Sources and Methodology

Four kinds of content, always distinguished

Every lesson separates four kinds of material, and labels each one visually:

1. Primary sources: the Qur'an (Arabic text with an attributed translation) and hadith (with collection, number and grade).
2. Scholarly interpretation: how classical and contemporary scholars have understood a text, including recognised differences of opinion. We attribute interpretations to "scholars" or "commentators" generally unless we can cite a specific source.
3. Historical claims: statements about events, which we attribute to their source (for example, a narration in Sahih al-Bukhari).
4. Modern practical examples: illustrative stories, which are always marked as fictional, and practical suggestions, which are our own.

Qur'anic citations and translation

• Arabic text: Uthmani script (Hafs ʿan ʿĀṣim), King Fahd Glorious Qur'an Printing Complex, via The Noble Qur'an Encyclopedia (quranenc.com).
• English translation: Saheeh International, via Tanzil.net.
• Compiled in the quran-json dataset by Risan Bagja Pradana (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Lessons store only references (surah and verse numbers). The text you see is loaded from the dataset at build time, so Qur'anic wording is never retyped or paraphrased inside a quotation. An automated check confirms that every reference, including those mentioned in passing in lesson text, exists. Verse numbering follows the common Kufan count used in most printed copies.

A translation is a human attempt to convey meaning. Saheeh International is fairly literal; words in square brackets are the translators' additions. Each passage links to Quran.com so you can compare other translations and commentaries.

Licensing note: the Saheeh International translation is copyrighted and is distributed by Tanzil for non-commercial use with attribution. This platform is non-commercial. Anyone deploying it commercially must obtain permission or substitute a translation with suitable licensing.

Hadith: collection, grading and references

This first release cites 78 hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Sunan Abi Dawud, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad. For each one we record the collection, its reference number and numbering scheme, the in-book reference, the narrator, the grade, the authority that graded it, the English translation used, and a link to the full narration with Arabic on Sunnah.com.

• Hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim are marked sahih because these collections are accepted as authentic by Sunni hadith scholarship.
• For other collections we show the grade given by a named authority (for example, al-Albani or the Darussalam editors), as published on Sunnah.com.
• We do not cite weak (da'if) or fabricated narrations as evidence. When a popular saying is weak, a lesson may say so explicitly to help learners.
• English wording is quoted exactly as in the cited translation. Omitted words are marked with " … ", and any translator insertions are pointed out in an editorial note.

Every hadith was checked against the sunnah.com English dataset. A content check can compare every quotation word-for-word with that dataset (see the content guide in the project's documentation).

Scholarly commentary and differences of interpretation

Where recognised scholars differ, we say so, briefly and fairly, rather than presenting one view as the only one. We avoid presenting cultural customs as universal Islamic requirements, and we do not issue personal rulings (fatwas) on legal, medical, financial or family matters.

We do not make "scientific miracle" claims, and we do not portray Islam as requiring hostility towards people of other beliefs.

Historical and linguistic context

Context helps prevent misunderstanding. When we mention the circumstances of a verse or event, we cite where that information comes from. When we explain an Arabic word, we note that classical Arabic words often carry a wider range of meaning than a single English word.

Editorial review status

Every lesson and passage carries a review status, shown on the page:

• Draft: written but not yet source-checked. Drafts are hidden from the published site.
• Sources checked: every Qur'an and hadith citation has been checked against its recorded source, but the content has not yet been through editorial approval.
• Reviewed and approved: citations checked, and the content reviewed and approved for publication, with the reviewer recorded.

All 26 lessons have been reviewed and approved for publication by Noorul Qalam Academy. This is the academy's own editorial review; we do not claim endorsement by any external scholar or institution unless it has actually been given.

Corrections and clarifications

If you find an error, or something is unclear, please tell us. Every lesson has a "Report an error" link, and the Contact page explains other ways to get in touch. Corrections are made in the content files, recorded in the project history, and the lesson's "last checked" date is updated.