Sacred Astronomy

with

Youssef Ismail

7 Lessons ● Astrolabe Construction

Explore the heavens with your own eyes, discover the mysteries of divine order, and learn prophetic practices to connect to creation and support your Islamic worship.

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Explore Divine Order

What can we learn by studying the celestial?

Stars and Constellations

Discover the maps and mythologies of the zodiac, and learn how to find them in your region of the world.

Mysteries of The Sun and Moon

Appreciate their movement and learn prophetic practices related to prayer and fasting.

Astrolabe Workshop

What is an astrolabe? Learn how to use this ancient device. Construct your own custom astrolabe with a guided tutorial.

Introduction to Sacred Astronomy

“And God has subjected to you what is in the heavens and what is on earth,
all from God; surely there are signs in that for people who reflect.” (45:13)

Explore the heavens with your own eyes, discover the mysteries of divine order,
and learn prophetic practices to connect to creation and support your Islamic worship.

Course Curriculum

1. Introduction to Science of Astronomy and Software Setup
2. Stars and Constellations
3. The Zodiac
4. Northern and Southern Hemispheres
5. The Daily Motion of the Sun, Shadows, Prayer Times, and Facing Mecca
6. The Astrolabe
7. Phases of the Moon and Moonsighting

About this course

9 lessons
5 hours
Construct an Astrolabe
Prayer Times Demo

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Youssef Ismail

Dr. Youssef Ismail is a scholar of mechanical engineering with field specialties in astronomy, mathematics, physics, and the history of science and Maliki fiqh.

Dr. Ismail received his BS in Engineering from California State University, Northridge, in 1990. He went on to earn both his MS and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University in 1991 and 1996, respectively. Dr. Ismail has an ijaza to teach al-Murshid al-Mu’in granted by Shaykh Khatry Lamannah as well as an ijaza to teach al-Akhdari, Maharim al-Lisan, Birr ul-Walidayn, and Matharat al-Qulub granted by Shaykh Salek bin Sidne.

Prior to his post at Zaytuna College, Dr. Ismail was an engineer at Space Systems and Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. He was also a science instructor, mentor, and curriculum developer at Schmahl Science Workshop.

START YOUR JOURNEY

Explore the heavens with your own eyes, discover the mysteries of divine order, and learn prophetic practices to connect to creation and support your Islamic worship.

This course includes detailed astrolabe construction tutorial and instruction, as well as software navigation to map the skies. A outdoor demonstration on measuring the position of the sun to determine the prayer times will also be included.