The Dawrah al-Hadith is an intensive study of the major collections of hadith. Customarily, in many seminaries in the Muslim world, this year concludes Alimiyyah studies with students receiving their ijazah from their teachers in the respective hadith compilations. The Dawrah al-Hadith is an intensive study of the major collections of hadith. Customarily, in many seminaries in the Muslim world, this year concludes Alimiyyah studies with students receiving their ijazah from their teachers in the respective hadith compilations.

Students will study the texts of hadith with commentary exploring the most prominent scholastic interpretations of the hadiths in terms of their linguistic, theological, spiritual, and juristic implications. It is an opportunity for students to engage with the Islamic tradition in the most normative way possible: a comprehensive survey of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and grant him peace).

At EC, the programme is slightly broadened to include an advanced study of Uloom al-Hadith, making the programme resemble a takhassus in hadith, as well as some contextual studies in economics, philosophy, apologetics, and other aspects of the humanities. This will be achieved through broad commentary of the hadiths in some cases, and through dedicated modules in others. It is also benchmarked against masters level outcomes (based on QAA guidelines), and this is reflected in teaching and assessment strategies.

In line with the tradition of the Dawrah al-Hadith, all students enrolled on the full programme, will receive ijazah in hadith transmission. This will be complimented with a series of maqra’as, or readings of the respective hadith compilations.

Monday – Friday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Students wishing to study Dawrah Al-Hadith will cover the following:

Knowledge and Understanding

Upon completion of this programme students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of ulum al-hadith, including: the development of hadith studies throughout history, production of complimentary genres such as tabaqat and rijal, early centres and major pre-canonical collectors.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the most famous sahabah and reliable narrators of hadith; and conversely well known weak narrators and the biographical data that explains the reasons for their lack of reliability; as well as the established techniques employed in critically evaluating hadith. 
• Demonstrate systematic understanding and knowledge of the nine major hadith works taught in the Dawrah al-Hadith programme as well as other genres of hadith works (musnad, musannaf, tabaqat, mustakhraj, amali, thabt, ma’ajim, etc), and of up to date knowledge of contributions made in the study of these texts.

Demonstrate systematic conceptual understanding  of the content of hadith in terms of:

• Thematic content (abwab) of hadith across all major collections,
• Context of individual and groups of narrations (asbab al-wurud),
• The interplay between text and context, law and society, and an appreciation for what things looked like in real life.
• The application of hadith in today’s context; current problems with and new insights in to its application.
• The spectrum of classical and contemporary scholarly opinion on the interpretation of hadith.
• Gharibul hadith.
• Critical commentary related to the isnad of hadith.
• The latest and current research and advanced scholarship in the above.
• Awareness of hadith that are fabricated or extremely weak. 
• Critical understanding of Western contributions to hadith and hadith sciences. 

Skills

• Demonstrate originality in the interpretation of hadith and its practical application to new and emerging situations using established techniques. 
• Demonstrate the capacity to engage closely with and evaluate the unique features of each text, the compilers’ methodology and objectives.
• Demonstrate independent competancy in proper referencing (takhrij) and critical evaluation (jarh wa ta’dil) of hadith narrations.
• Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate past and current research and advanced scholarship in hadith and hadith sciences, and, where appropriate, propose new hypothesis. 
• “Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of scriptural data, and communicate conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences. 
• Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level
• Recall from memory selected hadiths from each chapter (bab) with an emphasis on the narrations with the broadest wording. 
• Work in a self-disciplined and self-directed manner, showing both independence of mind and initiative.
• Have respect for others’ views even when disagreeing with them and demonstrate intellectual empathy.
• Demonstrate the ability to synthesise knowledge of the major Islamic sciences of hadith, tafsir, and fiqh when dealing with a problem (mas’alah).

1 Year – Full Time

Online: £3,375
On Campus: £3,875

Scholarship or Financial Support

Ebrahim College is committed to supporting students of knowledge who have achieved academic excellence and/or cannot afford the cost of studying courses at Ebrahim College. The Mus’ab ibn Umair Fund (MIUF) continues a tradition which existed since the establishment of college; of removing barriers for students who have the desire, ability, and commitment to study the Islamic Sciences.

Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi – Al-Salam Institute

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). He has published widely in Urdu, Persian, Arabic and English, including translations (like his work on Shah Wali Allah), editions of Arabic texts (such as a renowned critical edition of Usul al-Shashi in Hanafi jurisprudence), and original monographs (on Islamic law, women hadith narrators and such figures as Abu Hanifa and Sayyid Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi).

Mufti Abdul Qadir Barkatullah – Ebrahim College

Mufti Abdul Qadir Barkatulla is a prominent Sharia scholar with a strong background in economics and finance. He is a member of the Sharia Supervisory Committees of several Islamic financial institutions including United National Bank, Alburaq of Arab Banking Corporation London and Lloyds TSB. He is also a member of the Islamic Sharia Council. Mufti Barkatulla initially graduated in Islamic Studies at the famous Darul Uloom, Deoband, India where he was also trained as a Mufti (qualified to issue Islamic authoritative edicts) in 1974. Moving to London in 1979, he pursued his studies and attained both B.Sc. (1985) and M Phil (1992). As one of the Sharia Judges at the Islamic Sharia Council, Mufti Barkatulla has wide experience of dealing with socio-cultural issues affecting Muslims living in the UK.

Shaykh Mujahid Ali – Ebrahim College

Shaykh Mujahid Ali came to England at a young age and was brought up in the North of England. During his teens he started his Islamic studies at the Institute of Islamic Education in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire where he studied the Islamic sciences according to the Dars Nizami curriculum. In 2002 he completed his hadith studies under Shaykhul Hadith Mufti Muslihuddin, Shaykh Yusuf Darwan, Shaykh Mufti Musa Badat and Shaykh Abul Qasim, from whom he received ijazah. He then travelled to Syria for further studies in Hadith under several mashayikh (scholars) such as Shaykh Mohammad Asa’d Saeed As-Sagarji Ad- Dimashqi, and also studied advanced Arabic at Ma’had al-Lugah a branch of  Damascus University.

Since 2004 the Shaykh has been a teacher at Ebrahim College. Whilst teaching both these subjects he has compiled an anthology of Arabic literature as a literature textbook, and written a commentary on al-Muqaddamah al-Jazariyyah in tajweed, both of which will soon be published. He is currently the Head of Arabic Language at EC. The Shaykh also has ijaazah in al-Qira’aatal-Sab’ from the Institute of Islamic Education, Dewsbury. He is also one of the judges for the National Qira’at competition.

Shaykh Mohammad Sbini – Ebrahim College

Shaykh Mohammad Sbini was born in 1967 in Damascus (Syria). He studied Shariah under the Grand Mufti of Syria Shaykh Ahmad Keftaro (RA) for about 15 years, at the Shariah Institute for Dawah and Guidance (Abu An-noor). After he graduated he continued his education in The International Faculty for Dawah ( Damascus). He came to England in 1992 and has been involved in different Islamic activities and taught several different Islamic subjects such as Arabic, Usul Al-Fiqh, Shafe’e Fiqh, Aqeedah, and Seerah.

In 2002 he began lecturing at Ebrahim College and he has taught Arabic and Aqeedah. He currently teaches Seerah of The Prophet Muhmmad (SAW), the Stories of The Prophets (Qasas Al-Anbiya), Ulumul Hadith (Science of Hadith) and Usulul Fiqh (Principles of Jurisprudence).

Shaykh Ashraf Zaman – Ebrahim College

Shaykh Ashraf Zaman was born in Bangladesh and brought up in the UK. During his teens Shaykh Ashraf went away to West Yorkshire to study at the Institute of Islamic Education, Dewsbury, where he studied the Islamic sciences according to the Dars Nizami system. He then travelled to Pakstan and continued his studies at the renowned Darul-Uloom Karachi under some of the greatest scholars of the world such as Mufti Muhammad Taqi and Rafi Usmani, may Allah (SWT) protect them both. He graduated from Darul-Uloom Karachi in 1996 with ijazah from his shuyukh. After graduation Shaykh Ashraf was devoted to helping the youth in East London, organizing lectures, study circles and other youth activities.

In 1999 he founded a media organization named An-Najm which propagated knowledge through the production and distribution of Islamic media products.In 2003 Shaykh Ashraf became a Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) teacher at Ebrahim College and the head of the Fiqh department. He has also taught Balaghah (Rhetoric) and Tajweed. He has also compiled various resources on the subjects which he is continuing to develop for publication insha-Allah.

Shaykh Muhammad Bhuta – Ebrahim College

Shaykh Muhammad Bhuta was born into a scholarly family in West Sussex. He grew up in London under the guidance of his father, Shaykh Ismail Bhuta and his elder brother Shaykh Abdul Mateen. He started learning Islam at a young age. After completing his secondary school education and basic Islamic studies, he travelled to South Africa and enrolled at the distinguished Islamic seminary, Dar al-Uloom Azaadville. He undertook a six year Intensive study of various traditional Islamic sciences including Arabic language and literature,Aqidah, Tajweed and Qira’ah, Hadith, Tafsir and Fiqh. He was fortunate to study with Ulama such as ShaykhFadl al-Rahman Azami, Mufti Saeed Motara, Shaykh Hasan Docrat, Shaykh Muhammad Mohammedy and Shaykh Ebrahim Muhammad. After returning to the UK in 2005, he travelled to Damascus, Syria where he furthered his knowledge and experience. He benefited from the academic lectures of many scholars there, such as Shaykh Saeed Ramadan al-Buti, Shaykh Nur al-Din Itr and Shaykh Naeem Araqsusi. He has previously served as the head Imam of al-Medinah Masjid in Brighton UK and as the head teacher at the Seven Kings Islamic centre madrasa.

Entry requirements

Applicants must be 16 years or over and must normally have completed the Alimiyyah programme at Ebrahim College, or equivalent studies such as studies up to Mawquf ‘Alaih or Mishkat in Darul Ulooms, or an undergraduate programme in shari’ah from an Islamic University. International applicants must have achieved the equivalent qualifications in their respective country.

Students who have not studied a dedicated programme at an institute such as those mentioned above may also be considered if they have studied privately and can demonstrate that they meet the following specific pre-requisites:

• Demonstrate familiarity with Uloomul Qur’an and themes and meanings of the Qur’an.
• Comprehensive study of Fiqh according to at least one juristic school and a general understanding of the opinions of others.
• Study of the broad themes of hadith such Iman, Ibadat, Mu’amalaat, Mu’asharaat, etc.
• Study of at least one established text in Usul al-Fiqh, Uloom al-Hadith, Uloom al-Qur’an, and classical Muslim theology (Aqeedah).
• Students must prove that they have studied the above with teachers rather than being self-taught.
• Familiarity with the Seerah and Islamic history even if through self-study.
• Proficiency in Arabic to be able to attend lectures delivered in Arabic and study the texts of the major hadith collections.

How to Apply

• The course will start in September 2026. We are not accepting application forms for this programme at the moment.
• After processing your application form, the college will contact you to arrange an interview.
• Following the interview, applicants will be notified of a decision within 10 workings days.

To enrol on the full programme, click here to apply!