Our Beginnings
Founded in 2017, Darajat began as a collaborative initiative with a local community center, led by the visionaries who would later establish the Darajat Organization. Our inaugural cohort of 31 women participated in a fully Arabic program, setting the tone for Darajat’s commitment to authentic Islamic education. From the very beginning, Darajat has been dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for adults and youth to access genuine Islamic knowledge, deepen their understanding of the Qur’an and Sunnah, and nurture their spiritual growth.
Darajat By the Numbers
Our Teaching Team
Guiding students with expertise and excellence
Ms.Eman Shahada
Master’s Degree in Ethics and Philosophy
Dr. Doaa Shahada
PhD in Hadith and Its Sciences
Dr. Feryal Al-Qudah
Text Linguistics and Discourse Analysis, Associate Professor
Ms. Shatha Kareem
Tajweed and Quran Recitation
Dr. Sondos Shahwan
PhD in Islamic Da'wah
Ms. Razan Abideen
Islamic History
Dr. Habeeba Mustafa
PhD in Linguistic Studies
Dr. Najwa Qarqeesh
Jurisprudence and Its Fundamentals , Professor Doctor
Dr. Hanan Mokhtar
Dr. Hanan Ahmed Abdel Hafeez Al-Obwini PhD in Tafsir (Qur’anic Exegesis) and Qur’anic Sciences
Dr. Heba Abdel-Fattah Saleh
PhD in Qur’anic Exegesis and Sciences
Dr. Rokia Jabr
Curriculum and Teaching Methods of Islamic Education,Assistant Professor
Events & Highlights
Registration is now open for the Academic Year 2025–2026 starts on February 1st!
Darajat Administration is pleased to announce the start of the new academic year 2025–2026, officially...
Orientation for the Academic Year 2025–2026
Date: August 16, 2025 Description: This orientation session is designed to welcome new and returning...
Dardashat An Educational and Social Gathering for Women under the title “Blessed Marriage”
Join us for a Chat Meeting, a seasonal and in-person gathering that brings together Arab...
Frequently Asked Questions
Darajat FAQs: Guidance for Students, Graduates, and Faculty
Who issues Darajat’s academic certificates?
All academic certificates are officially issued by the Islamic University of Minnesota.
What academic programs and degrees does Darajat offer?
Darajat offers Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees in a range of Islamic disciplines, including Islamic Studies, Quranic Sciences, and others!
Are Darajat programs only for women?
No, Darajat programs are open to both men and women.
At what age can a student begin studying?
A student may enrol in the Diploma of Islamic Studies starting from the age of 13.
What is the minimum age to enroll at Darajat?
Eligibility for enrollment starts at age 13, varying by program.
Are the courses taught only in Arabic?
No! Darajat has both Arabic and English departments, offering programs in each language. We also plan to offer courses in Spanish in the near future, In Sha’ Allah.
Do students need to live in Chicago to enroll?
No, Darajat programs are fully accessible online, allowing students from anywhere in the world to enroll and participate.
What are the admission requirements for the programs?
Associates Degree Programs: Meet age requirement
Bachelor's Degree Programs: A high school certificate or its equivalent is required.
Master's Degree Programs: A Bachelor's degree in any specialization is required.
Doctoral studies in Quranic Interpretation Sciences and Quranic Sciences: A Master's degree in Quranic Interpretation Sciences is required.
Is there a mobile application to access course materials?
Yes, students can access all course materials, resources, and announcements through our mobile-friendly educational portal.
Are the classes conducted in-person or online?
All classes are conducted live online through Zoom, allowing students to participate from anywhere in the world.
Voices of Darajat
"Darajat elevates and benefits me, my husband, my children, and my community, because being armed with knowledge is extremely important—especially in these times filled with trials. And knowledge can only be truly beneficial through study, repetition, and testing."
Voices of Darajat
"Although I only attended twice, it was a successful experience and I felt a sense of inner peace."
Voices of Darajat
"A truly wonderful program. I found myself and proved my abilities through it. I learned many things that, unfortunately, I didn’t know before."
Voices of Darajat
"Darajat has taught me that even through all these trials, being patient and remaining close to Allah (swt) will bring you closer to the answers and solutions to all my problems."
Voices of Darajat
"It brought about a major change in my life, broadened my horizons, and I’ve come to know many things I was previously unaware of. I find great joy in attending the lectures. Alhamdulillah."
Voices of Darajat
"A truly wonderful institution in every sense of the word. I find great joy in it, and I wish I had discovered it earlier."
Voices of Darajat
"They say time is money, but I wouldn't be able to put a price on the time I spent in Darajat."
Voices of Darajat
"Darajat has transformed my perception of being a Muslim , influencing parts of my life I didn't know could be touched through the pursuit of i'lm."
