Qurʾān & Tajweed
Improve accuracy in recitation, learn key Tajweed rules and build a more deliberate relationship with the Qurʾān.
Live online · Two years
Sanatayn Islamic Studies — structured learning over two years
Build a connected foundation in the Islamic sciences through live, structured study. Compare our weekday and weekend cohorts for sisters, or read the update about the cancelled brothers cohort.
السَّنَتَيْن
Sanatayn means “two years”
Also written Sanatain in English
Two academic years of live, part-time Islamic study, designed to create a firm foundation rather than a collection of disconnected lessons.
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 combines regular live teaching, guided resources and assessment. Sisters can choose weekday or weekend online cohorts. The planned October 2026 brothers cohort was cancelled because it did not reach the minimum enrolment needed to run.
Choose your Sanatayn cohort
The destination is the same: a strong, connected Islamic studies foundation. The key difference is the weekly schedule, age group and curriculum weighting.
Sanatayn for Sisters — Weekend
Five hours of live learning across Saturday and Sunday. Study Qurʾān and Tajweed, Arabic Grammar, Fiqh, Hadith and Seerah over two years.
View weekend curriculum, fees & enrolment
Sanatayn for Brothers — Course Update
The planned October 2026 hybrid and fully-online cohort was cancelled because it did not reach the minimum enrolment needed to run.
View cancellation update
Sanatayn for Sisters — Weekday
Six hours of live learning across Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Study Qurʾān, Arabic, Fiqh, ʿAqīdah, Hadith and Sīrah in an adult cohort.
View weekday curriculum, fees & enrolmentWhich Sanatayn cohort fits you?
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 | Brothers hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | Sisters aged 14+ | Adult sisters aged 18+ | Brothers aged 16+ |
| Days | Saturday & Sunday | Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday | Monday & Wednesday |
| Time | 10:00–12:30 UK | 10:00–12:00 UK | Mon 8–10pm · Wed 7–9pm |
| Weekly teaching | 5 live hours | 6 live hours | 4 live hours |
| Core sciences | Qurʾān, Arabic, Fiqh, Hadith, Seerah | Qurʾān, Arabic, Fiqh, ʿAqīdah, Hadith, Sīrah | Qurʾān, Arabic, Fiqh and rotating secondary subjects |
| Delivery | Live online | Live online | Hybrid or fully online |
| Status | Active cohort | Active cohort | October 2026 cohort cancelled |
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.
Arabic
Learn foundational grammar and vocabulary that begin to unlock the language of the Qurʾān and Sunnah.
Fiqh
Study practical Ḥanafī rulings for purification, prayer, fasting and other areas of everyday Muslim life.
ʿAqīdah
Build clarity in the foundations of Islamic belief. ʿAqīdah is a named core subject in the weekday cohort.
Hadith
Read and reflect on selected Prophetic narrations, with attention to character and daily application.
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 dedicated cohort appropriate to you
- ✓ 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? →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?
The active sisters cohorts are taught live online. The planned October 2026 brothers cohort, which offered hybrid and fully-online attendance, was cancelled because it did not reach the minimum enrolment needed to run.
Is the Sanatayn programme only for sisters?
Our current Sanatayn cohorts are for sisters and are taught by qualified female teachers. The planned October 2026 Sanatayn for Brothers cohort was cancelled because it did not reach the minimum enrolment needed to run.
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 sisters weekday and weekend cohorts began in September 2026. The planned October 2026 brothers cohort was cancelled; please see the course update or contact us about future programmes.
Continue your structured learning.
Compare the active sisters cohorts, browse available courses, or read the Sanatayn for Brothers course update.
Est. 2016 · oceanofislam.uk
