Hakima Training Program

Become A Hakima / Chaplain: A Mercy For All People

The word chaplain means custodian of the cloak, or someone who inherits and preserves the sacred teaching of a spiritual tradition. In the Islamic tradition, Hakim is the closest word that describes the word chaplain.

In Arabic, Hakima means a "wise woman." Hakim was also used more generally to refer to polymath scholars who were knowledgeable in healing, theology, psychology, and philosophy such as Ibn Sina (Avicenna). Ibn Sina argued that spiritual wellness required a connection between the body and soul that was strong enough to ensure the soul's individuation but weak enough to allow for its immortality. According to Ibn Sina, this process of perception and abstraction of meanings is the nexus of the soul and body, for the material body may only perceive material objects, while the immaterial soul may only receive the immaterial.

Prophet Muhammad (sa) said: "Each of you is a caretaker and each of you should provide quality care for whom he/she cares for. The father is a caretaker of his household and he should provide quality care for his household. The mother is a caretaker for her children and she should provide quality care for her children. An employee is a caretaker of customers and he /she should provide quality care for his/her customers. A leader is a caretaker of people, and he/she should provide quality care for the people whom he/she leads,"

The quality of care that Prophet Muhammad described includes the physical, the mental, and the spiritual. Physicians care for the body. Psychologists care for the mind. Chaplains care for the soul and its sacred values.

Instructors

Amany Shalaby, M.A.
MWO's Hakima / Chaplain
Founder of Universal Chaplaincy
Member of The Association of Muslim Chaplains
Shadhiliyya Sufi Order's Hakima/Chaplain
Faculty Member at the Universty of Sufism

Amany graduated as an electric engineer from Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. She obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Islamic Studies from Islamic College of Advancing Studies, London and obtained a Masters degree in Comparative Philosophy at Islamic College of Advancing Studies, Middlesex University, London. Amany worked as a translator of Islamic books. Currently, she serves as the Hakima for the Muslim Women’s Organization. She is She also teaches Islamic studies at the University of Spiritual Healing and Sufism, and in various circles of the Shadhiliyya Sufi communities across the United States. She is a co-founder of Radiant Hands Inc., a non-profit organization that helps women in need in the Central Florida area. She is the author of “The Essence of Creation” and “The Emanation of Consciousness” and also has two published books for children: “Goha and His Donkey," and “Little Puffer Fish.” She is the mother of three children and lives in Montverde, Florida.

Why start a hakima training program?

After completing her training, Amany had learned so much and realized that the women in our communities - who were already providing support to their families, friends, and others in need - needed the opportunity to learn this information, as well. She recognized that in those moments, when others come to us for support, we may feel unsure of what to say or how to respond with compassion and mercy. She felt that developing these skills was especially important for Muslimas as it is our duty to care for our families and our community.

With this in mind, Amany developed the Hakima Training Program to help build these skills in Muslim Women. Our goal is to facilitate the training of wise women throughout our communities so that women in need always know they have support and can turn to someone who will help guide them through difficult moments in life. This is not a substitute for psychological or physiological help, Hakimas are trained so they can refer women who need specialized assistance to local experts and share resources to care for women's overall well-being.

Because they don’t know where to go, often times, women turn to our Imams when they are struggling. But our Imams already have the responsibility of leading the masajid and worship, dawah and a multitude of other initiatives. We wanted to make sure others in the masajid and community were available and ready to meet the needs and relieve some of the burdens that have fallen on the Imams.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

CURRICULUM

The Hakima training program incorporates elements of traditional Chaplain training incorporating, Islamic psychology, Islamic texts, Sufi spiritual principles, as well as pop culture and mainstream resources.

PROGRAM ELEMENTS

Case studies and role playing
Volunteer Hakima support sessions
Reflections on films and assigned readings

PROGRAM UNITS OFFERED THIS SUMMER

MWO Hakima Training Program

Become a Hakima, spiritual care provider - Summer Semester 2025

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "Each of you is a caretaker and each of you should provide quality care for what he/she cares for. The father is a caretaker of his household and he should provide quality care for his household. The mother is a caretaker for her children and she should provide quality care for her children. An employee is a caretaker of a business and he/she should provide quality care for that business. A leader is a caretaker of people, and he/she should provide quality care for the people whom he/she leads."

If you desire to become a spiritual-care provider, Hakima (Wise Woman) to serve your family and/or community, please fill out this brief application form.

This program will be facilitated by Sr. Amany Shalaby, a trained Chaplain, and founder of the Universal Chaplaincy program.

CURRICULUM

The Hakima training program incorporates elements of traditional Chaplain training incorporating Islamic texts and Sufi spiritual principles. The following TWO UNITS are currently being offered.

Unit 1: Understanding and Managing Emotions for Spiritual Growth
Class Orientation Wednesday July 9th, 2025 at 7PM Eastern Time
Emotions are integral to life's journey, powerful indicators of our inner states and responses to the world around us. As chaplains, it is essential to understand that emotions are not merely reactions but profound gateways to spiritual insight and growth. This course aims to equip future Islamic chaplains with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complexities of emotions, transforming them into opportunities for deepened spiritual awareness and development.
The Role of Emotions in Islamic Spirituality
Islamic teachings offer profound wisdom on the nature and purpose of emotions. Emotions such as joy, sadness, anger, fear, and love are all acknowledged in the Quran and Hadith, and are seen as natural aspects of the human condition. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) exemplified how to manage and channel these emotions in a way that aligns with the will of Allah (SWT) and fosters spiritual growth.
In this course, we will delve into the following core principles:
- Recognizing Divine Wisdom in Emotions: Understanding that emotions are a gift from Allah (SWT), designed to guide us towards greater self-awareness and reliance on Him.
- Emotions as Reflective Tools: Learning to reflect on our emotional responses to gain insights into our spiritual state and areas that require growth.
- Balanced Emotional Expression: Embracing a balanced approach to emotional expression rooted in the Sunnah, which promotes emotional health and spiritual well-being.
By the end of this course, students will:
- Develop a deep understanding of the nature of emotions from an Islamic perspective.
- Acquire practical skills to manage and channel emotions constructively.
- Learn to use emotions as tools for introspection and spiritual growth.
- Cultivate empathy and emotional intelligence in their chaplaincy practice.
- Integrate Islamic teachings with contemporary psychological insights on emotional health.
Unit 5: The Habitat of the Seekers - Exploring the Stations of the Heart (al-Maqāmāt)
Class Orientation Tuesday July 8th, 2025 at 7PM Eastern Time
Unit 1 is a prerequisite to enroll in Unit 5
Course Description:
This course offers an immersive journey into the inner terrain of the spiritual path, charting the classic maqāmāt—the stations of the heart—as described in the Islamic tradition of spiritual development. Drawing from Qur'anic insights, Sufi wisdom, and the lived experiences of seekers, students will explore the stages that mark the soul’s ascent toward closeness with Allah.
Each maqām—such as tawbah (repentance), zuhd (detachment), ṣabr (patience), tawakkul (trust), riḍā (contentment), and maḥabbah (love)—is not just a theoretical concept but a living habitat of the heart that transforms one’s perception, behavior, and relationship with the Divine.
Through reflective study, spiritual practices, and dialogue, students will:
- Learn the meaning, signs, and challenges of each station.
- Explore how these maqāmāt interrelate and unfold in the seeker’s journey.
- Engage in self-reflection to locate their own spiritual state.
- Develop practical tools for nurturing presence, sincerity, and resilience.
- Deepen their capacity for compassionate service and inner alignment.
This course is ideal for chaplains, spiritual caregivers, and seekers of all backgrounds who wish to grow in heart-based knowledge and embody the ethics of the soul in service to others.

SESSION INFORMATION

Sessions are 1 hours long and will be held once a week.
Each unit requires 16 weeks of instruction.
All sessions are held virtually, through Zoom.
Canvas is used for course content, communication, and assignment submissions.

Registration

Registration is currently open for the Summer 2025 semester. This semester we will offer Unit 1: Refining Self-Awareness and Unit 5: The Habits of the Seekers. Unit 1 is open to all Muslim women, but Unit 5 requires completion of Unit 1 before registration.

Registration Fee - $500 (Donation paid via paypal, in full or installments, beginning after 2nd class)

Full and Partial Scholarships available - Apply HERE

PAYMENTS NOT REQUESTED UNTIL THE TRAINING SESSIONS BEGIN.

For more information, email Amany@mwo-orlando.org.