An-Nakhlah Institute · Ilford
The Alimiyyah Programme is a 4-year, part-time degree programme through the core sciences of Islam — taught the way the early scholars taught, with your own app to carry every lesson.
Nelson College, Commercial House, 406–410 Eastern Ave, Gants Hill, Ilford IG2 6NQ
In September 2020, An-Nakhlah Institute launched the Alimiyyah Programme with one lofty goal: a comprehensive, structured Islamic education. Today, over 200 students continue to study deep into the Programme — testament to the yearning amongst Muslims for sacred knowledge and, by the grace of Allah, to the success of the course.
Whether you are an aspiring scholar, imam or teacher — or simply seeking a better and deeper understanding of your faith — the Programme equips you to thrive academically and Islamically: principled, knowledgeable, well-rounded, and poised to positively impact your community.
The curriculum is rooted in the classical Islamic sciences — Quranic studies, Hadith, Fiqh, Tafsir, Usul al-Fiqh and more — studied through the traditional method of summarised texts (mutoon) and poems (mandhoomat), supported by specially prepared course notes.
AcademiSync
Everything that makes the Alimiyyah app work — enrolment, attendance, fees, results, lessons and notifications — runs on AcademiSync, the school management platform built for institutes like ours.
Run a school, madrasah or institute? AcademiSync can power yours too.
The primary focus — knowledge guards against the doubts, desires and misleading beliefs of our time. Over 10 sciences and 30+ texts, taught in the traditional method.
Worship is the purpose of our existence. Students form 'ibaadah groups — supporting one another in voluntary fasts, night prayers and Quran memorisation — with seminars on sincerity, perseverance and Jannah.
Processing and distilling large amounts of information, concise note-taking, delivering articulate sermons, time management and attention to detail — the skills of a serious student of knowledge.
The purity of a believer's soul shows in their actions. Students study the most common diseases of the heart, their ramifications, and how to overcome them.
Through the Ten Promised Paradise Project, the cohort collectively funds and builds ten mosques around the world — a Sadaqah Jariyah every graduate leaves behind.
Students may attain Ijāzāt in the books they study — joining chains of narration that link them, teacher by teacher, to Imam an-Nawawi, Ibn Hajar, Imam al-Bukhari and ultimately to the Prophet ﷺ himself.
طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ
"Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim."
Hadith · Sunan Ibn Mājah
The rulings of worship, transactions, marriage and the judicial system — how a Muslim discerns the permissible from the prohibited. Studied through Imam As-Sa'di's Manhaj As-Salikeen and Al-Maqdisi's 'Umdatul Ahkam, advancing to Deleel at-Talib and Ibn Hajar's Buloogh Al-Maram — a comparative approach across the schools of fiqh.
The fundamental beliefs of a Muslim: the pillars of Eemān, the categories of Tawheed, and what invalidates faith — plus practical tools to answer the objections of atheism, secularism, liberalism and other modern ideologies.
First the chapters recited in the five daily prayers — Sūrah Al-Fātihah and Juzz 'Amma — then the verses of rulings, studied alongside Fiqh and Hadith for a comprehensive grasp of the Sharī'ah.
The sayings, actions and characteristics of the Prophet ﷺ — a primary source of legislation alongside the Quran. Students explore the classical works and the methodologies of the scholars behind the six major collections.
His life is the exemplar for every facet of ours. Studied through the famous 100-line poem Al-Urjoozah Al-Mi'iyyah of Ibn Abi Al-'Izz, and Imam At-Tirmidhi's masterpiece Ash-Shamaail Al-Muhammadiyyah.
"Indeed I have been sent to perfect good manners." Students study Al-Arba'oon An-Nawawiyyah and Riyadh As-Saliheen of Imam An-Nawawi, alongside smaller texts and poems on the believer's conduct.
The foundational tools that unlock the core sciences — studied throughout the Programme.
Every student gets a personal login — every lesson as it was taught, revision, attendance and fees, in one place.
Powered by AcademiSync — the school management platform
Recordings, notes and materials for every class — organised by book and year, searchable in seconds.
Quizzes on every lesson, exam practice, and "hear the shaykh" audio — revise from your teachers' own words.
Send questions straight from the app — always anonymous — and hear them answered in class.
Sign in each class from your phone. Your attendance, exam results and journey through the years — honestly kept.
What's due and what's paid — always clear, always current, with your full history.
Term dates, timetable changes and announcements arrive as notifications, the moment they matter.
Alimiyyah is one of An-Nakhlah Institute's programmes — the other is the Kids Academy: weekend classes where children aged 4–15 learn to love and live Islam, through the Institute's own syllabus. A portal for Academy parents and students is coming to An-Nakhlah down the line. Watch this space.
The companions would cross countries for a single narration. The Programme aims to instil that same reverence — taught on-site, in person, the way knowledge has always been transmitted.
Four methods, woven together:
Direct engagement between student and teacher — the blessing of a gathering, direct mentorship, and the freedom to ask. Despite demand, classes are deliberately not online: sitting with your teachers and peers is unrivalled.
Attendance is mandatory — at least 70% overall is required to continue from one year to the next. Two semesters a year (20 weeks, then 16), each ending in exams.
Arabic & Quran: to graduate with the degree, students complete four levels of the Bayna Yadayk Arabic series (or equivalent, at any institute) and memorise at least the last Juz of the Quran — assessed before graduation.
One payment for the year. Simple and done.
£500 before term one · £400 before term two · £300 before term three.
When two or more of the same household enrol — siblings, or parents and children — each additional member saves 10% on the instalment price.
Fees are the same on the degree and non-degree routes — only the degree route carries a one-off £400 certification cost at the end of the fourth year.
Examined throughout the four years, graduates receive an esteemed BSc in Islamic Studies certified by the Islamic University of Turkey — further authenticated by the Foreign Embassy of Egypt and validated by universities across several African countries.
A one-off £400 certification cost applies at the end of the fourth year. In case of exam failure or absence, students have one resit opportunity; after that, they transfer to the non-degree route.
The same four-year journey — same classes, same teachers, same texts — without sitting any exams (attendance remains mandatory). Students meeting all requirements receive a completion certificate from An-Nakhlah Institute, with no £400 certification cost.
All the benefits of formally studying sacred knowledge, without the pressure of examinations — align the journey with your own goals.
Alongside the degree, students have the privilege of acquiring Ijāzāt in the books they study — from teachers who themselves received them from their learned mentors. A spiritual lineage spanning generations, linking the student to Imam an-Nawawi, al-Hafidh Ibn Hajar al-Askalani, Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, Imam al-Bukhari, Imam Muslim — and ultimately to the teachings of our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
As an individual, I acquired a deeper understanding of my faith and honed my spiritual discipline. Under the guidance of Sheikh Abu Muhammad Saleh and Sheikh Dr. Abu Khaled, I realised that completing this course marked just the initial step in my journey. Despite the large class size of over 200 students, I always felt welcomed. During challenging times, the supportive team, including the teachers, stood by me — demonstrating both the teaching and practice of sincerity.
The course has made a huge difference in my personal life. The programme gave us a deeper understanding and connection with the religion — Aqeedah, Seerah and Islamic history, Ibaadah, morals and manners, Adab and etiquettes and lots more. It gives you tools to be able to figure out things yourself.
The guidance and subjects are carefully tailored to help fellow students better themselves while building a core foundation in understanding the religion. The teachers are inspirational — they have taught us the true meaning of life and what sacrifice means. The institute was my gateway to appreciating what our righteous scholars continue to do every single day.
With lessons twice a week, I can plan my responsibilities around my lessons to make the most out of my time at An-Nakhlah. After just the first year, we had dipped into a variety of Islamic sciences — Aqeedah, Fiqh, Hadith, Usool ul Fiqh, etiquette and adab — that many people go abroad to study. This course, by the permission of Allah, has given me a strong foundation, which is crucial in this age of trials — whether it's doubts, desires or the fitan of social media.
My time at An-Nakhlah has been life-changing. I've grown more comfortable making decisions based on my understanding of Islam. My Imaan has been greatly fortified, and I've gained a deep love and respect for Allah. My favourite aspect has to be the passionate and emotionally connected teachers who not only impart knowledge but inspire us with their dedication and sincerity. I wholeheartedly recommend this course — it equips you with essential Islamic knowledge and fosters personal accountability.
We'll walk you through the curriculum, the timetable and enrolment — just say salām.
An-Nakhlah Institute · Nelson College London, Commercial House,
406–410 Eastern Ave, Gants Hill, Ilford IG2 6NQ
View on the map