Established in 2014, we are a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering spiritual growth and educational development rooted in the teachings of the Qur’an and the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Guided by a commitment to personal refinement, tasawwuf and lifelong learning, we serve students, professionals, and families through structured spiritual development and thoughtfully designed programming that nurtures both individual and communal growth.
Since our inception, we have witnessed meaningful and lasting impact in the lives of many through regular gatherings of remembrance, educational workshops, spiritual retreats, and other community-based initiatives, all of which are based in the Metro Detroit area. Our team is led by Shaykh Ashhar.
Shaykh Ashhar grew up in Troy, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, where he completed the memorization of the Qur’an in 1994 at the age of eight. He graduated high school in 2004 with an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma before enrolling at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he earned a Bachelor of Science with dual concentrations in Arabic & Islamic Studies and Brain, Behavior, and Cognitive Sciences.
He completed medical school at Michigan State University in 2012 and completed his neurology residency—with sub-specialization in migraine and facial pain—at the renowned Cleveland Clinic. He is currently a practicing neurologist in Detroit, Michigan, and serves as a Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology, actively involved in medical student education and resident training. Throughout his career, he has been recognized with numerous accolades for teaching and mentorship, while remaining actively engaged in medical student education, scholarly research, publication, and academic presentations.
During his college years, Shaykh Ashhar began studying Classical Arabic, fiqh, and other Islamic sciences under local scholars, while seeking spiritual guidance from Shaykh Husain Sattar. In 2008, he formally enrolled in the Sacred Learning Program to study the traditional sciences and later briefly served as an instructor within the program. In 2014, he was granted ijāzah (formal authorization) in the spiritual sciences (tasawwuf).
Through Refined Heart, he leads gatherings and immersive programs throughout Southeast Michigan, guiding individuals and families in the path of spiritual refinement and nearness to Allah ﷻ. He currently resides in Farmington Hills, Michigan, with his wife and four children.