Starting Saturday 19th September 2026
As-Sanad College
A 2-year Ijāzah (Sanatayn) course rooted in the classical tradition — taught in person in East London, with a live online pathway now available exclusively for sisters aged 16+.
Refer a friend who signs up — you both save £100
New: live online study for sisters aged 16+. Attend every lesson live from anywhere. Online students attend examinations in person if seeking Ijāzah.
Register onlineDuration
Schedule
Students
Flexible, part-time study of authentic and classical texts — with the opportunity to gain Ijāzah.
Over two carefully structured years, students journey through the foundational sciences of the dīn: ʿAqīdah, Tajwīd, Qurʾān, Ḥadīth, Fiqh, Muṣṭalaḥul Ḥadīth, Tazkiyah, Ulūmul Qurʾān, Tafsīr and Arabic — with the genuine opportunity to attain Ijāzah in core texts. Unlike theory-only programmes, every subject is taught with a focus on nurturing action, so students graduate as people of change, not merely people of information.
Too many programmes teach theory without nurturing action.
Too many programmes covering similar classical texts are often too intensive for those balancing work, family and commitments. Worse, they tend to focus heavily on theory alone, leaving little room for the practical development and meaningful personal change that sacred knowledge demands. We are different: at As-Sanad, knowledge is always paired with action.
Built for real life — once a week, in person, for genuine growth.
As-Sanad means the chain — a reference to the unbroken transmission of sacred knowledge from teacher to teacher, reaching back to the authors of the classical texts and, ultimately, to the Prophet.
We meet once a week on Saturdays — a manageable rhythm for working professionals, parents, and anyone with a busy schedule. Over two years you will cover a broad range of subjects, with an emphasis on nurturing action alongside knowledge — because sacred learning is only complete when it transforms how we live.
You will sit in person with a traditionally trained Shaykh who graduated from Al-Azhar University — the most prestigious Islamic University in the world. In-person students learn on site, while sisters on the online pathway join the same course live online. Both formats provide direct teaching, accountability, and genuine growth.
The Course
2 Year Ijāzah Course
Sanatayn · Starting Saturday 19th September 2026
Time
Duration
Students
Format
Availability
Year 1 Syllabus
Seven modules studied over the first year of the Sanatayn programme.
ʿAqīdah
Core BeliefsLearn the core beliefs every Muslim must hold, clearly and confidently — what we believe about Allah, His names, the prophets, and the unseen.
Primary Texts
Al-Qawāʿidul Arbaʿ*; Al-Uṣūluth Thalāthah*
Tajwīd & Qurʾān
RecitationRecite the Qurʾān correctly and beautifully, understand the rules of pronunciation, and begin memorising the final part of the Book of Allah.
Primary Texts
Tuḥfatul Aṭfāl*; memorisation of Juz ʿAmma
Ḥadīth
Prophetic TraditionsStudy the words and teachings of the Prophet, building a practical guide for daily life, character, and worship from authentic narrations.
Primary Texts
40 Ḥadīth Nawawī*; Mukhtaṣar Riyāḍiṣ Ṣāliḥīn*
Fiqh
JurisprudenceUnderstand the rulings of purification and prayer in a simple, structured way so you can worship with knowledge and confidence.
Primary Texts
ʿUmdatul Aḥkām (Ṭahārah – Ṣalāh)*
Muṣṭalaḥ al-Ḥadīth
Hadith ScienceDiscover how scholars verify and classify ḥadīth, learning the basics of authenticity, chains of narration, and reliable transmission.
Primary Texts
Al-Bayqūniyyah*
Al-Tazkiyah
SpiritualityPurify the heart, refine character, and draw closer to Allah through spiritual development drawn from the life of the Prophet.
Primary Texts
As-Sayr ilAllāh Wad Dāril Ākhirah; selected chapters from the Sīrah
Arabic
LanguageStart reading, understanding, and speaking basic Arabic — the language of the Qurʾān and the key to accessing classical Islamic texts.
Primary Texts
Bayna Yadayk Book 1; Beginners Grammar*
* Ijāzah attainable in these texts, conferred on students who pass the relevant subject examinations.
Year 2 will see the further introduction of ʿUlūmul Qurʾān and Tafsīr.
Why study with us?
A rare combination of classical structure, authentic texts, and lived scholarship — designed to leave students changed, not just informed.
Traditional Sanatayn structure
A two-year programme modelled on the classical Sanatayn pathway — built around authentic, traditional sources studied in their proper order.
Ijāzah in core texts
Students have the genuine opportunity to attain ijāzah in most studied texts — placing them within an unbroken chain back to the authors.
Knowledge that leads to action
Unlike programmes that teach theory alone, every subject at As-Sanad is taught with a focus on nurturing action. We believe sacred knowledge is only complete when it transforms how we live — and our students graduate as people of action, not merely people of information.
A teacher rooted in the community
Shaykh Shabab brings years of experience teaching the Islamic sciences, and offers a unique perspective through his service as an Imam in East London — uniting Azhari training with on-the-ground pastoral insight.
Affordable, accessible pricing
Affordable annual tuition, flexible instalments, and a lower-cost online pathway for sisters aged 16+.
Live & personal
Every lesson is taught live — in person or live online for sisters. Students benefit from direct access to the teacher and weekly accountability.
Fully segregated classes
Unlike many mixed-gender programmes, our classes are fully segregated for brothers and sisters — maintaining Islamic adab while ensuring both groups receive the same quality of instruction and direct teacher access.
Profits that serve the ummah
15% of profits are dedicated towards charity.
Visiting scholars & graduates
Guest speakers, graduates and visiting scholars may from time to time be invited to deliver lectures and reminders — broadening perspective and deepening connection to the tradition.
Lead Instructor
Shaykh Shabab Karim
Graduate of Al-Azhar University, Cairo · Imam in East London
A graduate of one of the oldest centres of Islamic learning.
Shaykh Shabab Karim first travelled to study in Egypt in 2014 – completing his formal studies in 2024 with a degree in Sharīʿah from Al-Azhar University in Cairo, one of the oldest and most respected institutions of Sunni Islamic scholarship in the world. His training spans the classical sciences — ʿAqīdah, Fiqh, Ḥadīth, Qurʾān, the Arabic language and more.
He brings to the classroom a balance of academic rigour and warm, grounded pedagogy — guiding students from the foundational texts toward genuine engagement with the tradition, with the possibility of attaining ijāzah in core works.
His teaching is shaped by the conviction that sacred knowledge is best transmitted in person – connecting students with their Creator, developing a strong connection with sacred knowledge and nurturing a mindset of acting upon knowledge in service of the ummah.
Alongside his teaching, Shaykh Shabab also serves as an Imam at a reputable masjid in East London — bringing the lived rhythm of community service and pastoral care into the classroom.
Specialisation
Classical Islamic sciences
Qualification
Al-Azhar University, Cairo
Languages
English · Arabic
Approach
Traditional Ijāzah-based teaching
From learning to lasting impact
Every subject at As-Sanad is designed to do more than inform — it is designed to transform students into people of action who benefit their families, communities and the wider ummah.
Study authentic texts
Master classical sources in ʿAqīdah, Fiqh, Ḥadīth, Qurʾān and Arabic with direct teacher transmission.
Attain Ijāzah
Earn certification that places you within an unbroken chain back to the authors — qualifying you to teach and transmit. Ijāzah is available subject to passing exams for each subject.
Transform character
Tazkiyah and Sīrah develop your adab and conduct, making you a model of righteousness in your home and community.
Empower the ummah
15% of profits are dedicated towards charity.
Pricing Options
Annual tuition (per year)
In-person study
Option 1
1 × £600
One single payment · per year
Option 2
2 × £350
Split across two instalments · per year
Refer a friend — you each save £100
Introduce a friend to the in-person course: once they sign up, you both receive £100 off your annual tuition. Simply contact the admin team with your friend's name to claim it.
Online study for sisters aged 16+
Attend the complete course live online. Online students cannot attend lessons in person during the year. Students seeking Ijāzah must attend examinations in person.
Online Option 1
1 × £400
Full annual tuition paid on registration
Online Option 2
2 × £250
£250 on registration · £250 automatically on 1 January 2027
No deposit is charged for online registration.
15% of profits are dedicated towards charity.
In-person registration requires a £100 deposit, paid by card and deducted from annual tuition. Online registration has no deposit and requires the selected tuition payment.
Get in touch
Visit us on Saturdays during term time, message via WhatsApp, or email the admissions team with any questions.
Common questions
Who is this course for?
Brothers and sisters (16+) who want to study classical Islamic sciences in a structured, part-time setting — and are serious about turning that knowledge into action. It is tailored both for beginners who want to study the foundations of Islām, and for those with a background in studying who would like to solidify their Islamic education with a structured course. It is ideal for working professionals, parents, and anyone seeking sacred knowledge that transforms how they live.
Do I need prior knowledge of Arabic or Islamic studies?
No. The programme is designed to take students from foundational principles upward. Arabic is taught from a beginner level alongside the other sciences.
What is an Ijāzah and how does it work?
An Ijāzah is a certification that places you within an unbroken chain of transmission back to the author of the text. At As-Sanad, Ijāzah is conferred on students who pass the relevant subject examinations, giving them the genuine opportunity to attain Ijāzah in core texts.
How do I attain Ijāzah — what are the exam requirements?
Ijāzah is awarded on a subject-by-subject basis. To attain Ijāzah in a given text, students must pass the examination for that subject with a mark of at least 85%. Examinations are held twice per year — in January/February and June/July — allowing students to sit exams for each subject as they progress through the syllabus.
How is As-Sanad different from other programmes?
We do not teach theory in isolation. Every subject is approached with the intention of nurturing action — so students graduate as people of change, not merely people of information. We also lead by example: 15% of profits are dedicated towards charity, because knowledge must always be paired with service.
Is the course segregated?
Yes. Brothers and sisters study in segregated on-site spaces. The live online pathway is for sisters aged 16+ only.
How does the online course work?
Sisters aged 16+ join the full course live online and cannot attend the weekly lessons in person. To attain Ijāzah, online students must attend the relevant examinations in person at the college.
What if I miss a Saturday session?
We understand that life happens. While consistent attendance is strongly encouraged for Ijāzah consideration, students can arrange to catch up on notes and key points with classmates or through brief follow-up with the instructor.
Admissions · Saturday 19th September 2026
Register Your Interest
Registration closes 25th September 2026. Spaces are limited — submit the form below and the admissions team will contact you with full details and next steps.
In-person: from £600 · Online: from £400