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Programme

Arabic Light Programme

A two-year, part-time weekend foundation in classical Arabic.

Register your interest

Next cohort begins September · Admissions open

Progression Pathway

Arabic Light — two years, part-time (weekends). Suits students and working professionals.

Arabic Intensive — one year, accelerated (weekdays). Higher contact hours; for those who can commit to weekdays. About Arabic Intensive

Both routes lead to the ʿĀlimiyyah Programme — five years, part-time, with direct entry after either. Explore the ʿĀlimiyyah Programme

Aims and Outcomes

Read core Qurʾānic texts directly in Arabic, with confidence.

Build a grounding in naḥw and ṣarf for accurate comprehension.

Practise on real texts: Qiṣaṣ al-Nabiyyīn, short ḥadīth, and targeted conversation.

Weekend timetable suited to study around work.

Curriculum

Arabic Light (2 years, weekends) covers the same Year I content as Arabic Intensive at a steadier pace. On completion, students progress directly into Year II of the ʿĀlimiyyah Programme.

Year I (equivalent)

  • تسهيل النحوTashīl al-Naḥw
    Naḥw
  • تسهيل الصرفTashīl al-Ṣarf
    Ṣarf
  • قصص النبيين (١–٢)Qiṣaṣ al-Nabiyyīn I–IIAbū al-Ḥasan ʿAlī al-Nadwī
    Arabic literature
  • دروس اللغة العربية (١)Durūs al-Lughah al-ʿArabiyyah IDr. V. Abdur Rahim
    Arabic language
  • زاد الطالبينZād al-Ṭālibīn
    Ḥadīth
  • تمارين نحويةTamārīn Naḥwiyyah
    Naḥw
  • القراءة الرشيدةal-Qirāʾah al-RāshidahAbū al-Ḥasan ʿAlī al-Nadwī
    Arabic language

The curriculum is reviewed regularly; minor adjustments may be made where needed.

Fees

One-off admission & books fee covers registration and core texts. A one-off £150 applies for all new students.

  • £600

    per year

    or £250 per term (3 instalments). Yearly payment saves £150.

Household discount: £150 per household member per year (or £50 per term) when more than one member of the same household enrols. Each enrolled household member must maintain at least 95% attendance.

Financial support may be available where it is needed. Please contact us in confidence to discuss your circumstances.

Course timings

Teaching is delivered in person at our Whitechapel campus, Myrdle Street, London E1 1HL.

Brothers

Saturday & Sunday

10:00 – 13:00

Sisters

Not yet scheduled

No sisters' cohort is currently scheduled. Register interest to be kept on file.

Common questions

  • How long are the courses?

    The Arabic Light course runs for two academic years (weekends). The Arabic Intensive is a one-year weekday course. Both paths lead directly into the ʿĀlimiyyah Programme, which continues for five further years.

  • Are there exams?

    Yes. Assessment is an integral part of the programmes. Core subjects include a mid-year exam and an end-of-year exam to measure understanding and progress.

  • Where are classes held?

    All teaching takes place in person at our Whitechapel campus, Myrdle Street, London E1 1HL. Sessions run on weekday evenings and at weekends; timings vary by programme.

Student reflections

From our students

  1. Alhamdulillah I have really enjoyed my first year, can't wait to start the second year. I had already studied some Arabic before and this course has already helped me improve further. One of the best things about Tahawi Institute is the pressure to engage in Islamic extra-curricular activities like memorising hadith, Qurʾān and reading books.

    Khoyrul· Teacher

  2. Alhamdulillah, the course is meticulously structured by highly qualified teachers who are specialists in their respective fields. The Tahawi curriculum offers a vast range of Arabic disciplines in the first year, including fluent speaking, advanced grammar and morphology, all to make one competent in the Arabic language.

    Shamim

  3. I'm glad I joined this course, very good teachers and very resourceful. Students are very diverse, many come from the teaching profession. Perfect for full time workers.

    Tahir

  4. I am very satisfied with this course as I have already learnt so much compared to the start of the year. The course has not only helped me in my Arabic knowledge but also helped me learn life lessons and how to be a better person.

    Habib Ullah

  5. A very comprehensive programme designed to bring the best out of students wanting to learn Arabic. A wide range of subjects are taught and facilitated through Tahawi Institute. The teachers are friendly, passionate and committed and they always go the extra mile to support students learning.

    Abdul Hannan

  6. As a beginner and a university student, this part time course fits perfectly around my daily schedule and is taught in a very simple but comprehensive way to understand the Arabic language.

    Hasan· University student

  7. We learn at a good pace which everyone can keep up with, regardless of their other duties. Alhamdulillah we have good teachers and a learning environment, at hours which people can put into their timetable.

    Mahdi

  8. Despite having previous Arabic knowledge the course has still improved my Arabic proficiency and the ability to understand the Qurʾān and construct Arabic sentences.

    Manqad Rahman· Student

  9. بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

    All praise belongs to Allah, who has given me the blessed opportunity to be part of this institution. In a short period of time, with Allah's help and the expertise of my teachers, my understanding of Arabic has drastically improved, and this has had a positive knock-on effect on my Ḥifẓ. I am able to understand the Qurʾān and get closer to Allah.

    Muhammad Farhat Haque

  10. The course has been very useful as already after only 6 months I am able to understand at least half of the words in most āyāt of the Qurʾān when praying.

    Umar Bin Noor· Student

  11. Alhamdulillah, since joining this course at Tahawi, I feel like I have a much better understanding of the basics of the Arabic language. It has helped me even outside of class hours. When I read Qurʾān and even during Taraweeh, I can ponder over the meaning easier, Alhamdulillah.

    Mikail Ebrahim

  12. This course is very accessible and is a good way to grasp the fundamentals of the Arabic language. It has benefited me not only in my Arabic studies, but in my studies in general. The teachers are very well spoken and their way of teaching is easy to understand.

    Jakaria Ahmed· Student

  13. I am thoroughly enjoying learning Arabic at this institution due to the structure of how it is taught. For instance, how we are taught Ṣarf (morphology) and Naḥw (grammar) which we then apply to the translation of Qurʾān verses, Stories of the Prophets, and ḥadīth from Arabic to English, has developed my overall understanding of the Qurʾān and ḥadīth. This has been my ultimate aim when I embarked on this journey and I hope to continue my studies in Arabic language for many years to come, in shāʾ Allāh.

    Tawhid Siddiq Ahmed

  14. Alhamdulillah, since starting Tahawi Arabic Light it's been a beautiful journey Allah has guided me on. It requires effort and took me a short while to get adapted to the environment, but it's worth it and I would do it over again, and probably should have started earlier. I've been able to understand parts of sūrahs during Taraweeh and actually understand the beauty of the Qurʾān. The brothers you meet are amazing as well: they encourage you when you don't know how to answer and support you throughout the course, creating a strong brotherhood.

    Ishaq Rahman

  15. If you want to learn Arabic to get closer to Allah, then look no further. Just six months into the course, I am able to understand Arabic khuṭbahs, translate the Qurʾān whilst reading, and follow so much when the Qurʾān is being recited in ṣalāh. You enter the meanings of the Qurʾān and the stories of the prophets ʿalayhim al-salām. The course is perfect for someone that doesn't have enough time to commit to a full-time course; you will meet like-minded brothers, and the teachers, may Allah raise them, make the lessons captivating.

    Jamal· Teacher

  16. Wonderful course – both personally and professionally. I will take away lots of things that I can quickly and easily apply inshallah.

    Abdul Samad

  17. I am incredibly grateful for joining this institute. The dedicated and knowledgeable teachers at the institute create a nurturing and stimulating learning environment. I have confidence and love for learning under their guidance. The emphasis on character development and moral values has had a profound impact on me.

    Overall, Tahawi Institute has exceeded my expectations in terms of education, Islamic values, and the overall experience. I wholeheartedly recommend this institute to anyone seeking a high-quality Islamic education within a supportive and inclusive environment.

    Mohammad Redwanur Rahman

  18. Subhan'Allah, out of all the choices I've made, this is definitely the best and just the start of my journey

    Naseem Khan

  19. Tahawi Institute is an amazing place in terms of gaining ilm. They have amazing ustadhs which work accordingly to help the students in their work and other queries which they may have. Alongside the amazing ustadhs which can help you, there are classmates which can also help you with work as, like you, will have the same goal and work together to attain it; creating a welcoming environment.

    Zeeshan· University student

  20. A completely life changing course and environment, no regrets joining!

    Diyan Matin

  21. The course is well structured with teachers that are hand picked, ready to help with any issues that students may face while studying the Islamic sciences.

    Ehsan Ahmed

  22. The lessons are good, informative, and genuinely useful. The books taught complement studies well, and the syllabus as a whole is well thought out.

    Ahmed Mabrur Burhan Khan

  23. The teachers are extremely passionate, supportive and accommodating. The course is well structured with good books, classwork as well as homework. Course is enjoyable and you gain a lot from it. May Allah accept and reward all those involved in setting up and running the course. Ameen.

    Muddassir Ahmed

  24. The course is very beneficial and enjoyable. The teachers are very friendly, helpful and approachable. They really want us to do well and care for our education and future.

    Mirash

  25. Alhamdulillah, the course is going very well. The teachers are not only good at teaching, but provide lots of support and advice on how to grow as people, and become better Muslims. The classes are very educational, and this is matched with a very friendly atmosphere, which allows for everyone to feel comfortable enough to better themselves. May Allah continue to grow the institution. Ameen

    Aadil Sulaiman

  26. As an external student coming from far away I am really pleased with the course. The teachers at the madrasah are very kind and alhamdulillah their knowledge has benefitted me so much. This one of the best courses I have done and inshallah hope to progress more.

    Maahir Ali

  27. This madarasa is good alhamdulilla. Easy to interact with classmates and teachers.

    Mohammed Yunus Uddin

  28. So far this course has been very benefitting for me educationally and also personally as it has helped my widen my knowledge and also helping me in my personal life motivating me to become a better Muslim.

    Azhar Ali

  29. The course is very useful Alhamdulillah, and the teachers are very well at articulating themselves whilst teaching. Their teaching style is also very good and makes it easy for the students to learn the content.

    Mahirul

  30. The course was very well structured and the ustadh was very helpful in teaching. The only thing that I would prefer is if there are more assessments at the end of each half term so that students get a feel for the how the end of year exams would be laid out.

    Zeeshan Khan

  31. Alhamdulillah, I am very satisfied. The teachers are very interactive and explain the content very well.

    Mohammed Jubaer Uddin

  32. The course is going really well, Alhamdulillah. The teachers are great, and so is the class environment. The best choice I made and I would highly recommend it to others.

    Mohibur Rahman

  33. I was recommended by a friend who had already joined. There is a very good distribution of subjects and good teaching. I'm glad I joined.

    Yusuf Naeem