Starting September 2026
As-Sanad College
A 2-year Ijāzah (Sanatayn) course rooted in the classical tradition — taught in person in a fully segregated setting, for adult brothers and sisters in East London.
Connect - Develop - Nurture
Duration
2 years (Sanatayn)
Schedule
Saturdays · 12pm – 6pm
Location
East London (TBC)
Students
Brothers & Sisters · 18+
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.
Many courses are too intensive — and theory without change is not enough.
Too many programmes covering similar classical texts are often too intensive for those balancing work, family and commitments. They tend to focus heavily on theory, leaving little room for the practical development and meaningful personal change that sacred knowledge demands.
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 ﷺ.
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 meaningful practical change and development, not just theory.
You will sit in person with a traditionally trained Shaykh who graduated from Al-Azhar University — the most prestigious Islamic University in the world. Ask questions live, build brotherhood and sisterhood with like-minded students, and study in an environment built on adab, accountability and genuine growth.
Schedule
Saturdays · 12pm – 6pm
Duration
2 years (Sanatayn)
Location
East London (TBC)
Format
In-person, on-site (segregated)
Students
Brothers & Sisters · 18+
Access
Live Q&A · Direct teacher access
The Course
2 Year Ijāzah Course
Sanatayn · Starting September 2026
Time
Every Saturday · 12pm – 6pm
Duration
2 years (Sanatayn)
Location
East London (TBC)
Students
Brothers & Sisters · 18+
Format
In-person, on-site (segregated)
Availability
Limited spaces — closes 31 July 2026
Year 1 Syllabus
The modules and texts covered in the first year of the Sanatayn programme.
| Module | Curriculum |
|---|---|
| ʿAqīdah | Al-Qawāʿidul Arbaʿ*; Al-Uṣūluth Thalāthah* |
| Tajwīd & Qurʾān | Tuḥfatul Aṭfāl*; memorisation of Juz ʿAmma |
| Ḥadīth | 40 Ḥadīth Nawawī*; Mukhtaṣar Riyāḍiṣ Ṣāliḥīn* |
| Fiqh | ʿUmdatul Aḥkām (Ṭahārah – Ṣalāh)* |
| Muṣṭalaḥ al-Ḥadīth | Al-Bayqūniyyah* |
| Al-Tazkiyah | As-Sayr ilAllāh Wad Dāril Ākhirah; selected chapters from the Sīrah |
| Arabic | Bayna Yadayk Book 1; Beginners Grammar* |
* Ijāzah attainable in these texts.
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.
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
An affordable in-person Ijāzah programme in London, with flexible instalment options and an early-bird discount for the first 20 sign-ups.
In-person & personal
Segregated, in-person teaching — not a recorded course. Direct access to the teacher, weekly accountability, and a real classroom adab.
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.
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.
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
Pricing Options
Option 1
£700
One single payment
Option 2
2 × £400
Split across two instalments
Early-bird offer: £100 off for the first 20 sign-ups.
Common questions
Who is this course for?
Adult brothers and sisters (18+) who want to study classical Islamic sciences in a structured, part-time setting. It is ideal for working professionals, parents, and anyone seeking sacred knowledge without putting life on hold.
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, students who complete the required study and demonstrate understanding have the genuine opportunity to attain Ijāzah in core texts.
Is the course segregated?
Yes. Brothers and sisters study in segregated on-site spaces, maintaining appropriate Islamic adab while benefiting from the same curriculum and teacher access.
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 · September 2026
Register Your Interest
Spaces are limited. Submit the form below and the admissions team will contact you with full details and next steps.
Registration closes July 31st 2026