Sabeel.AI
A Modern Path to Islamic Learning
Bridging Faith & Technology
The Challenge
Current Islamic learning applications often feel outdated or lack engaging user experiences. Sabeel.AI aims to create a Duolingo-like experience specifically designed for learning Islamic principles, history, and practices.
My Contribution
Led the UX/UI design process including wireframing, prototyping, and setting the visual theme. Conducted user research, created user personas, mapped user journeys, and developed user flows to ensure an intuitive learning experience.
Results
A modern, engaging mobile application that makes Islamic learning accessible and enjoyable while respecting traditional knowledge. The application received positive feedback from both users and potential investors.
Design Philosophy
The design of Sabeel.AI balances authentic Islamic traditions with modern mobile learning principles, creating an experience that feels both familiar and reverent.
Cultural Authenticity
Content and visual design elements that reflect Islamic artistic traditions and scholarly accuracy
Micro-Learning
Bite-sized lessons that break down complex topics into manageable, daily practice segments
Adaptive Learning
Personalized content progression that adapts to each user's knowledge, interests, and learning pace
Community Growth
Social features that foster a supportive global learning community and encourage consistent practice
Localized Experience
Region-specific content tailored to different Islamic traditions and cultural contexts around the world
Privacy Focus
Rigorous data protection standards that respect user privacy while still enabling personalized learning
Research & Design Journey
User Research
Conducted 35+ user interviews across age groups, backgrounds, and Islamic knowledge levels.
- Explored pain points with existing Islamic learning apps (e.g., lack of structure, poor UX, uninspired design).
- Analysed daily habits and preferences regarding learning format, time commitment, and mobile vs desktop usage.
- Identified emotional drivers: desire for spiritual growth, routine, and community support.
Competitive Analysis
In addition to conducting over 35 user interviews, we conducted comparative research on leading Islamic learning platforms — Bayyinah TV, Tarteel, Deenstream, and Yaqeen Institute — to identify gaps, strengths, and opportunities in the digital Islamic education space.
Bayyinah TV
Inspired the need for structured, high-quality Arabic content but lacked gamification and personalised learning paths.
Tarteel
Offered technical excellence in Quran interaction, motivating us to pursue intuitive, AI-enhanced user experiences.
DeenStream
Showcased valuable long-form video content, highlighting a common pain point: passive consumption without measurable progress.
Yaqeen Institute
A benchmark in design and credibility, but we found a gap in interactive, learner-driven experiences for younger users.
These insights directly shaped Sabeel's emphasis on structured progression, gamified elements, and learner motivation systems—addressing both the cognitive and spiritual needs of diverse Muslim learners.
Persona Development
Built 4 detailed personas representing:
- A high school student new to Islam
- A parent looking for shared family learning tools
- A revert needing foundational learning
- A busy professional aiming to study daily
Each persona included motivations, frustrations, goals, and preferred app features.
Ali
"Improve Arabic skills,
I'd like to understand the Quran"
Aisha
"Fitting study time in
my day is a challenge."
Farah
"I need clear guidance
where to start."
Jamal
"I want an easy way to
learn and meet Muslims."
Journey Mapping
Designed comprehensive user journeys for:
- Onboarding flow (first-time setup, goal setting)
- Daily learning session (reminders, quick start, XP feedback)
- Progress tracking (streaks, level-ups, achievements)
- Social sharing (inviting friends, leaderboard)
Highlighted emotional touchpoints and friction points per step.
Onboarding Flow
First-time setup and personalized goal setting experience
Daily Learning
Reminders, quick start options, and XP feedback loop
Progress Tracking
Streaks, level-ups, and achievement system
Social Sharing
Inviting friends and leaderboard integration
Wireframing & Prototyping
Created low-fidelity wireframes to explore layouts, interactions, and content structure.
- Moved to high-fidelity designs using Figma + XD, incorporating Islamic visual motifs and gamified UX.
- Built interactive prototypes of core flows (onboarding, lesson interaction, profile) and tested them with users.
- Integrated feedback and made 3+ rounds of iteration.
Initial Registration
Dark mode welcome screen with account creation
Step 1: Identity
User information and authentication details
Step 2: Profile
Personal details and experience level
Interests Selection
Personalization of learning topics and goals
Key App Capabilities
Gamified Learning Path
Structured learning journey with daily streak tracking, XP rewards, and level progression that motivates consistent engagement with Islamic concepts.
- Topic-based learning modules
- Daily goals & streak tracking
- Achievement badges & milestones
Interactive Learning Methods
Diverse exercise types including multiple choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and audio recognition to reinforce learning through varied interactions.
- Multiple learning modalities
- Immediate feedback system
- Spaced repetition review
Community Connection
Optional social features that allow users to connect with friends, family, and the global Sabeel.AI community for encouragement and shared learning.
- Friend progress comparison
- Study groups & challenges
- Discussion forums for topics
Visual Language
Typography
Color System
Iconography
Device Support
Investor Presentation
Making the Business Case
As part of the project, I prepared and delivered investment pitches to potential stakeholders, highlighting both the social impact and business potential of Sabeel.AI.
Market Analysis
Identified a growing global market of 1.8 billion Muslims with increasing smartphone adoption and demand for quality Islamic educational content.
Target Audience
Focused on Muslims aged 16-45 seeking accessible daily Islamic education, with particular interest from young professionals and parents.
Revenue Model
Freemium approach with basic content free to all users and premium features available through subscription, with potential for regional partnerships.
Prototype Testing Feedback
Project Insights
Challenges
Balancing modern gamification techniques with the appropriate reverence for religious content required careful consideration. Additionally, designing for diverse knowledge levels—from beginners to scholars—presented a complex UX challenge.
Ensuring cultural sensitivity across different Islamic traditions while maintaining a consistent user experience required extensive research and consultation with religious scholars.
Key Learnings
The project highlighted the importance of deep user research when designing for faith-based applications. Understanding the spiritual and cultural context of users proved even more critical than typical app development.
Creating a design system flexible enough to accommodate both Arabic and English content seamlessly, while respecting traditional Islamic design principles taught valuable lessons in cross-cultural design.