Sources & Methodology
How this is written.
Accuracy matters more here than volume. These are the rules the project holds itself to.
- 01
The framework is Sunni Islam
Content here presents Islam according to the Qur'an, the authentic Sunnah, and the established scholarship of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah. The four recognized schools of jurisprudence — Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali — are treated with respect, and this is not a platform for arguing one against another.
- 02
A hierarchy of evidence
The Qur'an comes first, with surah, verse and an identified translation. Then rigorously authenticated hadith, with Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim given priority and gradings shown where authentication matters. Then recognized Sunni Tafsir — al-Tabari, Ibn Kathir, al-Baghawi, al-Qurtubi, al-Sa'di — and then established Sunni scholarship.
- 03
Nothing is invented
Qur'anic verses, hadith, rulings, historical quotations and scientific claims are never written from memory or generated. They are transcribed from verified sources or they do not appear at all. Weak or fabricated narrations are not used as evidence for belief.
- 04
Every claim carries a reference
Religious claims are published with citations a reader can check: the work, the hadith number, the chapter and verse. Vague phrasing such as "according to Islamic scholars" is not used where a specific source exists.
- 05
Difference is acknowledged, consensus is not assumed
Explicit Qur'anic teaching, authentic prophetic teaching, scholarly consensus, a majority position, recognized disagreement and personal reflection are distinct things and are not written as if interchangeable. Consensus is claimed only where it can be demonstrated.
- 06
Empirical evidence comes from empirical sources
Astronomy, medicine, archaeology, linguistics and manuscript history are cited from reputable academic and scientific institutions. A scientific body is never treated as an authority on theology, and a religious source is never the sole authority for a scientific claim.
- 07
Allah is never depicted
No image, illustration, silhouette or figure is ever used to represent Allah. Creation is shown only as creation. Laysa ka-mithlihi shay' — there is nothing like unto Him (Qur'an 42:11).
- 08
Translation is human
Religious content is not machine translated. A language appears here only once its translation has been checked by a person.
- 09
Corrections are welcome
If something here is inaccurate, we would rather know. Corrections are made openly.
The Islam Compass does not attempt to represent every movement that identifies as Islamic. Its framework is stated plainly: the Qur'an, the authentic Sunnah, and the established scholarship of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah — presented without unnecessary sectarian argument.