In a Chicago suburb, experts are deepening their understanding of Islamic tradition
At Darul Qasim Islamic College in Hoffman Estates, a suburb of Chicago, a growing number of doctors, lawyers, and other professionals are deepening their knowledge of the classical Islamic tradition. The institution, founded by Sheikh Mohammed Amin Holwadia in 2000, offers traditional Islamic seminary programs and graduate degrees, including a master’s program in Islamic law and theology.
According to Al Jazeera English, palliative and hospice care physician Tariq Latif turned to his studies after working with patients at the end of their lives. He was seeking an Islamic approach to questions regarding the limits of medical intervention, human dignity, and compassion. Latif moved to Chicago, where he studied in Darul Qasim’s Saturday program while simultaneously pursuing a master’s degree in bioethics at Northwestern University.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Latif was the only palliative care specialist at his hospital. Faced with ethical questions regarding the care of patients at the end of life, he turned to the Al-Amin Ethics Institute at Darul Qasim—a network of Muslim professionals and religious scholars. Together, they developed an Islamic approach to end-of-life care. The doctor later presented this work at a medical journal club meeting, where two practicing nurses expressed their intention to adapt certain elements of the approach for patients with cognitive impairments.
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Holvadia links the college’s work to the intellectual legacy of Maulana Muhammad Qasim Nanawati—the 19th-century founder of the Indian seminary Darul Uloom Deoband. At the same time, he emphasizes that Darul Qasim operates within the context of modern American society. At the college, students study classical Qur’anic commentaries, Islamic law, and theology, as well as discuss constitutional law, philosophy, medical ethics, and contemporary issues.
Among the college’s students is Mariam Rahman, who, after earning a master’s degree in Islamic studies from the University of Chicago, chose Darul Qasim over a doctoral program. Aisha Mohsin came from Melbourne seeking an opportunity for in-person, in-depth study under Islamic scholars. According to the college administration, the number of female and male students is roughly equal.
The leadership of Darul Qasim aims to ensure that its graduates can work in academic settings, research centers, and the legal field. Holvadia acknowledged that the institution has not yet reached that level and expressed hope that it will eventually become a full-fledged Islamic university.
