Madrasa terms explained
This glossary defines the Arabic and Urdu terms parents hear in madrasa classes, such as Noorani Qaida, Tajweed, Nazra and Hifz, in plain language.
- Madrasaمدرسة
- The Arabic word for a school. In everyday use it usually means a place where children learn the Quran and the basics of Islam, often alongside or after regular school.
- Noorani Qaidaالقاعدة النورانية
- A beginner's primer for reading the Quran. It teaches the Arabic letters, their sounds, the vowel marks and the first rules of reading, step by step.
- Tajweedتجويد
- The set of rules for reciting the Quran correctly: pronouncing each letter from its proper place, giving it its qualities, and observing the right length and connection between sounds.
- Makharij al-hurufمخارج الحروف
- The points of articulation of the Arabic letters — the places in the throat, tongue, lips and nasal passage from which each letter is produced.
- Nazra
- Reading the Quran while looking at the mushaf, as opposed to reciting it from memory.
- Hifzحفظ
- Memorising the Quran by heart. A person who has memorised the whole Quran is called a hafiz.
- Sabaq, sabqi and manzil
- The three parts of a daily Hifz routine: sabaq is the new lesson, sabqi is revision of recent lessons and manzil is revision of older, already-memorised portions.
- Tilawahتلاوة
- Recitation of the Quran, especially with attention to correct pronunciation and reflection.
- Fiqhفقه
- Islamic jurisprudence: the understanding of how to practise religion in daily life, such as purification, prayer, fasting and dealings with people.
- Hadithحديث
- A report of the sayings, actions or approvals of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), used together with the Quran as a source of guidance.
- Seerahسيرة
- The biography of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) — his life, character and the events of his mission.
- Aqidahعقيدة
- Islamic creed: the core beliefs a Muslim holds, including belief in Allah, the angels, the revealed books, the messengers, the Last Day and divine decree.
- Adabأدب
- Good manners and etiquette in Islam, including how to behave with parents, teachers, elders, neighbours and in daily situations.
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