Trust & Safety
Scholar Verification
Every scholar on Qalam is individually reviewed before they can teach. We do not operate an open marketplace — verification is mandatory, not optional.
Why we verify
Islamic knowledge carries a chain of transmission going back to the Prophet ﷺ. Who you learn from matters. A teacher’s credentials, character, and method shape not just what you learn but how you understand your deen.
Qalam was built on the principle that students should be able to trust the scholars they find here. That trust has to be earned — not assumed.
The verification process
Application
Scholars submit a detailed application covering their background, qualifications, subjects taught, years of experience, and the scholars they have studied under. They also upload a credential document — an ijazah, degree certificate, or equivalent proof of formal Islamic study.
Credential review
Our team reviews the submitted credentials against the claimed qualifications. We check the institution attended, the scholars named, and whether the subjects the applicant wishes to teach are within the scope of their training.
Character assessment
Beyond credentials, we assess the scholar’s bio, teaching approach, and how they present themselves. We look for clarity, humility, and appropriate framing of Islamic knowledge — red flags such as sectarian extremism, inaccurate claims, or an unsuitable teaching demeanour lead to rejection.
Approval or rejection
Applications that meet our standards are approved. Those that do not are declined. We do not approve scholars on a provisional basis — approval means we are satisfied with what has been submitted. Scholars who are declined may reapply with updated credentials.
Ongoing standards
Verification is not a one-time gate. If a scholar receives consistent low ratings, complaints from students, or is found to have misrepresented their qualifications, their account is reviewed and may be suspended or permanently removed.
What we check
- Formal Islamic education — university degree, madrasa qualification, or equivalent
- Ijazah or chain of transmission for Quran and Tajweed scholars
- Named scholars studied under and the plausibility of those claims
- Years of experience relative to claimed expertise
- Appropriate subject scope — scholars only teach what they are qualified in
- Teaching language proficiency
- Suitability of character and presentation
What verification does not guarantee
Verification confirms that a scholar’s credentials are credible and that they meet our standards at the time of application. It is not a personal endorsement of every view a scholar may hold, nor a guarantee of teaching style compatibility with every student.
We encourage students to read scholar profiles carefully, check reviews from previous students, and use the first session to assess whether the scholar is the right fit for their learning goals.
Tax responsibilities
Scholars on Qalam are independent self-employed educators, not employees of Qalam. You are solely responsible for declaring your earnings and paying any taxes owed in your jurisdiction.
In the United Kingdom, if you earn more than £1,000 per year from tutoring you must register as self-employed with HMRC and complete a self-assessment tax return. If your total self-employment income across all sources exceeds the VAT threshold (currently £90,000), you may also need to register for VAT. Qalam does not withhold tax on your behalf.
Scholars based outside the UK must comply with the tax laws of their own country. Your Stripe earnings dashboard provides a full record of your payouts which you can use for tax reporting purposes.
We recommend consulting a qualified accountant or tax adviser if you are unsure of your obligations.
Reporting concerns
If you have a concern about a scholar’s conduct, qualifications, or the content of a session, please contact us at support@qalam.co. All reports are taken seriously and reviewed promptly. Scholars found to have misrepresented themselves or acted inappropriately are removed from the platform.