Baseerah Institute — Consciousness Through Knowledge

Who We Are

Female-led scholarship, since 2016.

Baseerah Institute is a female-led Islamic institution that seeks to raise the level of female education and scholarship through the teaching and publishing of traditional Islamic texts and sciences.

Founded by Shaykhah Rukayya Samsodien in response to a real gap she witnessed in Cape Town — accessible, rigorous, women-led Islamic education — Baseerah has grown from a small weekly gathering into a trusted institution.

No prior knowledge is ever required. All are welcome, exactly where they are.

About the Institute View Courses

Founded in Cape Town, rooted in Damascus.

2026 Programmes

Where would you like to begin?

From Hifth to Arabic Mastery — structured programmes designed for busy women.

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بصيرة

Degree in Sharī'ah · Abū Nour Institute, Damascus · High Court Accredited Translator

Our Teacher

Shaykhah Rukayya
Samsodien

Six years of study in Damascus. A degree in Sharī'ah. An ijāza in the narration of Hafs. A life devoted to bringing this knowledge back home — to Cape Town, to its women, to its families.

Founder & Director of Baseerah Institute since 2016.

Publications

Hifth Guide: Assisting Your Loved Ones
Hifth Guide: An Educator's Manual
Muhadathah Workbook 1 & 2 — Take the Leap to Speak

Her Full Story

"Having attended Hajj last year, I can confidently say that this course was incredibly beneficial. It gave me the ability to communicate, even at a basic level, with Arabic-speaking locals — which added so much value to my experience. I made a friend in Makkah who only speaks Arabic."

Shafeeqah Soeker Wife · Mom · HR Graduate

"I was quite apprehensive about immersing myself in an Arabic environment — I find speaking and memorising Arabic difficult. Muallima Rukayya managed to put us at ease and had us speaking and understanding sentences with ease, alhamdulillah. Highly recommend."

Fadeelah Kenny Electrical Engineer · Wife · Mom

"We are blessed to sit at the feet of a female scholar with this wealth of knowledge — in Qur'an, Arabic, Fiqh, Aqeedah, Tafseer, and all the Islamic sciences. As women, we need to equip ourselves with the tools and guidelines from Allah and His Messenger."

Fierdous Solomon Baseerah Student

From the Institute

Publications & Resources

Books authored by Shaykhah Rukayya, articles on Islamic sciences, and course materials — all in one place.

Shop

Publications & Books

Authored by Shaykhah Rukayya

Hifth Guides, Fiqh texts, and the Muhadathah Conversational Arabic workbook series — also available at Chapter 96 Bookz, Lansdowne.

Browse the Shop

Blog

Articles & Reflections

Knowledge worth sharing

Insights on Arabic language, Hifth, Fiqh, and the journey of seeking Islamic knowledge — written for students and curious minds alike.

Visit the Blog

Support Islamic Education

Invest in her learning.

Your Zakaat, Lillah, and Sadaqah keep quality Islamic education accessible — to working mothers, students who can't afford fees, and women who have waited years for this.

Baseerah Institute is a registered NPC. All qualifying donations are accepted.

NPC 2026/317298/08

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