Mizan Institute: The Shia Online Academy Bridging Seminary Scholarship and Western Muslims

Founded by Qom-trained scholars, this pioneering platform delivers authentic Twelver Shia education through intensive courses, podcasts, and dedicated programming for sisters and teens across North America and beyond

For Shia Muslims living in the West, accessing authentic Islamic scholarship has historically presented a significant challenge. The great seminaries of Qom and Najaf—where scholars spend decades mastering jurisprudence, philosophy, and Quranic sciences—have long felt geographically and linguistically distant from English-speaking communities in North America and Europe.

Mizan Institute (mizaninstitute.org) was founded to solve precisely this problem. Established as a Shia online academy committed to making rigorous Islamic education accessible, Mizan has become a vital bridge connecting the scholarly tradition of the hawzah with Muslims seeking deeper knowledge in the English-speaking world.

The Vision Behind the Premier Shia Online Academy

The name “Mizan” (مِیزَان) means balance, equity, and justice in Arabic. It evokes the scales that determine our eternal destiny and the harmony evident throughout creation. For the institute’s founders, this principle of balance is essential—not only in understanding Islam’s teachings but in making those teachings accessible to modern Western audiences without compromising scholarly depth.

The institute emerged from a recognition that young Shia Muslims in North America face a particular educational gap. Many grow up attending Islamic centers and weekend schools, but this programming typically ends in their mid-to-late teens—precisely when they’re developing the intellectual sophistication to engage with more complex theological questions. As they enter university and professional life, their thirst for deeper Islamic knowledge often goes unquenched.

Mizan Institute positions itself as the bridge between the fruits of the hawzah and Muslims seeking to take their understanding to a higher level. The goal is ambitious: to put the hand of believers in North America in the hands of scholars like Allamah Tabatabai and other greats through their works—translated, contextualized, and taught by qualified instructors who have themselves trained in the seminaries.

Seminary-Trained Scholars Leading the Way

What distinguishes this Shia online academy from casual Islamic content is its insistence on scholarly credentials. Delivering high-quality, original content requires instructors who have invested years in traditional seminary education—and Mizan’s founding team exemplifies this standard.

Shaykh Amin Rastani, the institute’s founder and lead instructor, traveled to the holy city of Qom in 1999 to pursue hawzah studies. He graduated from the six-year introductory level covering all Islamic disciplines, then completed the four-year intermediate level of fiqh and usul al-fiqh studies—focusing on the works of the late Shaykh Murtadha al-Ansari. He participated in advanced kharij fiqh classes and holds a master’s degree in Semitic Religions from the University of Religions and Denominations in Qom. He currently serves the Dallas community while lecturing internationally.

Shaykh Mahdi Rastani, born and raised in the US, joined the Islamic Seminary of Qom after high school and completed nine years of study at Shahidain Islamic Seminary. His education covered Arabic grammar, logic, Islamic theology (kalaam), jurisprudence, and principles of jurisprudence. He studied under scholars including Ayatullah Sayyid Hashemi Shahroudi and spent two years at the Imam Sadiq Institute studying Sadrian Philosophy and Philosophy of Religion. He now serves as resident alim at the City of Knowledge Islamic Center in Dallas and lectures throughout the United States and Europe in English, Farsi, and Arabic.

Ustadhah Fatemah Meghji leads the institute’s Sisters Department. After completing her BA in English Literature and Religious Studies from the University of British Columbia, she studied at Jamiat al-Zahra in Qom and completed the masters program in Quranic Tafsir and Quranic Sciences with honors. Her research interests include usul al-tafsir, Quranic hermeneutics, and women in the Islamic tradition. She has lectured worldwide and previously served as Islamic Director at Az-Zahraa Islamic Academy.

Comprehensive Course Offerings

The Shia online academy delivers education through multiple formats, each designed to accommodate different learning styles and schedules:

In-Person Intensive Courses

The institute’s flagship offering consists of intensive weekend courses—typically 8-10 hours conducted over a single weekend at Islamic centers and communities upon request. Each course comes with a detailed booklet containing references throughout, prepared by the instructor. Topics have included:

The Mahdi – A multi-part series exploring Twelver Shia beliefs about the awaited savior, including his occultation, the signs of his return, and what the world will look like after his reappearance.

Death and Barzakh – An examination of Islamic teachings on death, the intermediate realm, and the afterlife.

The Secrets of Salat – Beyond the mechanics of prayer, this course explores the spiritual dimensions and inner meanings of the daily ritual.

Building Resilient Families – A practical series addressing pre-marriage preparation and strengthening marital bonds from an Islamic perspective.

Shia Islamic Belief System – A comprehensive 46-lecture series covering all major Twelver Shia theological positions from A to Z.

Mu’awiyah: A Distortion of History – An examination of this controversial historical figure from Shia sources and scholarly analysis.

Each course demands tens—sometimes up to 100—hours of preparation to ensure students receive quality content grounded in the works of prominent seminary scholars.

Online Presentations

For those unable to attend in-person weekends, Mizan offers shorter online presentations accompanied by slides and notes. These lighter-format courses typically run 1-2 days and provide scholarly insight into various topics. Sustainers (monthly supporters) receive on-demand access to the full library of online presentations.

Mizan Extensives

For students seeking serious depth, the institute offers extensive courses that extend over long periods. These are designed for those with genuine thirst for comprehensive knowledge of Islamic sciences—covering topics like hadith sciences, advanced fiqh, and systematic theology in the detail they deserve.

Podcasts

Recognizing that modern Muslims often consume content on the go, Mizan produces podcast series covering a wealth of Islamic literature. Topics include tafsir of the Quran, commentary on Ziyarat Ashura and Dua Kumayl, Nahj al-Balaghah, Sahifah Sajjadiyyah, hadith collections on akhlaq (ethics), Islamic history, and stories of great scholars. The podcasts are available on all major streaming platforms.

Mizan Sisters: Dedicated Programming for Women

In 2020, the Shia online academy launched a dedicated Sisters Section under Ustadhah Fatemah Meghji’s supervision. This initiative recognizes that women in the community often have unique educational needs and may prefer learning environments where they can ask questions freely.

The Sisters Section offers:

Virtual One-on-One Sessions: Sisters can book private appointments with qualified female scholars to ask questions on ahkam (Islamic rulings) and other topics in a safe, confidential space. Scholars available include Alimahs Sumaira Ahmad, Fatemeh Soltan, Zahra Hamka, Maleeha Abdullah, and Fatemah Meghji.

Sisters-Only Courses: Regular programming including Ramadan discussion circles, tafsir classes, women’s fiqh courses, book clubs, and classes addressing contemporary issues like postmodernism, evolution, and social justice.

Qur’an 30/30: A structured Quran program offered in partnership with Islamic Literacy.

Fiqh Database: A dedicated portal at fiqh.mizaninstitute.org providing FAQs on women’s religious rulings, with a chat portal for additional questions.

Mizan Teens: Investing in the Next Generation

A common piece of feedback from course attendees was: “I wish I had this knowledge when I was younger” and “I wish my teenagers could learn this sooner than I did.” In response, Mizan launched its Teens initiative—bringing seminary-quality content to younger audiences.

Current teen offerings include:

Purpose of Creation for Teens – Foundational theological concepts presented accessibly for young minds.

Salat for Teens – Beyond basic instruction, helping teenagers understand the deeper significance of prayer.

Proofs of Prophethood for Teens – Rational foundations for belief in prophetic mission.

Intermediate Rulings of Salat for Teens – Building on foundational knowledge with more detailed fiqh.

Published Works and Resources

Beyond courses and podcasts, Mizan Institute has expanded into publishing. Notable works include:

The Qur’an Roadmap – A newly released resource designed to guide readers through a structured engagement with the Quran.

Becoming Bani Adam – Ustadhah Fatemah Meghji’s contribution to the conversation on Islam and science, particularly addressing human evolution from an Islamic theological perspective. The work presents different scholarly viewpoints and has been praised by educators teaching in Islamic school settings.

Global Reach of This Shia Online Academy

While headquartered in Carrollton, Texas, Mizan Institute’s reach extends across North America and beyond. In-person courses have been delivered in cities including:

United States: Dallas, Houston, New Jersey, Austin, San Diego, Dearborn (Michigan), and communities throughout the country.

International: London (UK), Perth (Australia), and other English-speaking communities worldwide.

Communities can request courses be brought to their city through the institute’s booking system, making authentic Shia scholarship accessible wherever English-speaking Muslims gather.

Khums Consultation Services

Unique among Islamic educational platforms, Mizan Institute offers dedicated khums services. Recognizing that many Western Muslims struggle to calculate this religious obligation correctly, the institute provides consultation services to help community members understand and fulfill their khums duties, along with secure payment processing.

What Students Are Saying

“Shaykh Amin Rastani had a wonderful delivery. What stood out for me and several others was the hope we gained through the information we learned about a usually heavy and devoid of hope topic. I recommend this course for all our communities.” — Death and Barzakh Course Attendee

“I found the course to be very beneficial not only at a theoretical level but on a practical level as well. I was not expecting the latter. We always learn new things but I felt this course created a paradigm shift which is rare.” — Death and Barzakh Course Attendee

“I was not very familiar with Mizan Institute until the pandemic hit and I began seeing just how much Islamic content they have available online. The teachings shared by the scholars are enough to change one’s life for the better, if one implements what they hear.” — Podcast Listener

How to Get Involved

Engaging with this Shia online academy is straightforward:

Browse Courses: Visit mizaninstitute.org to explore upcoming in-person courses, online presentations, and extensive programs.

Listen to Podcasts: Access the full podcast library on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and other major platforms.

Become a Sustainer: Monthly supporters receive on-demand access to the full library of online presentations and help ensure the institute’s continued growth.

Book a Course: Communities and Islamic centers can request courses be delivered in their city through the online booking form.

Sisters Section: Women can book virtual one-on-one sessions or access the dedicated fiqh database and courses.

Balancing Tradition and Accessibility

In a world where superficial Islamic content proliferates online, Mizan Institute represents something increasingly rare: a commitment to authentic scholarship delivered accessibly. The founders have not compromised on the depth or rigor that characterizes traditional seminary education—they’ve simply found innovative ways to bring that education to communities who need it.

For Shia Muslims in the West seeking to move beyond basic religious knowledge—to understand the theological foundations of their faith, engage with classical texts through qualified instructors, and develop a more sophisticated understanding of Islam—this Shia online academy offers a proven path forward.

Visit mizaninstitute.org to explore courses, access podcasts, and join a community of believers committed to deepening their understanding of Islam through authentic scholarship.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mizan Institute?

Mizan Institute is a Shia online academy founded to increase accessibility to authentic Islamic education for English-speaking Muslims in the West. It offers in-person intensive courses, online presentations, podcasts, and extensive programs taught by seminary-trained scholars from Qom.

Who teaches at Mizan Institute?

The institute’s instructors include Shaykh Amin Rastani and Shaykh Mahdi Rastani, both of whom completed extensive studies at the Islamic Seminary of Qom, and Ustadhah Fatemah Meghji, who completed her masters in Quranic Tafsir at Jamiat al-Zahra. All instructors hold credentials from recognized Islamic seminaries.

What courses does this Shia online academy offer?

Courses cover a wide range of topics including Shia Islamic beliefs, The Mahdi, Death and Barzakh, Secrets of Salat, Building Resilient Families, Quranic tafsir, hadith sciences, akhlaq (ethics), Islamic history, and contemporary issues. Programs are available for adults, sisters, and teens.

Does Mizan Institute offer programs for women?

Yes. The dedicated Sisters Section offers virtual one-on-one consultations with female scholars, sisters-only courses, Quran programs, and a fiqh database specifically addressing women’s religious questions. The section is supervised by Ustadhah Fatemah Meghji.

Are courses available online?

Yes. While in-person intensive weekends remain the institute’s flagship offering, many courses are available online via Zoom with lifetime access to recordings. Sustainers receive on-demand access to the full online presentation library. Podcasts are freely available on all major streaming platforms.

Can I bring a Mizan course to my city?

Yes. Islamic centers and communities can request courses through the booking form on mizaninstitute.org. Courses are typically conducted as 8-10 hour intensives over a single weekend.

Does Mizan Institute offer programs for teenagers?

Yes. Mizan Teens offers courses specifically designed for younger audiences, including Purpose of Creation for Teens, Salat for Teens, Proofs of Prophethood for Teens, and Intermediate Rulings of Salat for Teens.

Tags: Shia Online Academy, Mizan Institute, Islamic Education, Shia Islam, Twelver Shia, Hawzah Studies, Islamic Courses, Quran Studies, Shia Theology, Islamic Podcasts, Sisters Programs, Muslim Education, Seminary Education, Islamic Scholarship