Dr. Sheibani’s courses enable participants to connect with God, with their inner world and lived experiences, and with other believers in brave communities of learning and belonging.

Dr. Sheibani’s Approach

My approach centers on

  • Offering new paradigms and frameworks for understanding Islamic tradition

  • Engaging individuals, practitioners, and communities in developing tools and principles for integrating lived experience with religious teaching

  • Co-constructing solutions to shared and emerging challenges.

  • My courses tackle the pressing issues of our time and do not shy away from the difficult and thorny aspects of tradition. My programs shift the terrain of communal discourse towards depth, nuance, and coherence. My engaging approach makes space for integrating the questions, ambiguities, and concerns raised by participants.

    I prioritize women’s needs and development, whom I believe remain an underserved group with unmet concerns and unanswered but crucial questions. I believe that resolving the tensions around women and gender is a critical frontier for advancing the Islamic tradition as a whole.

  • Between the extremes of, on the one hand, cancel culture and loss of faith, and, on the other, complacency, apologetics, and turning a blind eye, I forge a middle path that acknowledges the dysfunctions in our community and the historical contingencies of our tradition while retaining trust in God, his Prophet, and optimism about the possibility of realizing and institutionalizing moral perfection and an enriching communal life.

    I approach difficult questions with curiosity and a critical and exploratory spirit. I am honest about my own limitations and ongoing exploration of critical issues, thereby inviting others to humility and to sitting with the discomfort of not having all the answers.

  • I offer access to the richness of the Islamic tradition in a new way that empowers critical thinkers and confident believers. Rather than using rhetoric to persuade, I offer principle-based frameworks grounded in rigorous knowledge-traditions that are demonstrated through case studies and examples that invite participants to reach their own conclusions.

  • While taking inspiration from the pedagogical approaches modeled by my teachers, I also break new ground on innovative pedagogical practices and clarifying frameworks that make knowledge accessible and easily applicable to ethical dilemmas of daily life.

    My teachings set in motion personal and communal paradigm shifts, providing individuals with the tools, frameworks, and personal capacities for answering questions that arise and empowering them to lead God-centered lives in their families, communities, and professional domains.

Dr. Sheibani offers courses organized under five core themes that are accessible, relevant, application-oriented, and research-based.

All courses, online and in-person, offer paradigms and frameworks that empower participants to think through critical issues, co-construct solutions to shared challenges, and offer practical tools for cultivating a God-centered spiritual life.

Five Core Themes

Islamic Law

Understand the history, theory, and practice of Islamic law, from the Prophet’s Medinan community to the present. Hone the skills to contextualize any legal ruling: from its evidence and rationales, its evolution and diverse juristic framings, to the ways Muslims have negotiated its social application. Master the art of asking better questions about Islamic law.

Islamic Thought & History

Explore the diverse histories of Muslim societies. Appreciate the events, ideas, and individuals who have shaped what it means to be Muslim today. Draw lessons and inspiration from the diverse manifestations of Islam across time and space.

Hadith Studies

Explore the rich legacy of the Prophet Muhammad. Discover the story of how and why the Muslim community developed a unique methodology for preserving his legacy. Harness the tools to resolve seeming conflicts between multiple reports, or to make sense of reports about theology, science, history, or gender that seem to clash with your expectations or sensibilities. 

Quranic Studies

Enrich your contemplation of the Quran by exploring its timeless teachings and what they mean for us today. Appreciate the story of the Quran, from both theological and historical perspectives. Study the rich legacy of the umma’s meditation on the Quran’s inward and outward meanings.

Applied Spirituality

Enrich your connection with God. Explore timeless spiritual principles and practices to cultivate a meaningful religious life in an increasingly materialistic and alienating world. 

What students have to say

  • “I see this course as a defining moment in my studies at Harvard Divinity School. Professor Sheibani is an excellent instructor who utilizes a variety of pedagogical strategies to provide a holistic learning experience.”

    - Graduate student at Harvard Divinity School, Seminar on al-Ghazālī’s Thought

  • “I loved how Dr. Sheibani explored specific Islamic laws and presented the differences between the rules and the spirit or purpose of the law. There was so much compassion in law the way she taught it, even on the toughest questions. I also liked how she transitioned into therapeutic applications and made room for classroom discussions. It was always clear that things are not black and white and listening to different experiences from fellow practitioners enriched the discussion.”

    - Practitioner-student in the Cambridge Muslim College, Islamic Psychology Diploma

  • “This course really showed the complexity and breadth of Sufism. The scope of what was covered in a relatively short time was incredible. The delivery was excellent and easy to follow – a good systematic and chronological treatment without being rigid. I learnt so many new things and the course really shifted my thinking. Explanations of contentious issues were very even handed and dispassionate. This was a refreshing approach because of how antagonistic discussions of these topics are in Muslim communities today.”

    -Student in What Is Sufism?, an on-demand course at Cambridge Muslim College

  • “The class was immensely informative largely because Professor Sheibani has such a strong command in the expansive fields of Islamic history, Islamic law, and Islamic theology. No question was left unanswered or without a nuanced explanation from her. Excellent course.”

    - Graduate student at Harvard Divinity School, Seminar on Islamic Ethics

  • “Professor Sheibani was a great professor. She made sure we discussed the course concepts thoroughly, shared our own opinions, and raised questions on the course material. She made all the students feel comfortable and connected to one another and ensured they respected each other's opinions. I also loved how she combined both western academic sources and traditional Muslim sources to broaden our understanding with different perspectives.”

    - Student at the University of Toronto, Early Islamic History Seminar

  • “I thoroughly benefited from the course What is Sufism? taught by Dr. Mariam Sheibani. She taught the course in a very systematic and engaging way. She connected the dots for me about Sufism through an intellectual historical perspective. The course was easy to follow and the content was very well organized. As a Learning Experience Designer by profession, I really appreciated how the content was divided appropriately into smaller segments that flowed logically. I also appreciate that it was self-paced which allowed working professionals like me to go through it at their own pace.”

    - Ateka, student in What Is Sufism?

  • “Dr. Mariam is an expert in Hadith sciences. But more than that she deeply cares about her students and connecting them to this science. She is a skilled educator who breaks down complex concepts and makes them digestible and applicable for all. I loved learning from her and with her. She is an incredible teacher who models sincerity, accessibility, and humility, which is beautiful to witness. She is a clear communicator, and she engages difficult subjects with grace and frankness.”

    - Rahile, student in Hadith seminar in Cairo

  • “Professor Sheibani is a gifted instructor who surpassed my expectations of a professor. She is clearly passionate and knowledgeable about her work and it's contagious to students.”

    - Graduate student at Harvard Divinity School, Seminar on Islamic Ethics

  • “Professor Sheibani is a gem! She should be nominated for teaching awards (and I am sure she will be!). She did a stellar job with every aspect of teaching and inspired each of her students - in a very diverse class - to learn more than they thought they could. I wish I had the opportunity to take more classes from her.”

    - Graduate student at Harvard Divinity School, Seminar on Islamic Ethics

  • “If you want to understand Hadith, Sunnah, and Fiqh, the four sessions called ‘Holding Fast’ by Dr. Mariam Sheibani are the best video resource available online. She’s a phenomenal teacher, and I highly recommend learning from her.”

    - Abdullah Saleh, student in “Principles for Understanding Hadith and Law”