The Dark Side of Favouritism in Small-Scale Hifz Events

Introduction

For over a decade, I have been closely involved in the world of Quran memorisation competitions. My journey has taken me through the roles of teacher, judge, and occasional organiser, across communities big and small. I’ve celebrated with high-achieving students and comforted those who stumbled onstage. Yet there’s a persistent issue in many small-scale Hifz events that rarely gets openly discussed: the undercurrent of favouritism.

Favouritism can take many forms, from subtle gestures to blatant unfairness. In most cases, it emerges not out of malice, but due to human nature and close-knit ties prevalent in our communities. However, the impact it leaves—on children, parents, staff, and even the reputation of the Quran itself—can be profound and lasting. In this post, I draw upon real-world experiences to explore the various faces of favouritism, its consequences, and how we might address it together.

The Nature of Small-Scale Hifz Events

When we picture Quran competitions, we often imagine grand halls and rows of formally-dressed participants, but most Hifz events happen at the grassroots level: in masjid basements, classrooms, or community halls. These are places where “everyone knows everyone”, and relationships often stretch beyond the event itself—family friends, congregation members, even neighbours.

These settings should be nurturing, uplifting the young Qurra’ and bringing the community together. But these close ties, when unmanaged, can also be a breeding ground for favouritism.

Forms of Favouritism I’ve Witnessed

Over the years, I’ve observed several recurring patterns. While not every event displays every symptom, they all stem from a lack of strong, consistent procedures.

• Preferential Judging: A child whose family is known to the judge is gently corrected mid-recitation; meanwhile, another participant receives a tick against the same slip-up.
• Leaning on Reputation: Certain students are automatically assumed to be better because of their teachers or previous wins, affecting how judges and organisers view their performance.
• Last-Minute Rule Changes: Category or marking criteria are quietly adjusted to suit certain participants, often just hours before the event or even mid-way through.
• Ignoring Protocol: Some children receive a longer time to answer or recite, perhaps due to external pressure or sympathetic glances from organisers connected to their families.
• Disproportionate Prizes: Awards are sometimes given out with little transparency, with gifts reserved for a select few, regardless of their actual performance.

The Deep Impact of Favouritism

The cost of favouritism goes beyond temporary hurt feelings. In the context of Hifz events—where the Quran itself is at the heart—its effects can reverberate much more deeply.

Undermining the Spirit of Sincerity

A major casualty is the spiritual sincerity that these events seek to cultivate. Children become acutely aware of “who’s who” and may conclude that connections matter more than effort. The atmosphere, instead of nurturing taqwa and dedication, becomes tinged with cynicism.

Impact on Students’ Confidence and Motivation

Those who sense they never stand a chance—no matter how much they revise—slowly disengage. I have watched exceptionally bright students lose heart, their enthusiasm for memorising Quran fading as they feel unseen or unwelcome. For the favoured few, entitlement can creep in, undermining humility and the hunger for genuine self-improvement.

Erosion of Community Trust

Word spreads quickly in small communities. If parents and teachers come to believe that results are pre-determined, support and attendance for future events plummets. The event’s reputation suffers, as does the broader perception of fairness within the masjid or school.

Missed Opportunities for Growth

Perhaps the most tragic is the missed educational opportunity. These events are meant to give real, meaningful feedback, highlight areas for growth, and inspire collective upliftment. When favouritism overrides merit, the chance for objective learning and improvement vanishes.

Why Does Favouritism Happen?

Most organisers and judges don’t set out to be unjust. Understanding the root causes is key to genuine change.

• Cultural Norms: Our communities are deeply connected, and sometimes “helping out” is seen as showing compassion or maintaining face.
• Lack of Training: Few small-scale events invest in judge training or standardisation, leaving decisions subject to individual instincts.
• Poor Documentation: Rules and marking systems are often unclear, unwritten, or changed at the last minute, increasing reliance on subjective judgment.
• Pressure from Influential Figures: Organisers, especially in small venues, may face immense pressure from parents, teachers, or committee members to sway results “just this once.”
• Ineffective Conflict Resolution: When concerns are raised, they’re often brushed aside rather than addressed transparently.

Real-World Stories from the Field

I’ll share two real-world examples (anonymised for privacy) that shaped my perspective.

The Unnoticed Hafiza

A few years ago, I taught a bright, diligent student—let’s call her Aysha. She spent months preparing for the Ramadan Hifz contest at a nearby centre. On the day, her recitation was nearly flawless, while another participant, the imam’s daughter, made clear errors. When the winners were announced, Aysha’s name was not even mentioned. Parents muttered, and Aysha’s motivation crumbled. She avoided similar events for years, doubting her real ability.

The Over-Compensated Favourite

In another event, a boy from a respected family unraveled during his recitation—mixing up surahs and halting completely. Amidst awkward glances, the judges allowed him to restart twice, something no other competitor was permitted. He still walked away with a major prize. The result? Other children noticed and stopped participating in subsequent years, convinced the event was “fixed.”

How Can We Move Forward?

Favouritism may be intertwined with human nature, but it can be addressed with honest reflection, clearer processes, and a united commitment to justice (‘adl) in our dealings.

Building Accountability and Transparency

• Written Criteria: Publish the rules and marking schemes clearly, ahead of time. Display them on notice boards or digital groups for all to see.
• Blind Judging: Use number tags for participants instead of names, when possible, to minimise connections influencing scores.
• Collective Marking: Involve at least two or three judges, and require all to record their marks independently before discussion.
• Post-Event Feedback: Offer written or verbal feedback sessions so each child knows why they received their scores.
• Zero-Tolerance on Last-Minute Changes: Once rules are set, only emergencies—not personal preferences—should warrant changes.

Creating a Supportive but Fair Culture

• Training for Judges: Hold at least one pre-event session to review rules, ideal responses, and conflict management.
• Empowerment to Speak Up: Encourage teachers, parents, and older students to respectfully highlight concerns, making the process open and iterative.
• Celebrating All Participants: Recognition should focus not just on winners, but on effort, progress, and demonstration of adab (good manners).

The Importance of Admitting Mistakes

Finally, events are coordinated by humans, and mistakes will occur. Rather than hiding errors, organisers and judges should be willing to acknowledge them, apologise, and show a willingness to do better. This humility models the very spirit we hope our children learn from engaging with the Quran.

Conclusion

Many of us entered this field because we cherish the Quran and want to inspire the next generation of hafidh and hafidha. The problem of favouritism can feel uncomfortable to confront, especially when it involves familiar faces. But by facing it honestly, learning from our past mistakes, and creating clear standards, we can build events that restore trust, uplift every participant, and uphold the dignity of the Book we love.

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