Ijazah by Sight or From Memory? Differences and Where to Start
| Ijazah by sight | Ijazah from memory | |
|---|---|---|
| How you read | From the Mushaf | By heart |
| Main requirement | Correct recitation with Tajweed | Whole Quran memorised firmly, with correct recitation |
| Duration | Usually shorter | Longer, as memorisation needs reviewing |
| Suits | Those who want their recitation certified, and teachers starting out | Huffaz, and those who want to teach memorisation |
| What the Ijazah states | That the student read by sight | That the student recited by heart |
Many students hesitate before asking for an Ijazah: should I wait until I finish memorising the Quran, or start an Ijazah by sight now? Is an Ijazah by sight worth less? In this article we explain the difference between the two, who each one suits, and how to choose the one that fits your goal.
What is an Ijazah by sight?
An Ijazah by sight means the student reads a complete Khatma (full reading) from the Mushaf to a teacher who holds an Ijazah, from Surah Al-Fatiha to Surah An-Nas. The teacher corrects every mistake in letter articulation, letter qualities, rules, stopping and starting. Once the full reading is correct, the teacher writes the Ijazah with their connected Sanad, usually stating that the reading was done by sight.
This type suits someone who recites well but has not memorised the whole Quran, someone who wants to be sure their recitation is correct before starting to memorise, or a teacher who wants their recitation certified with a Sanad.
What is an Ijazah from memory?
An Ijazah from memory means the student recites the complete Quran to the teacher by heart, without looking at the Mushaf. It certifies two things at once: correct recitation and firm memorisation. That is why it requires the whole Quran to be memorised solidly; frequent stops and hesitation in front of the teacher show that memorisation needs reviewing before the full reading.
It is usually sought by Huffaz who want to teach memorisation and listen to others’ recitation, or by those who want to crown their memorisation journey by having it certified by a teacher.
Is an Ijazah by sight worth less than one from memory?
An Ijazah by sight is a valid Ijazah when the student reads the complete Quran correctly to a teacher who holds an Ijazah. Each type simply certifies what was actually achieved: by sight certifies correct recitation, while from memory certifies correct recitation and firm memorisation together. So the question is not which is better in absolute terms, but which matches your situation and goal. Honesty also requires the Ijazah to state what the student actually did.
Which one should you start with?
- If you have memorised the whole Quran firmly: start directly with an Ijazah from memory.
- If you are a Hafiz but your memorisation needs revision: you can begin a consolidation stage with your teacher, then move on to the full reading from memory. Your teacher may suggest an Ijazah by sight now and from memory later.
- If you have not finished memorising: an Ijazah by sight is an excellent step. It perfects your recitation and makes memorising easier afterwards, because you memorise on a correct reading.
- If your recitation has recurring mistakes: start by correcting your recitation and reviewing the core Tajweed rules, then move on to the Ijazah.
Can you combine both?
Yes. Many students start with an Ijazah by sight, then after finishing memorisation they read another complete Khatma from memory. The first reading makes the second easier and faster, because the rules are already mastered and corrections in the second reading focus on memorisation.
How does an Ijazah by sight or from memory work online?
In our Ijazah track in Hafs an Asim, you read to a qualified male or female teacher in live one-to-one lessons with audio and video, so the teacher hears you and corrects you on the spot. In an Ijazah from memory, the student closes the Mushaf while reciting and the teacher follows along in their own copy. Audio recordings alone are not enough for an Ijazah reading, because the Ijazah is based on direct oral transmission.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone with an Ijazah by sight teach the Quran?
A holder of an Ijazah by sight carries a Sanad for correct recitation and can teach recitation and Tajweed. Teaching memorisation and listening to Huffaz recite is better suited to someone who read from memory. The details depend on what your teacher writes in your Ijazah.
Is the duration different between the two?
An Ijazah by sight is usually shorter, because the student does not stop to consolidate memorisation. We explain how to estimate the time in How long does a Quran Ijazah take.
Are the Ijazah fees different?
No. The fee details are in The cost of a Quran Ijazah online.
Start with the right type for you
If you are not sure, book a free 30-minute trial lesson from the Ijazah track page. The teacher will listen to your recitation and memorisation and suggest whether to start by sight or from memory. If the teacher is not the right fit, you get a second free lesson with another teacher.
