Purification – Marvels of the Heart and Taming the Ego
In a world often driven by external achievement, this course invites you to turn inward — to explore the subtle realms of the heart and to engage in the inward work of purifying the self. Drawing on the classical Islamic text Imam al‑Ghazali’s *Lubāb al‑Ihyā’ “The Core of the Ihyā’ ‘Ulūm al-Dīn” (a summary of his Ihyā’ ‘Ulūm al-Dīn), this module focusses on two interconnected themes:
Marvels of the Heart — deeply exploring the role of the spiritual heart: its nature, states, faculties, thoughts and how when finely tuned it becomes the locus of divine realisation. Taming the Ego — identifying the ego’s defects, the subtle diseases of the soul, and the cultivation of praiseworthy character traits (akh lāq) in their place.
The heart, in this tradition, is not just a metaphor but the inner centre of human awareness — when vices dominate it, we become disconnected from deeper reality; when purified it becomes receptive to impending truths and the remembrance of the Divine.
Module Outline
Below is the weekly outline for this module.
Week 1 – Introduction and the disciplin’s context within disciplines
Week 2 – Significant terms explained
Week 3 – Significant terms explained and the heart’s role
Week 4 – The faculty of sight both physical and spiritual
Week 5 – The heart’s varying and types of thoughts
Week 6 – The heart’s varying and types of thoughts
Week 7 – Integrals of noble character
Week 8 – Recognising the soul’s defect
Week 9 – Nuturing children
Week 10 – Nuturing children
Module Instructor
“The scholars are the inheritors of the prophets.” [Abu Dawud]
Shaykh Thaqib Mahmood
Shaykh Thaqib Mahmood’s educational journey in the Islamic disciplines comprises a rich tapestry of experiences from the late 90s to 2007. He sought knowledge in many locations, benefiting from and receiving licenses in general and specific areas from scholars in Yemen, Syria, Morocco, Turkey, Mauritania, Makkah and Madinah.~
All our Saturday classes are available both in person and online. As an institute, we strongly encourage students to attend in person, as the benefits of in-person learning far exceed those of online attendance. The Friday sessions are conducted online via Zoom.
Location
Inperson: Challney High School for Boys, Stoneygate Rd, Luton LU4 9TJ. Online Zoom: links will be provided via email
Date/Time
Starting – 3rd January 2026 for 10 weeks Saturdays – 11.30am to 12.30pm
Module Content
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Module Text
The module is based on the text book below, 'Revival of the Religious Sciences'. Students are recommended to purchase this book, it can be bought from the location below at a slightly discounted price. Or please search Amazon. https://thefountainbookshop.com/products/revival-of-the-religious-sciences
al-Ghazali, Abu Hamid Muhammad ibn Muhammad. lhya' 'ulum ai-din. Ten vols. Edited by lajnahtu Ilmiya Dar al-Minhaj Jeddah, Dar al-Minhaj (2011)
al-Ghazali, Abu Hamid Muhammad ibn Muhammad. Lubāb al-lhya'. Edited by Mahmud Bayrutī, Dar al-Bayrūti (2021)
Ahmad, Salih al-Shāmi. al-Muhadhab min lhya' 'ulum ai-din. 2 vols, Damascus, Dar al-Qalam (2018)
Module Notes:
All class notes will be provided in advance and will be uploaded here:
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Knowledge
Knowledge is understanding that every choice and view one forms is framed in the guidance presented in the Quran and the Prophetic way as understood by Ahle Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah.
Practice
Practice seeks to implement that knowledge in all aspects of our lives. Sincerely applying knowledge facilitates the soul to acquire virtuous characteristics and move beyond its vices and capricious element
Realisation
The soul becomes receptive to realisations concerning God’s oneness, majesty, beauty, and how creation is an ongoing sign of Divine favour. This witnessing is highlighted in the Prophetic statement,‘Excellence is to worship Allah as though you see Him. If you do not see Him, He sees you.
Shaykh Thaqib Mahmood
Shaykh Thaqib Mahmood’s educational journey in the Islamic disciplines comprises a rich tapestry of experiences from the late 90s to 2007. He sought knowledge in many locations, benefiting from and receiving licenses in general and specific areas from scholars in Yemen, Syria, Morocco, Turkey, Mauritania, Makkah and Madinah.
The central place of studying abroad unfolded in Damascus, where Shaykh Thaqib Mahmood immersed himself in a traditional curriculum. He received one-on-one tutoring for particular subjects or was part of a small group of students. Over time, he studied various subjects to their advanced levels with various scholars. This led to a comprehensive study of the well-known and established scholarly works, showcasing the depth of arguments and positions representing the mainstream understandings of this Ummah.
Since his return to the UK in the last 17 years, Shaykh Thaqib Mahmood has been actively involved in teaching a broad spectrum of Islamic disciplines, from Sirah to Tafsir. In addition developing educational programmes at the various institutions he’s been serving. His significant contributions include a 9-year tenure as a Quranic Arabic tutor at the University of Oxford, where he designed and developed the Quranic Arabic programme, which was previously neglected, bringing it up to par with the other languages taught at the Faculty of Theology and Religion. He also played a crucial role in creating the first approved BSL (British Sign Language) Adhan, providing essential knowledge of the Arabic phrases that BSL can best capture. His academic achievements include a PGDip in teaching communicative Arabic and an MA in linguistics; he completed both postgraduate programmes at SOAS, which have further enriched his understanding and teaching of Islamic disciplines.
The following are the names of some of the scholars he studied under, each of whom played a meaningful role during his time away studying.
In Yemen: Habib Umar b. Hafidh In Damascus: Shaykh Abdulah Siraj ud-Din, Shaykh Shukri al-Luhafī, Shaykh Ramadhan al-Buṭī, Shaykh Muhammad Darwish, Shaykh Abdul Wahaab, Shaykh Muhammad al Yaqoubi, Shaykh Adnan al Majd, Shaykh Maree al Rashid and Shaykh Khalil al Sabbagh, In Mauritania: Murabit al-Hajj, Murabit Ahmad Fāl and Murabit Hadamīn. In Turkey: Shaykh Mahmud Effendi, Shaykh Muhammed Ameen Siraj, Shaykh Ehsaan Hojah. In Makkah: Shaykh Khalid, Shaykh Abdul-Qadir al-Dhabwān, Shaykh Ahmad al-Ruqaymi, Shaykh Ahmad al-Kāf, and Shaykh ‘Abbas al-Maliki In Madinah: Shaykh Abdur Rahman And in the UK: Shaykh Siraj and Shaykh Muhammad Ba Shuayb.
May Allah preserve those who are alive and grant them the best in this world and the hereafter. And may Allah shower His mercy on those who have returned to their creator and, forgive their shortcomings, and raise their ranks. He continues his learning under both local and international scholars. Shaykh Thaqib has been part of the Fountain for over 25 years.
