Al Balagh Academy

What Al Balagh Academy does

Al Balagh Academy is a private, UK-based online Islamic education platform founded circa 2016/2017, operating from London and serving a global Muslim learner base that the company states exceeds 40,000 individuals. Its product architecture is built around two distinct portals: the ILM Portal, which delivers short-term certificate courses ranging in price from free to roughly £500, and the DUA Portal (Darul Uloom Al Balagh), which hosts long-term structured programmes such as the Alimiyyah Islamic scholarship track, the Diploma in Islamic Studies, the Hifdh al-Qur'an memorisation programme, and multi-level Mastering Arabic curricula. Both portals have dedicated iOS and Android applications, and courses are delivered via live interactive Zoom sessions with recordings made available on the LMS; student support runs through WhatsApp groups, dedicated email channels, and live chat operating 9 AM to 12 AM London time.

The course catalogue spans more than 100 offerings covering classical sciences (Quranic sciences, hadith, fiqh, Arabic language, theology, Seerah, Ihya Ulum al-Din) alongside contemporary subjects (Islamic psychology and counselling, halal food jurisprudence, Islamic banking and finance, Shari'ah advisory and auditing, cryptocurrency, bioethics, and AI literacy). Course content is developed internally by the Academy's expert team and delivered by faculty holding traditional Ijazah/sanad credentials from institutions such as Darul Iftaa Leicester, Jami'ah Banuri Town, and Huddersfield University; the Academy holds no external accreditation and issues its own certificates with a minimum 40% passing grade.

Al Balagh monetises through a freemium-plus-paid model: a large free course selection (including French-language tracks) serves lead generation, while paid tiers include one-time course fees, EMI instalment structures for long-form programmes, and scholarships reviewed within 2–3 working days for affordability. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the website, the two portals, app stores, and a digital-first marketing stack (Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, WhatsApp Channels, the Hidayah blog, and webinars). The company is founder-owned with no disclosed venture or private equity backing and operates a small team of 11–50 employees.

Name

Al Balagh Academy

Legal name

Al Balagh Academy

Website

https://albalaghacademy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Al Balagh Academy is a UK-based online Islamic education platform operating the ILM Portal for short-term certificate courses and the DUA Portal for long-term Alimiyyah, Hifdh, and diploma programmes, serving over 40,000 Muslim learners globally across English, French, Urdu, and Arabic.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Islamic Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Islamic Colleges & Sharia/Fiqh Institutes (EDAHAKAI)

Keywords

• Online Islamic education
• Quran memorisation programmes
• Islamic studies diplomas
• Arabic language courses
• Islamic psychology training

Headquarters

HQ city

Bradford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Course Fees (Paid Courses): Revenue from paid online courses with various pricing tiers. Some courses are free while others charge fees ranging from £99.99 to £500+ for programmes. Payment options include full payment or monthly instalments.
2. Programme Fees: Long-term programmes such as Hifdh al-Qur'an charge annual fees of £500 (with 20% scholarship included) or £50/month instalments over 12 months.
3. Free Courses: Many courses are offered completely free, including the French-language 40 Hadith course. These serve as lead generation and community building.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Al Balagh Academy delivers online Islamic education through live and self-paced courses and long-term programmes covering Quran memorisation, Quranic sciences, Hadith, Fiqh, Arabic language, Islamic theology, Islamic psychology and counselling, halal food jurisprudence, Islamic banking and finance, and contemporary issues. The academy operates a dual-portal platform (ILM Portal for short-term certificate courses, DUA Portal / Darul Uloom Al Balagh for long-term Alimiyyah and diploma programmes), supported by iOS/Android apps, Zoom live classes, recorded lectures, and WhatsApp-based community engagement for more than 40,000 learners worldwide.

Product overview

Al Balagh Academy is an online Islamic education provider offering a two-portal platform architecture: the ILM Portal for short-term certificate courses and the DUA Portal (Darul Uloom Al Balagh) for long-term degree-level programmes. Both portals have dedicated Android and iOS mobile applications. The short-term course catalogue comprises over 100 individual courses spanning Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), Quranic sciences, hadith studies, Arabic language (Modern, Quranic, Classical, Spoken), Islamic psychology and counselling, theology, ethics, history, philosophy, medicine and bioethics, halal food law, Islamic banking and finance, leadership, and contemporary social issues. Long-term programmes include the Alimiyyah Programme (Islamic scholarship), Islamic Studies Diploma, Hifdh al-Qur'an (memorisation), and Arabic language programmes. The Academy also offers AI-related courses (Artificial Intelligence and Islam, Mastering Chat GPT and AI for Islamic Education, Mastering Chat GPT and AI for Islamic Homeschooling). Courses are delivered via live interactive sessions on Zoom, with recordings accessible on the LMS. Student support includes dedicated WhatsApp channels, academic support teams, and scholarship assistance. Certificates are awarded upon completion with a minimum 40% passing grade. Notably, Al Balagh courses are not externally accredited — content is developed internally by the Academy's own expert team.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ILM Portal: Online learning management system portal for Al Balagh Academy's short-term courses
• DUA Portal
• Darul Uloom Al Balagh

Products and services

• ILM Portal An online learning portal delivering short-term Islamic courses (100+ offerings) including live interactive sessions, recorded lectures, presentations, course notes, assessments, and a session calendar, used by individual Muslim learners globally.
• DUA Portal (Darul Uloom Al Balagh) A dedicated online portal for long-term Islamic scholarship programmes including the Alimiyyah Programme, Diploma in Islamic Studies, and Hifdh al-Qur'an Programme, offering structured multi-year academic pathways.
• Hifdh al-Qur'an Programme A structured Quran memorisation programme with two tracks — Essentials (2-4 hours/week) and Intensive (6 hours/week, £49.99/month or £500/year) — based on the traditional Hardoi method, taught by ijazah-certified huffaz via live Zoom sessions, WhatsApp support groups, and a Hifdh Certificate upon completion.
• Al Balāgh Online ʿĀlimiyyah Programme A long-term structured Islamic scholarship programme modelled after traditional seminary education, covering Quranic sciences, hadith, fiqh, Arabic language, and other Islamic disciplines, leading to a formal Alimiyyah qualification.
• Diploma in Islamic Studies Programme A diploma-level programme providing comprehensive Islamic studies education covering Islamic theology, history, jurisprudence, and related disciplines.
• Professional Specialisation in Islamic Psychology and Counselling A professional-level programme equipping students with expertise in Islamic psychology and counselling, covering clinical applications, therapeutic models, and integration of Islamic principles with modern psychological practice.
• Al Balagh Islamic Psychology and Counselling Programme A comprehensive programme covering Islamic psychology and counselling at multiple levels, including clinical applications of Islamic counselling and psychotherapy, with tutoring by Muslim clinical psychologists.
• Mastering Arabic Programme A multi-level Arabic language programme covering Modern Arabic, Quranic Arabic, Classical Arabic, spoken Arabic, and Arabic literature across multiple proficiency levels from beginner to advanced.
• The Fiqh of Halal Food – Level 1 A free live study of Islamic rulings on halal and haram food covering ingredients, processing, slaughter, medicine, cosmetics, certification, and global food systems, taught by qualified scholars including Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari and Shaykh Yunus Dudhwala.
• The Shariah Guide to Bitcoin, Crypto & Blockchain A course examining cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, and blockchain technology from an Islamic jurisprudence perspective, addressing the permissibility and regulatory considerations for Muslim investors.
• LGBT and RSE – The Islamic Approach (Levels 1 & 2) A two-level course addressing LGBT and Relationships & Sex Education from an Islamic perspective, designed for maktab teachers, imams, ulamas, and community leaders.
• Artificial Intelligence and Islam An educational course examining the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and Islamic thought, addressing technological and ethical implications for Muslims.
• Mastering Chat GPT and AI for Islamic Education An educational course teaching students how to use ChatGPT and AI tools to support and enhance Islamic education, including prompting techniques and practical applications.
• Specialization in Al Seerah Al Nabawiyyah (Levels 1 & 2) A two-level online diploma programme providing in-depth study of the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), covering historical events, character, teachings, and contemporary applications of the Seerah.
• Islamic Banking and Finance – Level 1 A foundational course covering Islamic financial principles, takaful (Islamic insurance), and Islamic banking products, with application to contemporary financial markets.
• Al-Takhassus in Islamic Banking and Finance (TIBF) An advanced specialisation programme in Islamic banking and finance (Takhassus Fi Fiqh Al-Muamalat Al-Maliyah), covering specialised jurisprudential issues in Islamic financial transactions.
• Al-Balagh Shari'ah Advisory and Auditing – Level 1 A programme covering Islamic Shari'ah advisory practices and auditing methodologies for halal compliance in businesses and financial institutions.
• Specialization in Atheism, Science and Islamic Thought (Levels 1 & 2) A two-level online diploma examining the intersection of atheism, science, and Islamic theological responses, providing intellectual tools to engage with contemporary challenges to faith.
• Al Balagh Academy Mobile Applications (iOS and Android) Native iOS and Android mobile applications providing 24/7 access to ILM Portal and DUA Portal course materials, live session links, recorded lectures, presentations, assessments, progress tracking, and offline video access for enrolled learners.
• Al Balagh Scholarship A financial scholarship programme providing partial or full fee waivers (up to 40%) for students who cannot afford course fees, with applications reviewed and approved by the Al Balagh team within 2-3 working days.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40,000 learners enrolled across all programmes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ihsaan (Islamic Psychological Therapy Service)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIhsaan, a specialised Islamic Psychological Therapy Service, collaborated with Al Balagh to develop and deliver the 'Therapeutic Khalil' Training in Islamic Psychology course. The course was designed by leading Muslim psychological therapists from Ihsaan who understand challenges faced by diverse Muslim communities. Ihsaan is a certified clinic of the International Association of Islamic Psychology.
• International Association of Islamic Psychology (IAIP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIhsaan, the collaboration partner for the Therapeutic Khalil course, is a certified clinic of IAIP. The association sets standards for Islamic psychology education and training.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mishkah University: Online Islamic university offering accredited undergraduate degrees in Islamic studies along with free and paid short courses. Competes with Al Balagh in the online Islamic higher-education category and global reach.
• AlMaghrib Institute: Seminary-style online Islamic education provider offering intensive weekend seminars and structured Alimiyyah tracks. Directly comparable to Al Balagh's long-term programmes and instructor-led intensive format targeting similar adult learners.
• Qalam Institute: Online Islamic seminary offering structured Alimiyyah and graduate-level programmes taught by qualified scholars to a global English-speaking audience. Directly comparable in long-term Islamic scholarship positioning and online delivery model.
• Tarbiya Institute: Online and in-person Islamic education organisation running structured Alimiyyah, Tajweed, and Arabic programmes for English-speaking Muslim learners. Directly comparable in curriculum mix and learner demographic.
• SeekersGuidance: Online Islamic education platform offering structured courses and an Alimiyyah-style programme taught by qualified scholars. Directly comparable to Al Balagh in audience (English-speaking Muslim learners), delivery (self-paced and live), and curriculum (classical Islamic sciences and contemporary fiqh).
• Bayyinah Institute: Founded by Nouman Ali Khan, Bayyinah is a leading online platform for Arabic, Quranic, and Islamic studies delivered via video-based courses. Comparable to Al Balagh in target learner, premium online course format, and reliance on a charismatic scholar-instructor-led catalog.
• Islamic Online University (IOU): Founded by Dr. Bilal Philips, IOU offers tuition-free and low-cost accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees in Islamic studies online. Comparable in mission (accessible online Islamic higher education) and audience, though more degree-oriented than Al Balagh's certificate-style programmes.
• Yaqeen Institute: US-based Islamic research and education institute producing online courses and free content on aqeedah, seerah, and contemporary Muslim challenges. Directly overlaps with Al Balagh's online course catalogue and global English-speaking audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AlBalaghAcademy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/albalaghacademy
• Facebookfacebook.com/AlBalaghAcademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/albalaghacademy/mycompany
• Instagraminstagram.com/albalagh.academy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Al Balagh Academy