Have you ever had a student in your Islamic Studies class who just seemed disconnected?
Last year, while working with an Islamic school looking to implement Diwan’s curriculum, a teacher shared an experience that resonated deeply.
During a lesson discussing a classical book on Tazkiyah, one of his students, a bright but disengaged teen, slumped in his chair. When the teacher called on him to share his thoughts, he shrugged and muttered, “What’s the point? I already pray, I already fast. Why does all this ‘purification of the heart’ stuff even matter?”
The teacher later reflected, realizing that the student wasn’t lacking knowledge—he was struggling with internalizing it. He did well on tests from their previous curriculum, which was heavily memorization-based, but his heart hadn’t yet connected with what he was practicing and learning.
Islamic Studies teachers—have you ever experienced that?
For many Islamic schools, the biggest challenge isn’t just engaging students—it’s building a curriculum that gives them both depth and connection. Too often, schools either rely on older material that doesn’t provide teachers and students with a sense of depth or structured progression through the Islamic sciences, or use strong supplementary resources without a foundational curriculum that covers the various Islamic sciences in an academically rigorous yet relevant way.
At Diwan, we believe in solving this gap.
Our Islamic scholars, curriculum developers, and academic experts—all of whom have grown up in the West—have built a comprehensive Islamic Studies curriculum that merges traditional sciences with modern pedagogy. It challenges students academically while also nurturing the next generation of Islamic leaders.
This means covering the core sciences in a structured and engaging way, while also recognizing that students today are growing up in a world that actively shapes their spiritual and emotional landscape.
Islamic Schools in a Changing Society
A study by Barna Group found that 59% of young adults who grew up in religious households eventually disengage from faith practices. While this study focused on Christian youth, the trend is evident in all religious communities navigating an increasingly secular society.
For Muslim students, even those in Islamic schools, faith is often compartmentalized—something they practice in school but struggle to integrate into the broader world around them. They are constantly engaging with a society where religion is increasingly sidelined—through social media, friendships outside school, and the broader cultural landscape.
The solution isn’t just preparation—it’s building a strong foundation.
Islamic schools have a duty to equip students with both intellectual depth and spiritual resilience, so that their knowledge translates into conviction and action.
This is where Diwan’s Islamic Studies Curriculum stands apart.
A Sample Lesson from Diwan’s Tazkiyah Curriculum
The Qur’an tells us:
"The Day when neither wealth nor children will be of any benefit, but only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart." (Surah Ash-Shu’ara 26:88-89)
This verse reminds us that while knowledge and success are important, what truly determines a person’s outcome is the state of their heart.
The Prophet ﷺ reinforced this:
“Verily, in the body, there is a piece of flesh; If it is sound, the whole body is sound; if it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt. Verily, it is the heart.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
One of the Lessons of Diwan’s Tazkiyah textbook is the idea that the heart operates like a kingdom, with three essential forces guiding it:
1️⃣ The Willpower Army – Determines whether a person leans toward worship and discipline or toward distraction and heedlessness.
2️⃣ The Strength Army – Governs reactions to challenges—whether a person responds with patience or impulsiveness.
3️⃣ The Intelligence Army – Processes knowledge, shaping whether faith becomes deeply ingrained or remains surface-level.
When these "forces" are well-trained, the heart thrives. When neglected, external influences take over.\This structured approach allows students not only to understand their spiritual struggles but also to develop practical strategies for self-purification and personal growth.
Get Full Access to a Complete Lesson Plan
Schools using the Diwan curriculum receive pre-made lesson plans.
🔗 Access to the Full Lesson Plan (use school email)
This teacher-friendly resource includes:
✅ Step-by-step lesson breakdowns
✅ Student activities to encourage engagement
✅ Discussion prompts to facilitate deeper learning
✅ Worksheets and assessments, all pre-made in the Diwan Curriculum
By using structured lessons like this one, Islamic schools can seamlessly integrate spiritual development into their curriculum while ensuring academic rigor and student engagement.
How Islamic Schools Can Strengthen Spiritual Engagement
To ensure students truly connect with their faith, Islamic schools can:
1️⃣ Make Tazkiyah a Core Part of the Curriculum – Addressing sincerity, humility, and self-awareness as structured lessons, not just occasional reminders.
2️⃣ Integrate Faith into Real-World Challenges – Helping students see how Islamic principles apply to their friendships, online experiences, and personal growth.
3️⃣ Teach with the Same Excellence as Other Subjects – Islamic Studies should push students intellectually, just like their math and science classes.
4️⃣ Support Teachers with Stronger Resources – A structured curriculum makes it easier for educators to provide depth, continuity, and impact in their lessons.
Conclusion: What Are We Planting in Their Hearts?
The heart is like a garden. If we do not plant sincerity, gratitude, and love for Allah, something else will take root instead.
Islamic schools have the opportunity to nurture both the intellect and the soul, ensuring that students don’t just know Islam—they live it.
A structured, rigorous, and engaging curriculum is essential for ensuring that students don’t just learn Islam—they internalize it, practice it, and lead with it.
Islamic school leaders, how are we ensuring that the seeds of faith planted today will flourish in the hearts of our students tomorrow?
📢 Discover Why Islamic Schools Are Switching to Diwan’s Islamic Studies Curriculum
Islamic school leaders—book a demo call today to explore how Diwan’s structured curriculum is transforming Islamic education for the next generation.
🔗 Schedule a Demo and take the next step toward a stronger Islamic Studies program at your school.