Part of: Madrasah life and learning
GlossaryWhat does ustadh mean?
Definition
Ustadh (also ustaz) is the Arabic word for teacher, used as a respectful title for a male madrasah or Quran teacher. A female teacher is an ustadha. In South Asian-heritage madrasahs, children may also say Molvi Sahib or Hafiz Sahib for men, and Apa or Aapa for women.
Common teacher titles in UK madrasahs
| Title | Used for |
|---|---|
| Ustadh / Ustaz | A male teacher (Arabic) |
| Ustadha / Ustadhah | A female teacher (Arabic) |
| Molvi Sahib / Maulana | A male teacher or scholar (South Asian usage) |
| Hafiz Sahib / Qari Sahib | A teacher who is a hafiz or a trained reciter |
| Apa / Aapa / Alimah | A female teacher (South Asian usage) |
| Sheikh | A senior scholar |
Gifts for teachers
End of term, Eid and a child's Ameen are common times to thank a madrasah teacher. See gifts for madrasah teachers.
Questions people also ask
What is a female ustadh called?
An ustadha (or ustadhah).
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← 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 is a topi?
- 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