🌿 Conversational Arabic — 6-Week Course, Sundays · View all courses →
Est. 2016 · Cape Town

About Baseerah

A female-led Islamic institution rooted in traditional scholarship and devoted to making sacred knowledge accessible.

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. We offer part-time courses, short courses, and workshops throughout the year.

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 serving thousands of students.

We take pride in our holistic approach: fostering an atmosphere of sisterhood alongside academic excellence. Our classes are interactive. Our community is warm. And the pursuit of knowledge here is understood as a collective act of worship.

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونَ

And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. — Surah Adh-Dhariyat: 56
Baseerah students in class
What We Stand For

The values we build on

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Traditional Scholarship

We teach from authentic, well-known primer texts in the fundamental Islamic sciences — not reformulated or diluted. The classics, made accessible.

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Sisterhood First

Every class is a halaqah as much as a lesson. We cultivate togetherness, mutual encouragement, and a safe space where women grow together.

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No Prerequisites

No prior Islamic studies required for any course. We meet students exactly where they are — whether complete beginners or those deepening existing knowledge.

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Academic Excellence

We hold ourselves to a high standard — structured curricula, qualified teachers, and a commitment to genuine understanding, not surface-level familiarity.

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Interactive Learning

Questions are welcomed — expected, even. Our classes thrive on contribution, discussion, and the kind of engaged curiosity that makes knowledge stick.

ع
Shaykhah Rukayya Samsodien

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

Our Teacher

Shaykhah Rukayya Samsodien

Shaykhah Rukayya completed memorisation of the Qur'ān under the late Shaykh Mohammed Yusuf Booley. She then returned to school and completed matric at Islamia College, after which she commenced six years of study in Damascus, Syria.

She received a diploma in Arabic Language and Islamic Studies from Abū Nour Institute, continued at Al-Fath University in the Faculty of Sharī'ah, and holds a degree in Sharī'ah. During her time in Syria, she recited the entire Qur'ān to Shaykh Abū al-Hasan Muhayyiddīn al-Kurdī in the narration of Hafs via the Ṭāriq of al-Shāṭibiyyah and received her sanad and ijāza therein.

She served seven years as Principal and Hifth Consultant at Jam'Eyyatul Qurrā' Female Hifth Institute, and lectured full-time at Dārun Na'īm, Wynberg for six years. She is also an accredited Arabic–English translator of the High Court of South Africa.

Publications

  • Hifth Guide: Assisting Your Loved Ones Along Their Hifth Journey
  • Hifth Guide: An Educator's Manual
  • Muhadathah Workbook 1 — Conversational Arabic: Take the Leap to Speak
  • Muhadathah Workbook 2 — Conversational Arabic: Take the Leap to Speak
Get in Touch
Our Teachers

The team behind Baseerah

Qualified women who have dedicated themselves to the pursuit and transmission of Islamic knowledge.

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Shaykhah

Shaykhah Rukayya Samsodien

Founder & Director

Degree in Sharī’ah (Al-Fath University, Damascus) · Ijāza in Hafs · High Court Accredited Arabic–English Translator · Author of 6 publications.

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Coming soon

Teacher Profile

Instructor

Bio coming soon. Contact us to learn more about our teaching team.

👩‍🏫

Coming soon

Teacher Profile

Instructor

Bio coming soon. Contact us to learn more about our teaching team.

Common Questions

Everything you need to know

Can't find your answer? WhatsApp or email us — we're happy to help.

Do I need any prior Islamic studies background to join?

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Not at all. All our programmes are designed to welcome students exactly where they are — whether you are a complete beginner or someone deepening existing knowledge. No prerequisites are required for any course.

When does registration open for 2026?

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Registration for our flagship programmes (Arabic Mastery and Hifth) opened in January 2026. Short courses and workshops open for registration approximately 3–4 weeks before the start date. Join our mailing list to be notified first.

When are monthly fees due?

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Monthly fees are due by the 3rd of each month. Payment methods accepted: EFT, SnapScan, and PayPal.

I am an adult — is it too late to start memorising the Qur’an?

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It is never too late. Our Hifth Programme was specifically designed for adults — busy mothers, professionals, and mature students. Many of our students began their Hifth journey in their 30s, 40s, and beyond.

Are classes only for women?

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Yes. Baseerah Institute is a female-led institution and all our classes are exclusively for women and girls. This creates a safe, comfortable environment for learning.

Can I sit in on a class before committing?

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Yes — contact us and we will arrange for you to observe a session. We want you to feel confident before registering.

Is financial assistance available?

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Yes. Through our student sponsorship programme, donors can cover course fees for sisters who cannot afford them. If you are in need of assistance, please contact us confidentially — we will do our best to help.

Which Hifth stream should I choose?

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This depends on your goal and available time. If you are unsure, contact us and Shaykhah Rukayya will advise you personally based on your situation.

Can I attend online if I am not in Cape Town?

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Yes — the Arabic Mastery Programme and Thursday Dawrah are available online via Zoom. Recordings are also available for the Thursday Dawrah. The Hifth Programme is currently in-person only.

What happens if I miss a class?

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For the Thursday Dawrah, recordings are available. For the Arabic Mastery and Hifth programmes, please contact your teacher directly. We understand life happens.

What does the registration fee cover?

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The registration fee is a once-off administrative fee paid at enrolment. It is separate from monthly tuition fees and is non-refundable.

What is the difference between Sabaq, Sabqi, and Manzil?

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Sabaq is your new lesson — the portion you memorised most recently. Sabqi is recent revision — the last 5–7 days of lessons. Manzil is your older revision — everything memorised before that. Together they form the daily revision cycle that keeps your memorisation strong.

What is the dress code for in-person classes?

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Modest Islamic dress is expected. Niqaab is not required.

Is the Conversational Arabic course suitable for complete beginners?

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Absolutely. Take a Leap to Speak is specifically designed to get complete beginners speaking Arabic from the very first lesson. No prior Arabic knowledge needed.

Can I bring my baby or young child to class?

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Please contact us beforehand so we can advise based on the specific class. We understand the realities of motherhood and try to be as accommodating as possible.