Dar Al Ber E-Learning

What the platform is

Al Ber E-Learning (منصة البر للتعليم الإلكتروني) is the online learning platform of the Dar Al Ber Society in Dubai. It offers free, self-paced courses in the Islamic sciences, and its English tagline describes an "Easy bite size Islamic learning service, through instant messaging platform, with a classroom experience at your own pace". The Arabic headline promises an e-learning service for studying the Islamic sciences from wherever you are, at any time. Learners create an account on the website and can follow lessons there or through the Telegram app.

The society behind it has a long history. The About section says Dar Al Ber is one of the first charitable societies in the United Arab Emirates, established in the Emirate of Dubai in 1399 AH / 1979 by Decree No. 23/78 of the Ministry of Social Affairs as a cultural and social charity. The platform's footer carries a Dar Al Ber Society copyright and credits the site as a product of Think Tarteeb.

How the courses work

Every course on the site follows the same pattern. A course is divided into short units (مقررات), each unit is followed by questions the student answers, and the course closes with an evaluation. Each course page opens with a welcome and a section for questions and problems, then lists the units in order. The details sit in a fixed block: subject, level, prerequisites, language, type, target audience and certificate. For the three courses with their own pages, the level is beginner, there are no prerequisites, the type is self-study (دراسة ذاتية), the audience is the general public (عامة الناس), and the certificate line reads "سيتم إصدار شهادة مشاركة" (a certificate of participation will be issued).

Learners choose their own time. The home page says "Pick your own time to study, as per your convenience and learn at your own pace" and "All lessons are delivered right into the palm of your hands via the Telegram app." The Arabic version adds that courses can be reached either through the platform's own pages or through Telegram. Course material can be downloaded: "All our courses include downloadable course material and resources relevant to the topics being taught in-class. These are free to access for all students." The site's menu also includes My Courses, a Verification section and Articles.

Every course shown is marked Free, and the home page says courses are offered in both Arabic and English "to cater to a wider audience." The three courses with their own pages are all taught in Arabic.

The courses on the site

The home page features three courses.

Faith-based reflections on Surah Al-Kahf (وقفات إيمانية مع سورة الكهف) is taught by Sheikh Khalid Ismail. Its page describes reflections drawn from the verses of the surah and the stories it tells, across five units of about 15 to 20 minutes each. The subject is Quranic sciences, and the stated objectives are the aims of Surah Al-Kahf and the lessons of faith drawn from its verses. The catalog card counts 14 lessons and quizzes.

A course on coming to God with a sound heart (دورة إلا من أتى الله بقلب سليم), also by Sheikh Khalid Ismail, has seven units of 8 to 12 minutes each. It sits under the subject of spiritual refinement and manners (التزكية والرقائق والآداب). Its objectives are to know the signs of a sound heart and what corrupts it, why reforming and guarding the heart matters, and which deeds lead to a sound heart. The units move from an introduction and the levels of faith in the heart to five lessons on the causes of a sound heart. The catalog card counts 18 lessons and quizzes.

A joke without sin (مزاح بلا ذنوب), taught by Sheikh Ahmed Al Raisi, explains the limits of joking in Islam through the Prophet's interactions with his companions. The page describes four units of about 15 to 20 minutes each, covering why people joke, examples of the Prophet joking with his companions and his wives, examples from the early generations, and the rules of joking in Islam, followed by a unit of questions. The catalog card counts 13 lessons and quizzes.

The recommended-course panels point to more of the catalog, all marked Free: a reading of a book on manners by Sheikh Salih Sindi, a course on the Muslim personality in light of the Quran and Sunnah by Dr. Aziz Al-Anzi, a commentary on a poem about the signs of a healthy heart by Sheikh Abdul Razzaq Al-Badr, Quranic guidance in moral education by Sheikh Sulaiman Al-Ruhaili, reflections on the story of the People of the Cave by Sheikh Khalid Ismail, and reflections on Surah Yusuf by Sheikh Abdullah Al-Kamali.

Teachers, standing and track record

The site presents its teachers as "well qualified and experienced in their teaching subjects, bringing to you an easy to comprehend combination of academics and spirituality in a professional manner." The Arabic text describes the courses as grounded in the Quran and Sunnah and taught by trusted sheikhs and lecturers with experience teaching the Islamic sciences. On the platform's standing, the English text says courses are "Certified by Dar al Ber Society, which is established and recognized by Islamic affairs and charitable activities department of Dubai", and the Arabic text says all courses are licensed by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai and run under the supervision of Dar Al Ber Society. What a learner receives at the end of a course is a participation certificate.

The home page claims "over 10 years of academic experience and thousands of enlightened and happy students", and its Arabic text says the society has spent more than 10 years teaching the Islamic sciences and offers the chance to study them remotely.

Staying up to date

New courses are announced on two Telegram channels, one in Arabic and one in English. The English channel invites learners to "Be the first to know about the new courses that we will be launching every month."

Who it suits

The platform suits Arabic-speaking adults who want short, structured lessons on the Quran, spiritual refinement and Islamic manners, from teachers working under a Dubai religious authority, at no cost. Beginner is the stated level, so no prior study is needed, and units of 8 to 20 minutes fit into a commute or a break. People who already use Telegram will find the delivery convenient, and the downloadable material lets learners keep what they study.

It is narrower than a general personal-development catalog: every course shown is Islamic religious education, and the certificate is one of participation. English speakers should note that the courses with their own pages are all in Arabic, although the site says it offers courses in English too.