Nisbah Magazine Nisbah, Autumn 2014 | Page 3

Nur ul Ilm Academy is a traditional Islamic institute. It focuses on the spiritual and academic growth of the Muslims by conducting online and in-person talks, courses and intensives in English and Urdu. The institute offers full time ‘Alim and ‘Alimah courses for brothers and sisters, teaching books based on the curriculum of Dar ul Uloom Deoband, India. The institute runs under the patronage of Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad ‫ دامت بركاهتم‬who is a leading Shaykh in the science of Islamic spirituality, and is supervised by Shaykh Tauqeer Chaudhary ‫ دامت بركاهتم‬along with his wife ‘Alimah Nadia Sadiq. Shaykh Tauqeer Chaudhary ‫دامت بركاهتم‬ Shaykh Tauqeer Chaudhary, holds a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from the Ohio State University, USA and has been a Director of many multinational corporations across the globe. He started his spiritual journey under the guidance of his Shaykh, Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad, in 1999 and also studied several Islamic traditional texts under different prestigious scholars, in a range of subjects not limited to but including Arabic grammar and literature, rhetoric, poetry, Mantiq (Logic), Aqa’id (Theology), Hanafi Fiqh, comparative Usul-ul-Fiqh (Principles of legal jurisprudence), Tafseer of Qur’an, Usulul-Hadith and Hadith (all major books including Sihah Sittah), thus completing the eight year ‘Alim course according to Wifaq ul Madaris, Pakistan curriculum. He has been in close company of Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad, also serving him in many of his travels, and was formally granted ijazah and khilafah from him in 2008 to take students in the path of spirituality and formally develop them in the path of Shari’ah and Sunnah. Shaykh Tauqeer co-founded Nur ul Ilm Academy, alongside his wife, in 2008 to teach sacred sciences and spiritual development, where he teaches all levels of ‘Alim and ‘Alimah programs. Shaykh Tauqeer also travels all across the world to deliver lectures and help people develop spiritually. ‘Alimah Nadia Sadiq ‘Alimah Nadia Sadiq, also known by her students as Baji Jaan or Mama Jaan, is the wife of Shaykh Tauqeer and principal of Nur ul Ilm Academy (Women’s branch). She holds an MBA degree with a discipline in Marketing. ‘Alimah Nadia met her Shaykh, Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad, around 15 years ago, who guided her to embark on the journey of spirituality and sacred learning of Islam. ‘Alimah Nadia started her ‘Alimah program in Chicago and continued in Pakistan where she graduated with the Wifaq-ul-Madaris ‘Alimah program degree along with Masters in Islamic Studies. In parallel, she also developed spiritually under the guidance of her Shaykh and finally was asked to establish Nur ul Ilm Academy in 2008. ‘Alimah Nadia has dedicated her life to work amongst Muslim women and girls and invite them to the Deen, as well teaching them Islamic conduct and mannerism. ‘Alimah Nadia regularly conducts various workshops and seminars on contemporary issues and lifestyle management to women of all ages and disciplines. ‘Alimah Nadia also travels with her husband, Shaykh Tauqeer, to conduct lectures throughout the world.