10 Things Every New Hifz Judge Should Know

Judging a Hifz (Qur’an memorisation) competition is a position of responsibility, requiring not only a strong command of Qur’anic knowledge but also a deep understanding of rules, fairness, and composure. As more Hifz competitions are organised worldwide—locally and internationally—the need for well-informed, consistent, and reliable judges continues to grow. Whether online or in person, the standards of assessment must reflect both the sanctity of the Qur’an and the integrity of the competition.

This article outlines ten fundamental things every new Hifz judge should understand before taking on the role.

1. Understand the Objectives of the Competition

Every Hifz competition has specific goals, which extend beyond identifying the best memorisers. Judges should be aware that these events aim to encourage wider Qur’an retention, foster love for the Book of Allah, and promote excellence in recitation. Knowing this context helps frame the experience for both participants and judges and ensures the event remains spiritually uplifting.

Additionally, different competitions may focus on slightly different priorities such as:

• Fluency and retention accuracy
• Mastery of tajweed (rules of recitation)
• Presentation and etiquette

It is crucial for judges to align their assessments with the event organisers’ stated aims.

2. Familiarise Yourself with the Judging Criteria and Marking Scheme

Before the competition begins, judges must be well-versed in the adopted marking system. Errors in evaluation due to misinterpretation of rules can affect participants unfairly and discredit the event. Common rubric categories include:

• Hifz accuracy: Mistakes in memorisation such as missed words, extra words, or incorrect ayahs.
• Tajweed: Application of pronunciation and articulation rules.
• Fluency: Consistency, pacing, and ease in recitation without prompt hesitation.
• Presentation: Voice, etiquette, and confidence.

Judges must apply marking deductions consistently across all participants. Be aware of how much is deducted for each type of mistake and whether certain errors result in automatic penalties or disqualification.

3. Learn the Different Types of Memorisation Errors

Hifz errors can be classified into categories, each with different implications for scoring. Some of the most common include:

• Lahn Jali: Major mistakes that affect the meaning or pronunciation. These include replacing a word with another or significant tajweed errors. Usually result in higher deductions.
• Lahn Khafi: Minor tajweed errors not affecting meaning. Often penalised mildly or in competitions that emphasise tajweed proficiency.
• Prompting (Istidraak): When the participant forgets and the judge must prompt. May result in partial deductions depending on the number of prompts.
• Stopping at incorrect places (waqf errors): Pausing at spots where the meaning becomes incorrect or unclear.

Clear definitions of each error type should be available before the competition, so that assessments remain fair and standardised.

4. Coordinate Closely with Co-Judges

Most competitions involve multiple judges assessing different areas—e.g., one focuses on hifz accuracy while another evaluates tajweed. Coordination during judging ensures a seamless, unified scoring process. Judges should agree beforehand on:

• Marking scale interpretation
• Handling borderline cases
• Allocating responsibilities—e.g., who prompts, who counts reading time

Pre-competition calibration sessions are useful to align scoring standards and avoid major discrepancies. In high-level competitions, variation among judge scores can be flagged by moderators to ensure consistency.

5. Be Cautious with Prompting

Prompting a participant when they forget an ayah is a crucial part of a judge’s role. However, how and when to prompt must follow the event’s rules to prevent giving participants undue assistance. Important considerations:

• Judges must wait until the appropriate pause duration has passed before prompting—usually 5-10 seconds of silence.
• If the participant seeks help or looks distressed, the judge must remain neutral but vigilant.
• Prompts should be minimal—usually the first few words of the next ayah—and must not lead the reciter entirely.

In virtual competitions, where audio delays may occur, additional care is needed when offering a prompt to avoid perceived bias or confusion.

6. Use a Clear and Structured Scoring Sheet

Recording marks accurately is vital. A structured scoring sheet helps capture performance data clearly and avoids later disputes. Important components of a good judging form include:

• Participant name and registration number
• Surahs or portion allocated
• Error count by category (e.g., memory, tajweed, waqf errors)
• Comments section for unusual occurrences or judge observations
• Final score and percentage

Where digital tools are used, ensure they have auto-calculation and error tracking features. Training in these tools before the competition is highly recommended.

7. Maintain Professional and Neutral Demeanour

Judges represent the fairness of the competition. Thus, it is essential to maintain:

• Neutrality: Avoid favouritism or familiarity with participants.
• Calmness: Handle nervous contestants with patience and avoid visible irritation.
• Focused listening: Even minor errors must not be overlooked due to inattention.

Participants invest significant effort and emotion into their sessions. Judges must thus strive to offer an environment of trust and respect.

8. Be Prepared for Unexpected Situations

Hifz competitions, like any live event, can have unplanned issues. Judges may encounter:

• Equipment failures (e.g., microphone or speaker issues)
• Disruptions (e.g., audience noise, environmental distractions)
• Contestant breakdowns (e.g., crying or inability to continue)

A pre-established protocol must exist for such cases. Judges should be trained to pause proceedings if needed, consult with the head judge or coordinator, and make decisions accordingly.

9. Respect Regional and Institutional Variations

Hifz traditions can vary between countries and schools of thought. Competitions may accept different:

• Qirā’āt (modes of recitation)
• Stopping signs and ortho-typical variants (e.g. Hafs ‘an ‘Asim vs. Warsh)
• Marking emphasis (some prioritise fluency over tajweed or vice versa)

It is essential for judges to confirm which modes and standards are being used for each competition. If non-standard styles are permitted, guidelines should be provided so judges avoid penalising choices that fall within acceptable variance.

10. Review, Reflect, and Offer Constructive Feedback

Once judgments are made, there should be a review process to ensure transparency and learning. Judges should be open to:

• Discussing borderline decisions with peers or head judges
• Participating in post-event reviews to improve future competitions
• Offering feedback—if requested—in ways that encourage further learning and confidence among participants

Competitions involving younger ages must be especially careful in how feedback is delivered so as not to demotivate. When applicable, corrections can be shared with teachers and guardians separately for future guidance.

Conclusion

Judging a Hifz competition is an honour and responsibility. Careful preparation, knowledge of Islamic scholarship, and emotional intelligence all come together in serving the Qur’an and its people. By following structured principles and embracing a spirit of service, judges can play a vital role in upholding fairness and inspiring generations of memorisers.

If you need help with your Quran competition platform or marking tools, email info@qurancompetitions.tech.