How to Use the Madina Arabic Books for Self-Study
The Madina Books are the most widely used Arabic language curriculum in the world — but most people don't know how to work through them effectively without a classroom. This guide walks you through a proven self-study method.
What Are the Madina Books?
The Madina Book series was developed by Shaykh Dr. V. Abdur Raheem at the Islamic University of Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The full course consists of three books designed to take a complete beginner from zero Arabic to reading classical Islamic texts fluently. The series has been used to teach Arabic to hundreds of thousands of non-native speakers worldwide and is a staple of Islamic educational institutions globally.
Unlike many language courses that rely heavily on translation, Madina Book 1 uses a direct method — introducing Arabic through Arabic from the very first lesson. It focuses on Classical Arabic (Fusha) as it appears in the Quran and classical Islamic literature, rather than colloquial dialects.
Can You Self-Study the Madina Books?
Yes — and many thousands of people have done it successfully. The Madina Books were originally designed for classroom use with a teacher, which is why self-study requires a slightly different approach. The main challenges for solo learners are:
- Vocabulary lookup — The books assume you have a teacher explaining new words. Self-studiers must look up unfamiliar vocabulary independently.
- Grammar explanations — Some grammar points are introduced implicitly and benefit from additional explanation.
- No immediate feedback — Without a teacher, you need self-testing systems to verify retention.
The Self-Study Method: Step by Step
Step 1: Learn to Read Arabic Script First
Before opening Madina Book 1, you must be able to read Arabic script with tashkeel (vowel marks). This typically takes 2–4 weeks of focused practice. Use a resource like the Noorani Qaida or any structured Arabic alphabet course. Once you can read vowelled text fluently, you're ready for Madina Book 1.
Step 2: Use an Interactive Version to Handle Vocabulary
The biggest friction point in self-study is looking up words. Arabook's interactive Madina Book 1 solves this by showing word-by-word English translations directly beneath each Arabic word. You can work through each lesson reading the Arabic, checking translations as you go, and saving unfamiliar words to your personal dictionary — all without leaving the page.
Open Interactive Madina Book 1Step 3: One Lesson Per Session, Three Sessions Per Week
Consistency matters more than speed. Aim for 3–4 study sessions per week, each covering one lesson. In each session: read through the new lesson, identify and save new vocabulary, then do a brief review of the previous lesson's vocabulary using spaced repetition. This 45-minute routine, sustained over 6 months, will take you through the entire Madina Book 1.
Step 4: Supplement with Grammar Explanations
The Madina Books introduce grammar inductively, which means the rules are implied by the examples. For self-studiers, it helps to pair each lesson with a brief grammar explanation. The free Arabic Grammar series by Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan on YouTube follows a similar progression and pairs very well with the Madina Books.
Step 5: Read Between Lessons
The single most effective thing you can do to accelerate progress is reading additional Arabic texts between Madina Book lessons. This reinforces vocabulary in different contexts. Start with simple children's stories — Arabook's library has beginner-level texts with full tashkeel and word-by-word translations that are perfect for this purpose.
Browse beginner Arabic booksHow Long Does It Take to Finish Madina Book 1?
With consistent self-study (3 sessions/week), most learners complete Madina Book 1 in 4–8 months. The key variable is how much time you dedicate to active vocabulary review. Learners who use spaced repetition for vocabulary retention consistently progress faster than those who only re-read lessons.
After Madina Book 1: What's Next?
Upon completing Madina Book 1, you will have a working knowledge of Arabic nominal sentences, basic pronouns, and a vocabulary of 200–400 core words. At this point, begin reading simplified classical texts alongside Madina Book 2. Arabook's library includes classical Islamic works like Ibn Taymiyyah's Diseases of the Hearts — these texts will challenge and consolidate your Madina Book vocabulary while exposing you to authentic classical Arabic style.