ustadzah

Ustadzah is a term used in Indonesian and Malay to address or refer to a female Islamic religious teacher or scholar. The word derives from Arabic ustāḏa, the feminine form of ustāḏ, meaning teacher or learned person. In everyday usage, ustadzah denotes a woman who teaches Islam, leads Qur’anic recitation classes, gives lectures, or provides guidance on hadith, fiqh, and morals. The title is a form of respectful address and can accompany a name, e.g., Ustadzah Siti Aminah, or appear in writing as a credential.

Ustadzahs are active in mosques, madrasahs, pesantren, and community centers, and may hold formal training from religious schools or universities. Their roles commonly include teaching the Qur’an and tajwid to women and children, leading women’s study circles, delivering sermons or religious talks, and offering counseling on personal conduct in light of Islamic teachings. The term is gender-specific, with male teachers typically titled ustadz or ustaz, though some contexts use ustad/ustazah for both genders.

In contemporary media and education, ustadzah appear as religious educators, panelists, or program presenters on Islamic education and ethics. The term reflects the presence of female religious authority in Southeast Asian Islam and the evolving participation of women in Islamic scholarship and public life.