Taif University is located in Al Hawiyah, Ta'if, Saudi Arabia. It was established in 2004. The university is one of three created by TU. The university is a member of the Association of Arab Universities and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields of study
more to come soon
There is a list of requirements that applicants must meet if they want to enter the College of the Prophet's Mosque. There are certain requirements for male students and certain requirements for female students.
Let's start off with the requirements for male students. They can be found on the college website, but everything is written in Arabic. We will present them here in English for the ease of the readers.
There are nine conditions to be met, but don't let the number intimidate you—they're quite manageable.
Requirements for Male Students
There are nine conditions to be met, but don't let the number intimidate you—they're quite manageable.
1. High School Diploma: The first requirement is straightforward: you must have a high school diploma to enroll in a higher education institution, just like in any other country.
2. Recency of Diploma: The second condition states that no more than five years can pass since you obtained your high school diploma. However, the administration often makes exceptions, especially for foreign applicants. There are students in this college who are in their 40s, and one student is nearly 50 years old. He worked as a teacher in his country before recently enrolling in the college. So, you shouldn't worry too much about this condition, as exceptions are common.
3. Good Ethics: The third condition is to be a person of good ethics.
4. Passing Interviews: The fourth requirement involves passing interviews. One student who successfully passed the interview explained the process. There are two interviews that applicants go through, both held within the walls of the Prophet’s Mosque.
- Written Examination: The first is a written exam that includes general questions about Islam and specific questions related to the division you’ve chosen, such as Hadith, Sharia, or Quran.
- Oral Examination: If you pass the written exam, you move on to an oral exam. In this oral exam, you will be asked various questions about Islam in general and your chosen division. Passing this exam, along with meeting all other conditions, allows you to enrol in the college.
5. Medical Fitness: The fifth condition is to be medically fit. One brother who enrolled at the college was asked whether he had to undergo some tests to prove his good medical condition. He said that no medical tests were required. So, it appears you just need to look healthy to meet this requirement.
6. Permission from Employer (for those working in Saudi Arabia): The sixth condition applies only to those who work for the Saudi government or Saudi companies. If such a person wants to enroll at the College of the Prophet’s Mosque, they must obtain permission from their employer, since their primary reason for being in Saudi Arabia is work, not study. If the employer allows them to study, the college administration will accept it, and this condition will be met.
7. Residency or Business Visa: The seventh condition is similar to the sixth but applies to those who do not work for companies but are residents or have a business visa. You must be a resident of Saudi Arabia, or have a business visa to enroll in the college. This visa can be obtained if you find a sponsor—a Saudi citizen who officially hires or invites you. Many international students use this method, and it is completely legal.
8. Previous Academic and Disciplinary Record: The eighth condition is clear—you should not have previously been terminated from the college for academic or disciplinary reasons or from another university for disciplinary reasons.
9. Quran Memorization: The ninth condition hinges on which section of the college you want to join. To join the department of Sharia or the Quran, you have to memorize 15 parts of the Quran before enrolling, which is half of the Quran. To join the department of Sunnah, Aqidah, or Arabic language, you only need to memorize 5 parts of the Quran. While this might seem challenging, it's a testament to your dedication and commitment to your studies.
Documents required for Application -
All that you need is:
A copy of the resident ID card. Every resident of Saudi Arabia has it.
High school certificate.
An application which is filled out online. The admission happens twice a year, therefore they accept applications twice a year. And as it states here “You can follow the dates of admission and registration via the college account on Twitter”.
You will also need an approval from your sponsor that he allow you to study in the college.
Two recommendation letters. You need to find two students whether from the college or from the Islamic University and ask them to write a recommendation letter for you.
You will also need to provide photos, and a relational file (yellow).
Document from Absher (if applying on a business visa, then the data on the visa) that clarifies the expiry date of the resident ID card for non-Saudi.
What is the Abshir program? Saudi Arabia has an app that everyone uses these days. It provides many things and one of them is that it shows the expiration date of your ID. Therefore, this requirement is easy to fulfil if you are an official resident of Saudi Arabia.
Requirements for female students
Not only do male students have the opportunity to study at the College of the Prophet’s Mosque, but female students also have access to this golden opportunity. The college welcomes female applicants who meet the requirements, providing them with the same high-quality education and resources. The inclusion of female students reflects the college’s commitment to comprehensive Islamic education and equal opportunities for all, regardless of gender. This environment fosters a diverse and inclusive academic community where both men and women can pursue their scholarly ambitions and contribute to the advancement of Islamic knowledge.
Let's talk about what female students need to meet to get into this college. It's a bit tougher for them than for male students because there are fewer female students, so the competition is higher. The reason for this is that graduates from here usually become community leaders, and traditionally, these roles are held by men. That's why there are more male students. However, it's great that they also teach female students here at the College of the Prophet’s Mosque. Now, let's see what the requirements are:
For female students, the requirements are similar to those for male students, such as passing written and oral exams and being medically fit. However, there are additional conditions:
1. High School GPA: The GPA from high school must be at least "Very Good" (B grade) or at the very least "Good" (C grade).
2. Quran Memorization: Female students must memorize 15 parts of the Quran before enrolling in the college. This is a unique requirement that sets a higher standard for Quranic knowledge.
Regarding Quran memorization, while the requirement is set at 15 parts, there might be flexibility, especially for foreign students. They may consider applicants who have memorized fewer parts, but this is not guaranteed.
As for required documents, female students need to provide all the same documents as male students, except instead of recommendation letters, they need a written consent from their guardian or "Waliyy " in Arabic. This ensures that proper authorization is given for their enrollment.
These requirements highlight the rigorous academic and religious standards upheld by the College of the Prophet's Mosque, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their roles as community leaders and scholars of Islam.
Departments available in the College of Masjid An Nabawi -
Here are the departments of study available in the Kulliya of Masjid al-Nabawi:
1. Department of Sharia: This department focuses on Islamic jurisprudence and its foundations. It aims to qualify specialists in jurisprudence who can apply their knowledge to benefit both local and global communities. Registration is open to both male and female students.
2. Department of the Noble Qur’an and its Sciences: Dedicated to the memorization and interpretation of the Quran, this department is exclusively for male students. Its goal is to deepen understanding and application of the Quranic teachings.
3. Department of Sunnah and its Sciences: Similar to the Department of the Noble Qur’an, this section is also for male students. It focuses on the study and application of the Prophetic Sunnah and its various sciences.
4. Department of Arabic Language: This department is concerned with the Arabic language as used in the Noble Qur’an and its literature. It aims to qualify specialists in Arabic language and literature.
5. Department of Aqidah (Creed): The Department of Aqidah teaches the correct creed and clarifies deviant beliefs. It aims to distance Muslims from incorrect beliefs and promotes a moderate Islamic faith. The department prepares students to effectively convey and establish the correct understanding of Islam in society.
Each department plays a crucial role in nurturing scholars who are equipped to serve their communities and uphold the teachings of Islam with integrity and knowledge.
Curriculum and study plans for the departments -
Here is the study plan for the Creed department. Despite having fewer study hours compared to other faculties, all courses are designed to provide essential knowledge for those seeking deeper understanding of the Islamic creed:
Let's briefly go through the curriculum in the Department of Aqeedah.
For the first semester, we have 19 hours for 10 subjects, i.е. 2 hours for almost every subject. And these items:
• Holy Quran level 1,
• Introduction to the Study of Creed,
• Introduction to the study of Sharia,
• Islamic Culture,
• Biography of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
• History of two shrines
• Introduction to learning Arabic,
• Hadith Study Level 1,
• Introduction to the study of sects,
• Research methodology.
In the second semester, we have the same 19 hours a week, but in 8 subjects, so in some subjects the number of teaching hours increases. And these items:
• Holy Quran level 2,
• Introduction to the study of the Qur'an,
• Creed, level 1,
• Fiqh, level 1,
• Jawamiul Kalim hadith,
• Annahw (is a key part of Arabic grammar),
• Righteous Predecessors
• Hadith Study Level 2.
Now let's move on to the seventh semester, which also has 19 hours in 8 subjects, such as:
• Eloquence,
• Sects, level 4,
• Creed, level 7,
• Fundamentals of fiqh,
• Annahw level 5,
• Program for the Study of the Christian Religion,
• History and study of narratives,
• Sources of knowledge and education.
And after the eighth semester, study ends, as the student graduates from college.
curriculum for the Department of Quranic Studies -
Curriculum for Department of SunNah -
Curriculum for the department of shariah -
it has more study hours than any other department-
Curriculum from the Department of Arabic
Final Thoughts
Meeting these conditions may seem daunting, but with determination and the right preparation, it is entirely achievable. And may Allah make it easy for you.
Conclusion note
To aspiring students considering enrollment at the College of the Prophet's Mosque, remember that this journey is not just about academic achievement but about deepening your understanding of Islam and preparing yourself to serve your community with knowledge and wisdom. Despite the challenges and high standards, the rewards are immense. By studying here, you are not just gaining knowledge but embodying a tradition that spans centuries—a tradition of scholarship and leadership that continues to shape the Islamic world.
The opportunity to study within the sacred walls of the Prophet's Mosque is a privilege that few can experience. It's a chance to connect with the rich heritage of Islam and to contribute meaningfully to its future. Whether you aspire to become an Imam, a teacher, or a scholar, this college offers a nurturing environment where you can grow spiritually, academically, and professionally.
So, if you feel called to deepen your faith, and expand your knowledge of Shariah, Hadith, Quranic studies, or Arabic language, take the first step today. Embrace the challenges, strive for excellence, and trust in Allah's guidance. Your journey at the College of the Prophet's Mosque awaits, where every lesson learned and every hurdle overcome brings you closer to fulfilling your purpose and serving your community with honour and integrity.