40 Hadith — Essential Hadith for Every Muslim
A short, complete course built on forty authentic narrations that together cover belief, worship, character and dealings. Each hadith is read, explained, memorised if the student wishes, and applied to a real situation.
Who it is for
Children from age 9, teenagers and adults. Suitable as a first structured course in Islamic knowledge.
How long it takes
About 20 to 40 weeks at one hadith per class, or faster with two classes a week.
Course levels and entry requirements
Level 1 — Foundations
You can join if: No prior study needed.
Hadith on intention, Islam and Iman, the pillars, and sincerity.
Level 2 — Worship and character
You can join if: Completed level 1.
Hadith on halal and haram, good character, kindness to parents and neighbours, and restraint of the tongue.
Level 3 — Application and memorisation
You can join if: Completed level 2.
Memorising selected hadith in Arabic with meaning, and applying them to real decisions.
What the student will be able to do
- Understand forty authentic narrations and what each requires in practice
- Memorise selected hadith in Arabic with their meaning, if chosen
- Recognise the difference between an authentic hadith and a popular saying
- Apply the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ to school, work and family situations
What happens in a typical lesson
- Recap of the previous hadith and how the student applied it during the week
- The new hadith read in Arabic and translated word by word
- Explanation of its meaning, context and scholarly commentary at the student’s level
- Discussion of one real situation where it applies
- Optional memorisation target set for the next class
Why forty hadith is a strong starting point
The collection is short enough to finish, broad enough to cover belief, worship and character, and concrete enough that a child can act on it the same week. Finishing a complete course also gives students the confidence to continue with longer study.
How progress is measured
- Oral recall of the previous hadith and its lesson at the start of each class
- Practical application task after each hadith
- Monthly report on hadith covered, memorised and understood
- End-of-course assessment and certificate
What this course costs
The same monthly fee covers any course, so you pay for how often you study rather than which subject you choose. Billed monthly, cancel before the next billing date, no registration fee.
- 2 days a week — 8 lessons a month — £20 a month
- 3 days a week — 12 lessons a month — £28 a month
- 4 days a week — 16 lessons a month — £35 a month
- 5 days a week — 20 lessons a month — £42 a month
- The first lesson is a free level assessment. No card details are taken.
Common questions
Does my child have to memorise them in Arabic?
No. Memorisation is optional and can be added once the meaning is understood.
Which collection is used?
The well-known forty of Imam an-Nawawi, with additional narrations where they help explain a topic.
Which collection of 40 Hadith do you teach online?
The forty of Imam an-Nawawi, which is the standard starting collection and covers intention, worship, character and the limits of the religion in short, memorable texts.
Do I need Arabic to take a 40 Hadith course online?
No. Each hadith is read in Arabic by the teacher, then given in English with the meaning explained. Students who want to memorise the Arabic are supported to do so; students who want the meaning alone are not pushed.
Can my child learn the 40 Hadith online?
Yes, from about nine or ten. Children usually memorise several of the shorter ones, which is a gentle introduction to memorisation for students not doing full Hifz.