What is a madrasah?
4 min read · updated 2026-09-01
A madrasah is a class, typically evening or weekend, where children learn Quran reading, Islamic studies and sometimes Urdu or Arabic. For Muslim families abroad, the madrasah has been the traditional route, and online one-to-one classes are the modern alternative.
The traditional madrasah model
Community madrasahs run evenings and weekends, often with one teacher managing a group of children at different levels. Costs are usually low or donation-based, and the community aspect is real. The trade-offs: less individual attention, fixed timings, travel, and progress that depends heavily on which class your child lands in.
How online one-to-one compares
One-to-one classes give the child the teacher's full attention, follow a structured curriculum with written progress notes, fit the family's schedule, and allow a female teacher for daughters as standard. The trade-off is cost and the missing community element, which many families solve by combining: online one-to-one for the core learning, madrasah or community events for belonging.
FAQs
Can online classes replace madrasah completely?＋
For Quran reading, tajweed and hifz, yes: one-to-one online teaching is at least as effective, often more. For community and friendship, many families keep a mosque connection alongside.
My child is bored at madrasah. Would online work better?＋
Often yes, because one-to-one sessions move at your child's pace with a teacher who knows exactly where they are. The free demo classes settle it quickly.
Keep reading
More on Quran & Islamic studies
Try two free demo classes
The same tutor every week, matched to your child's exam board. No card, no commitment.
Book a free demo →