The complex was intended to serve as an important center for Muslim worship and Islamic learning as evidenced by the functionaries Dayfa appointed to the madrasa: Quran reciters, fuqah’s or jurists, and members of Sufi orders.

[8] Another important factor relating to the madrasa location is its proximity to the main road leading out of the city and on to Damascus.

This road was not only used each year for the Hajj procession, but also lead through the main gate of Aleppo known as the Bab al-Maqam and to the Citadel at the cities center.

[9] The placement of the madrasa at an area with so much traffic would likely have been intentional in order demonstrate the power and wealth of the ruler of Aleppo to any passerby.

[citation needed] The Madrasa al-Firdaws was built outside of the city walls of Aleppo so there were few limitations when considering its architectural planning.

[1] The inscription around the eastern facade was taken from the Quranic verses 6:85 and 12:4-6 in which believers were promised a Paradise where they would be "served on plates of gold".

[1] The inscription around the courtyard draws upon poetry and mysticism to describe the activities of members of the Sufi order who would have congregated at the madrasa.

This is an important example of mihrab design from the Ayyubid period and illustrates the techniques that were influential in later Mamluk architectural decoration.

The Ayyubid standards for mausoleums called for the structure to be raised, in a clean site and being located near a holy place.

This mausoleum upheld Ayyubid standards by being located at a raised and clean site without any dirty water or waste nearby.

The zawiya served as a more informal school where the teacher would approach each student differently and there were less rules than at the ribat or the khanqa.