madrasa

A madrasa is a traditional Islamic school where religious sciences are primarily taught.

A madrasa, an Arabic term meaning "place of study," is a traditional Islamic school dedicated to the teaching of religious sciences such as the Quran, Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), theology, and sometimes other subjects like Arabic grammar, poetry, and philosophy. Madrasas have played a central role in the transmission of Islamic knowledge since the early days of Islam. They particularly flourished from the 9th century onwards in the Islamic world, with famous institutions like the Nizamiyya madrasa in Baghdad. Madrasas are often part of complexes that include mosques and libraries, and they are known for their distinctive architecture, which includes inner courtyards, prayer halls, and iwans. Today, madrasas still exist in many Muslim countries and continue to play an important role in religious education.