Quran Classes for New Muslims
Private lessons that start with what you need for Salah, then teach you to read the Quran yourself. Sisters can learn with a female teacher.
- Salah surahs firstSalah surahs firstThen the Arabic letters
- Female teachers for sistersFemale teachersOr a male teacher, you choose
- Up to 3 Free Trial ClassesFree trial classesNo card required
The short answer
If you have recently become Muslim, start with Surah Al-Fatihah and a few short surahs so you can pray, then learn the Arabic letters so you can read the Quran yourself. That is the order most new Muslims find easiest, and it is the order our lessons follow unless you ask for something different.
Each lesson is 30 minutes, one-to-one, with a patient teacher and no class watching. Sisters can ask for a female teacher.
- Starting point
- None needed, not even the alphabet
- First goal
- Al-Fatihah and short surahs for Salah
- Lesson
- 30 minutes, one-to-one, live video
- Teacher
- Female or male, your choice
- Times
- Any hour, seven days a week
- Price
- From $39 a month (details)
You are welcome here
Do I need to know anything before my first lesson?
No. You can come with no Arabic at all, and many new Muslims do. The teacher starts from wherever you are, even if that is the first letter.
Some people feel they should already know more, or worry about asking a basic question. Please don’t. Questions like “what does that word mean?” or “am I saying it right?” are exactly what one-to-one time is for, and you will not be compared with anyone.
A sensible order
Should a new Muslim learn Salah or the Quran first?
Learn what you need for Salah first, because you pray every day, and learn to read alongside it. You don’t have to wait until you can read the Arabic script: most new Muslims learn Al-Fatihah by listening to the teacher and repeating, line by line.
- Al-FatihahLearned by ear, a verse at a time, with its meaning in English.
- Short surahs and the words of prayerTwo or three short surahs and the phrases said in each position of Salah.
- The Arabic lettersThe Noorani Qaida: letters, vowel marks and joining.
- Reading for yourselfThe surahs you already know, now read from the page, then onward.
- Tajweed and meaningReading more correctly, and understanding more of what you recite.
The nice thing about this order is that stage four feels easy. When you finally read Al-Fatihah from the page, you already know how it should sound, so the letters make sense quickly.
The first weeks
Which surahs and words do I need for prayer?
Al-Fatihah first, then one or two short surahs, then the short phrases of the prayer itself. Your teacher takes them in this order and checks each one before moving on.
| What you learn | Why it comes early | How it is taught |
|---|---|---|
| Surah Al-Fatihah | Recited in every unit of every prayer | By ear, one verse at a time, with the meaning |
| Short surahs such as Al-Ikhlas, Al-Kawthar and An-Nas | Short enough to learn in a few lessons | Repeat after the teacher, then alone |
| The phrases of each prayer position | You say them in every Salah | Slowly, with the meaning of each phrase |
| Wudu and the steps of Salah | The basics before the details | Through Islamic Studies lessons, at your pace |
| Everyday duas | Small words for daily life | A few at a time. See duas and supplications |
30 minutes
What happens in the first lesson?
You get to know the teacher, say what you want to learn, and finish having recited the first verse or two of Al-Fatihah yourself. That is a realistic first goal, and a good feeling to end on.
- Getting to know you (5 min) Your goals, what you already know, and anything you are worried about.
- What Al-Fatihah says (5 min) The meaning of the surah in plain English, so the words are not just sounds.
- The first verses (12 min) The teacher recites, you repeat, the teacher corrects. Slowly, several times.
- On your own (5 min) You recite the verses without help, and the teacher listens.
- Before next time (3 min) What to listen to and repeat between lessons.
Sisters
Can I learn with a female teacher as a revert sister?
Yes. Ask for a female teacher when you book and your lessons will be with a woman. Classes are supervised, and our class supervisors are women too.
- Lessons are one-to-one: you and your teacher, with no group of other students.
- You can ask the questions you might not ask in a mixed room, about prayer, Wudu or anything else you are unsure of.
- Times fit around work or children, at any hour of the week.
- If you would like to know more first, read about our female Quran teachers.
Brothers can choose a male teacher in exactly the same way. It is your choice either way.
Your own space
Can I learn privately?
Lessons happen on your own laptop or tablet, at home, at a time you choose, so you decide who knows you are learning. Not everyone is ready to tell their family or colleagues straight away, and that is your call.
If you have questions about the video side of a lesson, such as the camera, ask us on WhatsApp before you book and we will tell you exactly how it works. All you need is a device with a camera and microphone, headphones and steady Wi-Fi.
Start with a trial lesson, at your pace
Use the trial to see whether the teacher feels right. If you would rather begin with only Al-Fatihah, say so.
Book a first lesson
Up to 3 free trial classes. No card, no obligation. We message you on WhatsApp to agree a time.
4.8/5 on TrustpilotNo pressure
How long will it take to read the Quran?
It varies a lot, and we won’t promise a date. How often you have lessons, how much you listen and practise between them, and how much else is changing in your life all matter. Becoming Muslim is a lot to take in. Go at the pace that keeps you coming back.
- Two lessons a week is a calm start; three moves a little faster. Plans begin at $39 a month for two.
- Listening to Al-Fatihah each day, even for five minutes, helps more than a long session once a week.
- When you are ready to read, the Quran basics course takes you through the letters step by step.
- If life gets busy, tell us on WhatsApp and we agree new times rather than letting lessons lapse.
One more thing: online lessons are not a substitute for a community. If your local masjid has a circle for new Muslims, it is worth going. Your teacher will support what you learn there, not compete with it.
Frequently asked questions
I’m a new Muslim. What should I learn first?
Al-Fatihah and a few short surahs, so you can pray, then the Arabic letters. Your teacher can teach the first part by ear, before you read any script.
Can I learn Al-Fatihah if I can’t read Arabic?
Yes. The teacher recites a verse, you repeat it, and they correct you until it sounds right. Many new Muslims learn it this way first.
Will the teacher be patient with me?
Yes, and if you ever feel rushed, tell us. Lessons are one-to-one precisely so that the pace is yours.
Can a revert sister have a female teacher?
Yes. Ask for a female teacher when you book. Classes are supervised, and our class supervisors are women.
Will the teacher tell me how I should pray?
The teacher teaches the words and steps of Salah. Where practice differs between schools, they follow the guidance of your local masjid or imam rather than giving rulings.
Do I have to turn my camera on?
Ask us on WhatsApp before your first lesson and we will explain how the video works, so there are no surprises.
Can I learn the meaning as well as the words?
Yes. Your teacher can explain the meaning of what you recite as you go, and later you can add Tafseer lessons or Arabic.
How much do the lessons cost?
From $39 a month for two 30-minute lessons a week, billed in USD. You can start with up to 3 free trial classes and no card.