Part of: Milestones and gifts
GiftsFarewell gifts for an ustadh moving abroad
For an ustadh moving or travelling abroad, the best farewell gifts are light and practical: a good suitcase, a small bottle of attar, a travel eSIM so the class can stay in touch, and a card from every child. Heavy items such as books are better sent ahead by parcel or cargo than packed in the baggage allowance.
Teachers leave a madrasah for many reasons: a move back to their home country, a new post, a long trip for family or for Hajj. After years of teaching your children, a thoughtful farewell is a way to say thank you, and a good gift is one that is easy to carry. If the teacher is staying in the UK, see our general guide to gifts for madrasah teachers.
Think about the baggage allowance first
A teacher travelling with a family and a lifetime of kitabs will be close to the weight limit already. That shapes what makes a good gift: small, light and useful. A new, lighter suitcase can be a gift in itself. A cabin bag or case from Travelpro is built to be lighter than most and handles repeated flights. Weigh anything heavy before you wrap it.
Sending books and boxes ahead
If you want to give books, a framed print or a box of things from the class, do not rely on the suitcase. Parcel and cargo services can take heavy boxes door to door, and it is worth comparing prices. Sites like Interparcel let you compare couriers for the weight and destination, including heavy parcels sent overseas. Ask the teacher for a delivery address and a phone number, check the customs rules for what you are sending, and pack books flat and wrapped. Allow extra time for international delivery.
Staying in touch after they go
Many children keep in touch with a favourite ustadh for years. A travel eSIM from Breeze lets the teacher use data on arrival without roaming charges, so the first messages and calls home are easy. Check the destination is covered before you buy, and remember some phones need to be unlocked.
Farewell gift ideas
| Gift | Rough price | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Class card with a message from every child | £0–£5 | The gift teachers keep and re-read |
| Lightweight suitcase or cabin bag | £60–£250 | Practical for the journey and afterwards |
| Attar or perfume in a small bottle | £10–£50 | Traditional, and small enough to pack safely |
| Travel eSIM | £10–£35 | Stay in touch from the moment they land |
| Books or a framed print, sent ahead by parcel | £15–£60 plus postage | Too heavy for the suitcase |
| Leather madrasah bag | £60–£150 | For their mushaf and books wherever they teach next |
| Gift card or cash in an envelope | Any | Often the most practical for a move |
Prices are typical UK ranges, not specific products.
For a fragrance, Al Jazeera Perfumes is one UK shop to start with. Check your airline's rules on liquids if the teacher will carry it in hand luggage, and pack bottles sealed and wrapped in the case.
Getting them to the airport
If the family drives the teacher to the airport, pre-booking airport parking is cheaper than paying on the day. If the teacher is arriving in another country, a pre-booked driver such as Welcome Pickups can save a stressful first hour, but check they cover that airport.
Organising it as a class
Ask one parent to organise a group gift and a single card. Set a modest contribution so every family can take part, and keep the collection quiet and respectful. If the teacher is leaving to travel for Hajj or Umrah, see our guide to an Umrah gift for your ustadh.
Travel and sending-ahead help
These are the services most useful when someone is moving or travelling abroad.
- Suitcases and cabin bags ↗: Travelpro, light and hard-wearing cases built for frequent travel.
- Parcels and cargo ↗: Interparcel, compare couriers for heavy parcels, books and boxes sent ahead or abroad.
- A travel eSIM ↗: Breeze eSIM, data plans for travellers set up on the phone before they fly (check your destination is covered).
- Perfume, oud and attar ↗: Al Jazeera Perfumes, a UK store for Arabian perfume, oud and attar.
- Airport parking ↗: Holiday Extras, pre-book UK airport parking if family are driving to the airport.
- Airport pick-ups ↗: Welcome Pickups, a pre-booked driver at a fixed price (check they cover your route).
Some links here are affiliate links: we may earn a small fee if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Questions people also ask
What do you give an ustadh who is leaving?
A card from every child, plus something light and useful such as a suitcase, a small attar, a travel eSIM or a gift card. Send books and boxes ahead by parcel rather than packing them.
How do you send a gift to a teacher overseas?
Compare courier and parcel services for the weight and destination, ask the teacher for a delivery address and phone number, check customs rules and allow extra time.
Is it okay to give cash as a farewell gift?
Yes. Many teachers prefer it, especially when moving, and a thank-you card with it makes it personal.
More on milestones and gifts
← Islamic gifts for students of the Quran: the full topic guide
- Ameen gift ideas
- What is an Ameen ceremony?
- What is a khatm?
- What is a juz?
- Gifts for a new hafiz or hafizah
- What is a hafiz?
- Eid gifts for kids with an Islamic touch
- Ramadan gifts for kids
- Gifts for a child's first day at madrasah
- Gifts for madrasah teachers
- Umrah gift for your ustadh
- First day at madrasah: a bag checklist for children