Ijāzah
إجازةThe certification itself — a teacher’s authorization, given only after that teacher has heard the student directly and verified their mastery. The permission is the credential.
Certification
The ijāzah, explained.
IQSL is a certification-issuing institute. Students who complete the path earn a recognized ijāzah, conferred by Dr. Shaykh Mamdouh. If the word is new to you, start here — this page explains what an ijāzah is and what it certifies.
The word itself
A teacher’s authorization, carried by a chain.
An ijāzah is the traditional certification of Qurʾanic learning. It is not a transcript, and it is not the result of a written paper. It is an authorization: a qualified teacher hears the student directly, verifies their mastery, and permits them to carry what they have learned — and one day to transmit it to someone else.
A certificate can record that someone attended. An ijāzah records that a named teacher listened, corrected, and was satisfied — and it names the teachers standing behind that teacher, one after another, in a chain of narration that reaches back to the Prophet ﷺ.
Sanad
سندThe chain of narration an ijāzah carries. It names the teacher who taught the student, and the teacher who taught that teacher, link after link, reaching back to the Prophet ﷺ.
An unbroken chain
Every link has to be named. Where a link cannot be accounted for, the chain is broken and what it carried can no longer be traced back.
That is why an unbroken chain matters. It is what allows a recitation heard today to be followed back, teacher by teacher, to its source — rather than resting on the word of a single institution.
What it certifies
Three things at once.
An ijāzah conferred through IQSL is one certification carrying three things at the same time.
- Mastery verified directly with a qualified teacher.
- A documented chain of narration (sanad) reaching the Prophet ﷺ.
- Authorization to carry — and one day transmit — what you have learned.
Conferrals
Conferred by Dr. Shaykh Mamdouh.
Curriculum and certification at IQSL are led by Dr. Shaykh Mamdouh, alongside a faculty of qualified instructors from around the world. These photographs are conferrals.
Scope
What IQSL issues.
IQSL issues its own certifications, in the tradition of the ijāzah. Programs are taught online and onsite, for students across North America and beyond. IQSL is a nonprofit institute in its founding stage; 501(c)(3) status is pending.
What each certification requires, and when enrollment opens, are announced in the community first.
Meet the faculty & instructorsEnrollment
Ask about certification.
Enrollment questions, program details, and dates go to the community first. Join and ask there.
Ask about enrollmentOr see the path that leads here and everything else you can ask about.