Track 1
Everyday Muslims
PACES
Parents - Adult Children Education Suite
This suite of resources is the inaugural offering of the Islamic Law Literacy Initiative (ILLI) at Maʿruf Commons, and it begins exactly where Islamic guidance matters most in everyday life: our family relationships.
Suite Overview
Rather than offering simple rules or one-size-fits-all answers, this education suite provides a thoughtful framework for navigating real family situations as they change over time. Built around nine key principles, three core values, and clearly defined categories of duties, it equips learners with the practical tools needed to translate those principles into action. In doing so, it empowers them to make private decisions with confidence and to engage in wider Muslim community conversations with clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PACES?
PACES is a suite of resources designed for adult children navigating their relationships with their parents and for the parents of adult children. It is particularly relevant for the “sandwich generation” (those caring for aging parents while raising their own children). That said, any adult may benefit, including professionals in pastoral care, counseling, mediation, or community leadership roles.
How will this make an impact on my life?
PACES gives you a clear, principled Islamic framework for navigating one of the most personal and sometimes complicated relationships in your life. Rather than offering simple rules or one-size-fits-all answers, the course builds your capacity to think through real family situations as they arise and change over time. Whether you are navigating disagreement, setting boundaries, or simply wanting to show up better in your family relationships, PACES equips you with the tools, vocabulary, and confidence to do so with clarity, integrity, and care.
What does PACES include?
PACES includes the following:
- A course with six pre-recorded modules over four hours.
- Select videos pause at case studies so you can practice applying the tools you're building in real time, and each module includes quizzes to reinforce your learning.
- A comprehensive workbook designed for structured reflection and application
- A principles framework with nine key principles guiding the parent-adult child relationship
- A one-of-a-kind extensive, in-depth glossary with detailed explanations of origins and uses of Arabic terms
- Quran and Hadith reference guide
- Frequently Asked Questions index
- Recommendations for further learning and support
How much does PACES cost?
The full suite of resources is $175, with flexible payment plan options available: 2 monthly installments of $87.50 or 4 monthly installments of $43.75.
You can also purchase the reflective workbook on its own for $25.
How can I access PACES?
PACES is hosted on Teachable, a free and secure online learning platform. Once enrolled, you will have access to all PACES course materials and resources directly through your Teachable account, available on your mobile or desktop device at any time.
Who is behind PACES and how was it created?
Maʿruf Commons is committed to developing educational offerings that are rigorous, co-constructed, research-based, and grounded in real community needs.
The idea and topic was conceived by Dr. Mariam Sheibani after more than five years of teaching and engaging questions related to parents and adult children in Muslim family relationships.
Maʿruf's research team spent months reviewing and listening to current Muslim discourse on this topic, both online and within local communities. Those insights helped shape the themes, concerns, and practical questions addressed throughout PACES.
PACES was then developed, reviewed, and refined through collaboration with nine experts: three traditionally trained jurists, three Muslim therapists trained in Islamic Psychology, and three educators with advanced training in adult education. Their feedback and critiques were carefully incorporated into the final version of the education offering.
Is PACES suitable for me if I have experienced harm in my family?
PACES takes the reality of harm in family relationships seriously. Our curriculum specifically addresses how to balance the obligation to maintain family ties with the obligation to remove or reduce harm. PACES is designed to help you distinguish between relationships that are difficult and those that are genuinely harmful, and our therapist reviewers helped ensure the material aligns with sound therapeutic principles and best practices. That said, this is an educational resource, not a substitute for therapeutic or pastoral support. If you are currently experiencing harm in your family, we encourage you to seek appropriate support alongside this material.
Is PACES relevant if my relationship with my parents/adult child is healthy?
Yes. PACES is not a crisis intervention — it is an educational suite of resources. Even in healthy relationships, many Muslims navigate family life without a clear understanding of what Islam requires, recommends, or permits in the parent-adult child relationship. This course gives you a principled framework and a set of practical tools, grounded in the Quran and Sunna, that can deepen your understanding and engagement in your family relationships and equip you to handle the inevitable challenges of family life.