Ijaazah: What It Is And How To Get One

 Holding an Ijaazah does not mean mastering every single aspect of that specific topic. For instance, someone who receives an Ijaazah in Quran memorization might be able to recite the whole Quran but not understand its meaning or the context of revelation of each ayah, whereas someone who hasn't memorized the whole Quran might be able to. Similarly, someone who has received an Ijaazah for memorizing a specific book of Hadeeth might be able to recite a hadith and the chain of transmission of the hadith but they might not be able to derive the legal or spiritual implications from this hadith, whereas someone who is versed in fiqh (understanding of Islamic jurisprudence) or 'aqeedah (theology and interpretation of creed) but does not hold that same Ijaazah might be able to.

Narrated Zayd ibn Thabit: "I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: May Allah brighten a man who hears a tradition from us, gets it by heart and passes it on to others. Many a bearer of knowledge conveys it to one who is more versed than he is; and many a bearer of knowledge is not versed in it." (Hadith Sahih, Sunan Abi Dawud 3660)

The purpose of the Ijaazah is really to try and preserve the specific knowledge being transmitted.

The importance of earning an Ijaazah in Quran Recitation or Memorization

Nowadays, so many Muslims study Tajweed (recitation rules) and work on memorizing the Quran, masha'Allah! Whether this is done individually, at the local mosque or Islamic school, or with a teacher online, we all know the importance of increasing our knowledge of the Quran, and this includes being able to read it properly, as mistakes in pronunciation can alter the meaning of the Words of Allah SWT, and carrying it in our hearts through means of memorization.