Dr. Ismail ibn Ali is the Executive Director at Fawakih and an instructor in Quranic Arabic. He is a scholar-practitioner who enjoys forging frontiers in Muslim PK-12 and Adult education spaces. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Florida, a Master of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University, and a Doctorate of Education from the University of Central Florida.
His Fawakih journey began as a level 1 student in Fawakih's 2010 summer program. He joined as a teaching assistant fellow for the 2012 summer program, and eventually took on the role of deputy executive director in 2013. Since then, he has been working on the growth and sustainability of Fawakih. He has been heavily involved in the development and teaching of Fawakih's 6-Level Quranic Arabic curriculum. He has also spearheaded efforts to improve teacher training, online course delivery, and facilitate Fawakih institutional partnerships.
Outside of his work at Fawakih, Dr. Ismail is the Head of School and Program Manager for the Center of Innovative Religious Education at Al Fatih Academy in Northern Virginia. Ismail enjoys sports, studying the Islamic tradition, and spending time with his family.
Salahuddin Mustafa M., on 10/29/24
"I am 73 years young and I am enjoying these classes taught by Ustadh Ismail Ali, he is a great teacher and he keeps my interest. I am awork in progress, however, I can say that I have moved a long nicely in my journey to be able to read Qur'an and Hadith, as well as other Arabic sources. I am thankful to Fawakih for working with me and keeping me on track!!!"
Anonymous, on 7/7/24
"I am very pleased with my instructor , course and the knowledge I am gaining, Alhamdulillah!"
Irfan M. on, 9/21/23
"Ustadh Ismail is a wonderful instructor, masha'Allah. Very knowledgeable, dedicated, and and enthusiastic. He keenly anticipates where students may struggle and appropriately spends more time on those subjects during class. I enjoyed 4C with him very much and felt very comfortable asking questions. He had a full plate this semester outside of class with his PhD and bouts of illness, but was still always very accessible and prepared. May Allah (swt) reward him for his devotion to his students."
SANWAT C., ON 5/30/23
"I am very pleased with my learning although it is a struggle for me as I find it harder as time goes by. I am very pleased with Ustadh Ismail. Alhamdulillah, he is excellent!!!"
Kamilah, on 1/8/23
"Ustadh Ismail is an amazing and engaging teacher even though I completed the class via recordings."
Anonymous, on 12/31/22
"Fawakih has been wonderful and so has Ustadh Ismail, truly."
Anonymous, on 9/22/22
"As always, Ustadh Ismail as well as the Fawakih curriculum have been top notch. I don't know of another program that teaches as well. I cannot express my gratitude adequately. Jazakallah Khair!
Anonymous, on 6/5/22
"Ustadh ismail is clear, succinct and explains things in a way that resonate with students. He is a phenomenal teacher and you can tell he knows his stuff."
Susan A., on 1/10/22
"For all the tears i cried in 2A! 2B i found my footing a bit easier. I relaxed more and ustadh Ismail is truly an amazing Instructor. Insha Allah I would like to continue."
Anonymous, on 1/8/22
"Level 2B was a lot more challenging but Ustadh Ismail is simply the best. He remains confident in his students and therefore I remain confident in him. I chose to continue because of him, and personally, I can't think of a better place to be on Tuesday nights. My confidence in my deen has increased 100%. I feel my prayers and duas come from my heart and not just my mouth. There is so much to learn in Islam and I feel more relaxed about the journey and less nervous about not knowing and more certain that I can complete this journey."
Anonymous, on 1/2/22
"I have immense gratitude to Ustadh Ismail for his guidance, expertise, good humor, generosity, and patience this semester in 2B."
Anwar, on 1/2/22
"It was an excellent Arabic course perhaps the best taught here in the USA. Our teacher brother Ismail Ibn Ali is the very best one can ever expect. He is the gem. Fawakih should be proud of him."
Susan A., on 9/24/21
"This was very challenging, a lot of material to get through and remember but the teaching was exceptional. Ustadh Ismail is truly amazing, his ability to break down concepts so his students can understand is so commendable, what I love is that he shares what was challenging to him as a student and gives gems as I put it that worked for him hoping that they will also help us, I hope he will always be a teacher of Arabic as he's so good at what he does, I think his mother will be very proud:) The curriculum is amazing very well thought out and in the end with practice I think will be able to understand, remember an apply the material eventually opening up the Quran, and understanding its blessed words our ultimate goal Insha Allah."
Aisha S., on 9/18/21
"Ustadh Ismail and the course are amazing. Our teacher really knows how to teach well in a very humble and righteous manner. May Allah SWT reward him. Arabic is daunting but the Fawakih Program makes it easier to accomplish. The study of Arabic has been intelligently broken down to present to the student in palatable portions that make sense and easily go together."
Anonymous, on 9/13/21
"That is perhaps one of the best Arabic course. Excellent material and our teacher brother Ismail is a gem."
Aisha S., on 4/12/21
"I just love Ustadh Ismail, as a person and as a teacher. I don't have anything but good to say. The program isn't difficult. Arabic has been intimidating because it was never taught well. Alhamdulillah, your teaching is very effective. Coupled with teachers whose hearts are on the path of purity makes a huge difference. Arabic at Fawakih isn't taught as just a language, rather it is taught as a sacred and spiritual journey into the heart of the Quran. Jazakallah Khair!"
Anonymous, on 4/12/21
"Another great experience at Fawakih. Really enjoyed having Ustadh Ismail again. He is so knowledgeable mashAllah and has great adab with all the students. This semester was more challenging than the first semester because of all the homework, e.g. listening exercises, quran verses, Ibrahim story and translation exercises. It was kind of a shock compared to level 1A, which had much less homework comparatively. I think that was the most difficult part in adjusting between the semesters in terms of setting aside time to complete the course-work prior to class."
Anonymous, on 1/13/21
"I loved this course! Ustadh Ismail is an excellent teacher, and I found the curriculum to be laid out very logically. The exercises really reinforce the learning. The inverted format was perfect for my busy schedule."
Malika, on 1/13/21
"I had a rough time finding my footing in this program. When I first began after Ramadan, it was completely overwhelming. I switched to self-paced but felt so lost, it was hard to find the motivation to complete the lessons. Then I joined Ustadh Ismail's class this fall and it's been amazing. I'm not sure what the difference is, but as a teacher he has been accessible and has made the information feel tangible. The class size doesn't feel overwhelming and I don't feel lost in the crowd. Even when I questioned my readiness to move forward (because I haven't grasped everything perfectly) we were reminded to not let perfect be the enemy of the good...and to keep moving forward. I'm looking forward to moving forward in the program."
Anonymous, on 1/13/21
"I entered this class with much apprehension because of my age and limited knowledge; however Ustadh Ismail assured us that we were in a safe space and those three words opened my heart and made me feel very comfortable, so this class became a priority in my life. If I am successful, it is because of the teacher and the program. I am comprehending more of The Quran."
Anonymous, on 1/6/21
"Ustad Ismail is very good and explains very clearly which has made my learning easier."
Aman N., on 1/4/21
"I have been contemplating taking a Quranic Arabic class for the past 20 years, always struggling to find time and resources to do so. And also finding it difficult to pick which resource to use. Fawakih was recommended by a dear friend, and he was absolutely correct. The teachers, material, organization cannot be commended enough. Clearly one sees constant progression and growth with each class. Ustadh Ismail, -may Allah bless him- was phenomenal, patient and always wanting to teach and help us understand."
Anonymous, on 7/24/20
"For me to have access to my Ustadh with any questions was most helpful. Ustadh Ismail responded every time I got stuck with grammar or quiz question and that made all the difference to me."