A brief introduction to the individual texts that will be used as course reference for the Diploma is given below.

Al ‘Arabiyyah lil-nash’een

This text constitutes the primary content for the course. This covers basic understanding of how sentences are structured in Arabic and the components that constitute the sentences. The book covers the building blocks of the language in detail while making good use of examples. Each volume of this text builds the foundation in a gradual manner making it an easy and interactive module.

Stories of the Prophets by Abul Hasan ‘Ali Nadwi

This is Part of a series developed by Shaykh Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi written especially for children to help them learn the Arabic language using prophetic stories written in a simple but clear Arabic style which become progressively more elaborate. Used as a primer for those learning the Arabic language, it is taught in Islamic seminaries around the world.

Principles of Arabic Morphology by Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi

This text constitutes a concise introduction to the science of Arabic Morphology (As-Sarf).

Principles of Arabic Grammar by Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi

This text constitutes a concise introduction to the science of Arabic Grammar (Al-Nahw).

Shadha Al ‘Arf(Advanced Arabic Morphology)by Hamalawy

This concise text constitutes a detailed study ofthe sciences of Arabic Morphology (Al-Sarf).

Kalila wa-Dimna (Arabic Prose) 

Kalila and Dimna, named after the two jackals who are the main characters, is a book of fables originally written in Sanskrit sometime in the fourth century A.D. Three hundred years later Ibn al-Mukaffa’ translated it into Arabic in a style so lucid it is still considered a model of Arabic prose. 

Al-Ihkam (Hadith Collection)

This is a collection of Hadith pertaining specificallyto the juristic rulings as taken from the major Hadith Collections (Bukhari/Muslim). Compiled by Dr Akram Nadwi.

Mukhtasar al-Quduri (Fiqh Treatise)

Mukhtasar al-Quduri is one of the most celebrated and influential treatises in any Muslim school of thought and is one of the important works in the Hanafi school. It comprises of approximately 12,500 issues spanning the entire spectrum of fiqh.

Hamasah - The Book of Manners (Poetry)by Abu Tammam 

The Hamasah (Arabic for “exhortation”) is one of the greatest anthologies of Arabic literature ever written. There are ten books of poems in the Hamasah, all classified by subject. Some of them are selections from long poems. This is one of the treasuries of early Arabic poetry and the poems are of exceptional beauty. The book of Manners is one of the ten books.

Sharh of Qatrul-Nada (Advanced Arabic Grammar) by Ibn Hisham

This is an advanced book in the science of Arabic Grammar, written by one of the experts of this field. This work was originally written as a basic work for students that needed a direct approach to Arabic Grammar. However after a short while, the author compiled an explanation for it so as to further ease the understanding of the student.

Alhumdulillah I have been exposed to a goodshare of Islamic Academic Institutions and scholars who have dedicated their life to teaching. Cambridge Islamic Collage is by far the most fruitful Islamic learning experience that I have had; the most authentic and rigorous scholarship with ease and convenience.

_{Syed Hassan, The Taqwa Institute & AlManarat Private School}

Akram’s zeal for knowledge reminds you of the Prophetic saying: ‘Allah’s Apostle sallallahu alaihi wasallam said: There are two avaricious people who are never content: one greedy of knowledge who is never content & the other greedy of the world (worldly riches & that of power) who is never content.

_{Shaykh Yunus JaunpuriTeacher of Sahih al-Bukhari for over 20 years at Maza’ir al-‘Ulum, Sahranpur, India}

It is a great honour and privilege to be taught by a scholar of such great rank, knowledge and humility.  I am finding the course immensely rewarding in so many ways. Furthermore, the organisers – Cambridge Islamic College – are extremely professional and have provided a very structured and high-quality course,  both with the online facilities and on location in Oxford.

Muhammad Meki, PhD Student, Oxford, United Kingdom

I found the rigorous curriculum both engaging and exciting. Alongside study of grammar – sarf and nahw both – we were reading modern Arabic prose and the acclaimed work on the lives of the Prophets, Qisasal-Nabiyyin. This last text is used in madaris worldwide; its inclusionin the curriculum made me realise that I was receiving an experiencesimilar to that of the typical madrasah student I’d dreamed of becoming even without leaving these shores.

Harun Mahmud, History Student, Cambridge University

Over the past year, I have had the honour and pleasure to study the Arabic & Islamic Studies Diploma under Shaykh Akram Nadwi. As the course has progressed from the basics of Arabic to more advanced topics, what really struck me was the emphasis that Shaykh Akram placed on reasoning and creativity over thoughtless memorization of facts.

Imran Naved, Engineering Student, Oxford