FAQ

Question 1

How do I get the CD-ROM version?

Answer

The CD-ROM version (Alim for Windows) was discontinued for more than ten years ago and the Alim Foundation (Alim) is only investing now in Alim.org website and its mobile applications for Android and iPhone. Any updates in terms of content and functionality will be carried on the Alim website and on mobile applications insha Allah. The company “ISL Software” (also known as “ISL”) which was running at www.islsoftware.com was also officially shut down but that site’s domain was taken over by a domain parking company not affiliated with Alim, Islam, or Muslims. Any websites currently operating with this name are not associated with the Alim Foundation.

Question 2

I can’t find any content on the topic I’m interested in. How do I effectively utilize the search functionality?

Answer

Currently, the contents of Alim.org are, for the most part, just primary source texts. While there is a considerable amount of other content, the overwhelming majority is still Quran and Hadith. Hence, search queries that are topical in nature will not yield many results.

You have to keep in mind that the word(s) you are searching for actually have to be in the text. If you put in many words, by default all of them have to be in the text. You can also put OR between each word if you want to show results with any (but not necessarily all) of the words. So when constructing an effective search query, you have to think “what unique word will be in the texts that I am looking for” and construct your query accordingly. Note that this is markedly different than thinking “what is the topic I am searching for” which is a more typical query that you would enter in a search engine like Google.

Another option you have is to visit the topical index section for Quran and Hadith and look for your subject of inquiry there. This is the closest thing we currently have to grouping content in a topical nature. We have recently introduced tagging as another means of grouping content by topic. Once we officially go live and, insha’allah, have a sizeable user presence and considerable activity, we should see the number of tags increase and eventually become a user generated index. This would effectively facilitate a topical search.

Eventually we would like to add a section to allow users to upload articles and other content. Furthermore, we are hoping users will utilize the commenting functionality to add more content attached to the primary source texts. Much of this type of content, we expect, will be topical in nature. Again, once the site goes live and we get more users we hope this will happen in a natural way.

Question 3

Any plans for Arabic hadith?

Answer

This is something insha’allah we would definitely like to incorporate down the line. We also have plans for an all arabic version of the site. However, at this time we don’t have estimates for when either will be available. Everything comes out faster if we have more money or more people to help; if you’re interested in participating in content curation, please click “Feedback” and let us know how you can assist. Money in the form of monthly donations or a one-time donation for specific tasks is the fastest way to get what you want added into Alim.org.

Question 4

Why do you have “xyz” translation/commentary? OR why do you have content from “abc”? It/they are mistaken/misguided/unlearned.

Answer

First realize that what you consider wrong is almost certainly not recognized as such by everyone else. Within Islam there are many streams of thought in many different subject areas. Furthermore, Muslim scholars are not uniform in their understanding of Islam and in interpretations of its texts. So it is not uncommon to find disagreement on certain topics or even on the status of scholarship of individuals. That being said, there is definitely a “line” to be drawn which denotes what can be considered Islamic and what must be deemed to be outside Islam – otherwise there would be no such thing as Islam. While that line might often be blurred today and be a subject of debate in and of itself, we’re confident that none of the content selected for Alim.org would considered to be outside of Islam by the majority of Muslims.

Furthermore, removing any particular author or work from the site doesn’t remove it from existence – Muslims still have access to it and will continue to read it through other mediums. However, this site, along with its commenting functionality, allows individuals to demonstrate to others what’s wrong (in their opinion) with any particular content as well as promote any content they view as right. Through this, we hope that Alim.org can serve as a vehicle for dialogue between different streams of thought which will help us recognize our differences and accept them within the limits allowed by Islam.

So the bottom line is, if you think there is something wrong with any particular content, tell us (and the entire world) why by navigating to that content on the site and posting a comment about it.

Question 5

Can you add tafseer/commentary of hadith?

Answer

Insha’allah it will come soon. We would like to add as much literature in this regard as is currently available as well as go beyond that and provide translations of works that have previously been unavailable in English. If you are interested in seeing this happen, please contact us by clicking on “Feedback”. If you are interested in helping fund this to make it happen even sooner, this can be arranged. If you would like to sponsor the work to add a specific tafseer or other commentary, please contact us.

Question 6

Why do you have a donate button?

Answer

Alim.org is a project of The Alim Foundation which is a non-profit organization located in the USA. The site is free to use and while there are many unpaid volunteers involved with the project, the expenses borne to create the technology behind it are paid out of pocket by members of the foundation, friends and family, and users such as you. So if you benefit from Alim.org or can appreciate that others do, why not consider donating? It would be a means of securing for yourself Sadaqa Jariya as told to us by the Prophet (s):

“When a person dies, his works end, except for three: ongoing charity, knowledge that is benefited from, and a righteous child who prays for him” [ Sahih Muslim Hadith - 766]

Question 7

Can I see Arabic text as well as the meaning while reciting an Ayah?

Answer

You can see the Arabic text and the meaning from the compare translation in the Qur’an while you listen to ayah. Green play button provided on the left pane of the page provide an option to repeat the ayah .Where as in the case of green play button on the right of the ayah does not offer repeat function.

Question 8

How can I know which Ayah being recited?

Answer

A green arrow directed towards “Ayah” in a Pale yellow shade denotes which ayah is being recited.

Question 9

Sometimes I am not seeing the play button near Ayah. Why is it so?

Answer

When you are listening to the audio with left side player the play button near each ayah will be disappeared as you cannot play two audios at a time.

Question 10

To learn the surah I want to play each Ayah of the selected range repeatedly and play the range repeatedly. How can I do it?

Answer

If you have a range Ayah Say “Ayah 1 to Ayah 10” , then each Ayah i.e., Ayah 1,2,3…etc will be repeated by putting the desired number in the “repeat ayah box." To repeat the range of Ayah simultaneously, enter the number of repeat in the range box below surah.

Question 11

I started playing the recitation for a given surah. Later, I wanted to start from the beginning again. How can I do it?

Answer

There is a stop button adjacent to the play button in the audio box. Click this “stop button” and play again so that you can listen to the recitation from the beginning.

Question 12

If I want to listen to the surah repeatedly, how can I do so?

Answer

You have to click “surah button” under “Repeat times” in the audio player box and enter the desired number to repeat the surah.

Question 13

How do I choose the reciter?

Answer

To select the reciter, click the drop down list bar named “reciter” in the audio box and move your mouse over the desired reciter and Click on the reciter name.

Question 14

How can I select the font and size of surah text?

Answer

There is link named “Change Font Options” in the audio player box to set the font and size of Quran text.

Question 15

How can I Play Quran recitation?

Answer

You can play Quran using the small “green button” on the left panel of the audio player box lying left to the Quran text. Using the” play button on the right of ayah” you can listen to that particular ayah.

Question 16

What is Qur'an recitation?

Answer

It is a facility where you can listen to beautiful Recitation of your favorite reciter with verse by verse recitation of the surah from noble Qur’an. You Search by surah name and number; Select sura and verse anywhere in Qur’an.

Question 17

How can I become a scholar in alim.org?

Answer

Go to the “Advisers and Scholars Page” and click on the link “Click to Submit Advisers and Scholars” and fill up “submit advisers and scholars” form and send to the admin. Admin verifies the details and nominates you as a scholar if you are qualified to act in that capacity.

Question 18

How can I see translation of an ayah by different Authors?

Answer

You have to go to the compare translation page by clicking “Compare translation” from the menu. At the bottom of the page, you can see translations of four Authors.

Question 19

In compare page I want to see text from the selected translations instead of seeing all. How can I do that?

Answer

In the compare translation page uncheck the other translators under “Show/Hide Translations” to select the translators.

Question 20

How can I select the font and size of surah text and English text?

Answer

There is a link named “Change Font Options” above the Recitation menu box to set the font and size of Quran text.

Question 21

What is there in Hadith section and how can I view Hadith?

Answer

Hadith section provides comprehensive collection of Hadith from famous Hadith books. Here you can easily locate Hadith using search by key word, narrator index and Hadith subject index. To start view the Hadith, click on the Hadith section in home page and select a Hadith book from the list.

Question 22

Can I know the narrator when I am reading a particular Hadith?

Answer

Yes You can. Narrators name is given on top of every Hadith.

Question 23

How can I move from one Hadith to other?

Answer

Click “Next" & “Previous” buttons on the top to go back and forth between Hadith.

Question 24

How do I search hadith by narrator?

Answer

In the home page under Hadith menu click “Hadith narrator index “, a list of narrators will be displayed. Click narrator of your choice to view all Hadith by that narrator.

Question 25

What is Hadith subject index and how to select Hadith based on subject?

Answer

It is a list of Hadith categorised by subjects for instance Purification, Ablution etc. To select Hadith by subject, go to “Hadith subject index” page under Hadith Menu. There is an alphabetical index on the top of the page where Hadith subjects are categorised in alphabetical order. Click any letter and see all subjects starting with same letter.

Question 26

Can I share Hadith with others?

Answer

Yes you can. There is a “share this” button on the top right corner to enable this facility.

Question 27

Is there any support available for Arabic Playhouse CD?

Answer

No, not for CD. The CD-ROM was discontinued several years back in favor of online services. Also, due to limited resources Alim Foundation has no intent to support Arabic Playhouse CD-ROM version, unless funded specially by our users.

Question 28

What to do when a Muslim dies?

Answer

First, the body is washed and covered in white cotton or linen unstiched cloth. A funeral prayer is held, known as the janazah prayer, and the Muslim is buried in a cemetery in the direction of Mecca.

Refer to Primary Funeral Guidance and Complementary Funeral Guidance at Alim.org.

Question 29

How to go about a burial of a deceased Muslim or Muslimah?

Answer

Quickly read the preliminary process at Alim.org
Select your preferred mosque, funeral home, and cemetery at Alim.org and get website addresses for each and/or phone numbers.
Review the website or call the selected mosque first and find out funeral service contact person of the mosque and his/her contact information.
Get in touch with the mosque contact person and discuss with him/her the process to be followed, Janazah prayer date/time and burial date/time, recommended funeral home and cemetery to be used.
Then call the funeral home to:
Furnish them complete information about deceased by phone and by completing their initial documentation.
Make an appointment for completion of their additional documentation and pay their required charges/cost.
Simultaneously call the cemetery to:
Confirm if they can support your burial date and time.
Make an appointment to fill out their documents and pay their required charges/cost.
Keep in touch with the mosque contact person to assure everything is proceeding well.

Question 30

What to say or recite when a Muslim die?

Answer

إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَ إِنَّا إِلِيْهِ رَاجِعُوْن

“Truly, we are from Allah, and to Him we shall return.”

Question 31

What is the function of cemetery in supporting the burial of a deceased? A cemetery, is also a business. Its primary function?

Answer

Land site for burial;
Prepare the site for burial (opening & closing of the site);
Arrange & place a cement or concrete liner in the space opened for burial.

Question 32

What do Muslims say when a Muslim dies?

Answer

They say the same thing you do when your born (allah uakbar asahadou la ilaha illalah asahoudo wa muhamed a raolola hiay allah slaay hiay allah falagh allah uakbar lailaha illlala ) the atham meaning (god calls god calls to all humanity to the follwers of mohamed come to pray come to prosper god calls you will go to heaven) they also say rest in peace which is (yayath ayatu hal nafsu mutha ma ina.

Question 33

How do I go about finding a funeral director?

Answer

There are funeral home associations that can recommend a good funeral home. One of them, Selected Independent Funeral Homes, seems to have member funeral homes that are more progressive and more customer-oriented than others. You can find a member near you from their website. As for prepaying for funeral expenses ahead of time, funeral homes are required BY LAW to deposit the money in a separate account. This is usually in a trust account or an insurance policy or annuity and serves to protect you if something happens to their business. Be sure to ask the funeral home for documentation with your account number and information to ensure that they followed the law. This money can be transferred to a different funeral home if you decide to change for any reason. If it’s because you choose to use a funeral home in a different city or state, the original funeral home will usually transfer the money without keeping a portion for administrative fees. This is only the case in some states, while other states do not allow an administrative fee to be retained by the funeral home at all. Hope this helps; it’s nice that you’re making these important decisions ahead of time.

Question 34

How to find a Muslim cemetery in metropolitan?

Answer

Search in Alim
Ask your mosque and/or funeral home contact person about a Muslim cemetery in the area.

Question 35

Are there Muslim cemeteries available in USA?

Answer

Yes, you can find Muslim cemetery in the metropolitans where Muslims live in numbers.

Question 36

Why a concrete or plastic liner is placed in a burial site?

Answer

In USA, this a requirement of the State where the burial takes place.
Its primary purpose is to keep the corps underground separated from one and other.

Question 37

Do Imams or qualified Muslims perform washing & preparation of deceased for burial at Muslim funeral homes?

Answer

Yes, a Muslim funeral home employs a qualified Muslim funeral director, or a qualified Muslim who carries out the responsibility of washing and preparing the body for burial.
If not, then Imam or an experienced Muslim is normally available to perform this responsibility.
In either of the above cases, it is highly recommended that family or friends of deceased provide minimum of two individuals male or female, as the case may be, to support the readiness of the departed for burial.

Question 38

How to find Muslim funeral home or washing facility in any locality in USA?

Answer

Search and find it on Alim
Or, ask your selected mosque funeral contact person or Imam.
Between these two resources you will have a better selection.

Question 39

What to do when there is no Muslim funeral home or washing facility available?

Answer

In case there is no Muslim funeral home available, mosque and/or area Muslims work with other funeral homes to perform washing and preparation of a deceased for burial in accordance with Islamic precepts.

Question 40

Do Muslim funeral homes exist in United States?

Answer

Yes, most major cities and neighbourhoods with reasonable Muslim population have Muslim funeral homes or washing facilities.

Question 41

What is a funeral home and what are its responsibilities?

Answer

A funeral home or mortuary, is a business that provides funeral services for the dead in accordance with the wishes of surviving family and/or friends. The primary responsibilities of funeral home include but is not limited to:

Transportation of the dead body from place of death to funeral home, from funeral home to a mosque, and from mosque to a cemetery;
Wash, shroud, and place in a cascade for transportation;
Provide shroud, soap, and other materials needed for washing and burial. If the funeral home does not have required material or the family/friends of the deceased desire to add any other material, then it is their responsibility to provide them to funeral home or cemetery.

“Truly, we are from Allah, and to Him we shall return.”

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