Introduction
Starting a maktab is one of the most impactful things a mosque committee can do for its community. When a Deeniyat-affiliated maktab opens its doors, it gives the children of that neighbourhood access to structured Islamic education — often for the first time. But getting from intention to the first day of classes requires working through a series of practical steps: affiliating with Idara-e-Deeniyat, finding and hiring a qualified teacher, setting up a physical space, enrolling students, obtaining textbooks, and establishing the administrative systems that will keep the maktab running through the year.
This guide walks through that entire process, step by step, in practical terms — from the initial decision to open a Deeniyat maktab to sustaining it effectively across the academic year.
Step 1: Understand What You Are Setting Up
Before approaching Idara-e-Deeniyat for affiliation, the mosque committee should have clarity on a few foundational questions.
What type of maktab are you running?
A Deeniyat maktab is a part-time Islamic school that operates alongside regular secular schooling. It typically runs:
| Session Type | Typical Hours | Best For |
| Evening session | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM or 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | School-going children |
| Early morning | 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM | Children with afternoon commitments |
| Weekend | Saturday/Sunday mornings | Busy urban families |
You are not setting up a full-time madrasa. The Deeniyat model is specifically for children who attend government or private schools during the day.
Key decisions before you proceed
- How many children in your neighbourhood are likely to enrol?
- What age range are you targeting (typically 4–14 years)?
- Mixed-gender maktab, or separate classes for boys and girls?
- Is your mosque space suitable, or do you need to find an alternative?
Step 2: Contact Idara-e-Deeniyat for Affiliation
The next step is to formally contact Idara-e-Deeniyat to begin the affiliation process.
How to apply
- Write a formal letter or application to the nearest Idara-e-Deeniyat office (head office in Delhi; state offices in UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, and other major states)
- Provide details about your mosque or institution: name, address, existing facilities
- Indicate expected student numbers and planned session timings
Idara-e-Deeniyat will respond with guidance on affiliation requirements. In some areas, the process is facilitated through local Deeniyat-affiliated maktabs or the district-level office.
What affiliation gives you
| What You Get | What You Still Provide |
| Official recognition as an affiliated centre | Day-to-day operations and management |
| Guidance on textbook procurement | Teacher salary and recruitment |
| Access to annual examination system | Fees, funding, and finances |
| Right to issue Deeniyat certificates | Physical space and maintenance |
| Access to teacher training programmes | Student enrolment and records |
Affiliation gives you the curriculum framework and examination system. You provide everything else.
Step 3: Hire a Qualified Teacher
The teacher is the most important element of your maktab. A good teacher transforms it; an unsuitable one — however well-intentioned — can undermine it.
Minimum qualifications
- Completed the Deeniyat programme to at least Level 6 or the Muallim level, or
- Holds a recognised Islamic education qualification from a Darul Uloom, Jamia, or equivalent institution, and
- Can read and teach the Quran correctly with basic Tajweed
Qualities to look for beyond qualifications
- Patience — working with young children requires exceptional patience
- Punctuality and consistency — the maktab depends on the teacher being present every day
- Communication skills — ability to explain Islamic concepts in simple, age-appropriate language
- Willingness to keep records — attendance, student progress, fees
How to find a teacher
- Ask your local Darul Uloom or Jamia for graduate recommendations
- Contact your state-level Idara-e-Deeniyat office — they often maintain a register of qualified Muallim-certified teachers
- Ask the wider Muslim community network
- Post on local Islamic education networks or WhatsApp groups
Salary expectations
| City / Context | Typical Monthly Salary |
| Small town / rural | ₹3,000 – ₹5,000 |
| Mid-size city | ₹5,000 – ₹8,000 |
| Major metro | ₹7,000 – ₹12,000 |
These figures reflect current realities in the sector — maktab teachers are among the most underpaid education workers in India. Committees should be honest about what they can afford, and establish a dedicated fund for teacher salaries rather than relying on ad hoc donations.
Step 4: Set Up the Physical Space
Minimum requirements
- A room that comfortably accommodates your maximum expected student numbers
- Adequate lighting (natural for morning sessions; electric for evenings)
- Floor mats or low seating (traditional style) or chairs and low tables
- A whiteboard or blackboard for the teacher
- Storage for textbooks and student materials
Before day one
- Books and materials for each enrolled student
- An attendance register (paper or digital)
- A simple notice board for timetables and announcements
- Wudu facilities nearby (or clear guidance to the nearest bathroom)
Step 5: Procure Textbooks and Materials
Deeniyat curriculum textbooks are published by Idara-e-Deeniyat and available through:
- Direct order from the head office in Delhi
- Local Islamic bookshops in major cities (particularly UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka)
- Deeniyat distributors in your state
Order the correct level books for each class group you plan to run. Do not assume all new students start at Level 1 — conduct a placement assessment first.
Placement assessment
Test each new student for:
- Arabic alphabet recognition and pronunciation
- Ability to read from the Quran (Nazra)
- Knowledge of basic duas and kalimas
- General Islamic knowledge
Place students at the appropriate level — this avoids boredom for advanced students and confusion for beginners.
Step 6: Enrol Students and Set Up Administration
Student enrolment campaign
Before the academic year begins (typically September–October in most parts of India), run a local enrolment drive:
- Announce the maktab from the mosque (Friday khutba is highly effective)
- Post notices on the mosque board and in local shops
- Use community WhatsApp groups
- Speak directly to parents after prayers
For each enrolled student, collect: full name, date of birth, parent/guardian name and contact number, current class in secular school, previous Islamic education (if any).
Administrative systems to set up from day one
| System | Purpose | Minimum Tool |
| Attendance register | Daily record of presence/absence | Paper register or app |
| Quran progress register | Tracks Sabak, Sabak Para, Dhor, Manzil | Paper or maktab app |
| Fee collection record | Fees paid, outstanding, exempted | Paper ledger or spreadsheet |
| Teacher attendance | Teacher presence and substitutes | Paper register |
Most maktabs use paper registers — entirely workable. As the maktab grows, digital tools make this significantly easier. See Deeniyat App and Digital Tools and Moving from Registers to Digital.
Step 7: Set Your Fee Structure
Options
Free maktab model: Costs covered by mosque funds (zakat, sadaqah), community fundraising, or Waqf income. Ensures no child is excluded but depends on consistent donor generosity.
Modest fee model: Most maktabs charge ₹100–₹500 per month, which helps pay the teacher reliably and cover materials. This is sustainable without being a barrier for most families.
Best practice: Charge fees but maintain a clear fee-waiver process for families who genuinely cannot pay. No child should be turned away solely due to inability to pay.
For a more detailed treatment of fee collection systems, see Maktab Fee Collection in India.
Step 8: Run the First Day
- Begin with a brief welcoming assembly: introduce the teacher, explain the rules, make children feel welcome
- Keep the first session shorter than usual (30–40 minutes)
- Ensure all students have their books and materials before the session starts
- Send a welcome message to parents via WhatsApp or printed note with timetable, fee information, and contact details
Step 9: Sustain the Maktab Through the Year
| Frequency | Task |
| Monthly | Confirm teacher salary paid; review fee collection; check attendance for concerning patterns |
| Quarterly | Review student progress; run a brief parents’ communication update |
| Annually | Register eligible students for Deeniyat examination; distribute certificates; plan re-enrolment |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Hiring without verifying qualifications. Enthusiasm is not a substitute for knowledge. Always verify before hiring.
Irregular salary payments. Nothing undermines a maktab faster than a teacher not paid on time. Ensure funding is sustainable before opening.
No formal enrolment process. Ad hoc attendance without a register makes it impossible to track progress or prepare for examinations.
Ignoring parent communication. Parents who don’t know what their child is learning are less likely to enforce attendance or support the maktab financially.
Starting too large. It is far better to start with 20 enrolled students and do it well than to enrol 80 and struggle with space, staffing, and administration from week one.
Conclusion
Starting a Deeniyat maktab requires working through nine concrete steps — from understanding the model and affiliating with Idara-e-Deeniyat, to hiring a qualified teacher, setting up administration systems, and sustaining the maktab through the academic year. The process is manageable for any motivated mosque committee, and the impact on the local Muslim community can be profound.
Once your maktab is running, administrative efficiency becomes critical. Tracking student progress, managing fees, and keeping parents informed all take time — time that paper registers and WhatsApp groups consume inefficiently as your enrolment grows.
Ilmify is designed for exactly this stage. It handles student enrolment, daily attendance, Quran progress tracking (Sabak, Sabak Para, Dhor, Manzil), fee management, and parent notifications — all in one mobile-first platform built for mosque-based maktabs. Explore Ilmify →
