Madrasa

A madrasa is the Arabic word for any type of educational institution, whether secular or religious, of any religion, and whether for elementary education or higher learning, though in English usage the term typically refers more narrowly to Islamic institutions, particularly a college where Islamic law was taught alongside other secondary subjects. Madrasas serve Islamic education by providing formal instruction grounded in Islamic teaching, with the Quran forming the core of all learning; students generally pursue either memorization of the Quran, known as the hifz course, or advanced scholarly training, the alim course, that leads to community recognition as a scholar. A typical madrasa offers instruction in Arabic, tafsir (Quranic interpretation), sharia (Islamic law), hadith, mantiq (logic), and Muslim history, functioning in some respects similarly to a college, with students attending classes and residing in dormitories; many madrasas also admit orphans and poor children specifically to provide them with education and training, while female students traditionally study separately from male students.