Part of: Madrasah life and learning
GlossaryWhat is a topi?
A topi is a close-fitting cap worn by many Muslim men and boys, especially for prayer and at the mosque or madrasah. Topi is the Urdu word; it's also called a kufi or taqiyah. Many UK madrasahs ask boys to bring one, so it usually lives in the madrasah bag.
Handmade leather madrasah bag, coming soonRegister interest
Looking for a bag for your child’s Quran and books? See the handmade leather madrasah bag.
Names
- Topi: Urdu and South Asian usage
- Kufi: common in West African and African-American usage, and widely in the UK
- Taqiyah: the Arabic term
Types
- Crocheted or knitted cotton caps: light, washable, the madrasah standard
- Stiff embroidered caps: often worn for Eid, weddings or Jumu'ah
- Folding caps that pack flat into a bag
At madrasah
A topi and, for girls, a hijab or scarf are on most madrasah packing lists. A soft, crocheted topi folds into a bag pocket without taking space from the Quran.
Questions people also ask
Is wearing a topi compulsory?
It's widely regarded as a recommended practice rather than an obligation, though many madrasahs make it part of their dress code.
More on madrasah life and learning
← The parent's guide to madrasah: the full topic guide
- Preparing your child for the first day at madrasah
- What to pack for madrasah and the mosque
- What is a madrasah?
- What is a maktab?
- What is a Qaidah?
- What is tajweed?
- What is hifz?
- Sabaq, sabqi and manzil: the hifz system explained
- What does ustadh mean?
- My child doesn't want to go to madrasah
- Child struggling with the Qaidah
- Child reading the Quran too fast
- Child forgetting what they've memorised
- No time to practise the Quran at home
- Losing the Quran habit after Ramadan
- Madressa bag checklist for the new term
- Mosque bag for Jummah and Taraweeh: what to bring
- How to choose a Quran for a child
- Madrasah in Ramadan: what changes
- Walking to madrasah: carrying a shoulder bag comfortably
- The madrasah run: a bag routine for busy car journeys
- What does ustadha mean?