Complete guide: registration and information about the Prophet's Mosque (Mahad) school in Medina

Mahad of the Prophet's Mosque ﷺ in Medina: inscription 2026 (verified guide)

By Medinatouna — Updated 2026 (1448H)

Studying religious studies free of charge, inside the Prophet's Mosque ﷺ : that's what the Mahad (Institute) of the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, open to both residents and Saudis, men and women. This guide, verified from official sources, clarifies a common misconception (the’institute is not the facultyThis document details the current admission requirements, the step-by-step registration procedure, and the calendar for the year 1448 AH (2026-2027). May Allah make it easy for those who seek knowledge.

Key takeaway (30 seconds)

• Two different establishments under the same supervision: the Mahad (institute: middle and high school level) and the Kulliyya (university faculty). Do not confuse them.
• Free, inside the Prophet's Mosque, in person (intidham) or remotely (intisâb), For men and women (separate sections).
• Open to non-Saudis holders of valid iqama + written agreement from the sponsor. No maximum age.
• Registration is once a year., usually at the mid-Dhu al-Hijjah (≈ June), Closing date: early/mid-Muharram (≈ mid-July). The official link is announced on the institute's account X.
• Registration 100 % online via Nafath, Then written exam And face-to-face interview.

Reliability levels used in this guide: 🟢 verified (official sources cross-checked) · 🟡 probable (a reliable source) · 🟠 to be confirmed (information that changes every year — to be verified live).

Mahad or Kulliyya? Two establishments not to be confused

This is the first thing to understand, as many articles (and our own previous version) confused the two. Within the Prophet's Mosque, under the tutelage of the’General Authority for the Management of Affairs of the Sacred Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque (formerly "General Presidency"), two distinct structures coexist 🟢:

• The Mahad — the institute (معهد المسجد النبوي) : it covers the college (moutawassita) then the high school (thânawiyya). It is the equivalent of a religious school curriculum, accessible from the end of primary school. This is the main subject of this guide.
• The Kulliyya — the faculty (كلية المسجد النبوي) : it's the’university, which delivers a Bachelor's degree in five departments (Quran and its sciences, Sunnah and its sciences, Sharia, Belief, Arabic language). It has its own conditions and its own channels. We will discuss it at the end of the article.

Practical guideline: the Mahad = before the baccalaureate (middle school + high school). The Kulliyya = after high school (bachelor's degree). The official accounts and registration links are not the same.

The Mahad in brief: what it is, where, and how much

According to the institute's official website, it is a scientific and religious establishment located inside the galleries (arwiqa) of the Prophet's Mosque, which allows holders of the primary school certificate to continue the study of religious sciences up to the high school level, without upper age requirement 🟢.

To be perfectly honest: some websites cite specific figures ("€250 to €500 per quarter"). We haven't been able to confirm this amount through an official source. What is certain is that bonuses are paid to diligent students; the rest should be confirmed directly with the Mahad. Accurate information is better than an incorrect figure.

Admission requirements for the Mahad (as of 2026)

Here are the conditions as they appear on the official registration portal and in the latest official announcement 🟢:

1. To be of Saudi nationality or holder of a valid iqama (residence) for non-Saudis.
2. Written agreement from the kafil (sponsor/employer) allowing studies at the Mahad for non-Saudis.
3. Minimum age : 12 years for middle school, 15 years for high school.
4. To hold the primary school certificate (for middle school) or the college certificate (for high school).
5. Mastering Arabic : reading, writing and dictation (imlâ'’).
6. Memorizing the Quran According to recent announcements, approximately Juz 'Amma for the college and surrounding area 6 juz (from the end of the Quran) for high school 🟡. Details may vary from year to year — to be confirmed on the portal.
7. To be of good conduct (housn as-sîra).
8. Passing the written exam level, then the in-person personal interview.
9. Complete all official documents requested (and upload them).

Documents typically required: a copy of your valid iqama, school certificates (primary/secondary), a letter of authorization from your guardian (kafil) if you are a dependent, and the completed online registration form. Please have the originals ready. And the copies for the final stage.

Registration calendar: when to register for 1448H (2026-2027)?

Registration at the Mahad does not open once a year, right after the end of the school year. By cross-referencing official announcements from recent years, the schedule is very consistent 🟢:

For the year 1448H (2026-2027) : at the time we updated this guide (end of June 2026), the official announcement for 1448H had not yet been made not yet confirmed in our sources, and the portal still displayed "registration closed" 🟠. Following the schedule of previous years, the opening should be around mid-Dhu al-Hijjah (approximately mid-June 2026) and the fence early/mid-Muharram (≈ mid-July 2026), with a review around mid-Safar (≈ August 2026).

The right reflex: Don't rely on any second-hand dates. Monitor the official account X of the institute (link below) and the registration portal This is where the link and exact dates are published first. The window is short (about a month): prepare your documents. Before the opening.

How to register: the step-by-step procedure

The registration is entirely online, via the connection Nafath (national digital identity) 🟢:

1. Prepare your documents upstream (iqama, certificates, authorization of the kafil, photo if requested).
2. Go to the Mahad registration portal and connect via Nafath.
3. Choose «student registration» Or «student registration».
4. Select the level (middle or high school) and the modality (in person or remotely).
5. Read and accept the conditions displayed.
6. Enter your identity number (iqama) and your mobile number, then ask for the activation code (received via SMS) and enter it.
7. Upload the documents required and validate the application.
8. Pass the’electronic written exam. If successful, you will be summoned to the’face-to-face interview (focused on the Quran and the religious/linguistic level).
9. Provide the final documents (copies + originals) for final validation of the file.

Program and degrees

College (Moutawassita) — 3 years

Fundamental subjects of religious sciences: Tajwid, Tawhid, Tafsir, Hadith, Fiqh, Fara'id, Sira, as well as the Arabic language (Nahw, Imla', calligraphy, etc.). The curriculum includes a progressive program for memorizing the Quran. At the end of the three years, the student obtains the college level diploma 🟢.

High school (thânawiyya) — 3 years

The same subjects, but in greater depth, with more advanced memorization of the Quran. At the end, the student obtains the high school level diploma, which opens the way to higher religious studies 🟢.

Good to know: high school graduates from the institute with an "excellent" grade benefit from a privileged pathway to the faculty (see below) 🟡.

And after high school? The Faculty (Kulliyya) of the Prophet's Mosque

At the university level, it's the Kulliyya (faculty) which takes over — a separate establishment, with its own conditions 🟢:

• Five departments The Quran and its sciences (for men), the Sunnah and its sciences (for men), Sharia (men and women), Belief (men), Arabic language (men).
• Main conditions : to hold the baccalaureate (thânawiyya 'âmma) with an average ≥ 85 %, master Arabic (reading/writing), pass the entrance exam and the face-to-face interview, not have been previously expelled from this faculty or another university, and provide a file that matches the originals.
• Diploma awarded : bachelor's degree.
• Calendar 1447H (reference) : opening on 8 Muharram 1447 (July 3, 2025), electronic exam on 16 Safar 1447 🟢. For 1448H, monitor the official account of the faculty.

Common problems & tips

• «"I missed the registration."» — The window is short (≈ 1 month) and only opens once a year. Solution : activate notifications for the official X account and prepare your documents in advance.
• «"I went to the wrong establishment."» — To register at the Kulliyya thinking of aiming for the Mahad (or the other way around). Solution : remember the rule "Mahad = before the baccalaureate, Kulliyya = after the baccalaureate" and use the correct link.
• «"My level of Arabic is not sufficient."» — The written exam and the interview require real mastery. Solution : strengthen your Arabic beforehand (reading, writing, dictation); a good level is crucial for admission.
• «"The registration link is not working."» — Often because the period is closed, or there is a problem with the Nafath connection. Solution : check that the period is open, update the Nafath application, and try again from another browser.
• «"And the kafil?"» — For residents, the written agreement of the kafil is a real condition. Solution Anticipate this authorization with your employer/sponsor. (This step is not mandatory in some years.)

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the Mahad really free?
• Yes. Registration and studies are free, and monthly bonuses are even paid to regular and diligent students 🟢. The exact amount depends on the level and year.

• Can I register if I am a resident (non-Saudi)?
• Yes, provided you have a valid iqama and the’written agreement of the kafil 🟢. This is one of the great benefits of this institute for the community living in Medina.

• Is there a maximum age?
• No. There's an age minimum (12 years old in middle school, 15 years old in high school) but no maximum age 🟢: adults can study there.

• Is it possible to study remotely?
• Yes, the modality intisâb (remote) exists, in addition to in-person (intidham) 🟢. Some steps (interview, documents) remain in person.

• Can women register?
• Yes, there is a section dedicated to female students, with its own official account 🟢.

• Where can I find the exact dates of inscription 1448H?
• On the official account X of the institute and the registration portal (links below). This is where the link and dates are first announced, usually in mid-Dhu al-Hijjah.

Verified sources and official (clickable) links

unified portal: sso.alharamain.gov.sa/login, Then access the student application service: eservices.alharamain.gov.sa/esrv/studentApplicant. It's a single portal

Institute (Mahad) — official channels:

• Official page of the institute: gph.edu.sa — Prophet's Mosque Institute
• Registration portal (Nafath login): eserv.wmn.gov.sa — registration service
• Official X account (men): @info_iopm
• Official X account (women / student section): @info_iopm_W
• Facebook page: facebook.com/info.iopm

Faculty (Kulliyya) — official channels:

• Admission & registration (students): gph.edu.sa — Faculty, Student Admissions
• Admission & registration (students): gph.edu.sa — Faculty, Student Admissions
• Official X account of the faculty: @info_fopm

Warning. This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute official advice. Conditions, dates, and procedures change annually. always check for up-to-date information on the official portal and the institution's X account before taking action. If you have any doubts about your personal situation (iqama, kafil, equivalencies), contact the institute's administration directly.

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category Schools and Universities · Umrah 2026: Visas open (1448 AH season) · category Iqama · + your article on the «Iqraa» program at the Prophet’s Mosque, if it is online.

School (Mahad) of Masjid Nabawi

• LocationMen's sizes 7-10 / Women's sizes 13-17
• Price: Free
• Minimum age for entry: 11/12 years old (no maximum age)
• DurationTotal of 10 years
• Quarterly bonuses and incentives are paid to each diligent student (from approximately 250 to 500 Euros depending on the level).
• CurriculumDetails of levels for middle school, high school and university
• Admission RequirementsAnnual registration, proficiency in Arabic required

Admission Requirements

Academic and Religious Prerequisites:

• Memorizing the Quran: The need to memorize 5 Ajza, starting with Surah Nas.
• Language Skills: Proficiency in reading and writing Arabic, with a certificate of excellence from a high school or institution.

Required Documents:

• School certificates demonstrating your academic background.
• Iqamah required as proof of legal residence.
• Printout of the completed online application for the program.
• Authorization letter from your employer or sponsor, if you are a dependent.

Middle School (College): 3-Year Certificate Program

• Curriculum: Presentation of the fundamental studies offered, including Tajweed, Tawheed, Tafseer, Hadith, Fiqh, Farā'id, Seerah, Nahwou, Imla', Khat al-Arabiyyah, etc.
• Memorizing the QuranFrom Surah Nas to Surah Ash-Shu'ara.
• DiplomaInformation on obtaining a middle school diploma at the end of the program.
• Link to the curriculum for the first year of middle school.

High School (Thannawiyyah): 3 Year Certificate Program

• Curriculum: Details of more advanced studies including the same subjects as middle school but with increased depth.
• Memorizing the QuranFrom Surah Ash-Shu'arah to Surah Kahf.
• DiplomaInformation on obtaining a high school diploma at the end of the program.

University Program (Kuliyyah)

• Price: Free.
• Duration: 4-year Shari'ah license program.
• Curriculum: Refer to the student guide for more details.
• Admission RequirementsDetails on the requirements, including memorization of the Quran and proficiency in Arabic.
• Admission ProcessDescription of the four stages of the admission process.

Admission Process

Step 1: Online Registration:

• A link to the registration form will be shared on social media platforms, such as Twitter. Follow the instructions to submit your application.

Step 2: Examination:

• Preparation for a written exam focused on your religious and linguistic knowledge. Candidates who pass this exam will be invited for a personal interview.

Step 3: Personal Interview:

• An interview focused primarily on the Quran to assess your memorization and understanding.

Step 4: Final Documentation:

• All necessary documents must be provided in both copies and originals for approval. A complete list of required documents is available on the official website.

Important Links

• Student Guide: Download here
• Official Website: Visit the website
• Official Twitter: Follow for updates
• Telegram Channel: Join to stay informed
• To get all the latest news, please join our Telegram group. CLICK HERE