Arabic Maktabah Shamila: Comprehensive Guide for Urdu Readers
By: Qari Usama bin Abdussalam (Hafizahullah)❖ Introduction to Maktabah Shamila
Maktabah Shamila is one of the most widely used software tools in contemporary Islamic academic circles. It provides access to a massive library of Islamic texts and performs complex search operations in seconds. Below is a complete introduction, its background, evolution, and key features.
❖ ① Historical Background
Initial Development
The development of Maktabah Shamila began around 2002 by Dr. Hossam Abu Al-'Alaa, an Egyptian physician. The software was publicly released around late 2004 or early 2005.
From Personal Use to Open Access
Initially designed as a personal library, it was later opened to the public, allowing users to add their own books. This open-source shift made the software immensely popular worldwide.
Global Collaboration
Due to its open-source nature, scholars and developers globally contributed by adding books and refining the software. This led to multiple versions such as Al-Fiyyah, Makkiyyah, Dhahabiyyah, and Waqfiyyah, increasing the demand for an official version.
❖ ② Key Contributors Behind Shamila
Creators & Developers
Though Egyptian in origin, the major contributions came from Saudi scholars and institutions. Dr. Hossam, its original creator, is reportedly serving as a doctor in Riyadh.
Official Sponsorship
In 2012, the Saudi organization Maktab al-Jaliyyat formally took over the project. Later, it came under the supervision of the renowned charity Al-Rajhi Foundation, leading to rapid development and expansion.
❖ ③ Key Benefits of Maktabah Shamila
✔ Advanced Search Capabilities
Allows precise and fast extraction of quotes and references from a vast library.
✔ Massive Library in One Place
Enables the collection and access of thousands of Islamic texts in one software.
✔ Offline and Online Support
Users can work offline or update books online as needed.
❖ ④ Important Versions of Shamila
4.1 Official Latest Version (v4)
◈ The current official version is Version 4, supervised by Al-Rajhi Foundation.
◈ It includes 8238 books from 3102 authors, with continuous development.
◈ Last update: Rajab 1443 AH (~1.5 years ago).
◈ Text + PDF integration allows cross-checking with original print layout.
◈ Total size: approx. 39 GB
◈ Books cannot be manually added in this version—only official books are supported.
◈ Some advanced tools from the previous version (v3.65) are missing.
4.2 Older Version (v3.65)
◈ No longer receives updates, but includes many unique features.
◈ Contains “Al-Shamilah Al-Dhahabiyyah”, with ~30,000 books.
◈ PDF & Text integration of 16,300 books, total size ~367 GB.
◈ Al-Dhahabiyyah alone (text only) is ~60 GB.
◈ User can manually add books.
◈ Advanced tools for Hadith referencing, translation, and notes.
◈ Qur’anic verses linked with 112 classical Tafasir—clicking a verse brings all Tafsir instantly.
◈ Includes “Al-Bahith Al-Shamil”: an external search engine that fetches results across 30,000 books within seconds.
❖ ⑤ Online Versions of Shamila
For users preferring browser-based access:
✔ New Online Version:
https://shamela.ws/✔ Old Official Online Version:
https://old.shamela.ws/❖ ⑥ How to Download Maktabah Shamila
Simple Method
Search “المكتبة الشاملة” on Google. The first result is the official site. Click “تنزيل المكتبة” to begin download.
Options
◈ Download full version with books (~10–11 GB), or
◈ Download just the setup file (few MBs) and update books online as needed.
❖ ⑦ How to Use Shamila Efficiently
✔ Vast Features
Once mastered, Shamila can revolutionize research work for students and scholars.
✔ Arabic Video Tutorials
Notably by Saeed bin Dhaafir Al-Burman, who produced 10 in-depth Arabic tutorials under the title “مهارات المكتبة الشاملة”.
✔ Urdu Tutorials
Several tutorials and walkthroughs are available in Urdu as well, aiding native readers in learning the software.
❖ Toheed.com’s Initiative for Urdu Readers
Toheed.com has launched a significant project to assist Urdu-speaking users by offering:
✔ Book Introductions in Urdu
Each major Arabic book is briefly introduced in Urdu to help readers understand its relevance and subject matter.
✔ Search by Topic or Author
Books are categorized for easy search, making research quicker and more efficient.
✔ Direct Linking to Original Content
Topics listed on the site directly link to the corresponding section within the original Arabic book.
✔ AI Translation Assistance
Artificial intelligence tools now help translate Arabic passages into Urdu instantly, improving accessibility.
✔ Guided Research Support
These curated lists and summaries save researchers time and provide reliable sources for scholarly work.
❖ Benefits for Urdu Readers
✔ Language Barrier Eliminated
Even non-Arabic readers can now understand and explore classical Arabic texts.
✔ Boost to Creative and Academic Projects
Writers, researchers, and students gain rapid access to primary sources, enabling credible and impactful academic output.
✔ Rise of Digital Reading Culture
Fast online access and intelligent search features have encouraged readers to engage more actively with Islamic literature.
❖ Summary
Toheed.com’s initiative is a landmark project for Urdu-speaking audiences. By providing:
◈ Topic-based Urdu guides,
◈ Direct links to Arabic texts, and
◈ AI-powered translation,
—it has simplified the use of Maktabah Shamila for research and study. This integration of classical scholarship with modern technology is a powerful step towards reviving Islamic learning in the digital age.
