Assalamu ‘alaykum,
There’s a difference between Shahādah and Ijāzah.
Both words (Shahādah and Ijāzah) are from the Arabic Language. But many a time, they are used in the field of teaching and learning the Qur’an.
Shahādah means a certificate, whereas Ijāzah means to permit or licence. Both words have many other synonyms. But these are the meanings that are relevant to this page and subject matter.
Shahādah (or certificate) testifies that you’ve gone through a process of learning or training in a given setup. Whereas Ijazah (or permit/licence) is a form of licence that permits you to carry out an activity and for that matter, to teach others with authorization from your teacher(s) or institution.
As far as the Qur’an is concerned, a teacher gives you Ijāzah in the Qur’an (to teach others and also give them Ijāzah) after he has taught you or listened to you reciting the entire Qur’an over a period of time.
As a student at The Halaqah by TVQ.Academy, you are entitled to a certificate upon your completion of every level in the category, to which you are subscribed.
However, TVQ.Academy will carefully grant Ijāzah to deserving students who complete any of The Halaqah’s programmes. Many factors are taken into consideration before an Ijāzah is issued. For instance, the quality of the student’s reading, his conduct as a Muslim, more so as a learner of the Qur’an and his readiness to be a Qur’an teacher (not just any teacher).
This means, a student at The Halaqah by TVQ.Academy is automatically eligible for a Shahādah / Certificate from TVQ.Academy, but not necessarily an Ijāzah.
The good news is, if a student joins The Halaqah purely to learn and master the Qur’an reading or memorization, he’s likely going to qualify for the Ijāzah at the end of his Qur’an Journey with TVQ.Academy. Insha Allah.
This is to ensure the quality of the knowledge we pass on to generations to come. It’s also to protect the sacredness of the Qur’an as passed down to us by the guided predecessors of the Ummah.
Moreover, this will keep us reminded that we are answerable before Allah, come the Day of Judgement.
Allāhu Ḥāfiẓ
Baba Salam
