Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What is Ahkam101?

Ahkam101 is an AI-powered platform that helps you find Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) rulings based exclusively on the teachings of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani. Simply ask your question in natural language, and the system will search through authenticated religious texts to provide you with accurate, properly-cited answers.

Whose rulings does Ahkam101 provide?

Ahkam101 provides rulings exclusively from Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani, one of the most widely followed marājiʿ (religious authorities) in the Shia Muslim world. All content is sourced from his official books and Q&A responses available on sistani.org.

Is Ahkam101 affiliated with Ayatollah Sistani's office?

No. Ahkam101 is an independent educational platform developed by Mārefa Source. We are not officially affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the office of Grand Ayatollah Sistani. All content is derived from publicly available materials on sistani.org.

What is Mārefa Source?

Mārefa Source is the organization that developed and maintains Ahkam101. "Mārefa" (معرفة) means "knowledge" in Arabic, reflecting our mission to make authentic Islamic scholarship accessible through technology.

Sources & Accuracy

What sources does Ahkam101 use?

Ahkam101's knowledge base includes:

  • Authenticated books in three languages (Arabic, Persian, and English)
  • 6,500+ Q&A entries from istiftā'āt (religious inquiries)
  • 14,000+ Islamic legal terms in our terminology glossary

Key books include: منهاج الصالحين (Minhaj al-Salihin, 3 volumes), التعليقة على العروة الوثقى (al-ʿUrwa al-Wuthqa commentary, 2 volumes), المسائل المنتخبة (al-Masaʾil al-Muntakhaba), توضیح المسائل جامع (Tawdih al-Masail Jameh, 4 volumes), Islamic Laws, A Code of Practice for Muslims in the West, Jurisprudence Made Easy, and more.

How accurate are the answers?

No AI system can honestly promise 100% accuracy, and anyone who does is marketing to you. Our approach is verifiability instead: every answer provided by Ahkam101 includes:

  • Direct citations to source books and page numbers
  • Original Arabic text when applicable
  • The exact ruling as stated by Ayatollah Sistani

We encourage users to verify answers by checking the original sources on sistani.org.

What if I find an error?

If you believe an answer is incorrect or improperly cited, please use the feedback button (👎) on the response. Our team reviews all feedback to continuously improve accuracy.

Languages & Accessibility

What languages can I ask questions in?

You can ask questions in:

  • English
  • Arabic (العربية)
  • Urdu (اردو)
  • Farsi (فارسی)

Note: The user interface is currently in English only. A full UI language toggle is planned for future releases.

Will answers be in my language?

Yes! Ahkam101 responds in the language you use. If you ask in Urdu, you'll receive an Urdu response. Arabic source quotes are translated into your preferred language.

Is there a mobile app?

Ahkam101 is available as a Progressive Web App (PWA). You can install it on your phone directly from your browser:

  • iPhone: Open in Safari → Tap Share → "Add to Home Screen"
  • Android: Open in Chrome → Tap menu → "Add to Home Screen"

Features & Usage

What is Regular Mode vs Scholar Mode?

FeatureRegularScholar
Best forQuick questionsComplex fiqh
ResponseStandardDetailed with reasoning
Free plan10/month2/month
Premium ($5/mo)50/month50/month
Totals: free 12 a month · Premium 100 a month

Scholar Mode uses enhanced reasoning for nuanced questions.

User TypeRegularScholar
Free10/month2/month
Premium ($5/mo)50/month50/month

Limits reset at the start of each month (UTC).

Premium is $5 a month for 100 messages (50 regular + 50 Scholar Mode) and extended thinking on complex questions.

Upgrade from the Upgrade page or the Go Premium button in the sidebar. Cancel anytime from the billing portal.

Yes, asking questions requires a free account, so your history and limits follow you across devices.

The free plan gives you:

  • 10 Regular Mode questions a month
  • 2 Scholar Mode questions a month, a taste of the Premium experience
  • Saved conversation history

Can I ask follow-up questions?

Yes! Ahkam101 maintains conversation context. You can ask follow-ups like "Show me the Arabic text", "What does Minhaj say about this?", or "Can you explain that in more detail?"

Account & Privacy

Do I need an account?

Yes, asking questions requires a free account, so your history and limits follow you across devices.

The free plan gives you 10 Regular Mode questions a month, 2 Scholar Mode questions a month, and saved conversation history.

Is my data private?

Yes. We take privacy seriously:

  • Your conversations are stored securely
  • We do not share your data with third parties
  • You can delete your account and data at any time

Islamic Terminology

What do the ruling categories mean?

ArabicTermMeaning
واجبWājibObligatory - Must be done
حرامḤarāmForbidden - Must not be done
مستحبMustaḥabbRecommended - Good to do
مكروهMakrūhDiscouraged - Better to avoid
مباحMubāḥPermissible - Neutral

Troubleshooting

"No relevant ruling found" — What does this mean?

This appears when your question isn't covered in the available sources, is too vague, or the system couldn't understand your query.

Try:

  • Rephrasing with more specific terms
  • Using Arabic fiqh terminology if you know it
  • Asking about a more specific aspect

How do I report a bug?

Use the feedback button (👎) on any response and describe what went wrong. Simply clicking the button doesn't send us details - please include a brief description of the issue so we can fix it.

Future Features

What features are coming soon?

  • UI Language Toggle: Full interface in Arabic, Urdu, Farsi
  • Voice input/output: Ask questions and hear answers
  • Document upload: For inheritance, khums, zakat calculations
  • Native mobile apps: iOS and Android

Contact & Support

How can I contribute?

We welcome contributions! Here's how you can help:

  • Content Review: Help verify accuracy of responses
  • Development: Technical contributions
  • Feedback: Detailed feedback that shapes the roadmap

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Last Updated: June 2026

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