Frequently Asked Questions

Everything parents need to know about the Sahwah Hifz Summer 2026 Program.

How does the wait list work?

Sahwah Academy is intentionally limiting the number of students enrolled in each session to ensure proper supervision of each enrolled child. We believe that this cap on students will allow for high-quality, face-to-face instruction time with Shaykh Abdullah and the teaching assistants for every child during every session for the entirety of the summer session.

If the Summer Hifz program reaches capacity before you register, your child will be placed on the registration wait list. Sahwah Academy staff will contact you at the earliest possible time as space becomes available so that you can register your child, pay the application fee, and schedule your child for an evaluation/testing session to determine whether your child qualifies for enrollment in the summer Hifz program.

Do I have to pay tuition upfront?

No. Tuition is not paid upfront. The $25 application/testing fee is paid at the time of registration. The full tuition is billed to your account one week after the Hifz program starts, and only for children who are accepted into the program. This means you will never be charged tuition for a child who is not approved.

What happens if my child is not approved?

If your child does not meet the Hifz program criteria after evaluation, you will have a discussion with Sahwah Academy staff regarding alternative options, including transferring to Shaykh Abdul Rashid’s Maktab program at MAGR (a separate program from the Sahwah Hifz Intensive).

During the same discussion, Sahwah Academy staff will also share strategies that you and your child can apply over the summer so that your child is better prepared for enrollment consideration in the Sahwah Academy academic-year Hifz program.

The $25 application/testing fee will be refunded for any child who does not qualify for enrollment. Since tuition is not collected upfront, no tuition refund is needed.

What are the program criteria?

To qualify for the Sahwah Hifz Summer Program, your child must demonstrate the ability to read Arabic at a functional level for Qur'an recitation, and appropriate intrinsic motivation to engage with the Qur'an, free from coercion or pressure from family or parents. Sahwah Academy staff assess these criteria during the evaluation/testing session.

Can my child attend only the AM or PM session?

Yes. You may choose the AM session only, the PM session only, or both (AM & PM) sessions. Families who choose both AM and PM sessions for the same child will receive a 25% discount on the total tuition cost for that child.

What if I need to leave the program early or attend only part of the dates?

If your child completes three weeks or less (on or before June 25) of the Summer Hifz program before withdrawing, you will be responsible for half of the total tuition for that child.

If your child completes more than three weeks of the Hifz program before withdrawing, you will be responsible for the full tuition for that child.

When will I hear back about the results from my child’s evaluation/testing?

You will be contacted within 24 hours of the evaluation, by email or by phone, with the results of your child’s testing and whether your child qualifies to enroll in the summer Hifz program.

When does the program run, and what are the session times?

The program runs from Monday, June 8, 2026 through Thursday, July 16, 2026. Classes are held Monday through Thursday each week.

  • AM session: 11:30 AM to 1:15 PM
  • PM session: 1:00 PM to 2:45 PM

Total: 6 weeks, 4 days a week, 2 sessions per day. A child enrolled in both AM and PM sessions attends both each day.

Tajwid Masterclass week (June 8–11) opens the program and is taught by Ust. Muhammad Umar Mustafa. Shaykh Abdullah Syed teaches the remaining five weeks.

Assessment days: Sunday, May 31 and Monday, June 1 were in person at MAGR; Saturday, June 6 is virtual over Zoom.

Where is the program held?

The Hifz program is held at the Muslim Association of Greater Rockford (MAGR), 5921 Darlene Drive, Rockford, IL 61109. The classroom space is the main brothers’ Musalla area at MAGR. Open in Google Maps.

What are the age requirements?

Your child must be 7 years of age or older to be eligible for the Sahwah Summer Hifz program.

Is the Sahwah Hifz program gender restricted?

No. The Sahwah Hifz program is open to both boys and girls.

My child is attending the MAGR summer camp. Can my child also attend the Sahwah Hifz program?

Yes. Children attending the MAGR summer camp must register for the PM session of the Sahwah Hifz program. The AM session of the Summer Hifz program is only available to children who are not enrolled in the MAGR summer camp.

If I have multiple children, can some be enrolled in the Maktab program and others in the Sahwah Hifz program?

Yes. Each of your children will be evaluated individually. Based on the ability and readiness of each individual child, that child will be placed either in Shaykh Abdul Rashid’s Maktab program at MAGR or in the Sahwah Hifz program at MAGR.

Is my child expected to review lessons at home?

No. The Sahwah Hifz Summer Intensive is designed so that all instruction and revision happens during class time itself. This design choice comes directly from Shaykh Abdullah Syed, who wants the summer to remain a lighter cognitive load for the children. Your child is welcome to do light review at home if they wish, but no home review is required or expected.

Is the summer program the same as the full-time Hifz program?

No. The Sahwah Hifz Summer Intensive is a six-week introductory program designed to introduce students and their families to the science of Qur'an memorization and recitation, and to build the student’s interest in beginning the Hifz journey.

In shā’ Allāh, the Sahwah Academy full-time and part-time Hifz programs begin in the fall academic year (August 2026) and run through June 2027. There will be a virtual open house along with Q&A with the Hifz instructors and staff in the fall of this year to discuss the details of the full-time and part-time Hifz programs that will be offered during the upcoming academic year.

How does pricing work if I'm registering more than one child?

Pricing scales with the number of children registered together. Siblings cost less per child. The $25 application/testing fee is per child, refunded for any child who does not qualify.

Per childOne session (AM or PM)Both sessions (25% off)
1st child$225$337.50
2nd child$175 (save $50)$262.50 (save $75)
3rd child and beyond$125 (save $100)$187.50 (save $150)

Total tuition billed one week after the program starts:

Total tuitionOne sessionBoth sessions
1 child$225$337.50
2 children$400$600
3 children$525$787.50
I want to volunteer for the Sahwah Hifz program. Where do I contact?

Reach out directly to Dr. Mohammad Amir on WhatsApp at 847-530-9923.

Open WhatsApp · 847-530-9923

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