Madrasah glossary: words every parent hears
Plain-English definitions of the words you'll hear at madrasah and the mosque. Useful for parents new to madrasah, converts, and anyone curious.
Quran care and adab Start with: Quran care and adab
What is a mushaf?
A mushaf (also mus'haf, plural masahif) is a physical, written copy of the Quran. Meaning in English, mushaf vs Quran, and the common layouts used in the UK.
GlossaryWhat is a ghilaf?
A ghilaf is a cloth cover for the Quran. Why Muslims use Quran covers, the different types, and how a cover works with a madrasah bag.
GlossaryWudu and touching the Quran
Wudu is the ritual washing before prayer. What most scholars say about wudu before touching the mushaf, and practical tips for children at madrasah.
GlossaryWhat is a rehal?
A rehal is a folding X-shaped stand that holds the Quran open off the floor while reading. Materials, sizes and how it's used.
Madrasah life and learning Start with: Madrasah life and learning
What is a madrasah?
Madrasah means school in Arabic. In the UK it usually means an after-school class where children learn to read the Quran and the basics of Islam.
GlossaryWhat is a maktab?
A maktab is an elementary class where children learn to read the Quran and basic Islamic practice. How it differs from a madrasah.
GlossaryWhat is a Qaidah?
A Qaidah (Qaida) is the beginner's booklet children use to learn to read Arabic before the Quran. What's inside, how long it takes and what comes next.
GlossaryWhat is tajweed?
Tajweed is the set of rules for pronouncing the Quran correctly. What it covers, how children learn it, and colour-coded tajweed Qurans.
GlossaryWhat is hifz?
Hifz is the memorisation of the whole Quran. How hifz classes work in the UK, how long it takes, and what a student needs.
GlossarySabaq, sabqi and manzil: the hifz system explained
Sabaq, sabqi and manzil are the three daily parts of hifz in many UK madrasahs: new lesson, recent revision and older revision. How each works.
GlossaryWhat does ustadh mean?
Ustadh (أستاذ) means teacher in Arabic, and ustadha is the female form. Ustaz and ustad are spelling variants. Meaning in Islam, the plural and how UK madrasahs use it.
GlossaryWhat is a topi?
A topi is a prayer cap worn by many Muslim men and boys. Other names (kufi, taqiyah), types, and why children take one to madrasah.
GlossaryWhat does ustadha mean?
Ustadha (أستاذة) means female teacher in Arabic. How it differs from ustadh, how to spell and say it, and what UK children call women madrasah teachers.
Older students and advanced study Start with: Older students and advanced study
What is an alim?
An alim (aalim) is an Islamic scholar with formal religious training. Meaning, the female form alimah, the plural ulama, alim vs hafiz, and what Alim means as a madrasah level.
GlossaryWhat is alimiyyah (the alim course)?
Alimiyyah is the multi-year course that trains Islamic scholars (alims and alimahs). How long it takes, what's studied and where it's taught in the UK.
GlossaryWhat is Dars-e-Nizami?
Dars-e-Nizami is the traditional curriculum used by many Darul Ulooms in South Asia and the UK to train alims. Its origins, structure and subjects.
GlossaryWhat is a Darul Uloom?
A Darul Uloom is an Islamic seminary that trains scholars. What they teach, how UK Darul Ulooms work, and how they differ from a madrasah.
GlossaryWhat is dawrah al-hadith?
Dawrah al-hadith is the final year of the traditional alim course, spent reading the major hadith collections. What it involves and how it's marked.
GlossaryWhat is an ijazah?
An ijazah is a certification from a teacher authorising a student to teach or transmit a text, such as the Quran, often with a chain (sanad) back to the Prophet ﷺ.
GlossaryWhat is a qari?
A qari (قارئ) is an expert reciter of the Quran trained in tajweed. Meaning of qari and Qari Sahib, qari vs hafiz and the female form qariah.
Milestones and gifts Start with: Milestones and gifts
What is an Ameen ceremony?
An Ameen ceremony (or Ameen party) celebrates a child finishing the whole Quran for the first time. What happens, who attends, typical gifts and how UK families mark the day.
GlossaryWhat is a khatm?
Khatm means completing a full reading of the Quran from start to finish. Its meaning, when it's done and how families and madrasahs mark it.
GlossaryWhat is a juz?
The Quran is divided into 30 equal parts, each called a juz (or para in Urdu). What a juz is, how long one takes to read, and Juz 'Amma.
GlossaryWhat is a hafiz?
A hafiz is someone who has memorised the entire Quran. The meaning, the female and plural forms, and what the title involves.
Browse by topic
Choosing a madrasah bag
Sizes, materials, ages, real vs fake leather, and what's worth paying for.
22 pages →TopicBag care and repair
Peeling, broken straps, zips, smells, mould, scratches, and how to make a bag last.
15 pages →TopicQuran care and adab
Carrying, storing and repairing the Quran, and what to do when accidents happen.
16 pages →TopicMadrasah life and learning
The Qaidah, tajweed, hifz, the first day, practice at home, and when a child is struggling.
24 pages →TopicOlder students and advanced study
Hifz, alimiyyah and alimah courses, Arabic, university and teaching: what older learners carry.
20 pages →TopicMilestones and gifts
Ameen, khatm, becoming a hafiz, Eid and Ramadan, and thanking teachers.
14 pages →