Support a Female Student of Knowledge in Studying Islamic Law and Islamic Finance

As salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh, my fellow brothers and sisters in Islam. My name is Taeah Rashim and Alhamdulillah in June of 2017 I was accepted into the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) to pursue my studies in Islamcic Law and Finance. Unfortunately, due to lack of funds, I have been unable to afford to travel to Malaysia, tuition, and all of the necessities involved in enrolling.

As my enrollment extension expires in June - I am turning to the Ummah for assistance in making my dream a reality. My greatest desire is to study and support the Ummah (especially our sisters) in fulfilling our duties as Muslims, in the correct manner. Your generous support will not only make that possible (by Allah's permission), but you will also receive reward for everything I learn in my time at University - and everyone who benefits from that knowledge. True Sadaqah Jaariyah!

My Goals:

As an American living in Egypt, Alhamdulillah I was able to complete my study of the Quran at age 16 (Ijaaza below). It has always been my long term goal to continue my studies by entering the complementary feilds of Islamic Law and Islamic Finance - and I pray that Allah will facilitate this opportunity for me, before the offer from IIUM expires. It is my dream to contribute to the Ummah in the areas of The Quranic Sciences, Islamic Finance, Islamic Inheritance issues, and general Jurisprudence. And more than anything, I want to encourage and mentor other sisters to pursue these areas of study as well.

Legal studies and in depth research have both been passions of mine for years. While in high school I took extracurricular courses in business and civil law. I devoted much of my time and energy to my school work, all the while envisioning how I would benefit my community once I completed my Law studies, In shaa Allah. Upon graduating high school in 2017 with a 3.8 GPA, I applied to the well-reputed International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM), after hearing much to their credit by friends and family members, and reading about their debate team’s many victories (it is my dream to join the team) in world-wide debating championships. I was enthralled by this Islamic university’s drive and dedication to providing the world with intelligent, high achieving - yet spiritual and well-grounded Muslim professionals.

My Classical Islamic Training:

When I was a child, my family was blessed with the opportunity to relocate from Pennsylvania to Cairo, Egypt, where I studied Arabic and Quran for the last ten years by the permission of Allah. I completed my memorization of the Holy Quran at the age of sixteen and received my Ijazah (certificate of completion and permission to teach), which includes a chain of memorization beginning from the Prophet and ending with me, a month before my seventeenth birthday Alhamdulillah. I have also completed studies in Arabic, Nahu (Arabic Grammar) and Tajweed and am currently pursuing a second Ijaaza in Quran. Ma shaa Allah, due to my proficiency in classical Arabic and classical Islamic sciences, I was offered a place in IIUM’s Honors Bachelors of Law course, in which both civil and Islamic Law are taught (roughly half of the classes are taught in Arabic), if I am able to successfully enroll In shaa Allah. In shaa Allah it is my desire to also use these skills to continue to teach other sisters while in Malaysia, as I have done while here in Egypt.

(Above is my Ijazah, which contains a chain of memorization beginning with the Prophet ( sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) and ending with me. The Ijazah certifies me to teach Quran anywhere, and is registered with the Department of Religious Affairs(Cairo Egypt)

Work History:

Since completing high school, I have worked as a content creator for the Islamic children’s app Ummah Stars and conducted private Quran classes. I am currently working as an English teacher for a kindergarten in Cairo, while conducting private English tutoring for non-Native speakers. Unfortunately, as my and my family’s salary is paid in Egyptian pounds and inflation has skyrocketed in recent years (it takes 17 EGP to make one dollar), it is not able to be any significant contribution towards my enrollment and travel expenses after taking care of basic living expenses.

My Long-term Goals:

Alhamdulillah I come from a family that greatly supports Islamic scholarship and holds service to the Ummah as an amaanah. A big part of my desire to attend IIUM is to contribute positively to our community and help to foster the education, normalization and proliferation of halal financial principles and products. Some of the areas I am interested in supporting the Ummah in include purifying our wealth from riba, supporting the regular payment of zakat, janazah savings funds, establishment of financial trusts for sadaqah jaariyah projects, Islamic wealth management and Islamic inheritance law.   Also, it is my goal In shaa Allah to found my own law firm that could mentor and hire other Muslims, provide solid legal advice from an Islamic and secular perspective, represent Muslims in arbitrations and court proceedings, and contribute to the surrounding community in a positive manner, which is a form of dawah.

Additional Goals for my Time at University

In addition to my studies, it is my dream to join the IIUM debate team. Ma shaa Allah, this is one of the premier teams in the world, breaking stereotypes by successfully competing against universities around the world –and having won against both Harvard and Oxford Universities. I have followed their progress online, and am excited about the opportunity to join such an amazing group of thinkers In shaa Allah, and this will also be great preparation for my career in Law.

Additionally, I know how important it is to have positive female role models who exhibit the fact that we can achieve great things as young women, without compromising our deen.  In shaa Allah, during my time at school and thereafter, I intend to mentor other youth interested in studying Quran and Islamic Law. The more trusted options we can have within our community, the stronger we will be as an Ummah. 

In shaa Allah, I also plan to work with the University and local charities to volunteer teaching Quran to local Malaysian children and women, as well as volunteer my time working with University coordinated programs to support the homeless and orphans, which are vulnerable groups close to my heart.

Funds Will Go To:

I am a firm believer that all rizq is from Allah, but I also know that He (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) often uses some of His servants as a means to support and aid others. For those who are able to support my campaign (even with dua), In shaa Allah you will receive reward for supporting female Islamic scholarship and share in any positive that I do as a result of this opportunity. Your kind donations will  allow me to take advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity to study abroad in one of the best Islamic universities in the world – and for that I am immensely grateful.

Your donations would allow me to afford the following (some are one time costs):

Tuition for one year ($3,500)

Visa fees for one year ($400)

Medical insurance for one year(which has been
made mandatory by the university)

Housing and meals for one year ($3,000)

Basic furniture  and supplies for my dorm room ($400)

3 Economy Class plane tickets for myself, my mother and brother, who will initially accompany me to Malaysia to ensure I get settled safety. ($2,100)

A laptop, which is crucial for my reearch and studies ($700 for a reputable one in Malaysia).

Transportation, school supplies and basic living expenses for a
year. ($3,000)

*Any additional funds will go towards future year's tuition.

I wish to thank all that took the time to read this, and those who are able to support me. May Allah bless you and your families with the best of health and iman, and make you among those entered into Paradise without account, ameen!