Time commitment for ShariahProgram

[Instructor]

Salams,

First, I don't mind logging in and posting here.. I've done this in the past.

Quick clarification on some of the comments posted (and some others in other threads):

What I'm seeing not reflected in some of the suggestions are the efficiency enhancements that occur when I reproduce the materials so when someone provides their suggestions they do this based on materials produced in 2010 or before that. This is not accurate.

What I would say is just join the mailing list and download the report. That's all it takes to verify the claims that are made. If one can see themselves comfortably getting through the report and content pieces that accompany the report, then that's a bigger indication than feedback based on how the course was 2-3 years ago.

This is important.

The entire focus within the report is relatively new and it dictates all of my newer lectures.

Also, the work load suggested above is no longer accurate. 12 hours of desk time is ridiculous. Entirely untrue, if you ask me.

As for the pricing, it hasn't changed since 2001. Students were submitting $100/month back then when we had no evolved system and it's the same now, more or less.

There was a period of time when I waved it completely beyond the 3rd month which made it seem like $300 for 2 years.. but that was my decision to teach without fees. Based on actual requests from students who felt uncomfortable, I then brought them back.

Here's the link in case someone wants to join the mailing list to download the report and get the 2 hours of training:

http://members.shariahprogram.ca/standby_pages/2842

Finally, apart from the videos, there are transcripts, separate mp3 files and handouts... so when one has watched the initial lecture once (Qasas ones), then listening to the mp3 while commuting will reinforce the principles well. You don't have to be glued to your desk the entire time. (This too can be sampled through the mp3 files on videos 2 and 3 which are part of what you get by joining the mailing list).

[Jadeed]

Mufti Saheb, after carefully listening to the first few videos, I have no doubt that I will be sticking with this - no worries . I actually quite like your teaching style, it's reflective of how my mind works.

[Instructor]

No problem.. I just posted in consideration of the feedback given above (and in other threads) because similar suggestions are going to keep getting posted whenever someone asks. It's the same couple of posters giving their thoughts based on the way I did things prior to 2010. If that's all they seen, then that's what I would expect them to say... so no worries.

The financial commitment issue was dragged on for quite a few pages in the other thread so I addressed that also.

There's a big difference between "it costs too much" and I can't afford it. My assistants at the help desk handle these second instances with care and concern often times offering very generous payment options, but are also trained to deny requests from certain people that telegraph being high maintenance.

[Jadeed]

Righto. for the clarification.

I haven't received anything on a forum username - though I sent an email to helpdesk. Would that have anything to do with my being formerly signed up and then the account being disabled?

[Instructor]

She'll get back to you on that. The materials are all at the portal so she normally lets forum account requests sit there for a couple of days before responding, while she handles the dozens of other emails that come in daily.

[faisal ahmad]

Mufti Yusuf - thank you for the clarifications, and my apologies if some of my comments came across as negative, your comments have helped clarify things considerably. My 10-12 hour estimate was genuine and based on my own experience several years ago, but as you mentioned a lot has changed on the program, or perhaps I'm just of lower ability than other students.

Shaykh - from many of your own comments previously (unless I misunderstood them) you've said a large part in acquiring proficiency in deciphering classical texts comes from reading in front of a competent teacher live, to be corrected etc but your lifetime offers only appears to give access to recorded lessons (and I think one years worth of live lessons) whereas from your emails you mention students who have studied with you for several years, I'm assuming the majority of which were live lessons. In light of that do you have any lifetime offers offering lifetime access to the live lessons? And not just lifetime access to recorded lessons.

[Nooria]

...

What I'm seeing not reflected in some of the suggestions are the efficiency enhancements that occur when I reproduce the materials so when someone provides their suggestions they do this based on materials produced in 2010 or before that. This is not accurate.

What I would say is just join the mailing list and download the report. That's all it takes to verify the claims that are made. If one can see themselves comfortably getting through the report and content pieces that accompany the report, then that's a bigger indication than feedback based on how the course was 2-3 years ago.

This is important.

The entire focus within the report is relatively new and it dictates all of my newer lectures.

i was a student before 2010 and have read the report close and don't really see what's so new a bout the approach. Can you be more specific?

Also, the work load suggested above is no longer accurate. 12 hours of desk time is ridiculous. Entirely untrue, if you ask me.

But Mufti Yusuf, even back before 2010 your advertising said that all one needed to do was devote 5-7 hours a week. Me and many other students did not find that to be the case for us then and 12 (or even more) hours seemed more appropriate. So if there was such a disconnect between your perceptions of how many hours were required on a student's part then, at least in my case and a significant number of others, what assurance do we have that a similar disconnect still doesn't exist?

As for the pricing, it hasn't changed since 2001. Students were submitting $100/month back then when we had no evolved system and it's the same now, more or less.

That might be true with respect to pricing for the second year but not the first, at least not when I joined in 2009 or so. I distinctly remember (and my debit card statements attest to this) paying $200 for 4 months or instruction and when you do the math that comes out to $50 a month.

[Jadeed]

But Mufti Yusuf, even back before 2010 your advertising said that all one needed to do was devote 5-7 hours a week. Me and many other students did not find that to be the case for us then and 12 (or even more) hours seemed more appropriate. So if there was such a disconnect between your perceptions of how many hours were required on a student's part then, at least in my case and a significant number of others, what assurance do we have that a similar disconnect still doesn't exist?

I hate to sound like a sycophant given my relative position here, but in one of the videos, Mufti Saheb said that he had taken into account a particular criticism about the nature of his introduction of the first verb tables. It's quite possible that the redesigned content is more efficient now, and if someone listens attentively, then perhaps it is more effective.

[Instructor]

i was a student before 2010 and have read the report close and don't really see what's so new a bout the approach. Can you be more specific?

The istansaroo example and introduction of the parts of speech is obviously going to be the same. Did you watch the two training pieces that accompanied the report, particularly the second one which covered 15 of the 22 places in an hour, aimed at beginners? Now, that's huge. 15 of the 22 places is taught in week 3.. and I was able to successfully teach the topic in the span of a single hour... as part of this marketing phase.

It's actually very different. The 80/20 focus carries throughout all of the videos.

In the past I was doing these things sort of organically.. not consciously attempting to keep focus on those aspects of the language that have the broadest application. This organic vs. conscious focus will obviously make everything at least twice as efficient. Conceptually, I think this is easy to appreciate.

Twice as efficient means that milestones (understanding about prepositional phrases and nested structures for example) which were previously being reached in week 13 are now being reached in week 7 and students are really understanding it.

Honestly, I think it's beyond question that the material is drastically improved.

But Mufti Yusuf, even back before 2010 your advertising said that all one needed to do was devote 5-7 hours a week. Me and many other students did not find that to be the case for us then and 12 (or even more) hours seemed more appropriate. So if there was such a disconnect between your perceptions of how many hours were required on a student's part then, at least in my case and a significant number of others, what assurance do we have that a similar disconnect still doesn't exist?

Though I used to say "at the low end", you're right.

Back then, we never had a 90 day unconditional guarantee, life-time access and one free restart of semester one. Now, we have all three of these things so that would be the assurance.

That might be true with respect to pricing for the second year but not the first, at least not when I joined in 2009 or so. I distinctly remember (and my debit card statements attest to this) paying $200 for 4 months or instruction and when you do the math that comes out to $50 a month.

The screencasts for first year students justify the price back to $100/month. In 2009 or so, there were no screencasts. Just mp3s and live classes.

Regarding Brother Faisal's question above:

Shaykh - from many of your own comments previously (unless I misunderstood them) you've said a large part in acquiring proficiency in deciphering classical texts comes from reading in front of a competent teacher live, to be corrected etc but your lifetime offers only appears to give access to recorded lessons (and I think one years worth of live lessons) whereas from your emails you mention students who have studied with you for several years, I'm assuming the majority of which were live lessons. In light of that do you have any lifetime offers offering lifetime access to the live lessons? And not just lifetime access to recorded lessons.

I'm now transitioning towards this. I've already begun speaking about it with current students. Anyone who has cumulatively submitted tuition of $1,997 is entitled to lifetime live classes.. they can then do HN multiple times and the rest of our second year topics which generally change a little from year to year. For instance we try and pick different surah's when we're doing tafsir from the ones we did last time.

[Sunni_Student786]

Mufti Yusuf:

Are the screencasts downloadable or must one be physically connected with the internet while accessing them?