FOUNDER & INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Arif Hussain
is a student of Islamic knowledge with a focus on jurisprudence, Islamic theology, and the spiritual sciences. His early formation in daʿwah and community leadership began through his involvement with Young Muslims (YM), where he served in various capacities, including National Coordinator, contributing to youth mentorship and grassroots Islamic outreach.
He is a founding member of The Manar Institute, a project of ICNA, where he contributed to the Arabic Studies Department and Murabbi Development Program, and serves as an instructor of Hanafi jurisprudence. He is also the founder of الطريق | Al Tariq (The Way), focused on cultivating conviction, discipline, and growth in Muslim men.
Dr. Hussain has received authorization to teach the Why Islam is True curriculum in foundational Islamic theology under the guidance of Shaykh Hamza Karamali (Basira Education). He is currently completing his final term in the ʿĀlimiyyah program at Al-Salam Institute under the supervision of Dr. Akram Nadwi.
Ali Quadri
Lead Instructor, Tazkiyah & Personal Development
His focus on spiritual development took deeper shape during six months of study at Dar al-Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen, where his studies included Islamic psychology, Imam al-Ghazali’s Ihya ’Ulum al-Din, Seerah, Tazkiyah, and Tasawwuf. He returned to Yemen in 2024 to continue this path of study and currently continues his studies through Sanad Academy.
Ali has taught and mentored young Muslims for more than two decades in classrooms, on college campuses, and through individual mentorship. He also serves as a khateeb and part-time imam at mosques and Islamic centers throughout the Chicago area.
Alongside his Islamic studies and teaching, Ali is a Licensed Professional Counselor with fourteen years of clinical experience working with men, couples, and families. He is the founder of aPresentHeart, a behavioral health practice, and has also spent eighteen years leading teams in the technology and user experience field.
At Al Tariq, Ali serves as Lead Instructor for Tazkiyah & Personal Development, helping men connect the Islamic tradition of spiritual refinement with the practical work of self-understanding, character development, relationships, and deliberate personal growth.