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Two-year Islamic studies foundation

Online Sanatayn Course for Sisters

Build a connected foundation in the Islamic sciences through live, structured study. Choose the weekday or weekend Sanatayn cohort that you can attend consistently.

السَّنَتَيْن

Sanatayn means “two years”

Two academic years of live, part-time Islamic study, designed to create a firm foundation rather than a collection of disconnected lessons.

Read: What is a Sanatayn course? →

A clear definition

What is a Sanatayn course?

A Sanatayn course is a two-year foundation programme in Islamic studies. It is usually designed for students who want more structure and depth than occasional classes, but who are not yet ready—or may not need—to commit to a full multi-year ʿĀlimiyyah programme.

There is no single national Sanatayn syllabus. Different institutes place different weight on Arabic, Qurʾān, Fiqh, ʿAqīdah, Hadith, Tafsīr and Seerah. That makes the curriculum, teacher, weekly hours and learning outcomes more important than the course name by itself.

At Ocean of Islam, Sanatayn is a live online course for sisters. It combines regular teaching, guided resources and assessment across the academic year. Students can choose a weekday morning route for adults or a weekend morning route from age 14.

Cohort comparison

Weekday or weekend Sanatayn?

Choose the timetable you can sustain for two years. Consistency matters more than choosing the option with the greatest number of hours.

Feature Weekend cohort Weekday cohort
AgeSisters aged 14+Adult sisters aged 18+
DaysSaturday & SundayMonday, Tuesday & Wednesday
Time10:00–12:30 UK10:00–12:00 UK
Weekly teaching5 live hours6 live hours
Core sciencesQurʾān, Arabic, Fiqh, Hadith, SeerahQurʾān, Arabic, Fiqh, ʿAqīdah, Hadith, Sīrah
DeliveryLive onlineLive online
Next intakeSeptember 2026September 2026
Connected learning

What you study on a Sanatayn course

The subjects reinforce one another: language supports textual study, Fiqh gives structure to worship, and Seerah and Hadith connect knowledge to Prophetic guidance.

القرآن

Qurʾān & Tajweed

Improve accuracy in recitation, learn key Tajweed rules and build a more deliberate relationship with the Qurʾān.

العربية

Arabic

Learn foundational grammar and vocabulary that begin to unlock the language of the Qurʾān and Sunnah.

الفقه

Fiqh

Study practical Ḥanafī rulings for purification, prayer, fasting and other areas of everyday Muslim life.

العقيدة

ʿAqīdah

Build clarity in the foundations of Islamic belief. ʿAqīdah is a named core subject in the weekday cohort.

الحديث

Hadith

Read and reflect on selected Prophetic narrations, with attention to character and daily application.

السيرة

Seerah

Follow the life of the Prophet ﷺ in sequence and draw living lessons from the Makkan and Madinan periods.

The exact weighting and timetable differ between cohorts. See the individual course pages for the full Year 1 and Year 2 curriculum.

Who it is for

A foundation for sisters who want to study consistently

Sanatayn may suit you if you want a serious part-time route without beginning with a full-time or six-year commitment.

  • You want a curriculum, not scattered lectures
  • You can attend live classes at the chosen times
  • You are ready to revise and complete assessments
  • You value a private, sisters-only environment
  • You want a foundation across several Islamic sciences
  • You may wish to progress to deeper study later

Research before you enrol

Read the complete Sanatayn guide

Learn what “Sanatayn” means, how it differs from ʿĀlimiyyah, what subjects to expect and which questions to ask any course provider.

What is a Sanatayn Course? →
Sanatayn course FAQs

Questions students ask before enrolling

What is a Sanatayn course?

A Sanatayn course is a structured, two-year programme in foundational Islamic studies. Curricula vary by institution, but commonly include Qurʾān and Tajweed, Fiqh, ʿAqīdah, Hadith, Seerah, Tafsīr or Arabic. At Ocean of Islam, students follow a live timetable, complete assessments and receive a certificate when the relevant requirements are met.

What does Sanatayn mean?

Sanatayn (السَّنَتَيْن) means “two years” or “the two years” in Arabic. You may also see the term written in English as Sanatain. Both spellings refer to the same two-year format.

Is Sanatayn the same as an Alimiyyah course?

Not necessarily. Sanatayn is normally a two-year foundation or abridged Islamic studies programme, while a full ʿĀlimiyyah course is longer and goes into greater depth. Because institutes use the term differently, always compare the syllabus, teachers, assessment and progression route rather than relying on the name alone.

Is your Sanatayn course online?

Yes. Both Ocean of Islam Sanatayn cohorts are taught live online at UK times. The weekend cohort runs on Saturday and Sunday mornings, while the adult weekday cohort runs on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.

Is the Sanatayn programme only for sisters?

Yes. The Ocean of Islam Sanatayn programme is a sisters-only learning environment taught by qualified female teachers. The weekend cohort welcomes sisters aged 14+, and the weekday cohort is for adult sisters aged 18+.

Do I need previous Islamic studies or Arabic?

No previous formal Islamic study is required. Students should be able to read the Qurʾān at a basic level and be ready to attend consistently, revise between classes and complete the relevant assessments.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. Students who meet the attendance and assessment requirements receive a certificate of completion. Sanatayn provides a substantial foundation, but it should not be described as a full ʿĀlimiyyah qualification.

When does the next Sanatayn course start?

The next Ocean of Islam weekday and weekend cohorts begin in September 2026, in shāʾ Allāh. Registration is due by 28 August 2026, subject to places remaining available.

Begin your two-year foundation.

Compare the full course pages and choose the live schedule you can attend consistently. Registration closes 28 August 2026.

Est. 2016 · oceanofislam.uk