Maqasid Institute

What Maqasid Institute does

Maqasid Institute is a US-registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2017 and headquartered in Virginia, operating with a 1-10 person staff to deliver Islamic scholarship, education, and research programming globally. Its mission is to advance revelation-centered research on the purposefulness of created matter, connectivity, and human interaction grounded in the Quran and Sunnah, structured around a proprietary 'Maqasid Methodology' framework applicable across disciplines including economics, environmental studies, psychology, law, and natural sciences. The organization serves individual researchers, academics, students, and community members across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, and maintains a 15+ institution academic partner network spanning Indonesia, Malaysia, Italy, USA, and South Africa.

The product portfolio centers on three programmatic pillars: (1) the Research Forum and monthly discussion sessions for collective ijtihad and interdisciplinary dialogue, (2) formal courses such as 'Re-imagining Economics' ($195), 'Reading the Book of Nature' ($95) and its week-long retreat ($1,600), 'Quran Reflection Program' ($100), and 'Created to Prosper' ($25), alongside free lecture series and an annual MAFIS international conference ($150 for paper presenters) targeting Scopus-indexed publication, and (3) supporting outputs including the Journal of Critical Maqasid Studies, an E-Library, a blog ('Maqasidi Thoughts'), and a membership program. Delivery is digital-first via a Learning Management System (lms.maqasid.org) and Zoom-based virtual events, supplemented by Research Synergy Press for academic publishing.

Revenue is generated through a mix of course fees, conference fees, certificate fees ($20), membership dues, and donations/Zakat solicited under the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt structure (EIN 81-5384123). Financial figures are not publicly disclosed. Distribution is self-serve PLG-style via website registration and the LMS, with no enterprise sales motion or named anchor customers. The organization's go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on content marketing through its blog and multi-platform social media presence (LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), email newsletter, and PR through academic partnerships.

Name

Maqasid Institute

Legal name

Maqasid Institute

Website

https://maqasid.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Maqasid Institute is a US 501(c)(3) non-profit (founded 2017, 1-10 staff) delivering Islamic scholarship, education, and research through courses, conferences, and a journal, serving researchers, academics, and community members globally across four continents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Islamic Education and Scholarly Research

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Islamic Colleges & Sharia/Fiqh Institutes (EDAHAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conference Proceedings & Research Reports Publishing (EDAGAFAL), Religious Reference & Study Tools Publishing (Commentaries, Concordances, Lexicons) (MPAJAHAL), Scholarly Societies & Conference Proceedings Publishing (MPAJABAK)

Keywords

• Islamic research education
• Scholarly research programs
• Online learning courses
• Academic conference services
• Religious studies publication

Headquarters

HQ city

Virginia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Course Fees: Revenue generated from paid educational courses including Re-imagining Economics ($195), Reading the Book of Nature ($95), Reading the Book of Nature Retreat ($1,600), and various other courses ($25-195).
2. Conference Fees: Revenue from conference participation including MAFIS 2026 ($150 per paper presentation).
3. Donations and Zakat: 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization accepting donations and zakat to fund student scholarships and educational programs. EIN 81-5384123.
4. Certificate Fees: Fees for certificates of attendance upon request ($20).
5. Membership Fees: Revenue from membership programs supporting the institute's network of scholars and practitioners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Maqasid Institute delivers revelation-centered Islamic scholarship through a portfolio of paid online courses (e.g., Reading the Book of Nature at $95, Re-imagining Economics at $195, Created to Prosper at $25), free lecture series, monthly interdisciplinary research forums, immersive retreats ($1,600), and an annual international MAFIS conference ($150 for paper presenters). It also publishes the peer-reviewed Journal of Critical Maqasid Studies via Research Synergy Press and offers a membership program connecting a global network of scholars and practitioners.

Product overview

Maqasid Institute is an Islamic research and education organization offering a platform of interconnected programs centered on the Maqasid Methodology—revealation-centered scholarship focused on the objectives of Islamic law and divine purpose. The core offerings include the Research Forum (monthly interdisciplinary discussion sessions), formal courses (Reading the Book of Nature, Re-imagining Economics, Quran Reflection Program), lecture series (Discovering Divine Universal Laws), and annual conferences (MAFIS). Supporting products include the Journal of Critical Maqasid Studies, E-Library, Graduate Studies Programs, Blog, and Membership Program. The institute operates primarily through virtual online delivery via Zoom and its Learning Management System (LMS), serving global communities across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Reading the Book of Nature Course An online course led by Shaikh Muhammad Foulds exploring the intricate network of signs (ayats) in the Qur'an and in the world, representing the grand architecture of the universe. Through the study of the language of nature, participants re-establish the bond between the Qur'an and the natural world. Priced at $95.
• Reading the Book of Nature Summer Retreat A unique week-long immersive program designed to deepen connection with the natural world through Islamic perspective, featuring scholars such as Shaikh Muhammad Foulds, Dr. Mustafa Tuna, Dr. Elmira Akhmetova, and others. Priced at $1,600.
• Re-imagining Economics Course A course guiding knowledge seekers to approach revelation (Quran & Sunnah) for perspective on economic phenomena using the Maqasid Methodology. Includes 6 units with 9 live sessions and 12 asynchronous video lectures by Prof. Jasser Auda. Priced at $195.
• Created to Prosper: Civilizational Progress towards Hayat Al-Tayyibah A 4-session course exploring the Qur'anic purpose of human existence integrating ʿibādah, ʿimārat al-arḍ, tawḥīd, and ḥayāt al-ṭayyibah into a single vision of Muslim life. Presented as civilizational building as a form of devotion. Priced at $25.
• Quran Reflection Program A seven-month program guiding participants through one full cycle of reflection on the Quran, designed for scholars and practitioners to understand divine guidance in their field of inquiry. Priced at $100.
• Discovering Divine Universal Laws Lecture Series A free 4-part lecture series exploring patterns in nature, divine laws (sunan kawniyyah), signs in creation, ecological literacy through Arabic language, and ecological colonisation through an Islamic teleological perspective.
• MAFIS Conference (International Conference on Maqasid Al-Wahy) International Conference on Maqasid Al-Wahy (MAFIS) - an academic conference addressing operational research methodologies shaped by Tawhidic principles across Islamic Finance, Psychology, Environmental Studies, Natural Sciences, and Political Thought. Conference fee $150 USD for paper presenters with publication opportunities in Scopus indexed journals.
• Journal of Critical Maqasid Studies Academic journal published in collaboration with Research Synergy Press covering maqasid studies and interdisciplinary Islamic research.
• Maqasid Institute Research Forum An interdisciplinary discussion platform for researchers from academic and applied fields, serving as a unified platform for collective ijtihad. The forum pursues objectives including adoption of Maqasid Methodology and promotion of Islah & Tajdid vision.
• Monthly Discussion Sessions Regular scholarly dialogue sessions featuring member presentations on topics related to Maqasid Thought, Qur'anic studies, and Islamic scholarship. Sessions include personal reflections and discussions led by institute members.
• Membership Program Organizational membership program connecting scholars and practitioners interested in maqasid methodology and the MI mission, with associated membership fees supporting the institute's network.

Quantifiable outcome

• Annual international conference attracting scholars globally with publication opportunities in Scopus-indexed journals
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UIN Sulthan Taha SaifuddincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with UIN Sulthan Taha Saifuddin in Indonesia for research collaboration and scholarly exchange in Islamic studies.
• Universitas Islam IndonesiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with Universitas Islam Indonesia for joint research and educational programs in Islamic scholarship.
• Institut AGAMA Islam An-NawawicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with Institut AGAMA Islam An-Nawawi for collaborative research and educational initiatives.
• UIN IB PadangcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with UIN IB Padang for research and scholarship development.
• Research Synergy FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for conference organization and academic publishing. Research Synergy Foundation co-organizes the annual MAFIS conference and manages publication of conference proceedings and journal through Research Synergy Press.
• International Islamic University MalaysiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with IIUM for collaborative research in Islamic studies and maqasid methodology.
• Institute of Advanced Islamic StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with IAIS Malaysia for research collaboration and scholarly exchange.
• Islamic Institute for Research and DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for joint research initiatives in Islamic development studies.
• Tawasul Centre for Research and Dialogue ItalyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research partnership with Tawasul Centre in Italy for interfaith dialogue and research exchange.
• International Computing Institute for Quran and Islamic SciencesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for technology-enabled Quranic and Islamic sciences research.
• Center For Islam In The Contemporary WorldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with the Center at St. John's University for contemporary Islamic studies.
• International Peace College - South AfricaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with IPC South Africa for Islamic peace and conflict studies research.
• Hearts SEEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Hearts SEE for the Reading the Book of Universe project and ecological education programs. Shaikh Muhammad Foulds from Hearts SEE leads environmental courses.
• Al-Balkhi Institute of Islamic Psychological Studies and ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIslamic Psychology Partnership for collaborative research and education in Islamic psychological studies.
• International Students of Islamic PsychologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for Islamic psychology research and student development.
• Universitas Islam NegericoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with UIN institutions for broader Islamic research collaboration.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM): IIUM is a major Malaysian research university with comprehensive Islamic studies programs across multiple disciplines. It is an existing academic partner of Maqasid Institute and a broad incumbent in the global Islamic higher education landscape.
• International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT): IIIT is a major US-based Islamic scholarly organization focused on research, publications, and conferences on Islamic thought and methodology. It is a broad incumbent that overlaps with Maqasid Institute's research, publication, and conference mission at a larger institutional scale.
• Zaytuna College: Zaytuna College is the first accredited Muslim liberal arts college in the US, offering undergraduate programs in Islamic studies and related fields. It is a broader incumbent that, like Maqasid Institute, focuses on faith-based higher education and scholarship from a traditional Islamic perspective.

Direct peers

• Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research: Yaqeen Institute is a US-based Islamic research and education nonprofit producing publications, courses, and digital content. Directly comparable to Maqasid Institute in operating a faith-based research and education platform with publications and online courses.
• SeekersGuidance: SeekersGuidance is a global online Islamic learning platform offering structured courses, scholars answering questions, and a student learning community. It directly parallels Maqasid Institute in delivering faith-based education through virtual channels to a global Muslim audience.
• Cambridge Muslim College: Cambridge Muslim College is a UK-based institute providing graduate-level Islamic education, research, and leadership training. Comparable to Maqasid Institute in combining higher education, scholarly research, and leadership formation in the Islamic studies field.
• Al-Maghrib Institute: Al-Maghrib Institute is a US-based Islamic education nonprofit running seminar-based courses across North America. Comparable to Maqasid Institute in delivering faith-based educational programming to a global Muslim learner base through structured paid courses.
• Bayān Institute: Bayān Institute is a US-based nonprofit offering structured online courses, seminars, and scholarship programs grounded in traditional Islamic sciences. Comparable to Maqasid Institute in operating as a faith-based educational nonprofit serving a global online learner community.

Regional players

• Karamah: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights: Karamah is a US-based nonprofit offering educational programs, scholarships, and leadership training for Muslims in law and human rights. Comparable to Maqasid Institute in combining Islamic scholarship, leadership training, and educational programming in a nonprofit model.

Others

• Research Synergy Foundation: Research Synergy Foundation is an academic publishing and conference management organization co-organizing the MAFIS conference and managing journal publications. Comparable as an enabler and ecosystem partner rather than a direct competitor, providing publishing infrastructure that supports Maqasid's scholarly output.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Maqasid_Inst
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/MaqasidInstitute
• Facebookfacebook.com/maqasidmalaysia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maqasid-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/maqasidinstitute?igsh=eTdtNzFqZ25wZHEz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Maqasid Institute