Our Story
Born From a Mission to Connect the World to the Quran
Alrayan Academy was founded with one conviction: every Muslim, wherever they live, deserves access to the same quality of Quran education that was once only available in Makkah and Cairo.
2015
Founded
10,000+
Students
50+
Countries
100+
Teachers
Guided by Purpose
Our Mission
To make authentic, ijazah-certified Quran and Arabic education accessible to every Muslim family in the world — regardless of where they live or what schedule they keep.
Our Vision
A world where every Muslim can read the Quran with Tajweed, understand it in Arabic, and pass it on to the next generation — with an unbroken chain back to the Prophet ﷺ.
Our Values
Authenticity over shortcuts. Patience over speed. Community over transactions. We never compromise on the quality of teachers or the integrity of the Ijazah chain.
Our History
The Story of Alrayan
Alrayan Academy was founded in 2015 by a small group of Al-Azhar graduates who had relocated to the West and noticed a troubling gap: the Muslim families around them desperately wanted Quran education for their children — but couldn't access teachers with authentic credentials.
The early days were simple: a handful of teachers, a few dozen students, and a commitment to never hiring a teacher who didn't hold an Ijazah. That last point was non-negotiable. The Quran is not a subject to be taught by self-taught tutors — it is a living tradition passed from mouth to ear across 1,400 years, and every link in that chain matters.
By 2018 we had grown to 1,000 students across 20 countries. By 2022, 5,000 students across 40 countries. Today, over 10,000 students in more than 50 countries learn with us every week — from a child in Toronto just beginning the Arabic alphabet, to a grandfather in Melbourne completing his Ijazah at age 72.
Our name, Alrayan, comes from one of the eight gates of Paradise — the gate reserved for those who fast. We chose it as a reminder: this work is an act of worship. Every lesson delivered, every student who learns a new verse, every Ijazah granted — it is all a form of sadaqah jariyah, a continuous charity that outlasts us all.
خَيْرُكُمْ مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ وَعَلَّمَهُ
Methodology
How We Teach
Our methodology is built on three pillars that set us apart from every other online academy.
100% of teachers
Authenticated Ijazah Chain
Every teacher at Alrayan holds an Ijazah — a certified license with an unbroken chain of transmission going back through the centuries to the Prophet ﷺ. We verify every teacher's chain before they join. This is not optional.
< 10% acceptance rate
Rigorous Teacher Vetting
Less than 10% of applicants pass our process: degree verification, Tajweed test, live teaching observation, background check, and a 3-month probationary period. We would rather turn away students than lower our standards.
4.9★ average rating
1-on-1 Private Classes
No group classes. Every student gets their own teacher, their own schedule, and a curriculum paced to their individual level. This is why our completion and satisfaction rates are so high.
Our Team
Meet Our Scholars
Every teacher at Alrayan holds an Ijazah or equivalent certification. Less than 10% of applicants pass our vetting process.
Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Rashid
Head of Quran Studies
15y exp.·420+ studentsTajweedHifzIjazahSheikh Ibrahim has dedicated over 15 years to teaching the Quran internationally. A graduate of Al-Azhar with a direct chain of transmission, he has guided hundreds of students to full Hifz and Ijazah certification.
Teaches in: Arabic, English
Sister Aisha Karimi
Senior Female Quran Teacher
12y exp.·380+ studentsQuran for KidsTajweedNoorani QaidaSister Aisha is beloved by students and families across the UK, USA, and Canada. Her patient, structured approach makes her the top choice for beginners and children. She holds Ijazah and is certified to grant Ijazah to her students.
Teaches in: Arabic, English, Urdu
Sheikh Omar Al-Hassan
Ijazah Program Director
18y exp.·210+ studentsIjazahTen QiraatTajweedDr. Omar leads our rigorous Ijazah program, ensuring every student receives an authentic, unbroken chain back to the Prophet ﷺ. He has granted Ijazah to over 60 students worldwide and teaches advanced Qiraat.
Teaches in: Arabic, English, French
Sister Fatima Benali
Arabic Language Specialist
10y exp.·290+ studentsArabic for Non-ArabsQuranic ArabicIslamic StudiesSister Fatima makes Arabic accessible to complete beginners. Her structured curriculum takes students from the alphabet to conversational Arabic. She also teaches Quranic grammar to help students understand the Quran directly.
Teaches in: Arabic, English, French
Sheikh Yusuf Al-Ansari
Quran & Islamic Studies Teacher
8y exp.·175+ studentsTafseerIslamic StudiesSeerahSheikh Yusuf brings the Quran to life through deep Tafseer study. His classes help students not just recite, but understand the wisdom and guidance behind each verse. Students describe his lessons as transformative.
Teaches in: Arabic, English
Sister Maryam Saleh
Children's Quran Specialist
9y exp.·330+ studentsQuran for KidsNoorani QaidaTajweedSister Maryam has a gift for teaching children. Her playful, encouraging style makes even reluctant learners eager for their next class. She specializes in ages 5–14 and has helped hundreds of children complete their Noorani Qaida and begin Tajweed.
Teaches in: Arabic, English, Turkish
Sheikh Khalid Mansour
Hifz Program Coordinator
14y exp.·260+ studentsHifz / MemorizationTajweedRevision TechniquesSheikh Khalid has helped over 200 students complete their full Hifz of the Quran. His systematic approach to memorization — breaking, reviewing, and cementing — produces lasting results. His oldest student to complete Hifz was 67 years old.
Teaches in: Arabic, English
Sister Nour Al-Deen
Adult Quran & Tajweed Teacher
7y exp.·195+ studentsTajweedQuran for AdultsArabicSister Nour specializes in helping adults — especially those who grew up without Quran education — start or restart their journey with confidence. Her non-judgmental, structured approach has earned her exceptional reviews from students across Europe and North America.
Teaches in: Arabic, English, German
All teachers are available for a free trial class. No commitment required.
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