Advice, Study Guidelines and Code of Conduct

A Typical Day in the Full-Time Programme

A typical day in the Full-Time programme begins at 9:00 AM, with students arriving before the start of the day. The first ten minutes are dedicated to the recitation of the Qur'an and the morning adhkār.

Lessons commence at 9:10 AM and continue until 11:10 AM. This is followed by a short daily naṣīḥah session and a break, during which students can refresh themselves before returning for the remainder of the day's lessons. The second half of the academic day runs from 11:30 AM until 1:30 PM.

After classes, students perform their Ẓuhr Ṣalāh. Students then take turns delivering short talks and presentations, providing an opportunity to develop confidence, public speaking skills, and practical teaching experience. Following this, students are dismissed.

A Typical Day in the Part-Time Programme

A typical evening in the Part-Time programme begins with students arriving for one of three teaching sessions. The first session runs from 5:00 PM until 7:30 PM, the second session from 5:50 PM until 8:20 PM, and the third session from 6:15 PM until 8:45 PM.

During the evening, classes pause for Ṣalāh, after which students attend a short naṣīḥah session before continuing with their lessons.

Attendance

Regular attendance is essential for success in the programme. 

Many students who are unable to complete the course struggle not because of a lack of ability, but because of poor attendance during the early years.

For this reason, the institute places significant importance on attendance. Any student with less than 90% attendance may not be permitted to progress to the next year, irrespective of their examination performance.

Absences

If a student expects to be absent, they should inform the institute by email before the start of class.

Any student who is absent without prior notification will receive an automated email. Where applicable, the student's guardian will also be notified.

Students who miss classes should make every effort to catch up on missed lessons immediately. Falling behind can quickly become overwhelming. The longer missed work remains incomplete, the more difficult it becomes to keep pace with the course and maintain the required standard of study.

Onsite Students Attending Online

Although it is technically possible for an onsite student who is unable to attend on a particular day to join the class online, this is not normally permitted.

Experience has shown that allowing students to switch freely between onsite and online attendance can gradually lead to increased absences and reduced engagement. What begins as an occasional convenience can often develop into a habit, making it more difficult for students to maintain the consistency and discipline required to succeed in the programme.

For this reason, onsite students may only attend online with prior permission from the administration. Students who anticipate being unable to attend onsite should contact the administration in advance to discuss their circumstances. Permission may then be granted for a particular day or for a specified period where appropriate.

Students should not assume that they may join online on an ad hoc basis or simply use a previously issued online link. Any temporary move from onsite to online study must be approved in advance by the administration.

Class Participation

Active participation is essential for all students, whether studying onsite or online. This is particularly important for online students, as consistent engagement helps ensure that they remain focused and benefit fully from the lessons.

Brothers attending online are required to keep their cameras on throughout the class. Students whose cameras are not switched on may be removed from the lesson and recorded as absent.

Although sisters are not required to use cameras during lessons, they must remain present and attentive throughout the class and respond promptly when addressed by the teacher. Students who repeatedly fail to respond when called upon may be removed from the lesson and recorded as absent.

Being logged into a lesson is not, in itself, considered attendance. Students are expected to participate actively and remain engaged throughout the class.

These requirements are in place to help students maintain consistency in their studies and avoid developing habits that can lead to falling behind. 

Only students who participate fully in lessons derive benefit from the programme and are likely to progress successfully.

Conversely, students who regularly attend online lessons without their cameras on, or who are not actively present and responding during class, often struggle to keep pace with the course and are significantly less likely to progress through the programme successfully.

Classroom Etiquette

Students are expected to maintain the etiquettes and conduct befitting a student of sacred knowledge. This includes observing appropriate dress, showing respect to teachers and fellow students, treating books and learning materials with care, and conducting themselves in a manner that reflects the dignity of the madrasah environment.

Students should strive to be punctual, attentive and courteous at all times, recognising that good character and proper etiquette are an important part of the learning process and not merely an addition to it.

Online Classroom Etiquette

Students attending classes online should also ensure that they adhere to the etiquettes of acquiring knowledge just as they would in a physical classroom. This includes sitting respectfully, dressing appropriately, remaining attentive throughout the lesson, and avoiding unnecessary distractions.

Students should be seated in a suitable learning environment and conduct themselves in a manner that reflects respect for their teachers, fellow students and the knowledge being studied. 

Respect for Classmates

Students should also show consideration and respect towards their fellow classmates. Questions should always be welcomed, and students should never ridicule or laugh at another person's question. What may seem obvious to one student may be genuinely difficult for another. Such behaviour can discourage others from asking questions and ultimately harms the learning environment for the entire class.

Learning is a collective effort, and students often benefit from the questions, explanations and insights of their classmates. A successful class is one in which students support and encourage one another in their pursuit of knowledge.

Asking Questions and Active Participation

Students are encouraged to participate actively in lessons and ask questions whenever they do not understand something. A student's understanding of future lessons often depends upon a proper understanding of the material currently being studied. Small gaps in understanding can gradually accumulate and eventually make it difficult to follow later discussions.

Teachers would much rather students ask questions repeatedly until they understand than pretend to understand and continue with uncertainty. Questions should therefore never be viewed as a sign of weakness, but rather as an important part of the learning process.

Students should strive to engage with their lessons, participate in discussions and seek clarification whenever required. Experience has shown that students who actively participate in lessons derive far greater benefit than those who remain passive observers.

Lesson Preparation

Students should prepare for each subject in accordance with the guidance provided on the relevant Resource Page for that book. These pages outline the recommended method of preparation, revision and study for each subject.

Students are encouraged to follow these recommendations closely. Preparing less than recommended may hinder progress and reduce the benefit gained from lessons, whilst excessive preparation beyond what is recommended can lead to unnecessary fatigue and burnout. A balanced and consistent approach is therefore encouraged throughout the programme.

Lesson Review

After lessons, students should review the material covered in class and ensure that they have understood the key concepts and discussions. Any points of confusion should be clarified as soon as possible so that misunderstandings do not accumulate over time.

In addition to daily review, a weekly recap of the lessons can be of great benefit in strengthening long-term retention and understanding. Students are also encouraged to form small study groups with like-minded classmates. These sessions may take place either in person or online. Meeting regularly to review and explain the week's lessons to one another can significantly reinforce learning and help identify areas requiring further attention.

The process of explaining material to others is one of the most effective ways of consolidating one's own understanding, making such study groups beneficial for all those involved.

Madrasah Assistance

Students are encouraged to speak to their teachers as soon as possible if they are experiencing any difficulties that may affect their academic progress. Whether the issue relates to studies, attendance, personal circumstances, or any other matter affecting their ability to benefit from the programme, students should seek assistance early rather than waiting for the situation to worsen.

We will do our best to provide guidance, support and any reasonable assistance where possible.

Probation Period

Terms 1 and 2 of Year 1 serve as a probation period for both the student and the institute. During this period, students, parents and teachers are able to assess whether the programme is suitable for the student's circumstances, abilities and long-term goals. It also allows the institute to determine whether a student is able to maintain the level of attendance, participation, commitment and academic progress required for successful completion of the course, whilst providing students with a realistic understanding of the demands of the programme and the level of effort expected.

The purpose of this probation period is not to discourage students, but to ensure that informed decisions are made at an early stage. This helps avoid students investing significant time, effort and money in a course which may not be suitable for their circumstances. By the end of the probation period, students, parents and the institute should have a clearer understanding of whether continuing on the programme is in the student's best interests.

Exams

Exams are an important part of the learning process. They provide students with an opportunity to review and consolidate the material covered throughout the term, identify areas of weakness, and fill any gaps in their understanding. The revision period leading up to examinations also encourages students to revisit previous lessons under the guidance and supervision of their teachers.

For this reason, students are encouraged to view examinations not merely as a means of assessment, but as an important opportunity for revision and academic growth.

Promotion and Progression

The textbooks studied in each year build upon the knowledge and skills developed in the preceding year. As a result, a strong understanding of the material covered at each stage helps students engage more confidently and successfully with the content of the following year.

Examination results provide a helpful indication of a student's understanding and the level of competency they have attained during the year. For this reason, the institute has established pass marks and progression requirements to help assess whether a student is ready to move on to the next stage of study.

Students, particularly those studying on the Part-Time programme, should be aware that progression through the course is based on meeting these academic requirements. Work, school, university, family commitments and other responsibilities can sometimes affect the amount of time available for study and revision. Since each year of study builds upon the previous one, consistent effort, attendance, participation and academic achievement play an important role in supporting successful progression.

In many respects, each set of examinations helps determine a student's readiness for the following year. The purpose of the promotion process is not to create barriers to progression, but rather to ensure that students have the knowledge and skills needed to benefit fully from the next stage of the programme and to give them the best opportunity for continued success.

Click here for details regarding exams and pass marks.

Morderation in Study

Students broadly tend to fall into one of two categories. The first consists of those who do not devote sufficient time and effort to their studies and consequently underachieve despite having considerable potential. The second consists of those who overburden themselves with excessive study, unnecessary detail and unrealistic expectations, eventually leading to fatigue, burnout and, in some cases, withdrawal from the programme.

For this reason, students are encouraged to adopt a balanced and sustainable approach to their studies. Consistency over many years is far more important than short periods of intense effort. The aim is not simply to perform well for a few weeks or months, but to maintain steady progress throughout the entire programme.

In particular, students in the earlier years should avoid burdening themselves with excessive note-taking or an unnecessary focus on presentation and aesthetics. The textbooks themselves contain the core material that needs to be mastered. A thorough understanding of the textbooks, supplemented by only the most important notes, is generally sufficient, particularly during the first year of study.

Managing Expectations

The acquisition of knowledge is a gradual process, and meaningful progress takes place over time. Students are naturally eager to understand the Qur'an, read Arabic texts fluently and appreciate the deeper discussions of Hadith and Tafsīr. However, these abilities are developed progressively throughout the programme.

The curriculum has been carefully structured so that each subject is studied at the appropriate stage and each skill is developed in its proper time. Students should therefore avoid becoming discouraged by slow progress or attempting to rush ahead in pursuit of rapid results. Patience and consistency are among the greatest means of success in the pursuit of knowledge.

The purpose of the programme extends beyond the acquisition of academic knowledge. Alongside their studies, students are expected to make gradual and natural progress in implementing what they learn in class, particularly the guidance and reminders delivered during the daily naṣīḥah sessions.

Students should strive to strengthen their relationship with their Creator, Allah سبحانه وتعالى. Their faith should increase, their love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ should deepen, and both the quality and quantity of their ṣalāh, fasting, tilāwah of the Qur'an, dhikr and other acts of worship should gradually improve as they progress through the programme. 

Likewise, they should seek to improve their relationships with the creation of Allah by increasing in dutifulness and service to their parents, strengthening their relationships with their spouses, children, siblings, teachers and the wider community.

The pursuit of knowledge should also be reflected in a person's character, conduct and dealings with others. Students should endeavour to cultivate sincerity, humility, patience, gratitude, good manners and a genuine concern for others.

Finally, students should seek opportunities to benefit those around them. As they learn and implement what they study, they should, where possible, encourage others through their words, actions and example. In this way, students fulfil the objective of acquiring knowledge, practising it and helping to propagate its benefits to others.

Location

Classes take place at 6 Sylvan Avenue, Leicester, LE5 3SN.

Parking

Students attending the morning sessions should not park on Sylvan Avenue, as this can obstruct access to neighbouring factories that receive frequent deliveries throughout the day. Vehicles parked on Sylvan Avenue may be blocked in by delivery vehicles, so students are advised to use alternative parking where possible.

Classroom Rules

The brothers' classrooms are located on the ground floor, whilst the sisters' classrooms are located on the first floor.

Food and drink are not permitted in the classrooms during lessons. Water bottles are permitted. Full-Time students may bring snacks and refreshments to be consumed during the scheduled break. 

Students are expected to treat the madrasah premises, equipment and facilities with care and respect.

Any student guilty of serious misconduct may be removed from the programme without prior warning. Examples include smoking on the premises, deliberate damage to madrasah property, or serious misconduct towards members of staff or fellow students.

Lost Property

Students should notify the institute as soon as possible if they believe they have left any belongings at the madrasah.

Unclaimed items may be disposed of after two weeks.

Recordings

Class conducted online are recorded and maybe reviewed for training, safeguarding and quality assurance purposes.

These recordings are strictly for internal use and are not accessible to students. 

Submitting Work

Students may be required to submit class/coursework by scanning and emailing assignments.

Recommended Equipment and Stationery

Pens (Black, Blue, Green, Red)

Pencil

Eraser

Ruler

Highlighters

Notebooks (4 for first year)

Stable internet access

Printer

Scanner or App to scan documents