Community Guidelines

Tilawa is a place for learning the Qur'an. That means it is a place of adab (proper conduct) first, and a software product second. These guidelines describe the behaviour we expect from every student, teacher, and donor on the platform. They are short on purpose. The principle is more important than the rules.

The principle

Treat every other person on Tilawa as you would treat them if your teacher, your parent, and the Prophet ﷺ were watching. Because in a real sense, Allah always is.

For everyone

• Be punctual. Other people's time is amanah. When you request a session, be ready to join the moment it's accepted, and end the call kindly when you're done.
• Be kind. Speak softly. Assume the best. Correct, do not condemn. Make du'a for the people you learn with and teach.
• Be honest. About your level, your background, your intentions. Misrepresentation, especially of religious credentials, is a serious matter.
• Keep things lawful. No haraam topics, no off-platform solicitations, no romantic or inappropriate conversation under any circumstances.

For students

• Come prepared. Bring your mushaf, find a quiet place, and be ready to learn.
• Respect your teacher's time and expertise, even when you disagree.
• Do not record sessions. Tilawa does not record them, and you should not either.
• Report any teacher behaviour that concerns you. We act on every report.

For teachers

• Teach with sincerity. This is amaanah from Allah before it is a contract with Tilawa.
• Be patient with students who progress slowly. Many will. They are seeking Allah's pleasure too.
• Never solicit or accept payment for teaching, on or off the platform. Teaching here is sadaqah jariyah.
• Never solicit personal contact for non-academic purposes.
• If you genuinely cannot teach a student, refer them kindly to another teacher. Do not abandon them.

Gender boundaries

Tilawa is gender-segregated by design. Brothers learn from brothers, sisters from sisters. This is enforced in our software and is non-negotiable. If you believe your account was set up with the wrong gender during signup, contact salam@tilawaapp.com for review.

Safety of children

Many students on Tilawa are children. Their safety is our highest priority, above any other consideration. If you observe anything that concerns you about how a child is being treated, whether by another student, a teacher, or anyone else, report it immediately to safety@tilawaapp.com. We take every report seriously and act on it quickly.

What we do when guidelines are broken

Minor first offences usually get a private message from us. Repeated or serious offences result in suspension. Behaviour that puts another user in danger results in immediate permanent removal and, where appropriate, a report to relevant authorities.

Reporting

Inside the app you can report a user from their profile. By email, write to salam@tilawaapp.com with as much detail as you can. We will respond within 3 days, and within 24 hours for anything involving the safety of a child.

A final word

We are all here for the same reason: to draw closer to the Book of Allah. Behave in a way that makes that easier for the people around you. May Allah accept from us and from you.