About Us

Madina Institute Canada is a private not for institution in Oakville Canada. Since the inception of Madina Institute, Shaykh Muhammad al-Ninowy has been committed to making the traditional Islamic Sciences accessible to the next generation of American Muslim scholars on North American soil, and calling American Muslims and Muslims worldwide to go back to the basics of the religion: the Qur’an and the Authentic Sunnah, in addition to teaching tolerance, peace, and compassion.

Shaykh Ninowy has been an integral part of the North American community since 2000, when he began teaching students on the weekends as well as delivering sermons at Al-Madina Islamic Center and Institute in Norcross, Georgia. It was during this time that his popularity in the Atlanta area and abroad began to grow due to his ability to apply Islamic teachings to contemporary Western societies while reviving traditional approaches to the study of Islam. It was the increased interest from several dedicated students, which led him to officially found and register the Madina Institute in 2012.

Throughout its history, Madina Institute has encouraged understanding, appreciation, and compassion for the multicultural heritage of humankind while inspiring its students to be active and contributing members of our world and their respective local communities. Through a rigorous, Prophetic-centered education, we enable our students to grapple with and engage in the spiritual, intellectual, ethical, and cultural issues of our time, their implications, and applications to everyday life.

Madina Institute adheres to the general methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah. This means we teach the creed of the three Sunni schools of theology: the Ash’ari, the Maturidi, and the Athari schools. In jurisprudence, we uphold the four Sunni schools of law: Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali. The study of two of these jurisprudential schools, namely the Hanafi and Shafi schools, is a part of our curriculum.

We at Madina Institute believe that thinking, rather than blind following, is key in the development of future leaders. We also believe that unconditional compassion is the foundational cornerstone of our Deen. Violence, whether verbal, intellectual, or physical, is contrary to the core Message of Islam. Violence is the language of the inarticulate. If you can’t articulate your opponent’s points as well as you articulate your own, then you haven’t even started. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Afford all human beings unconditional compassion, kindness, and dignity, regardless of background. If you are only good to those who are good to you, then what good are you?

The Madina Institute is one of the very few mainstream Islamic Institutions to have women in top leadership positions and management. We welcome strong, intelligent, capable women and men from all backgrounds. We have sisters serving in institute management, directing and teaching our educational programs, design and marketing, social events, and more. We are grateful to Allah for these blessings, and for making Madina Institute an inclusive, comfortable and active community hub.