Graduation gifts for a new alim or alimah

By the Madrasah Bag team

Quick answer

Good gifts for a new alim or alimah support a lifetime of study and teaching: a quality set of a key reference work, a fine mushaf, a leather bag or document bag for teaching, an engraved pen, or a framed ijazah. In South Asian communities, graduation is often marked by a dastarbandi (turban-tying) ceremony, and gifts are given then.

Handmade leather madrasah bag, coming soonRegister interest

Gift ideas

Gift	Rough price	Why it works
Framing their ijazah or certificate	£20–£80	Honours years of work
A fine mushaf	£30–£150	Used for life
A reference set (tafsir, hadith, fiqh)	£50–£300	The start of their own library
A leather bag for teaching	£60–£150	Carries their mushaf and notes to every class they teach
Engraved pen	£20–£80	Personal and practical
Contribution to Umrah or further study	Varies	A family gift

Prices are typical UK ranges.

Dastarbandi

In many South Asian-heritage institutions, graduating alims (and sometimes huffaz) have a turban tied on them by their teachers. It's a moving ceremony and a common time for family gifts.

What to write

"Mubarak on your graduation. May Allah make your knowledge beneficial and accept it from you."
"May you be among the heirs of the prophets."

Questions people also ask

What is dastarbandi?

A ceremony, common in South Asian traditions, where a graduating alim or hafiz has a turban tied by their teachers to mark completion.

How the Madrasah Bag works as a graduation gift

A new alim or alimah will carry their mushaf and notes to every class they teach. A handmade leather bag is a gift that lasts that career.

See the full bag: colours, sizes and spec

Coming soon

Register your interest

The black leather madrasah bag, front view

The bag is not on sale at the moment. Leave your email and we'll tell you when it's available. Planned price: £139.99 + £8.99 UK delivery.

Travel and holiday gifts

A trip, or something useful for the journey, can be a memorable way to mark the occasion. See our travel gift ideas for luggage, travel accessories, prayer items and perfume, or browse our halal holiday guides if you are planning a gift trip or Umrah.

A fragrance to go with the bag

A bottle of oud or perfume is a classic graduation gift for an alim or alimah, and it pairs well with a leather bag. Browse oud, musk, amber and floral fragrances at Al-Jazeera Perfumes ↗. For a more personal gift, Memory Fragrance explains how a loved one's perfume can be kept or recreated.

A pen or notebook to go with the bag

A fountain pen is a classic graduation gift for an alim or alimah, and it pairs well with a leather bag. See fountain pens at Pen Store ↗, which stocks brands such as Lamy, Faber-Castell and Moleskine.

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More on older students and advanced study

← Bags and kit for older students: hifz, alim and beyond: the full topic guide