The progress of any educational institute and intellectual development of its students can be gauged from its curriculum. Just as the success of students is linked to their perusal of academic books and listening to their teacher’s lectures, co-curricular activities also play an important role. These allow students to develop mentally, physically, and morally.Co-curricular activities and education go hand in hand. It brings within students the determination and desire to work hard. It equips them with the skills they need to be leading figures in society.

Yet, it is a must for co-curricular activities to be permissible and carried out in a way that conforms with Islamic law. In Jamiat al-Madina for girls, these activities help students increment in knowledge and practically implement it. Said activities are graded and have a bearing on yearly examinations.

Below are some of them:

Pious Deeds: To rectify spiritual and outward matters, attain steadfastness in performing good deeds, and work for the Hereafter, the 83 Pious Deeds booklet is acted upon. This was penned by the Amir of Ahl al-Sunna, Mawlana Ilyas Attar al-Qadiri.

Following in the footsteps of our pious predecessors and to propagate Islam, students of Jamiat al-Madina for girls take part in religious activities to spread the call to righteousness amongst fellow females, in accordance with Islamic law.

Madani Muzakara: Madani Muzakara rectifies one’s beliefs, actions, spiritual matters, and outward affairs.  Alongside igniting the lamp of love for Allah and His Messenger صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم in one’s heart, it offers an amazing amount of knowledge regarding matters of Islamic law, medicine, history, academics, and many more subjects. Bearing this in mind, teachers and students are encouraged to watch the Madani Muzakara every Saturday night after ʿishāˈ salah, allowing them to learn directly from Mawlana Ilyas Attar al-Qadiri.

Studying: To produce astute female Islamic scholars, emphasis placed on studying commentaries of scholarly works, and reading other renowned literary works. Supplementing this acquisition of knowledge,  a weekly booklet and monthly book is also assigned for reading, which itself boosts students’ retention abilities. Reading books outside of one’s syllabus is an excellent means of strengthening the memory.

Imam al-Bukhārī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه was asked, “What is the medicine for ˹good˺ memory?” He replied, “I do not know of anything more beneficial for a person’s memory than their passion and abundant reading.”[1]

Courses: Students are also taught courses outside of the syllabus, such as Rectification of Deeds, Blessings of Islamic Activities, Arabic syntax, etymology, tajwīd, and Quranic recitation. This boosts their intellectual capabilities and allows them to express their skillset across many educational spectrums.

Writing competitions: To improve writing skills, teachers and students of Jamiat al-Madina are encouraged to take part in a monthly writing competition, which is published in Monthly Magazine Faizan-e-Madina.

Practices of the Ahl al-Sunna: Various gatherings relating to the practices of Ahl al-Sunna take place in Jamiat al-Madina for girls. These include gatherings commemorating the Mawlid, Night of MiꜤrāj, and more. These involve Quran recitation, dhikr of Allah, praise of the Prophet, speeches, and competitions, which increase the confidence of students. This aids them becoming accomplished female scholars and preachers, who play their role in spreading the call to righteousness.

Training period: To practically train students in relation to the Sunna, a training period takes place 5 days a week alongside daily classes, which includes a 1-day Sunna-inspired gathering.

The schedule for this training period is:

[1] Fatḥ al-Bārī, vol. 1, p. 460