When looking for a Muslim woman teacher or scholar, you may wonder where to begin.

In our Islamic tradition, knowledge has always been passed down a chain of qualified teachers (known as a sanad or verified series of narrators). This practice can translate to mentors outside of our deen too! 

Teachers or mentors from any background can offer immense value and richness to our lives, so why look for a Muslim woman teacher in particular? I believe that sharing certain experiences with someone you’re seeking knowledge from can help us feel seen in our spiritual journeys. It may also help build a stronger connection with your teacher and make it more likely to receive advice specific to you and your needs. 

So how might you go about finding a Muslim woman teacher? Here are some top tips I’ve gathered over years of study, trialing (and failing), and trying again:

How do I find a Muslim woman teacher?

1. Prophetic character over credentials

When looking for a teacher, it is important that they know what they’re talking about. Much like you wouldn’t ask a doctor how to fix a leak in your roof, don’t expect expert advice in areas this person is not qualified in. If you’re looking to improve your understanding of hadith, you should not be asking a teacher specialising in tafsir (exegesis of the Quran) – unless they’re qualified in both areas. 

 
There is also a massive difference in qualifications from the East and West. One who holds a master’s in Islamic studies may still be considered unqualified if they have not sourced their Islamic knowledge from the chain of narrators back to our Beloved Messenger ﷺ. 

 
But once the basics are established, it’s not just the certificates that speak to a person’s expertise. Your teacher’s ability to implement their knowledge, the way they carry themselves, and aspects of Prophetic character can often speak more loudly to a role model’s experience and wisdom.

 
Look for uncompromising Islamic values: someone who prioritises prayer over all else or practices small sunnah acts regularly like eating/drinking with their right hand, or smiling easily and generously.

 
One of our teachers said: Adhab used to be learnt in practice, so for many decades scholars never had to write these actions and etiquette down. Although adhab is meant to be disseminated from person to person, we understand not everyone has access to teachers, so I hope these pointers help you know what to look for! 

 

2. Approaching a teacher with respect and humility

When approaching someone from whom you’re looking to seek knowledge, one should practice Prophetic characteristics themselves. Even the Prophet ﷺ was humbly guided by Allah in receiving revelation from Jibreel (as). In Surah Taha, Allah said “Do not rush to recite a revelation of the Quran O Prophet before it is properly conveyed to you, and pray, ‘My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.’” 

 
Flattery is not the goal, but simple terms of respect like Sister, Ustadha (meaning teacher), or Shaykha, according to their level of knowledge. 

 
Fame is not the best indicator of one’s knowledge. A reputable contact in any industry goes a long way, but one shouldn’t expect the most well-known person to be the best fit for their individual journey. Many people can also sense whether you’re approaching them with genuine curiosity, or just for their title. 
 

3. Sharing space and airtime

Teachers are often inundated with requests and questions. Respect can also be shown by not wasting their time! 

 
If you are reaching out to them via email, keep your actual request to 1-2 sentences and only provide necessary context. If you’re meeting with a teacher one-to-one, prepare some talking points before. You might even send these points ahead of time to allow them to prepare their own answers and consult their teachers if need be. 

If in a classroom setting, you must be considerate of the content prepared by the teacher. Try to keep questions relevant and save them for a quiet or designated time instead of interrupting the flow of a class. Think about if you’re sharing for the sake of sharing or trying to understand the content.

Equally, it’s important to respect the teacher’s time by being on time yourself. In an online setting, this looks like preparing to be in the class on time, ready for it to begin and with your camera on, ready to engage and learn.  

4. Knowing yourself

Ask yourself: what would you like to learn from this person? Although a great teacher can help you discover aspects of yourself you didn’t know as well before, it is not the job of your mentor to tell you who you are or what to do. 

Take proactive steps like knowing your strengths and weaknesses, and what you would like to gain from an interaction. You can take this time to also make a beautiful intention for Allah!   

5. Actions speak louder than words 

Maintaining a good relationship with a teacher over time can be harder than finding them in the first place! A strong way to keep a good working relationship is by acting on their advice. 

Not all advice is actionable, so do come to an agreement on action points in your discussion or class with them. A strong follow up a month or two down the line with results can go a long way in building respect both ways and achieving your learning goals. 

I pray that you find the best teacher for you on your journey toward knowledge. Check out our latest courses and events to meet our team and teachers on this path!