Before you apply, there are some things you need to know.
I have now replaced this page with the information found in the FAQ which contains more detail, and is at least semi-official.
Move on to: Official requirements to apply
So You Want to Be a Student?
How to apply to study at the Islamic University of Al-Madinah & Other Saudi Universities
Madinah university. I am not sure how to apply furthurer more i need financial help because my family may not be willing to help me study in Madinah. I am originally a muslim not a convert. Please provide me with information as soon as you can to my email becuase i dont use the net very much thank.
Hope you all the best from ALLAH.
The university pays for everything for the person who is accepted, you don’t need any money, in fact they even pay you every month.
This site is designed to help you to apply. Please read through the pages on the right hand side at the top of the page. Inshaa Allah, you will find everything you need. It isn’t possible for me to send you everything that relates to applying, the best thing to do is to read the pages.
Wassalaamu alaykum warahmatullah,
Muhammad
Salaamu calaykum wa raxma tulaahi wa barakaatu.
Hi my name is kaise abdi and i am originally from somalia but now am studying in Malaysia. I would like to come and study in S
I already replied to your first post, and sent you an email.
I am originally from Bangladesh. Now I am resident of U.S.A.
In Bangladesh I finished H.S.C in college. and I studied in non gov. madrasah also. for me college certificate is better or Madrasah certificate? to admit into Madinah University. my age is 20 yrs.
I need reference. my address is:
San Antonio, Texas, u.s.a.
can I apply thru online.
Pls help me. Jazaka allah khairan.
I think you can submit both certificates inshaa Allah. Some students have a classical Islamic education and some have a secular education. I don’t know whether the university prefers one over the other.
In terms of references, I think it’s best to ask the brother at http://madinahstudents.wordpress.com, since he knows the USA better than me.
You could also try: http://saudiuniversities.wordpress.com/
Or check out the “Useful links” section of the blog.
Wassalaamu alaykum warahmatullah,
Muhammad
Salamualaikum Warrahmatullahi Wabarakatuh, Oh Brother in Islam, I have read all the stuff I am needed to do, for the most part I think I can do, but I just needed a bit on answering on my questions and I need a little bit of help with reference or contact, My question is, I know we can give the stuff in a package but I also know that we can go there for an interview. For the interview, is it before getting accepted or after? And my other question is I live in canada, Toronto. And am looking for atleast 2 good reference. If by any chance you know anyone then, can you please help me out, May ALLAH bless you in this Dunya And in the akhira.
Barak Allahu feek
Salam Alikom
I would like to know if it is possible to apply in advance for the university for the year 2012. Also in 2012 i will be 25 i heard from some brothers that the university doesnt take applicants above 25 is this true? please let me know
Wa alaykumussalaam warahmatullah,
You can apply when you are 25, you might be able to get away with 26 but officially, you have to be 25 or younger.
Unfortunately you can’t apply in advance…you have to apply the year that you wish to be accepted for.
Baarak Allahu feek,
Wassalaamu alaykum,
Muhammad
Salams brother, you seem like a great guy masha’Allah and I would like to ask a question. Before I do though, jazakAllahu khair for everything you are doing for everyone and barakAllahu feek, may Allah grant you the highest place in Jannah, with the Highest and Most Glorious Companion Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala.
That said, I am a US citizen but have left the US but reside in Malaysia. I will be turning 18 by July of 2010, is it too late to attend classes for 2010? If so, what is a good time to apply? I have a GED (in the US it is equivalent to a high-school diploma) and have recently done my SAT. I have done well above average in both, but are these tests accepted? Also I have Arabic parents who speak Syrian Arabic (basically slang Arabic) but I am studying proper Arabic grammar now, and do understand Arabic pretty well.
Brother, I am absolutely fascinated by Islam, especially the Holy Qur’an and its tafsir, and the seerah of our beloved Rasool (SAAW) and am entirely convinced that no other course of study is for me. I especially want to embark on this journey of seeking beneficial knowledge to perfect my khushoo’ in prayer, which I believe is something that can always be improved, and also to spread Islam and help Muslims come back to their perfect deen.
In February I might go for ‘Umrah, how much in advance should I schedule an interview? For the reference, my father is friends with a Shaikh who has a BS from Azhar uni, who is also the Islamic adviser of my area of residence. He also taught in Mecca for many years and has many many connections to Saudis here. Is a reference from him a good idea? We have many more connections, especially to Islamic Uni of MY which I think was founded by Saudis. Thing is, I haven’t studied under anyone, Islamic-wise (except my father), and therefore am likely to get a general reference rather than an honest detailed one. What would you suggest? Are my chances good Insha’Allah? And would it be a good idea to also apply to Umm Al-Qura uni? (as in the app they do ask if I applied elsewhere).
I apologize for this ridiculously long post, and for asking any questions already answered elsewhere, as I’m sure I have. Insha’Allah I will look over the site more thoroughly in due time.
Jazaka’Allahu khair, Salamu’Alaikum Wa Rahmatu’Allahy wa Barakatuhu.
Wa alaykumussalaam warahmatullah,
Ameen. Baarak Allahu feek. May Allah make your search for knowledge easy.
Sorry it has taken me a couple of weeks to reply. These last few weeks have been full of mid-term exams.
I think the best time to apply by post would be just before or just after Ramadhaan this year. This will give you an excellent chance of being considered for 2011 inshaa Allah. If you applied right now there’s still a chance that you could be accepted for 2010, but there aren’t many places left from what I understand. However, since you are talking about coming for ‘Umrah, then the best time to apply is whenever you come, since applications in person are given a much higher chance of acceptance. Whether for 2010 or 2011.
Living in Malaysia might be the only thing that doesn’t work in your favor (although I don’t see it being a major issue inshaa Allah). Ma shaa Allah your grades and your knowledge of Arabic are inshaa Allah the basis of a strong application, as well as your strong desire to learn. In any case, I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t apply.
In terms of your references, I think the Islamic Advisor sounds like a great idea, as does getting references from the Islamic Uni, because I’ve heard that they have strong ties with Saudi as well. The references are all about how well the person writes about you, not necessarily what they know of your Islamic knowledge. I think what the uni is trying to get from the references is the impression that you are the right person to accept, in terms of your desire to learn, as well as manners and religious observance. If the person has a desire to help you, that normally comes across in the reference. Overall, I wouldn’t worry too much. Try to get three or even four references and you can hand them all in, or just choose the best two.
I don’t see any reason why they wouldn’t accept the tests you mentioned. They accept whatever the country equivalent of a High School diploma is, so I don’t think that you’ll have any problems there inshaa Allah.
In terms of your chances, I think your application looks pretty strong. The only slightly negative thing that I can find is the fact that you don’t live in the US. I still don’t think that should be a major stumbling block, inshaa Allah.
If you come over for an interview, just let me know before you come. The university doesn’t require potential students to schedule an interview, just turn up when the uni is open inshaa Allah. I don’t think there’s any harm in applying to Umm-ul-Quraa, just get duplicate references, one addressed to Madinah and one addressed to Umm-ul-Quraa. A lot of people apply to both, and I don’t think that it harms the application. I think the box for applying to other universities applies to the previous years, not to the same year, Allah knows best.
Feel free to ask as many questions as you need to, it’s a pleasure to answer them where I can,
Once again, apologies for the delay,
Wassalaamu alaykum warahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu,
Muhammad
Salamu Alaikum, jazakallahu khair for replying! The delay was not a problem, I myself meant to reply sooner.
Brother, I’m in a rather awkward position in regards to applying, and am currently rather confused. I left the US not too long ago, however all my tests were taken there. The problem is the authentication of my tests and birth certificate. I spoke with a Saudi Sheikh who is the head of the Saudi cultural office here and he told me I needed all my papers verified and stamped before I can do anything, and to do that the process in the US is a tiring lengthy one. Its tediousness is not what worries me, and I’m willing to go through it knowing full well that if Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala wills for me to be accepted, the work is well worth it, but rather I would like to know if I’m wasting my time or not.
Right now I’m delaying my Umrah trip because I don’t want to go in with papers that mean nothing to the university. Is it possible, now that Masha’Allah you are in the admissions, to tell me about the authentication of US tests such as the GED and SAT, and also give me an idea on the university’s criteria of what “verified documents” are? I saw in the section “Documents you need to apply” you say that if one is to come in person they should have an original and a photocopy. Is it really that easy? I have an original copy of my birth certificate and original copies of these tests issued directly from the test centers in the US, would these and their copies (along with the other required papers) be enough for me to walk in for an interview and apply with?
Jazakallahu Khair for everything you are doing, the site for the US students is unfortunately nowhere near as reliable as this one. Insha’Allah if I come down I will definitely let you know, again Jazakallahu Khair, will definitely mention you in my prayers, Salamu’Alaikum Wa Rahmatu’Allahy wa Barakatuhu
Assalaamu alaykum warahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu
I’m just looking through the replies to all of the posts to make sure that I’ve finished replying to the older posts which I missed, and I can’t find that I replied to your second message, so please accept my apologies.
You don’t need anything at all verified before you apply. The university explicitly mentions that there is no need for any papers to be verified in any way until after the acceptance letter is received.
If you are still planning to come for an ‘Umrah trip this year, let me know in advance and I’ll try to come with you for your interview.
There are a few brothers helping from the US via blogs, etc. and they do a really good job. The problem is that in practice there is a huge difference between what a person might get told when they come to the administration dept. once or twice, and what happens when you regularly go there and get to know the main people involved. Sometimes a person might get told that something has to be stamped, and either the information is old, or the person in the admin dept. was just in a bad mood, or they spoke to a student working there, and not to the manager of the dept. In practice, 95%+ of applications which the university receives have not been stamped in any way, not even the translations. In fact, the ‘official’ translators just scribble on the photocopy, circle the person’s name and date of birth, underline the grade and scribble it in Arabic, and they call that an approved translation!
May Allah make it easy for you,
Wassalaamu alaykum warahmatullah,
Muhammad
Wa alaikum assalaamu alaykum warahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu
Barak’Allahu feek brother for replying, this news is indeed enlightening. I had no idea, but Qaddar’Allah ma Sha’a Fa’l. Brother, if this is indeed the case then I perhaps might come down in six weeks, maybe sooner, Insha’Allah. Brother, if it is not too much to ask, may I have your email to discuss with you one or two points and inform you of my arrival? It’s no problem if you can’t. By Allah ‘Azza wa Jal, I am very much looking forward to meeting you, and Insha’Allah get this done.
Jazak’Allahu khair for all your work, Barak’Allahu feek Salaamu alaykum warahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu
Assalaamu alaykum warahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu,
No problem at all, in shaa Allah. I’ll send it to you now.
salaamu caleykum bro,
With regards to the actual references, I have one from my local masjid but I really am struggling for a second one. Would they accept a second reference that is from my university/school that is more orientated around my academic ability and motivation etc? Just to clarify in case I wasnt clear the second reference would not be done by a muslim person.
jazakallahu khayr.
Wa alaykumussalaam warhmatullah,
The reference from the university/school would be fine for a character reference (lots of people use them), but you wouldn’t be able to use it as one of the two references which are required. Allah knows best.
May Allah make it easy for you,
Wassalaamu alaykum warahmatullah,
Muhammad
Salam alaykum
I want to apply for 2010, I am from London and I know ulama who will give me reference alhamdulillah.
I was just wondering what are the chances of getting accepted if I apply by post?
Also do they let you know straight away if you have been accepted or not?
what do they look at in the interview?
Jazak Allah wa khair
Wa alaykumussalaam warahmatullah,
Many people who apply by post are accepted into the university. However, there’s no doubt that coming for an interview greatly increases your chances of being accepted, since the interviewer can judge you based on what he sees, rather than some documents which came in the post.
They announce the students which have been accepted around the end of July every year. So, if you were to apply now, you would either find out in July 2010 (if your application is considered for the coming year), or in July 2011 (if they have already filled up all of the applications for the coming year).
There’s quite a bit about the interview mentioned already on the site. If you have a look through the pages & comments, you should find the information you need, inshaa Allah.
Baarak Allahu feek,
Wassalaamu alaykum warahmatullah,
Muhammad
Asalamualaikum warahmatullah, akhi i have a very small but strange request.
I was wondering if you could ask our brother Amjadh Razik (Srilankan brother) if he sumbitted my application yet, i have been trying to get in contact with him, but he seems very busy (he is in the PhD program).
May Allah preserve you akhi
(email removed to prevent spam)
Wa alaykumussalaam warhmatullahi wa barakaatuhu,
Inshaa Allah, I’ll get in touch with one of the Sri lankan students when the university starts again on Saturday and try to get the brother’s number.
May Allah make it easy for you,
Wassalaamu alaykum warhmatullahi wa barakaatuhu,
Muhammad
Asalamualaikum Warahmatullah again brother,
I am in Bangladesh, Sylhet. Can you please let me know if you know anyon whos in my area so i can get help with getting into the university, I have always wanted to go there. please please help me.
Allahhafiz
Wa alaykumussalaam warahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu,
Inshaa Allah, I’ll ask around at the university. Give me a couple of weeks to get back to you.
Wassalaamu alaykum warahmatullah,
Muhammad
Assalamualikum brother,
I am a Bangladeshi student, I have studied BA in bangladesh, i am currently studying MA which ends in february 2010.
i am hoping to go Madinah University to study, as i am from bangladesh i can not get a reference from Saudi Scholor.
Is there anyone else i can get reference from?
JazakAllah
I’m working on it, inshaa Allah.
To Brother Azadur Rahman from sylhet
Their is a shaykh called Kamal Uddin Jafari who graduated from Madinah long time ago , but he lives in Dhaka. But I think its worth it if you go to meet him because I heard he made top grades in Madinah
asalamu alaikom
Brother I’ve sent my application a few months ago now, I’ve befriended a sheikh since then in my country who is Saudi Arabian, If I can get a tazkiyyah from him, is there any way I can send it in and have it put with the rest of my application which is already in Madinah? … or is it too late for that?
JazaakAllah khairan akhi.
Wa alaykumussalaam warahmatullah,
Inshaa Allah it should be possible, if they are still considering the application for this year.
Let me know your name/country/when you sent your application, and I’ll see if they still have a record of it, inshaa Allah.
Wassalaamu alaykum warahmatullah,
Muhammad
Asalamualaikum Warahmatullah
I am 18 years old and starting college this sept in Toronto, Canada. I have given alot of formal dawah to both muslims and non muslims for the last 3 years. I was raised muslim, but not upon the sunnah. My plan was to apply in person in December of 09
a brother told me i cannot do that
can i apply if i am going to hajj?
And do all my documents have to be in Arabic, every last one?
Akhi please reply, JazakAllahu Khayran
Wa alaykumussalaam warahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu,
Sorry for the late reply, I’ve been without internet for a few weeks.
You can apply throughout the year inshaa Allah, however the university is closed for about 10 days – maybe two or three days before the actual Hajj starts until about 2 or 3 days after it ends. Most people who come for Hajj are not in Madinah during that time anyway, but if you could check the dates with your tour group then inshaa Allah I can give you more information.
You need to translate everything that isn’t already in Arabic. You don’t need to pay an official company – anyone can do it. If you really can’t find anyone then just bring your papers in English and inshaa Allah we can get them translated here in Madinah.
May Allah make your search for knowledge easy,
Wassalaamu alaykum warahmatullah,
Muhammad
Assalam wailukum
Akhi i havent got decent gcse grades as i had family problems at school. With regards to the references do they know the da’wah personalities such as abdur rahim green? what category would he be in?would it be easy to get refrence from him??with regards to priority to reverts what bout someone who neva practice and alhumdulilah Allah azawajul gave him hidayat. So whats the best thing to do go there on umrah generally and then take all refrences forms and try and get a interview?? could u put me in touch with any sheikhs in my area possibly who can help or any sheikhs visiting? i reside in south London . ive got enough determination to make me run there on foot. may Allah azzawajul reward you for your efforts. azramzan@hotmail.com
Jazakallah
Wassalaamu alaykum warahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu,
May Allah make it easy for you to seek knowledge in a way that pleases Him.
With regard to your GCSE grades, they are important – I’m not going to tell you that they aren’t – but at the end of the day they aren’t the only thing, and if you have bad grades then you’ll have to try to make it up through other areas. At the end of the day you are applying to study a very challenging degree, can you imagine a UK university accepting someone on to a hard degree course without good A-levels, let alone GCSEs!
At the same time, Allah makes it easy for whoever He wills, and nothing should put you off applying and trying your best.
In terms of people like Abdur Rahim Green, many of the people we know as da’wah personalities or prominent speakers are not well known over there. Obviously they are very academically orientated, and so tend to have links with people who have studied there in the past, especially the people who studied many many years ago, when students used to really achieve something when they graduated. Every reference is worth something, so I recommend that you try from as many people and as many places as you can. Since you are in London, I would have to recommend that you go and speak to Suhaib Hasan at Masjid Tawheed in Leyton, since his references are very well accepted in Saudi Arabia. Look through the forum for any other names of people…there have been quite a few which have been mentioned.
I wouldn’t focus too much on whether they give priority to reverts. It doesn’t really matter and it isn’t something that anyone can control. It’s something I was told by the deputy head of admissions but I don’t even think the majority of students from the UK are reverts…it’s probably about 50-50 in terms of the UK students.
I think going for an interview at Umrah is the best way, but you need to make sure that you’re prepared. Read through the site in detail and make sure you have all of the documents and papers that you need. Also take your time to get really good references, so that it will help you even if your GCSE grades aren’t so good.
May Allah make it easy for you,
Wassalaamu alaykum,
Muhammad
i want stardey madina university
Read through the site, inshaa Allah, you’ll find everything you need.
May Allah make it easy for you,
Wassalaamu alaykum,
Muhammad
i m graduet and i want to seat in madinha universty.i m from pakistan,
Read through the site, inshaa Allah, you’ll find everything you need. don’t forget to check the age requirements.
May Allah make it easy for you,
Wassalaamu alaykum,
Muhammad
asalaamu aleykum aki muhammad
my name is mahmoed jama i am 22 and i have lived in various countries prior to coming to the uk with my mother and brothers and sisters.
ive been here in uk for ten years and have gained 7 gcse’s at A*- D which i now hope to use as a means of getting accepted.
i have managed to get a refrence with the help of ALLAh of one well know ex student namely bilaal davies from the salafi community in birmingham and am hoping to get an other refrence from the salafi book store in birmingham inshallah in the near future.
since there is much value laid on the refrences i am hoping to get a third refrence from a scolar.
i here by am seeking allahs help by way of you to assist me on how to gain this as i have no direct contact with any of them.
would you have any contacts for me to persue. if not then still i show gratidute to allah by thanking you and barak allah feek for this tremenduoily benificial website that allah has helped you to make available as it has benefited me emencly.
may allah give you what you need to get to the ultimate goal ” janatul fardous”.
jazakulahu elfan khayran wa barakullah feek.
ma’a salaama
Mahmoed
Wa alaykumussalaam warahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu,
May Allah make things easy for you and grant you jannatul-firdaws al-’alaa.
Inshaa Allah you’ll have two local references, which is excellent. I think the best thing is for you to ask the brothers to put you in touch with a scholar, or for you to try and meet one at a local or national conference. Getting a reference isn’t easy, except for who Allah wills, but the scholar will want to meet you, and will want to see your dedication, as well as meeting someone who knows you, like the person who is translating for him, or the local imaam.
If I hear about a scholar coming to birmingham or the local area, I’ll definitely let you know, inshaa Allah.
May Allah make it easy for you,
Wassalaamu alaykum,
Muhammad
Assalamualaikum Warahmathullahi Wabarakaathuh
I was hoping that you can clarify what exactly a reference letter should consist of. eg/ confirmation of good moral character? I am asking a sheikh from a local mosque to write the first reference, but the fact that I dont know any people from the first and second categories you mentioned above is a problem, could you give me a person that could help me in this situation?
Jazakallah
Abdullah
Wa alaykumussalaam warahmatullah wa barakaatuhu br Abdullah,
I replied to your post here
May Allah make it easy for you,
Wassalaamu alaykum,
Muhammad
Wa alaykumussalaam warahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu br. Abdul Rehman,
May Allah make it easy for you to seek knowledge, act upon it, and spread it to others!
Almost all of the questions you asked are answered right here on the site. Please look through the pages and you will find all the answers you need, and more inshaa Allah.
The application form and the required documents are on this site, for easy download. So is the process for applying.
You don’t need to have memorised the Qur’aan – they also bear in mind that you became Muslim recently.
Financial situation is not a problem inshaa Allah, since the university provide everything you need.
The best thing for you to do is to look through this site in detail, read all of the pages one by one, and I will try to find someone who can help you locally as well.
May Allah give you tawfeeq,
Wassalaamu alaykum,
Muhammad
Waalaikumassalam warahmathullahi wabarakaathu
jazaakallahu qairun akhi for u r reply, akhi i m staying in the city of bangalore, state karnataka, INDIA, insha allah please help me out in getting seat in madina university, akhi is it necesssary that a student who wanted to join should have been memerised entire quran? and i have not undergone any madhrassastudies coz i m just 3 years old to islam
but i m deliver lectures on different topics on islam in an organisation called Discover islam education trust..
brother Muhammadh i want to make my akhira strong and i want to prevail the message of islam all over the world insha allah, this my aim and this was the profession of prophets as well, so please help me out and even financially i m very weak..
waiting for u r reply akhi , tell me the process to get application form and required documents and if u have any contacts u can put me in referance
jazaakallahu qairun
Assalamualaikum
abdul rehman haran
Assalamualaikum warahmathullahi wabarakaathuhu
akhi my name is Abdul rehman, i m revert to islam my age is 23. alhamdhulillah my parents also embrassed islam recently, plase help me out in getting seat in madina university, i have finished my under graduation and presently pursuing graduation 1st year in correspondence.. please reply me back . for the sake of ALLAH help me to get in to the university
Jazaakallahu qairun
abdul rehman haran
india,
Assalaamu alaykum warahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu br Abdul Rehman,
Congratulations to you and your family on accepting Islam. May Allah make you all firm on His religion.
This site has been designed to help people apply to the university. Inshaa Allah you will find everything you need here to help you apply. You have to understand that I myself don’t have the ability to choose who gets accepted or not – I can only advise you about the things which might be able to help you. Trust in Allah and ask Him to help you.
The application form, as well as the full details of how to apply and the things which you need can all be found on this site. If you need, I can put you in touch with some brothers in your area who may also be able to help you. Just tell me which part of India you are from (city & state), and I’ll try to get you some contact information inshaa Allah.
May Allah make it easy for you,
Wassalaamu alaykum warahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu,
Muhammad
Assalamualaikum warahmathullahi wabarakaathuhu
akhi my name is Abdul rehman, i m revert to islam my age is 23. alhamdhulillah my parents also embrassed islam recently, plase help me out in getting seat in madina university, i have finished my under graduation and presently pursuing graduation 1st year in correspondence.. please reply me back . for the sake of ALLAH help me to get in to the university
Jazaakallahu qairun
abdul rehman haran
india,