What Is an Ijazah in Quran? How to Earn One

An ijazah in Quran is a teacher's authorisation, given after you recite to them and meet their standard, that allows you to recite or teach the Quran in a certain way. It usually comes with a chain of teachers (isnad) connecting back to the Prophet, peace be upon him. It is earned by reciting, not by attending a course alone.

What an ijazah is

The word means "permission" or "authorisation". In Quran learning, a teacher who has themselves received an ijazah listens to a student recite and, when satisfied, grants the student permission to transmit that recitation. The student then joins the chain of teachers who have passed the recitation down, person to person. It is regarded as a mark of careful transmission, not just personal achievement.

Ijazah in Tajweed, Hifz and Qira'at

• Ijazah in recitation or Tajweed: authorisation based on reciting the Quran, or a portion, accurately with Tajweed.
• Ijazah in Hifz: authorisation based on reciting the memorised Quran from memory.
• Ijazah in Qira'at: authorisation in one or more of the recognised modes of recitation, such as the riwayah of Hafs from Asim, the most widely used today, or others.

Requirements vary between teachers and traditions, so what applies to one ijazah may not apply to another.

How an ijazah is typically earned

• Strong reading first. You need accurate, fluent reading. See what Nazra is.
• Solid Tajweed. You learn the rules and apply them consistently. See what a Tajweed course teaches.
• Reciting to a qualified teacher. Often the whole Quran, or the required portion, is recited aloud to the teacher, who corrects as you go.
• Memorisation, where the ijazah requires it. See our Hifz programme.
• The teacher's judgement. The ijazah is given when the teacher is satisfied, not on a set date.

The chain of teachers, called the isnad, is what makes an ijazah distinctive. It is a line of named teachers, each of whom heard the recitation from the one before, going back to the Prophet, peace be upon him. A student who receives an ijazah becomes the next link. Because the recitation is passed on by listening and correcting, an ijazah is closely tied to a living teacher, which is one reason people value learning live and not only from books and recordings.

How long does it take?

There is no standard timetable. It depends on your starting point, your practice, your teacher and what the ijazah requires. For many people it takes years of steady work. Be wary of any provider that promises a certificate in a fixed time. An ijazah should reflect the teacher's honest assessment of your recitation.

What an ijazah is not

• It is not a diploma you can buy or receive for attendance alone.
• It does not mean you can issue religious rulings.
• It is not required to read, recite or enjoy the Quran. It is a path for those who want to study at depth or teach.

People pursue an ijazah for different reasons:

• To recite with the confidence of having been heard and approved by a qualified teacher.
• To teach others, and to pass the recitation on.
• To connect themselves to the chain of transmission.
• To deepen a lifelong relationship with the Quran, whether or not they ever teach.

None of these is a reason to rush. A genuine ijazah rests on years of care, and a teacher who values the chain will not grant one lightly.

Our teacher and what we offer

Saba Afzal, who teaches at Saba Quran, holds an Ijazah in Tajweed and Qira'at. You can read about her background on her teacher profile. We teach reading, Tajweed and Hifz live and one-to-one, and we cannot promise any student an ijazah, because it is for a teacher to grant when the standard is met. If this path interests you, see our Ijazah page for more, and the Tajweed course for the foundation.

If you are not yet near this point, that is perfectly normal. The path to an ijazah starts with the same steps as any reading journey: the letters, Noorani Qaida, careful reading, then Tajweed. Our beginner roadmap sets out that foundation. Whatever your long-term aim, the most useful thing to do today is to build accuracy, because a teacher who is deciding whether to grant an ijazah will first listen for exactly that.

Choosing a teacher for this path

• Ask about their own ijazah and from whom they received it.
• Ask what you would need to recite and how assessment works.
• Be sure you are comfortable with their teaching style and language. Saba teaches in English and Urdu.

Classes run Monday to Friday and cost $4 for 30 minutes, $9 for 60 minutes or $15 for 90 minutes. To discuss where you are now, you can book a free trial class; no card is needed.

Frequently asked questions

What does ijazah mean in Quran?

It means authorisation. A qualified teacher grants it after hearing you recite, giving you permission to transmit the recitation, linked through a chain of teachers.

How do you earn an ijazah in Quran?

By building accurate reading and Tajweed, then reciting to a qualified teacher until they judge your recitation meets the standard. Timelines and requirements vary by teacher.

Can I get an ijazah online?

Many teachers give ijazah to students who recite to them live online, but requirements are set by the individual teacher, and no provider can guarantee one.