The Quran Ijazah is a certificate given by a qualified Sheikh after a student recites the entire Quran to them, from memory or by looking, with correct Tajweed. Our online Ijazah program lets you do this from home, one-on-one with a Sheikh who holds an Ijazah themselves, and receive a written Ijazah with your sanad: the chain of teachers that links your recitation back to the Prophet ﷺ.
An Ijazah is not a quick certificate. It's a trust. When a Sheikh signs it, they are confirming that you recite the Quran as it was taught to them, letter for letter. So this program is demanding, and it is meant to be.
Who can join
This is an advanced program. Before you start, the Sheikh will hear you recite in an assessment class. In general you should:
- Have memorized the whole Quran (for an Ijazah by memory), or be able to read it fluently from the Mushaf (for an Ijazah by reading).
- Know the rules of Tajweed and apply them without being reminded.
- Be ready to recite regularly, usually three to five times a week.
If you're not there yet, our memorization program and Tajweed course will get you ready.
Types of Ijazah
Ijazah in Hafs 'an 'Asim
The most common Ijazah, in the narration read by most Muslims today. This is where nearly every student starts.
Ijazah in other narrations
After Hafs, some students continue with Shu'bah, Warsh, Qalun or other narrations.
Ijazah in the Ten Qira'at
The highest level, covering all ten readings through the Shatibiyyah and the Durrah. This is taught in our separate Ten Qira'at course.
How the program works
- Assessment. You recite a few passages, and the Sheikh checks your memorization and Tajweed.
- Preparation, if needed. If some rules need work, you'll spend a few weeks polishing them before the full recitation starts.
- Full recitation (khatmah). You recite the Quran from Al-Fatiha to An-Nas. The Sheikh stops you at every mistake, however small, and you repeat until it's right.
- Theory. Alongside the recitation, you study the rules in more depth, often with a classical text such as Al-Jazariyyah or Tuhfat Al-Atfal.
- Ijazah. When the khatmah is complete, the Sheikh writes your Ijazah with your full sanad.
How long does an Ijazah take?
For a student who has memorized well and recites strong Tajweed, the full recitation often takes 6 to 12 months with 4 or 5 classes a week. It depends on how many pages you recite per class and how much correction is needed. The Sheikh won't rush you. Finishing correctly matters more than finishing fast.
Your Sheikh
Ijazah classes are taught only by teachers who hold an Ijazah with sanad themselves and studied the Quran sciences at Al-Azhar. Sisters can recite to a female teacher who holds an Ijazah.
Price
Ijazah classes are part of our monthly plans. Because the program is so regular, most students choose 4 or 5 days a week. See the pricing page, or message us on WhatsApp to talk about your level first.
Certified Al-Azhar teachers · male & female · kids and adults
Frequently asked questions
Is an online Ijazah valid? Yes. What matters is that you recite the whole Quran to a qualified Sheikh who hears and corrects you live. Doing it over video doesn't change that. Recorded or automated "Ijazah" programs are a different matter, and we don't offer them.
Do I have to memorize the Quran to get an Ijazah? No. You can get an Ijazah by reading (nazran) from the Mushaf. An Ijazah by memory is a higher level, and the certificate states which one you have.
What is a sanad? It's the list of teachers, each one taught by the one before, going back to the Prophet ﷺ. Your Ijazah certificate includes your Sheikh's sanad with your name at the end.
Can women get an Ijazah? Yes. Sisters recite to qualified female teachers.
What happens if I make a lot of mistakes? The Sheikh will pause the khatmah and work on the problem before continuing. That's normal, and it's what makes the Ijazah worth something.
