Masjid an-Nabawi, the Prophet's Mosque, is a place of immense spiritual significance and a vibrant center of Islamic learning. Within its blessed walls, numerous halaqat (study circles) are dedicated to teaching the Quran and classical Islamic texts (mutoon). These gatherings offer a golden opportunity for seekers of knowledge to immerse themselves in the divine words of the Quran and the rich heritage of Islamic scholarship. Guided by esteemed scholars, students experience a profound spiritual and intellectual journey, gaining insights that illuminate their hearts and minds. The atmosphere of Masjid an-Nabawi, imbued with the legacy of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), makes every moment spent in these circles a cherished and transformative experience.
Discover an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in Islamic learning at Masjid an-Nabawi. Whether you wish to study for a year or just a few months, you can join the esteemed halaqat, benefiting from renowned scholars in an inspiring and spiritual environment. This unique chance requires no formal registration—simply arrive with any visa and start your journey immediately. Enhance your knowledge of the Quran and classical Islamic texts in a setting that fosters both intellectual and spiritual growth.
This opportunity is ideal for those who wish to spend a year or less at Masjid an-Nabawi and benefit from its esteemed scholars.
So, what are halaqat? Halaqat are circles of learning where you sit with a scholar and study a specific subject. In Masjid an-Nabawi, there are two main types of halaqat: 1. Halaqat of Quran 2. Halaqat of Mutoon
Halaqat of Quran
Here, you can study and memorize the Holy Quran. There are six types of Quran halaqat: 1) Halaqah Of Quran Hifdh - In this halaqah a student comes with a daily portion of quran memorisation alongside a daily portion of revision set by the teacher, the teacher will listen to their new portion in full and test them on their revision, if they have already memorised parts of the quran they are required to come with daily portions of revision that the teacher assigns and then tests them on.
2) Halaqah Of Quran Revision - This halaqah is for students who have memorized the Quran but want to revise and perfect their memorisation.
3) Halaqah Of Ijazaaat In Quran - This halaqah only accepts students who have already perfected their memorisation of the Quran and aim to receive an ijazah in any of the ten modes of recitation.
4) Halaqah Of Quran Recitation Correction - In this halaqah a student is corrected on their quran recitation, articulation of letters, hifdh, tajweed and correct pronunciation of words as they study the book Al Qaaida An Nooraniyya
5) Halaqah Of Quran Recitation Correction For Visitors - This halaqah is catered to visitors of the masjid and focuses on correction of Quran recitation.
6) Halaqah Of Quran For Those With Special Needs - This halaqah is catered to students with special needs such us those who are deaf, hard of hearing and blind focusing on Quran recitation and memorisation.
Many people take a year off from their general studies and work to come to Masjid an-Nabawi with the goal of joining these halaqat and memorizing the entire Quran. It's a truly worthwhile investment.
Halaqat of Mutoon.
In these halaqat, students memorize various Islamic texts on subjects such as Adab, Aqeedah, Tawhid, Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, Tajwid, and Hadith. The program, designed by Shaykh Abdul Muhsin Al Qasim (Imam & Khateeb at Masjid an-Nabawi), gradually increases the memorization load with each level. By the end, students have memorized texts in various Islamic sciences, preparing them for further studies in each discipline. There are six mutoon levels in total: an introductory level and five advanced levels.
During these halaqat, there are no fees to pay; in fact, the mosque provides monetary rewards for passing the texts and exams. Students are assigned to halaqat based on their age groups: 1. Individuals aged 16 years and above 2. Individuals between the ages of 13 and 15 years 3. Individuals between the ages of 5 and 12 years
Joining these halaqat is an excellent way to deepen your knowledge of Islam and enrich your life significantly.
ATTENDANCE
Lessons take place in person all year round with the exception of Ramadan in which lessons take place online via zoom, attendance is registered, if you are going to be absent on some days you should inform your teacher before hand. The teachers tend to listen to students on a first come basis, so if you arrive early you can read your portion to your teacher sooner (sometimes if you are too late, the teacher may mark you as absent and not have time to listen to you as there are many students to get through and limited time).
Note: If your teacher is strict and you miss days without informing them, they may get you in trouble.
STUDENT ETIQUETTE’S DURING LESSONS
Each teacher has their own set of rules for their students however there are some general mannerisms to keep in mind, a student should always aim to be on time and greet their teacher with Salam when joining the halaqah (most students come up to the teacher and shake their hand), the student should avoid talking to other students during the halaqah and avoid using their phone, this can be disrespectful, a student should also seek permission before leaving or if they need to use the toilet, for the halaqaat of Quran a student should avoid sitting in a position in which their feet are extended out to The Quran.
TRANSPORTATION FOR STUDENTS
Free Bus transportation is provided to and from the masjid depending on spot availability, neighborhood locality and time slot.
General conditions
1) The student must be registered in a halaqah of quran or mutoon.
2) If the student is under 8 years old they will not be permitted to use the bus by themselves unless they are accompanied by an elder sibling who is also a student and a parent guardian must sign a consent form.
Note: Please contact your teacher for more information, if available your teacher will provide you with a google form to fill out.
EXAMS, CERTIFICATES & MONETARY REWARDS
Quran monthly exams: there are monthly exams that take place for known as إختبار تنشيطي that a student can enroll in via their teacher
every time they complete 25pages of quran hifdh with their teacher.A student upon passing the exam is rewarded with up to 50 SAR for every 25 pages they’re examined on.
Quran semester exams: at the end of each semester there are exams that take place known as إختبار فصلي for 5, 10, 15, 20 ,25 ,30 ijaaza of the quran, a student is prepared by their teacher a while before this exam and takes a pre exam to determine whether they are in for the final exam. A student can receive up to 2000 SAR depending on what they are tested on.
Mutoon monthly exams: there are monthly exams that take place for known as إختبار تنشيطي that a student can enroll in via their teacher
every time they complete 1 stage or upon completion of 1 Level of mutoon hifdh. A student can receive a reward of up to 50 SAR for every stage of mutoon they’re examined on, if they are examined on two stages at one time they can receive up to 100 SAR and so on.
Note: a student has to be a regular attendee of the halaqah to enroll in these exams, enrollment is done via the teacher so requires teachers approval, your teacher will update you regarding specific exam dates and whether you can enroll.
Note: You need your student number to enroll into the exams and receive monetary rewards.
COMPETITIONS
Throughout the year, there are competitions in both Quran and Mutoon Hifdh. They serve as a great motivation for students, and winners can receive prize money (up to 15,000 SAR depending on the competition). Your teacher will let you know if you qualify to participate, as there are specific conditions for each type of competition.
In conclusion, the halaqat at Masjid an-Nabawi offer a rare and transformative opportunity to deepen your understanding of Islam and connect with its rich scholarly tradition. By joining these study circles, you will not only gain profound knowledge but also experience the spiritual ambiance of one of the holiest places in Islam. Whether you are seeking to memorize the Quran or study classical texts, Masjid an-Nabawi provides a supportive and inspiring environment for your educational journey. Embrace this chance to grow both intellectually and spiritually, and take a significant step towards enriching your life with the light of knowledge.
WHERE TO REGISTER FOR BROTHERS -
To register , enter through the mens gate 22 and look for the door on your right leading to the top floor
WHERE TO REGISTER FOR SISTERS
To register, enter through the women’s gate 25 and turn down the hall to your right, stop one you reach the office area, you will immediately see a large white staircase, you must go up two flights of stairs and you will see the registration office with the sign. .إدارة حلقات القرآن الكريم واملتون العلمية والسنة النبوية
REQUIRED INFORMATION WHEN REGISTERING
After requesting to register to a quran/mutoon halaqah , specify whether you would like to register for the “online” or “in person” studies, they will then request the following details from you:
• Hifdh program of interest (Quran, Mutoon or both)
• Passport with visa or Iqamah, (tourist visa is accepted) Phone number + Email address If you don’t speak arabic it's best to bring someone with you who can translate to make the registration process easier.If you need a teacher who speaks your language enquire, they will accommodate if they have a teacher who speaks the same language.
STUDY DAYS & TIMINGS
Classes are 5 days a week from Sunday - Thursday, as for timings you are free to choose from the following slots when registering (you can choose two time slots if you prefer, one for Quran and one for Mutoon or one for both Quran and Mutoon):
• After Fajr
• Between Asr - Maghreb Between Maghreb - Isha
UPON COMPLETION OF REGISTRATION
You will be assigned to a specific teacher (given their name) and designated location of the halaqah (halaqah number), there are small signs placed on the pillars of the masjid which state the teachers name and halaqah number, use this to locate your halaqah.
Note: You are also given your student number, this is important information to keep as it allows you to log into your online student account in which you receive certificates, register absences and apply for transport!
You also require your student number when enrolling into exams and to receive monetary rewards.
If a student registered for the mutoon halaqah they will receive the first level of their mutoon book.
