse your learning.
Mubahatha, is a common practice in the Hawza, whereby students get together in the afternoons to engage in passionate discussions, reinforcing and delving deeper into the knowledge gained in class.
During the Bab al-Ridha short course, you will also get the chance to sit with your classmates and a senior student to review your class notes, ask questions, challenge the various topics discussed, and clarify ambiguities, in a very relaxed and friendly environment. A lot of positive feedback has been given for these sessions!
Islamic lifestyle and culture is a very important aspect of a Muslim society, as it is the expression of a strong belief and worldview in the form of art, education, law, customs and morals.
Field trips are an opportunity to visit various museums, institutions and art places, so as to experience in a very enjoyable and pleasant way, that which is taught in the classroom, guiding us towards building the Islamic lifestyle and culture. .
Scholars are the bright light that guide the Islamic community, enrich our lives with knowledge and spirituality, playing the role of a bridge between us and the 12th holy Imam (‘a) during the occultation.
Visits to scholars are full of blessings, as well as a great source of inspiration, giving us a burst of motivation to study and work harder on the path to Allah (swt).
During the trip, you will get the chance to visit several great scholars who will share some of their knowledge and answer your questions. The chance to benefit from their vast amount of knowledge, experience and wisdom, and receive personal advice, may be a one-in-a-lifetime life-changing opportunity!
Ziarah is the renewal of the bond of wilayah between us and the special servants of Allah (swt) and thus a stepping stone towards lofty goals.
The holy city of Qum, where the course will be based, rotates around the beautiful and blessed shrine of the great Lady Fatimah Ma’sumah (‘a), for whose ziarah the believers are promised paradise.
A part of the course will also take place in the holy city of Mashhad, where you will have the exceptional opportunity to perform the Ziarah of the 8th Imam, Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (‘a) at the biggest and one of the most splendid haram in the Shia world.
The first step of our journey towards Allah (swt) is taken in this world, through the use of the physical body. It is therefore vital to take really good care of this important mount in order to reach the destination faster.
Sports, as well as leisure, is an excellent way to keep healthy and to refresh the body and mind so that we are much more effective in the important task of learning and seeking His (swt) proximity.