A Tuhfat al-Atfal ijazah is a certificate from a qualified sheikh confirming that you have memorized the 61-line poem Tuhfat al-Atfal, recited it correctly, and understood its tajweed rules, with a chain of teachers (sanad) that goes back to its author, Sheikh Sulayman al-Jamzuri. Because the poem is short and covers the rules every reciter uses daily, it is the first text most students certify in. With steady effort, many students complete it in one to three months. It also makes an excellent first milestone on the road to a full recitation Ijazah in our online Ijazah course.
This guide explains what the poem contains, how the ijazah session works, and a realistic plan to prepare.
Key takeaways
- The Tuhfah is a 61-line poem in the rajaz meter on the core rules of tajweed in the narration of Hafs.
- An ijazah in it requires accurate memorization, correct recitation of the lines and a clear understanding of each rule.
- Most students need 4 to 12 weeks, depending on how often they study and how well they know tajweed already.
- It leads naturally to the Jazariyyah, then to a recitation Ijazah with sanad.
What Is Tuhfat al-Atfal?
The full title is Tuhfat al-Atfal wal-Ghilman fi Tajwid al-Qur’an, “The Gift for Children and Young Students in Tajweed of the Quran.” It was composed by Sheikh Sulayman ibn Husayn al-Jamzuri, an Egyptian scholar from the village of Jamzur near Tanta, in the late 12th century AH (the 18th century CE). He based it on what he learned from his teacher, Sheikh Nur al-Din ‘Ali al-Mihi, and later wrote his own commentary on it, Fath al-Aqfal.
The poem opens with the well-known line naming its author: “يَقُولُ رَاجِي رَحْمَةِ الْغَفُورِ، دَوْمًا سُلَيْمَانُ هُوَ الْجَمْزُورِي.” Despite the title, it is not only for children. Its short, rhythmic lines make it the standard first text in Quran schools across the Muslim world, for adults as much as for young students.
What the Poem Covers
The Tuhfah is organized in short chapters, each dealing with one family of rules:
| Chapter | What you learn |
|---|---|
| Introduction | The author, the purpose of the poem and its source |
| Noon sakinah and tanween | Izhar, idgham (with and without ghunnah), iqlab and ikhfa |
| Doubled noon and meem | Ghunnah in the noon and meem with shaddah |
| Meem sakinah | Ikhfa shafawi, idgham of similar letters, izhar shafawi |
| Lam of al- and lam of verbs | Lam qamariyyah and shamsiyyah; when the lam of a verb is clear |
| Similar, close and related letters | Mithlayn, mutaqaribayn and mutajanisayn |
| Divisions of madd | Natural (asli) and secondary (far’i) madd, and their causes |
| Rulings of madd | Obligatory, permissible and necessary madd |
| Types of madd lazim | The four types, including the opening letters of surahs |
| Conclusion | Number of lines, date of composition and closing prayers |
Notice what is missing: the points of articulation (makharij) and qualities (sifat) of the letters. Those are covered in the next text students usually certify in, Imam Ibn al-Jazari’s Al-Muqaddimah. Our guide to the ijazah in Al-Jazariyyah explains that step.
How the Ijazah Session Works
Teachers vary in their exact method, but most Tuhfah ijazah programs include three parts.
1. Recitation of the whole text from memory
You recite all 61 lines to the sheikh, usually in one sitting or across a few sessions. The sheikh listens for accurate wording, correct vowels and proper pronunciation of the Arabic, including the meter of the verse.
2. Understanding the rules
The sheikh asks you to explain lines: what rule a verse describes, its letters, and examples from the Quran. You might be asked, “Which letters are gathered in يَرْمَلُونَ, and which of them take ghunnah?” or “Why is the noon clear in dunya?”
3. Applying the rules in recitation
Many teachers also ask you to recite a passage of the Quran so they can hear that you apply what you memorized. A student who recites the poem perfectly but merges noon into lam with ghunnah has not yet earned the ijazah.
When you pass, the sheikh grants a written ijazah listing the chain of teachers from him back to al-Jamzuri. For a wider view of certification, see our article on what Ijazah in the Quran is and its types.
A Realistic Preparation Plan
This plan assumes 3 lessons a week with a teacher and 15 to 20 minutes of daily practice at home.
- Weeks 1 to 2: Introduction and noon sakinah (about lines 1 to 16). Memorize 1 to 2 lines a day. Learn each rule with Quranic examples as you go.
- Weeks 3 to 4: Doubled letters, meem sakinah and the lam rules. Continue at 1 to 2 lines a day; revise all previous lines every day.
- Weeks 5 to 6: Similar letters and the madd chapters. The madd lines are dense, so slow down and use your teacher’s explanation.
- Week 7: The madd lazim chapter and the conclusion. Finish the text.
- Week 8: Full revision. Recite the whole poem daily, then do a mock ijazah session with your teacher.
Students who already know tajweed well often move faster. Complete beginners in tajweed may need closer to three months, because they are learning the rules and the poem at the same time.
Use the flashcards below to review the poem’s key facts and lines between lessons.
Tuhfat Al-Atfal Flashcards
Flip each card to review the poem's key facts and lines
Tips for Memorizing the Tuhfah
- Chant the lines. The rajaz meter has a natural rhythm; reciting in a steady chant makes lines stick far faster than reading them flat.
- Learn the meaning first. Know what each line says before memorizing it. A line you understand is a line you keep.
- Pair every rule with a Quranic example. For example, link the iqlab line to “min ba’d.”
- Use one printed edition. Small differences in vowels between editions can confuse you; your teacher will recommend one.
- Revise like Hifz. New lines daily, recent lines daily, and the whole poem at least twice a week.
A text ijazah is not the same as a recitation ijazah. The Tuhfah ijazah certifies that you know and can transmit this poem. An ijazah in recitation of the Quran, such as Hafs ‘an ‘Asim with sanad, is a separate and much longer journey, though the Tuhfah lays a strong foundation for it.
Where the Tuhfah Fits in Your Ijazah Journey
Most students follow a path like this:
- Tuhfat al-Atfal: the core rules.
- Al-Muqaddimah Al-Jazariyyah: makharij, sifat and finer details.
- A recitation Ijazah in Hafs ‘an ‘Asim: reciting the whole Quran to a sheikh with sanad.
- Al-Shatibiyyah: the advanced poem on the seven readings, for those continuing to other qira’at. Read about it in our guide to the ijazah in Al-Shatibiyyah.
Our Ijazah program includes recitation, Hifz and Tajweed Ijazah tracks with Ijazah-holding teachers. During your free level assessment, you can ask about studying a text such as the Tuhfah and how it fits your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lines is Tuhfat al-Atfal?
The poem has 61 lines (abyat) in the rajaz meter. The author himself states the number in the conclusion of the poem. Its short length is one reason it is usually the first text students memorize.
Who wrote Tuhfat al-Atfal?
It was written by Sheikh Sulayman ibn Husayn al-Jamzuri, an Egyptian scholar of the 12th century AH, based on the teaching of his sheikh, Nur al-Din ‘Ali al-Mihi. He also wrote a commentary on it called Fath al-Aqfal.
How long does it take to get an ijazah in Tuhfat al-Atfal?
Most students take 4 to 12 weeks. Students who already know tajweed can memorize the poem and pass the session in about a month, while beginners usually need two to three months.
Do I need to know Arabic to study Tuhfat al-Atfal?
You need to read Arabic accurately, since you will memorize and recite the text. Full fluency is not required; your teacher will explain the meaning of each line, and the vocabulary is limited and technical.
Should I study Tuhfat al-Atfal or Al-Jazariyyah first?
Start with the Tuhfah. It covers the rules you use in every page of recitation, while Al-Jazariyyah builds on it with articulation points, letter qualities and finer details. You can begin your path with a free trial class.
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