1. Sunnah Online
http://www.sunnahonline.com/main.htm
Rating: 9.5
This site almost made it to a rating of 10. It has almost everything you could ask for in an Islaamic site viz. articles, e books, audio lectures, Qur’aanic Recitations, and even two online Magazines!! The site has a no-frills, plain, businesslike look. The main categories are easy to navigate to but for the subcategories no links are provided. You have to scroll down the page of the main category to find the sub categories.
The site also hosts two online magazines (albeit old issues). It only loses out on the look of the site which the webmaster would do well to change keeping in pace with current trends.
Best Feature: Feature packed site with audios, Qur’aan recitations (even some recitation by Shaikh Albanee!) issues of two online magazines and E books.
What it lacks/ What could be added: It would be better if under each main category a list of sub categories (with links) is provided to facilitate navigation. Also such a good site should have an attractive look and the latest forms of multimedia content so as to catch the attention of casual visitors.
2. MSA of USC
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/
Rating: 8
The site describes itself as a ‘Compendium of Muslim Texts’ and it’s a fitting description.
The site is neatly divided into categories and sections and each section is full of relevant information. It has an online Hadeeth and Qur’aan search that was highly valued at the time it was introduced and several other sites linked to it. With the advent of programs enabling installation of Hadeeth books with search programs on PCs this feature has lost some of its former glory.
Another thing to look out for in this website is the excellent brief introductions that have been written for each category. Just read the introduction on the first page describing Islaam to see what I am talking about.
Best Feature: Good collection of texts for a serious study of Islaam. In fact this site gives content of a depth which few other sites do. Important terms are html linked throughout the site to articles or glossary items wherever relevant so that a beginner starting at any page on the site can easily get more information.
What it lacks/ What could be added: It lacks and needs to add audios & multimedia and also increase its store of E books.
3. Muhammad.net
http://muhammad.net/
Rating: 8
Muhammad.net has just what it suggests i.e. information about Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), his life and message. The target audience seems basically to be non-Muslims esp. Christians, although deeper in the site there is some material for those already in Islaam like Ahmed von Denfer’s Uloom al Qur’aan. It’s a good place for new comers to start their search for knowledge about Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Once their appetite is whetted, those who want in depth knowledge should proceed to other sources like the biography The Sealed nectar written by Shaikh Safi ur Rahman Mubarakpuri available on line on several sites.
The site also has some good general material on Islaam and the Qur’aan and some audio files of Qur’aanic recitation.
Best Feature: A full site dedicated to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
What it lacks/ What could be added: Detailed works on the biography of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).