- Overview
- Entry Requirements
- Teaching & Learning
- Term Dates
- Modules
- Assessment
- Progression
- FAQs
- Fees
- Apply Now
Foundation Year Overview
The Foundation Year in Classical Arabic and Islamic Sciences is tailored for students of Islamic knowledge who are beginning their journey into the world of the sacred sciences. The course provides a solid foundation in Islamic scholarship through part-time study with qualified teachers in the UK, including Shaykh Akram Nadwi himself. Students who successfully complete all modules of the Foundation Year (including written assignments and examinations) will be awarded a Certificate in Classical Arabic and Islamic Sciences.
Qualification
Certificate in Classical Arabic Language and Islamic Sciences
The Certificate in Classical Arabic Language and Islamic Sciences is awarded upon satisfactory completion of the Foundation Year.
Students’ aptitude is tested throughout the year through a series of examinations and assignments designed to prepare the student for their end of year exams. The outcome of these exams will form the substance of the certification.
Students will be issued a transcript of their results and can request an academic reference from the Institute to aid in their undergraduate or postgraduate applications. They will also be eligible to apply for entry onto the Arabic Immersion Year Programme.
Entry Requirements:
Classical Arabic Language
Students should be able to read the Arabic script, without comprehension, prior to beginning the Foundation Year. For those students that are unable to read Arabic, a pre-Foundation course in Arabic is available following enrolment and students should ensure they have completed this course before the start of term.
Time Commitment
Students are expected to spend approximately 3 – 4 hours per week during term time in independent study. As a general rule, we recommend students complementing each hour of teaching with approximately half an hour of personal study.
There may also be some scheduled tutorials for students to additionally benefit from.
Course Structure
The programme is delivered by a series of live-streamed lectures and tutorials, and students will also have access to a number of seminars and tutorials uploaded onto the ASI Portal to review and revise at their own convenience. The Foundation Year consists of eight mandatory modules, covering Arabic language extensively, as well as Islamic law, hadith, Quranic studies, and the principle sciences underpinning these disciplines. Students will also have the opportunity to join us on two scheduled student retreats per year, an Arabic Summer School, day trips and SU events, during which students can benefit from the company of their peers, teachers and staff. We strongly encourage attendance at these events in order for students to not forget or become disconnected from the blessings of good company.
Teaching Delivery
Introduction
Our unique four-tier structure makes our Islamic Scholarship Programmes unlike any other. The Programmes are split into four distinct levels: Foundation Year, Quran Study Programme, Arabic Immersion Year, and the Alimiyyah Programme. These four programmes together form the UK’s first part-time, highly specialised series of Islamic Sciences programmes taught exclusively in the English language.
Core Lectures
Students of the Islamic Scholarship Programme all gather for the compulsory lectures on ‘Study Sundays’. These are the core lectures that take place during term-time over 30 weeks. They provide the core information to be further applied in tutorials, essays, and examinations. Core lectures are streamed live to our students around the world. Thereafter, recordings are made available to all students via the ASI Portal.
Tutorials
Tutorials take place during a weekday evening, usually lasting no more than two hours. Tutorials allow students to review their answers or theories developed over the duration of the course. They also allow students to explore ideas that arise in discussions with peers and tutors alike.
Workshops
Workshops are arranged to provide practical study experience that may not always be available in a formal classroom setting. From Islamic funeral rites to essential study skills, these workshops provide a more holistic approach to a student’s further studies.
Seminars
Seminars at the Foundation Level are intended to introduce students to new areas of study and develop their thinking and perspective into a more nuanced understanding. These are often provided as day-long intensives on topics such as the Etiquettes of a Student of Knowledge, The Rules of Qur’an Recitation, and Introductions to the Principles of Islamic Sciences.
Term dates for the 2024-2025 Academic Year:
Term dates may be subject to change.
*Please note: There will be no live classes in Term 3 on 25th May and 1st June due to the Uzbekistan trip, and on 8th June due to Eid al-Adha.
Residentials are elective programmes and are priced separately
- Overview
- Arabic Language
- Hadith Studies
- Islamic Law
- Quranic Studies
- Prophetic Biography
- Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence
- Principles of Prophetic Traditions
- Principles of Quranic Exegesis
- Skills and Training
Overview
- Unit 1: Arabic Grammar
- Unit 2: Arabic Morphology
- Unit 3: Applied Arabic
- Workshop: Arabic Skills
- Tutorial: Technical & Applied Arabic
- Unit 1: Hadith Analysis (Text: Riyad al-Salihin)
- Seminar 1: Introduction to Hadith and Chains of Narration
- Unit 1: Chapters of Worship (Text: Al-Fiqh al-Islami)
- Seminar 1: Muslim Life in the Modern Era
- Workshop 1: Physiology of Menstruation and Rules of Purification
- Workshop 2: Zakah Calculation
- Workshop 3: Rituals of Burial
- Unit 1: Quranic Exegesis
- Unit 1: Prophetic Biography
- Unit 1: Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence (Text: Mabadi fi Usul al-Fiqh)
- Seminar 1: Introduction to Islamic Jurisprudence and Legal Theory
- Tutorial: Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence
- Unit 1: Principles of Hadith Classification (Text: Mabadi fi Usul al-Hadith wa al-Isnad)
- Seminar 1: Introduction to Hadith Classification and Nomenclature
- Tutorial: Principles of Prophetic Traditions
- Unit 1: Principles of Quranic Exegesis (Text: Mabadi fi ‘Ilm Usul al-Tafsir)
- Seminar 1: Introduction to Quranic Exegesis and Interpretation
- Tutorial: Principles of Quranic Exegesis
- Unit 1: Rules of Quran Recitation
- Unit 2: Art of Quran Recitation
- Seminar 1: Etiquettes of a Student
- Seminar 2: Academic Writing and Research Methodology
Arabic Language
Overview
The Certificate in Classical Arabic Language has been developed to take students from a beginner’s level in Arabic studies to proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing. The focus will be on introducing students to the principles of Arabic grammar and morphology and familiarising them with the language in a natural manner. The rules and patterns that form the basis of the Arabic language will be taught in the first unit, with detailed vocabulary, translations and literary extracts taught in the second unit of the module.
Primary Text
Various
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module students should be able to:
• Identify the components of sentences
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of the varying grammatical morphology
• Demonstrate basic understanding of the different scales of Arabic verbs
• Differentiate and apply gender, number and form structures to verbs
• Demonstrate measurable improvement in reading, writing and comprehension skills
Hadith Studies
Overview
This module introduces students to hadith studies in order to derive points of benefit from Prophetic traditions. The style and method of teaching will be to encourage students to understand the essence of the teachings of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), rather than to discuss any legal injunctions stemming from them – though these will be touched upon at times. As such, this module addresses an important element of the programme, the tarbiyyah and personal development of the student.
Primary Text
Riyad al-Salihin
About the Text
The text, translated as ‘The Gardens of the Righteous’, is a two-volume collection of 1,905 hadiths compiled by the renowned jurist and hadith scholar Imam Nawawi. Unlike many compilations of hadith, the book does not focus on Islamic law, but rather on the ethics and moral teachings of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.
About the Author
Abu Zakariyya Yahya ibn Sharaf al-Nawawi, better known simply as Imam Nawawi, was a prominent 7th century (AH) Shafi’i scholar and prolific author. Born just outside of Damascus in the small town of Nawa, he was revered during his lifetime for his piety and commitment to Islamic knowledge and granted the epithet of ‘Reviver of the Religion’ (Muhiyuddin). He authored many influential books, including one of the greatest commentaries of Sahih Muslim and the well-known ‘Forty Hadith of Imam Nawawi’ (Al-Arba’in al-Nawawi)
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to: • Analyse and evaluate certain texts of hadith. • Understand how these same narrations can be understood and applied in our time to modern questions that the community faces. • Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of tazkiyah and ihsan.
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Islamic Law
Overview
This module covers the necessary aspects of the Islamic law of personal worship from the five pillars of Islam. Students will study ritual purification (taharah), the daily prescribed prayers (salah), purifying alms (zakah), fasting during the month of Ramadan (sawm) and the major pilgrimage (hajj); together with the textual evidences for these rulings. The Hanafi School of law will be the main school of law taught on this module, however, views and evidences from the Shafi’i, Maliki and Hanbali schools of law will also be discussed.
Primary Text
Al-Fiqh al-Islami
About the Text
Al-Fiqh al-Islami is an original masterly composition of the Fiqh (codified legal rulings) of Imam Abu Hanifah and his school of thought. For the first time in the English language the detailed rulings of Hanafi fiqh, which has the largest following in the Muslim world, alongside the evidences from which they have been derived are presented with meticulous research and detailed references.
About the Author
Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi is a world-renowned scholar of Indian origin, who has resided in England for an extensive time. After receiving in-depth training to an advanced level in the traditional Islamic disciplines at Nadwat al-Ulama, Lucknow, India, and receiving a PhD in Arabic literature from Lucknow University, he became a research fellow at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, where he conducted research for a number of years (including topics of Hadith and Sufi orders in India).
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:
• Understand the Islamic law related to the five pillars of Islam
• Cite textual evidences for ritual practices of worship
• Demonstrate a good understanding of Hanafi School of law
• Appreciate the differences of opinion existing in other Schools
Quranic Studies
Overview
In this module various Chapters (surah) of the Quran will be studied with theological, legal and spiritual emphases. Classical and contemporary interpretations of the Quran in the Muslim world will also be discussed and critically analysed, as well as highlighting the concept of thematic and structural coherence in the Quran; a concept which was developed by the great Indian scholar Mawlana Hamid al-Din Farahi (d.1930).
Primary Text
The Quran
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:
• Demonstrate a knowledge of the major exegetical types and works
• Critically analyse and evaluate Quranic exegetical works
• Relate multiple meanings of Quranic text by reference to exegetical works
• Demonstrate critical ability to deduct theological, legal and spiritual meanings from the Quranic verses by following correct exegetical methodology
Prophetic Biography
Overview
In this module, students are exposed to the science of Sirah (Prophetic Biography) in which they will cover the foundations of the Prophet’s ﷺ life. These are the undisputed events that make up his biography covered in the primary source of Sirah Ibn Ishaq (or rather, Ibn Hisham’s redaction of it) and all subsequent works that borrow from it. This will serve simultaneously as an excellent foundation and stepping stone towards further study, analysis, and discussion. It will also allow students to develop an intellectual relationship with the Prophet ﷺ and his legacy, and an appreciation for why he is proclaimed as the ‘best of mankind’, ‘mercy of all worlds’ and ‘an exemplar for believers’ amongst some 900 other appellations. To that extent, there will be a degree of focus on drawing practical lessons, inspiration, and inter-disciplinary discussions. Before studying the Hadith module, this module serves as an introduction to who this blessed man was and why his narrations are so important to the Muslim community.
Primary Text
Muhammad: The Last Prophet (A Short Biography) by Abu al-Hasan Ali al-Nadwi
About the Text
This text draws heavily upon Allamah Shibli No’mani’s Sirat al-Nabi and Qadhi Salman Mansurpuri’s Rahmatul lil-Alamin, which came about as a result of the author’s engagement with the Tabligh Jama’at movement. As part of its mission to promote literacy amongst Muslims and deepen their relationship with the faith, the author felt the need for a biography of the Prophet which could be read in study circles and at home with an aim to strengthen their commitment to Islam and bond with its Prophet and Messenger. It was also meant to serve as a guide for those undertaking da’wah activities. See foreword for more details.
About the Author
Abu al-Hasan Ali al-Hasani al-Nadwi, affectionally referred to as Ali Miyan, was the son of Mol Hakim Abdul Hai Hasani, then general secretary of the Nadwat al-Ulama and leading historian. Himself a graduate of the Nadwa, he went on to take up a number of positions at the seminary until finally becoming general secretary himself and arguably one of its most prominent graduates.
He was a prolific writer, who wrote extensively on religious history, Islamic thought and revivalism, religious movements and activism, education and Arabic literature. His work “Islam and the World” or literally “what the world lost as a result of decline amongst Muslims”, which he authored at the tender age of 23, brought him international acclaim. Several works followed, like “Stories of the Prophet” and “Saviours of the Islamic Spirit” which won him awards and accolades. He was given the prestigious Saudi King Faisal Award in 1980 and the ‘Islamic Personality of the Year’ award by Sheikh Muhammad Al-Maktoum of the UAE in 1999, shortly before his death.
He was also associated with several movements and institutions of his day, both nationally and internationally such as Dar al-Ulum Deoband, All Muslim Personal Law Board, Tabligh Jama’at, Jama’at-i Islami, Madinah University, World Islamic League, Muslim Brotherhood and the Oxford Centre of Islamic Studies to name a few. He died at the turn of the century, 31 December 1999. For further details, see Shaykh Abu al-Hasan Ali Nadwi: His Life & Works by Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:
• Have covered all major events of Sirah.
• Understand the personhood and prophethood of the Prophet ﷺ
• Have covered at least one book in Sirah
• Have the ability to appreciate and contextualise the Sirah.
Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence
Overview
This module will cover the main areas of Islamic jurisprudence, Usul al-Fiqh, and the historic, social and religious factors in the development of Islamic legal schools. The focus will be the four primary sources of Islamic law, together with the supplementary sources used in the practice of ijtihad (independent legal deduction).
Primary Text
Mabadi fi Usul al-Fiqh
About the Text
Mabadi fi Usul al-Fiqh is part of a series of five books written by Shaykh Akram Nadwi in order to introduce the sciences of Quran, Hadith, Fiqh and Arabic language. The book provides an introduction to Usul al-Fiqh in a concise yet comprehensive manner, making it a suitable book for beginners.
About the Author
Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi is a world-renowned scholar of Indian origin, who has resided in England for an extensive time. After receiving in-depth training to an advanced level in the traditional Islamic disciplines at Nadwat al-Ulama, Lucknow, India, and receiving a PhD in Arabic literature from Lucknow University, he became a research fellow at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, where he conducted research for a number of years (including topics of Hadith and Sufi orders in India).
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
• Demonstrate an understanding of the development of Usul al-Fiqh
• Appreciate the methodology of Islamic law-making
• Critically evaluate the primary and supplementary sources of Islamic law
• Consider the arguments and propositions used in legal rulings (fatwas)
Principles of Prophetic Traditions
Overview
Studying the principles of hadith terminology and criticism is a major component of hadith studies (ulum al-hadith). The goal of the course is to help the student become acquainted with the most important terms in hadith criticism and gain a practical understanding of what these terms mean when applied in hadith analysis and isnad criticism.
Primary Text
Mabadi fi Usul al-Hadith wa al-Isnad
About the Text
Mabadi fi Usul al-Hadith wa al-Isnad is part of a series of five books written by Shaykh Akram Nadwi in order to introduce the sciences of Quran, Hadith, Islamic law and Arabic language. The book provides an introduction to Usul al-Hadith in a concise yet comprehensive manner, making it a suitable book for beginners.
About the Author
Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi is a world-renowned scholar of Indian origin, who has resided in England for an extensive time. After receiving in-depth training to an advanced level in the traditional Islamic disciplines at Nadwat al-Ulama, Lucknow, India, and receiving a PhD in Arabic literature from Lucknow University, he became a research fellow at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, where he conducted research for a number of years (including topics of Hadith and Sufi orders in India).
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
• Describe the difference between ‘ahadith’ and ‘sunnah’
• Demonstrate an understanding of the different phases in the collating of hadith literature in the first three centuries of Islam
• Evaluate the methods used to classify hadith
• Demonstrate an understanding of the hadith types and their definitions
• Differentiate between the levels of authenticity of hadith narrations
Principles of Quranic Exegesis
Overview
The Study of usul al-tafsir, the principles of Quranic exegesis, is part of the broader subject of ‘ulum al-Quran. The goal is to become acquainted with the essential aspects of the Scripture and rules of interpretation so as to avoid erring in one’s understanding. At the introductory level, it is important to gain an overview of the main features of the sacred text and the disciplines that are connected to it, so as to lay the foundation for the technical studies to follow.
Primary Text
Mabadi fi ‘Ilm Usul al-Tafsir
About the Text
Mabadi fi ‘Ilm Usul al-Tafsir is part of a series of five books written by Shaykh Akram Nadwi in order to introduce the sciences of Quran, Hadith, Islamic law and Arabic language. The book provides an introduction to Usul al-Hadith in a concise yet comprehensive manner, making it a suitable book for beginners.
About the Author
Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi is a world-renowned scholar of Indian origin, who has resided in England for an extensive time. After receiving in-depth training to an advanced level in the traditional Islamic disciplines at Nadwat al-Ulama, Lucknow, India, and receiving a PhD in Arabic literature from Lucknow University, he became a research fellow at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, where he conducted research for a number of years (including topics of Hadith and Sufi orders in India).
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module students should be able to:
• Understand the history of the development of Quranic exegesis
• Understand the Quran through a methodical approach to its interpretation
• Understand the terminology and general principles used in Quranic exegesis
• Analyse and evaluate interpretations of the Quran in text and other literature
• Apply different exegetical methods to the interpretation of the Quran
Skills and Training
Overview
The Skills and Training module consists of the essential skills that will enhance the students’ development whilst at ASI. Students who have entered onto the programme without any prior studies in the science of Quran recitation (tajwid) will be able to study the theory and practice of the discipline in supplementary classes conducted online. Similarly, etiquettes of a student of knowledge is an essential point of study for those embarking upon the noble path of religious knowledge. In addition, Academic Writing and Research Methodology will detail the best practices in constructing a written paper, transliterating from Arabic into English (and back again), and referencing methods in academic articles, journals and assignments.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module students should be able to:
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the theory (rules) of tajwid
• Recite the last ten Surahs of the Quran from memory
• Appreciate the values and etiquettes sought after in a student of Islamic knowledge
• Demonstrate an understanding of the most crucial elements of academic writing and study skills
• Confidently reference using the most popular referencing methods, including Chicago and Harvard
• Understand the need for consistent transliteration and demonstrate proficiency in this regard
Assessment
Students are expected to complete a series of assessments in order to graduate from the Foundation Year. At ASI, we use a variety of formative and summative assessments throughout the duration of the course. There will be weekly homework in the Arabic language, as well as termly examinations in Arabic and the Islamic Sciences. Exams take place online and must be completed within the assessment window.
Further information on assessments will be provided upon enrolment.
Progression
Students that successfully graduate from the Foundation Year will be eligible to apply for two programmes; the Quran Study Programme or the Arabic Immersion Programme. The Quran Study Programme will provide a unique opportunity to study the Quran over three years in order to deeply engage with the Book of Allah. The Arabic Immersion Programme is the perfect programme for students that seek to progress towards fluency in the Arabic language and from there enter the Alimiyyah Programme.
For further information on these programmes, please visit our Admissions page.
Where and when do the classes take place?
The classes are held live online on Sundays.
Are the programmes taught in English?
Yes. All of the programmes are taught in the English language. Many of the texts are studied in the original Arabic with translation, explanation, and tuition in English.
I have a very busy schedule and cannot always dedicate an entire Sunday to my studies. Are the classes mandatory to attend?
Yes and no. Due to recent events we have been able to successfully launch all our courses online, thereby becoming a worldwide course provider. Our students have some level of flexibility to allow for the differences in time zones. However, we strongly recommend for all students to attend all classes live.
Can I study entirely online?
Yes. Each of the programmes can be studied online from start to finish. Further, recorded access is available for all core lectures until the end of the academic year.
Does Shaykh Akram Nadwi teach the entire programme?
No. There are over 20 faculty members teaching the Islamic Scholarship Programmes who are experts in their respective fields. Shaykh Akram teaches certain modules in each programme and authorises graduation from ASI, but he does not teach everything!
Is the Alimiyyah Programme recognised by Nadwat al-‘Ulama or any national or international universities?
At the moment – no. The entire programme is authorised by Shaykh Akram Nadwi.
How will I be assessed?
Students are assessed by a mixture of written assignments and examinations, as well as an independent research project in the final year.
Do I have to sit the exams in the UK even if I live abroad?
No. All exams and assignments are conducted online via the ASI Portal. The final year (graduation) exams are required to be sat onsite. Students living outside of the UK are able to sit these exams at a designated test centre near to their location.
Are the Residential programmes included?
Yes and no. The Residential programmes, which includes two Student Retreats based in the UK, as well as international trips such as the Knowledge Retreat and Sacred Sciences Journey, exist in order to enable students to spend time together in good company, study together and on SSJ's to spend time visiting and gaining ijazah from some of the leading scholars of the Muslim world. However, they are elective programmes and are priced separately. Find out more.
What happens once I graduate?
Graduates of ASI are marked by their embodiment of religious knowledge and are encouraged to contribute to society through their writings, actions, and dealings with others. Graduates may also choose to pursue post-graduate study in order to specialise in legal verdicts, hadith classification, or Arabic language.
What are the tuition fees?
Can I enrol one year at a time, instead of the entire programme at once?
Yes.
How many teaching hours are there per week?
There are 7-8 hours of core lectures on a weekly basis, as well as an average of 4 hours per week of seminars and tutorials.
How many hours of independent study is recommended?
We recommend 4 hours of independent study per week, in addition to the core lectures on Sundays.
I live outside of London. Should I attend onsite or online?
Online; all of our classes are now being held live online.
What are the entry requirements to join my intended programme?
Entry requirements for each programme are detailed on their respective pages. Generally, the entry requirements for each programme is successful completion of the preceding programme (or equivalent).
I have been studying the Islamic sciences for quite a while on my own, do I have to start at the Foundation Year?
No. Students who have already graduated from an Islamic studies programme may be eligible to enter directly into a programme more suited to their educational history.
How can I determine which level I should enrol onto?
Contact admissions@alsalam.ac.uk or + 44 (0) 20 8090 1623.
Will I automatically be enrolled onto the following year?
No. Entry onto the next year of your chosen programme is subject to satisfactory results in the end of year examinations.
Where do I sign up?
Visit our Islamic Scholarship Programmes page to find the right programme for you and apply.
Tuition Fees for 2024-25 academic year
Over 3 consecutive months
*Ramadan Discount Ends: 5th May 2024
For a detailed breakdown of our fees, please see our fees page.
Apply Now Online
The online enrolment option is available for all students who wish to study the Foundation Year programme. The classes are streamed live online to students all over the world via the ASI Virtual Portal. Lessons are streamed at high-definition with a multi-camera setup, facilitating an interactive learning environment for dynamic student engagement and participation.
Note: Enrolments for this year are now closed. Register your interest for next year’s application opening in March 2025!
