If you are looking for a Quran teacher, you will soon see the word Ijazah on teacher profiles and academy websites. It sounds important, and it is, but it is also widely misunderstood. This guide explains what an Ijazah in the Quran really is, the main types, how a student earns one, and whether your own teacher needs one.
What Does Ijazah Mean?
The Arabic word ijazah (إجازة) means permission or authorisation. In Quran teaching, it is the permission a teacher gives a student to recite and pass on the Quran exactly as the teacher received it from their own teacher.
An Ijazah is not given for attending a course. It is given after the teacher has listened to the student recite, normally the entire Quran from beginning to end, and is satisfied that every letter, vowel and Tajweed rule is correct.
What Is a Sanad?
The sanad (chain) is what makes an Ijazah special. It lists the student's teacher, that teacher's teacher, and so on, generation by generation, back to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This is how the Quran has been passed on orally, face to face, for over fourteen centuries, alongside the written Mushaf.
When you see an Ijazah certificate, the sanad is usually written out in full. A genuine certificate names a real chain of teachers, and the teacher who signed it can tell you who they recited to.
Types of Quran Ijazah
"Ijazah" covers several different certifications. When a teacher says they hold one, it is worth asking which:
| Type | What the student does | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Ijazah in recitation (Nazirah) | Recites the whole Quran to the teacher while reading from the Mushaf | Fluent readers with strong Tajweed who have not memorised the Quran |
| Ijazah in memorisation (Hifz) | Recites the whole Quran to the teacher from memory | Huffadh who want their memorisation and Tajweed certified |
| Ijazah in a Qira'ah or Riwayah | Recites in a specific transmission, such as Hafs from 'Asim, the most common worldwide | Advanced students, sometimes in more than one Qira'ah |
| Ijazah in a Tajweed text | Studies and recites a classical poem such as Tuhfat al-Atfal or Al-Muqaddimah al-Jazariyyah | Students who want to teach the rules, not just apply them |
How Do You Get an Ijazah?
The path is broadly the same everywhere, whether you study in a mosque in the UK, abroad or online:
- Read fluently with Tajweed. Most students first complete Noorani Qaida and then a full Tajweed course.
- Find a teacher who holds an Ijazah with a sanad in the recitation you want to learn.
- Recite the whole Quran to that teacher, usually a set portion each lesson, with every mistake corrected before moving on.
- Complete any extra requirements the teacher sets, such as a Tajweed text or a final test on difficult passages.
- Receive the Ijazah, written and signed by the teacher, with the sanad included.
For a Hifz Ijazah, the student must already have memorised the Quran. Many students build towards this through a structured Hifz programme first.
How Long Does an Ijazah Take?
There is no fixed length. It depends on how fluent the student already is, how often they meet their teacher, and how strict the teacher is about repeating passages. As a rough guide, a student reciting about one juz a week would take around seven to eight months to finish the Quran, and many take longer because passages are repeated until they are perfect. Six months to two years is common.
Is an Ijazah a Degree?
No. An Ijazah is a traditional religious licence, not a university qualification, and it is not graded. A university degree in Islamic studies and an Ijazah in the Quran are different things: a teacher can have one, both or neither. For recitation, the Ijazah and sanad are what matter most.
Who Can Give an Ijazah?
Only a teacher who holds an Ijazah themselves, with a connected sanad, can grant one, and normally only in what they were certified in. A teacher with an Ijazah in Hafs from 'Asim, for example, grants Ijazah in that riwayah.
Does Your Quran Teacher Need an Ijazah?
It depends on what you are learning:
- Beginners and young children: for Noorani Qaida and early reading, correct recitation, patience and good teaching skills matter more than an Ijazah. Many excellent Qaida teachers do not hold one.
- Tajweed and fluent reading: an Ijazah is a strong sign of quality, but not the only one. Listen to the teacher recite and see how they correct mistakes.
- Hifz revision and Ijazah preparation: here an Ijazah with a sanad is important, because you are aiming for the same standard yourself.
Useful questions to ask any teacher: Who did you recite to? In which riwayah? Can I see your sanad? How do you correct mistakes? A good teacher will be happy to answer.
Ijazah for Women
Women have carried and taught the Quran throughout Islamic history, and many sisters today study towards an Ijazah. Learning with a female Quran teacher means a sister can recite the whole Quran comfortably and privately, at times that fit around family and work. Brothers can study with a male Quran teacher.
Can You Get an Ijazah Online?
Yes. Because an Ijazah depends on the teacher hearing the student recite, live one-to-one video lessons work well, and many teachers today grant Ijazah after online recitation. The requirements are the same as in person: the whole Quran, recited correctly, to a teacher with a connected sanad. Be wary of anyone offering an Ijazah after a short course or without hearing you recite the whole Quran.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Ijazah in the Quran?
An Ijazah is a licence given by a qualified teacher after a student recites the whole Quran to them correctly. It includes a sanad, a chain of teachers going back to the Prophet ﷺ.
How do you get an Ijazah?
Learn to read fluently with Tajweed, find a teacher who holds an Ijazah with a sanad, and recite the entire Quran to them, correcting every mistake, until they certify you.
Is an Ijazah a degree?
No. It is a traditional religious licence, not a university qualification. A teacher can hold an Ijazah without a degree, or a degree without an Ijazah.
Who can give an Ijazah?
Only a teacher who holds an Ijazah with a connected sanad, normally in the same recitation they are certifying.
How long does it take to get an Ijazah?
It varies with fluency and lesson frequency. Six months to two years is common for an Ijazah in recitation.
Can I get an Ijazah online?
Yes. Many teachers grant Ijazah after hearing the whole Quran recited in live online lessons. The standard is the same as in person.
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Tajweed
Hifz