Tips on memorising quran

[Magoo]

a new thread to post all tips on memorising quran for those who work and have families etc..

all input is welcome

[Magoo]

this was Yasirs advice on the other thread

A useful technique in memorising ayaat that I have seen others recommend is to practice them with the mushaf in the mornings, and try to recall them during the day without it. That exertion (recollection of the text without it before you) can be greatly beneficial in memorisation (and retaining information in general).

[Salsabil]

People with super memorization capabilities, ascribe associations of images or meanings to words, and then repeat them until automatization. For example, an ayat:

Inna fee khalqi assamawati wal ardi....

(Inna (In a)) (fee(FItness) (khal (KHALed)+QIyam) etc. (i hope you got the idea)

And you memorize a few words, then move on etc. then once you have memorized a few ayat for example, repeat them after 10 minutes (from memory) and try reading them in naafil salah during the day.

This is one of the easiest and fastest techniques, for me anyway. If you learn 4 ayat like this a day, you will be surprised how much you can memorize. Then the hard thing is, once you learn a substantial amount, to repeat it all once in a while, so as not to forget.

Also, continuously listening to the ayat and surahs which you learn, helps a lot. This writes down into a long term memory, even though its longer to memorize this way. I remember some songs from jahiliya, which I listened 10 years ago or more.

May Allah help you and us in memorizing His book and beneficial knowledge and to act upon it. ameen.

[Abu Dharr Al Kashmiri]

Bsimillah Alhamdulillah wasaalatu wasalaamu ala rasulullah

Asalaam'alaykum wa rahmatullah,

read this (http://forums.islamicawakening.com/showthread.php?t=9364)

Alhamdulillah - the blessing of a Qur'aan and Arabic school is not far! :rolleyes: :mad:

May Allah Increase you and us all in knowledge. Aameen

[Mustafa al-Muhaajir]

How to memorize the Holy Qur’aan

Question:

Assalaamu 'Alaykum, please could you give me some advice on memorsing the Quran such as techniques

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Important rules for memorizing the Holy Qur’aan.

1-Sincerity: It is essential to have a pure and sincere intention and a proper aim. One should learn the Qur’aan and pay attention to it for the sake of Allaah and attaining Paradise and earning the pleasure of Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “So worship Allaah (Alone) by doing religious deeds sincerely for Allaah’s sake only. Surely, the religion (i.e. the worship and the obedience) is for Allaah only” [al-Zumar 39:2-3]. According to a hadeeth qudsi, Allaah says: “I am so self-sufficient that I am in no need of having an associate. Thus he who does an action for the sake of someone else as well as for My sake will have that action rejected by Me to the one whom he associated with Me.” So there will be no reward for the one who reads and memorizes Qur’aan for the sake of showing off or gaining a good reputation.

2-Correct pronunciation and reading: This can only be learned by listening to someone who reads well or has memorized properly. The Qur’aan can only be learned from a teacher. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) learnt it orally from Jibreel, and the Sahaabah learned it orally from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Then it was passed down orally from the Sahaabah to succeeding generations of this Ummah.

3-Deciding the amount to be memorized each time: The one who wants to learn the Qur’aam should decide how much he wants to memorize each time. After he has set out his objective and learned the correct pronunciation, he has to keep on repeating it over and over. This repetition should be with the proper intonation so as to avoid getting bored and so that he can memorize it properly. The intonation makes a person enjoy listening to it, helps him to memorize it and makes the tongue get used to that intonation, so that he will spot mistakes immediately, as the rhythm will be interrupted. This is in addition to the fact that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “He is not one of us who does not recite the Qur’aan with a rhythmic intonation.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari).

4-Not going beyond what one has decided to learn in one day until one has memorized it perfectly: The haafiz should never move on to a new portion until he has perfectly memorized the prvious portion , so that it will stick in his mind. One thing that will help the student to memorize it is to preoccupy himself with it night and day, by reciting it in the prayers where Qur’aan is to be recited silently, and if he is leading others in prayer, by reciting it out loud. He can also recite it during his naafil prayers, and whilst waiting for (congregational) prayers. In this way it will become easy for him to memorize Qur’aan. Everyone can do this, even if he is busy with other things.

5-Adhering to one style of writing in the Mus'haf you use for memorizing: One thing that will help in memorizing Qur’aan is to have one's own copy of the Mus-haf (i.e., choosing a specific edition) and never changing it. This is because people learn as much by looking as by listening, so the pattern of the verses and where they appear on the pages of the Mus-haf stays in the mind as one reads and looks at the Mus-haf. So if a person changes the Mus-haf from which he is learning, or he learns from various Masaahif where the relative positions of the aayaat may vary, he will get confused and it will be difficult for him to memorize.

6-Understanding is the key to memorization: One of the things which is of the greatest help in memorizing is understanding the verses one is learning and knowing how they are connected to one another. This means that the haafiz has to read the tafseer of some of the aayahs and soorahs which he is memorizing and he has to focus his mind when he is reading. This will help him to remember the verses. But when he is committing the verses to memory, he should rely on understanding; what he has to do is rely on repetition so that it will be easy for him to memorize them.

7-Not moving on until one has learned a surah well: After having memorized one soorah, the haafiz should not move on to another soorah until he has memorized the first soorah perfectly from beginning to end and he can recite it fluently without having to think too hard about it. Remembering it should be easy, and he should not move on to another soorah until he is sure that he has memorized the first one.

8-Continually reciting to someone else: The haafiz should not rely upon training by himself; he has to recite what he has memorized to another haafiz, or to someone else who can follow his recitation in the Mus-haf. This other person should be someone who knows how to recite Qur’aan properly, so that he can point out any mistakes or omissions in pronunciation or reading. It often happens that an individual may memorize a soorah incorrectly by himself, and he does not realize this even when he looks at the Mus-haf. So the person who wants to memorize a soorah looks in the Mus-haf and does not see where he is making a mistake in his recitation. So reciting to another person is an excellent means of correcting one’s mistakes.

9-Continually following up: When it comes to memorization, the Qur’aan is different from any other material such as poetry or prose, in that it may be quickly forgotten. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, it tries harder to run away than a hobbled camel” (Agreed upon). One only has to leave it for a little while and it escapes one’s mind and is quickly forgotten. So one has to keep reviewing it and always work hard at retaining what one has memorized of the Qur’aan. Concerning this, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The one who has memorized Qur’aan is like the owner of a hobbled camel. If he pays attention to it and takes care of it, he will keep it, but if he lets it go, he will lose it” (Agreed upon). This means that the one who has memorized the Qur’aan has to recite it regularly as part of his wird [regular dhikr]. At least he should recite one of the thirty juz’ and at most he should recite ten juz’ each day, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever reads the whole Qur’aan in less than three days does not understand it” (Agreed upon). By continually reciting it in this fashion he will retain what he has memorized.

10-Paying attention to the parts of the Qur’aan which resemble one another: The parts of the Qur’aan resemble one another in their meanings and wording. Allaah says: (interpretation of the meaning): “Allaah has sent down the Best Statement, a Book (this Qur’aan), its parts resembling each other (in goodness and truth) (and) oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it (when they recite it or hear it). Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allaah” [al-Zumar 39:23]. So the good reader of Qur’aan has to pay particular attention to those parts which resemble one another, i.e., the parts where the wording is similar, as this will help him to memorize it properly.

11-Making the most of the best years: The one who is truly blessed is the one whom Allaah enables to make the most of the best years for memorizing, which come approximately between the ages of five and twenty-three. During these years, a person is able to memorize things very well. Before the age of five, he is not able to do that, and after the age of twenty-three his ability to memorize declines whilst his ability to understand increases. So young people of these ages should make the most of it and memorize the Book of Allaah, because they are at the age when they will be able to learn it quickly and will be slow to forget it, unlike when they get older. He spoke the truth who said, “Learning by heart when one is young is like engraving something on stone; learning something when one is old is like engraving something on water.”

It is our duty towards the Book of Allaah that we should memorize it properly, accept and follow its guidance, and make it the constitution of our lives, the light of our hearts, the comfort of our souls. Hopefully these rules will form a good foundation for those who sincerely want to memorize the Book of Allaah properly. And Allaah knows best. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.


Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

[salahuddin_ayyubi]

Assalamu Alaykum

I find the following quite useful when memorising Qur'aan.


Listening to the Surah I am going to memorise, at every chance I get, whether it is on the way to university, free periods, driving to a friends house, waiting in line somewhere...whenever.
Learning meanings of the Aayat helps me too. For example in Surah Ar-Rahman we have

http://searchquran.net/images/55_19.gif

He has let loosed the two seas (the salt water and the sweet) meeting together.

http://searchquran.net/images/55_20.gif

Between them is a barrier which none of them can transgress.

So I always can remember what the the next aayah is since it follows on from the previous one.



Also, a method I was told (quite effective), is once you have decided on the set amount you are going to learn for that day, before sleeping, to repeat each Aayah a number of times (i.e. 40) without making effort to memorise, just constantly reciting. Then the following morning, learn it as you would learn it normally, and you'll find it a lot easier since you subconsciously will have picked a lot of it up, and you'll find a lot of it much easier to memorise.

And if you have a lot of time, you could try the Mauritanian method...

[Mustafa al-Muhaajir]

The Best Way to Memorize the Noble Quran according to my Personal Experience

By Dr. Yahya al-Ghouthani, Jeddah (world leading Quranic recitation authority)

Translated by Abu Muqatil – may Allah be forgiving to him and his parents



In light of the principles which have passed us by in the previous section, I say to whoever wants to memorize a page from the Noble Quran from any chapter that I hope that you will stay with me so we can read the following steps together at ease paving the way to apply it precisely.


1. [Obtain a good mus-haf ]
Try to obtain a good copy of the Quran whose size is according to your need and never ever replace it so that you will be strong in memorising the parts of the pages and the lines. The mus-haf al-huffaaz (the memorisers’ codex) is preferred which starts with the verse at the start of the page and finishes with the last verse, and it is divided up well, whereby the Quran being thirty juz` (parts), every juz` has 20 pages and every page has 25 lines. The King Fahd organization in Medina al-Munawwarah has built a printer for this copy and I advice getting it as it is the most accurate contemporary print.


2. [Set the scene]
Setting the scene for memorization according to the following:-

i. Self-composure - Have the correct intention in mind and a desire for reward from Allah
ii. Wudoo` (ablution) and complete purity - Do not take the easy option of those who give a fatwa (legal edict) for its opposite as that goes against what befits high regard of the Speech of Allah and good manners with it.
iii. [Comfortable setting] - Sitting in a place where you feel at ease, and there is no more sacred place than the mosque.
iv. [Free of distractions] - It is preferred that it is a place without many pictures, carvings, decorations and distractions. The more enclosed the place is - with all due regards to fresh air - the better, compared with open space, trees and gardens. Even if some may differ with me, but I say this based upon experience not from abstract thinking. The atmosphere for light reading is different from the atmosphere for focused memorization, as wide spaces, sceneries and trees distract the mind and focus. Whatever is suitable for light reading is not needed for genuine work and focus, as mentioned in rule 4.
v. Face the Qibla - (direction of prayer towards Mecca) and sit in a state of submission, tranquility and respect.


3. [“Warm up”]
Begin the “warm up” process (for want of a better expression). It is the preparation where you read a few pages of the Quran before starting the memorization process, whether from memory or looking.

Recite nicely, listening to yourself without haste or delay.

This is a fundamental component in preparing the self. You will find many successful memorization teachers do not allow the student to memorize before getting them to revise the previous session and letting the sheikh hear. This is to prepare him psychologically and spiritually for memorization, whilst the student may be totally unaware of the teacher's aim.


4.
Beware of your voice’s beauty from distracting you at this point. The sweetness of your tone encompasses you in the atmosphere of chanting. So you start thinking that you’re so-and-so, the famous reciter, then you assume his persona and start to recite with deliberation and perfecting the letters. You repeat it and recite it again like some of the reciters. Perhaps it all goes over the top and you bring out a microphone and recording equipment. Time will pass by whilst you are unaware, and you become like that young man who really wanted to memorize the Quran but every time he sat down to memorize he opened the Quran at 7-rah Y-suf and began to chant it until the time passed him by and he memorized absolutely nothing.


5. [“Feel that urge…”]
About 10-15 minutes of the warm up exercise and personal preparation you will feel a strong desire in yourself to memorize, with that it is possible for you to start with a new page you want to memorize.

6. [Focus]
Here begins an important stage, you really have to doubly focus on the verses. Imagine that your eye is a camera lens, and that you want to film the page with sound and image. Be careful not to shake the camera.


7. [“Action!”]
Open your eyes well. Free your mind from any distraction. Read by looking at the first verse at the top of the page in an audible voice with tajw5d [the correct rules of recitation]. Read correctly with concentration. Lets use an as example His statement, the Most High:

[B]سيقول السفهاء من الناس ما ولاهم عن قبلتهم التي كانوا عليها قل لله المشرق والمغرب يهدي من يشاء إلى صراط مستقيم

[I]The fools among the people will say, "What has turned them from their prayer direction to which they were used to face in prayer." Say, "To Allah belong both, east and the west. He guides whom He wills to a Straight Way.” [2:142]

Read three or more times until your mind takes it all in, then close your eyes and picture in your mind the places of the words and read them. If you succeed in reading them completely without any mistake, don’t get excited but instead repeat two, three or five times.


8. [Repeat]
Then open your eyes a second time. Read the same verse from the book to confirm the correctness of your memorization. If you are certain that you’ve memorized it correctly, don’t get excited. Instead close your eyes and read another time. With this you have chiseled in your mind an engraving that is impossible to disappear with the permission of Allah, the Most High. Try the steps carefully, you will definitely find this approach sound.

Note: During the process of recall and repetition, be careful not to divert your gaze to the things around you such as written notices distributed upon walls, posters, artwork, or décor. Do not follow a whirling fan. Do not be concerned about the type of furniture or coverings you’re sitting on. Be careful of excessively looking out of the windows, perhaps your eyes will chance upon something that will not please you, or perhaps you will be distracted by the scene of people in the street, or the scene of cars as happens to students during their revision for their exams. One of them stands at the window with the excuse of getting fresh air, then there he takes a census of cars based upon make and model, and in this manner time passes him and is wasted whilst he hasn’t benefited a single thing.

You have no business with these distractions, my brother. You have put yourself forward as someone from the people of the Quran and from its memorizers, and that requires motivation, perseverance, focus and an absence of distractions.


9. [Next verse]
After that move to the verse immediately following it:

…وكذلك جعلناكم أمة وسطا
Thus we have made you a middle nation…[2:143]

and begin with the same steps we outlined with the previous verse. If you think the verse is long, then divide it into several parts corresponding to correct and sound stops and normal meanings. Then repeat and repeat many times until it is engraved deeply in your memory.


10. [Connection process]
Begin now with the connection process which I mentioned in the eighth rule of memorization. That is by opening the book and focusing on the last part of the first verse – for example – إلى صراط مستقيم …and read it with an audible voice then connect it quickly without any stop with the first part of the second verse وكذلك جعلناكم أمة وسطا. Repeat this process many times but no less than five times.

After reading these steps – if you like them – begin implementing them straight away and record in a special notebook the date of beginning memorization. Contact someone you love and trust, and then tell them that you have found a technique in memorizing the Quran that you began applying today, so that you can be someone who guides to good.

One of the benefits of contacting someone like this is that it will be an encouragement for you in memorization and continuation, as it reflects an increased conviction in oneself with what you’ve read.

This is what is confirmed in psychology, if a person does something and he convinces someone else about it, then it is like taking a firm stance without retracting from it and his behavior increases his conviction in what he does.



It is possible to summarize this method in the following steps:-

1.Personal composure
2.Warm up
3.Concentration
4.Repetition
5.Connecting

Result = a strong memorization with the best method.


Source: Kayfa Tahfaz al-Qur`aan al-Kareem (“How to Memorise the Noble Quran”)

[jzcasejz]

Most of the vital info had already been posted, but nonetheless, inshaAllaah this'll prove useful:

QUICK TIPS THAT WILL HELP YOU IN MEMORIZING THE QUR’AN
By Muhammad Al-Shareef

1. You absolutely must have a teacher.

Do NOT memorize on your own. You must have a teacher who you respect and whom you fear. Don’t ask ‘how’ to memorize the Qur’an. Ask where you can find the best teacher. The teacher will then guide you on the ‘how’.

2. Distractions.

In memorizing the Qur’an, you must free your mind and environment of distractions. Imagine trying to memorize at a football game? Tough, huh? How about a theme park, could you sit down and control yourself to memorize? Probably not. Getting into a Qur’an Hifdh program with a teacher and discipline will assist you in creating the perfect atmosphere for memorization.

3. Memorize through Audio.

A lot of people think they are memorizing the ‘look’ of the Mushaf, but actually you are memorizing the ‘sound’ of Ayat. When I review, I record my recitation on CD and listen to it again and again. The students that read the loudest in class are all the strongest students. Why? Because they can hear themselves the most?

When I was in Qur’an school, the boy beside me read so loud. I asked the teacher to ask him to read more quietly. He said a most powerful statement that became my motto: “No, you read louder!” I did and it benefited me unbelievably.

4. Location of the Mushaf.

Your eyes follow a specific direction depending on what you are thinking or doing. If you are lying, your eyes go left. If you are remembering something visual, like where you left your keys, your eyes will look upwards.

When you memorize, the direction of memorization is right and left, not downwards. The mistake I see people make is that they put their mushaf low on the ground and then try to memorize. In order to fully harness the power of your mind, you must keep the mushaf at eye level, and not dip your head..

5. Eat brain food.

We’ve all heard the advice of uncles that you have to eat Badams (almonds) to improve memory. Well, I’m here to tell you that the uncles were right! The food you eat, the drinks you drink, directly affect your ability to excel in memorization of the Qur’an.

Do not eat fatty, unhealthy food. Do not drink soda. Eat a nutritious light breakfast, a nutritious light lunch, with almonds for snacks during the day. Subhan Allah, you will find you accomplish much more in your day.

6. Make everyday a victory.

You can move a mountain rock by rock. Enjoy every page you memorize, every Ayah.
I am often asked about my secret to memorizing the Qur’an. They are expecting me to teach them a special ‘south-beach-hifdh-diet’ or something. (I call it tip shopping, they are expecting a specific tip). I say again and again, there is no doubt that there are three ingredients. If you have these three ingredients, you will accomplish what you set out for:

1. Dua, supplication (you must always reflect your desire to Allah).

2. Sabr, patience (it will be a testing path, fill your bags with Sabr powerbars).

3. Taqwa, protecting yourself from sin.

If you do not remember anything from this article except these three ingredients (DST – Dua, Sabr, Taqwa - DST) then, bi idhnillah, it will suffice.

`Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sal Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, "The one who was devoted to the Qur'an will be told on the Day of Resurrection: `Recite and ascend (in ranks) as you used to recite when you were in the world. Your rank will be at the last Ayah you recite.'' [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

How many ranks will you climb on the Day of Resurrection? How many ranks would you like to climb?

[Magoo]

if one of the other mods agrees, can we make this a sticky?

[Abu Dharr Al Kashmiri]

A sticky in our hearts - by all means, insha'Allah!

[Umm Ahmed]

SubhaanAllaah I was going to start a thread like this , finally I can attend a real life helqa here in english and the teacher has given me so many things to memorize for next week.

If I can ask a question here , assuming you were brought up as a muslim which means usually your made to memorise suras from a young age , what about someone like me thats been brought up with critical understanding as the only schooling method . Will I be able to memorize ? or am I going to struggle ?

[Umm Ahmed]

if one of the other mods agrees, can we make this a sticky?
Go ahead InshAllaah.

[Magoo]

when i started learning quran when i started practising, all i knew was the alphabet, my reading was pretty abismal, my teacher had us start from qaeda (the alphabet), it took me three months to get the ain out from my throat instead of the front of my mouth

the most important thing is to be consistent (i am the worst to advise BTW). even if you read half a page a day it is better than nothing at all, practise is very important, and you need a teacher

it is good to set yourself a time, like straight after fajr and do this everyday no matter what

also listen to quran before you sleep, in the car, around the house and try a variety of recitors

when learning i believe husary is supposed to be the best

i like minshawi for learning

and efasi for pure beautiful recitation

the book of Allah is so important for us muslims, we do injustice with our lazy ways

[Yasir]

Will I be able to memorize ? or am I going to struggle ?You’ll be fine insha’Allah…
It’s just like anything else – the more practice you have, the better you will become at it.

If you start with the shorter surahs, and learn a line or so at a time, you can gradually build on it as you feel more comfortable. Practically, it helps to stick to one style of mushaf, as that tends to leave a sort of imprint in your mind. (The 15-lines per page Madinah print is useful).

The Qur’an can be recited during chores, other household activities etc. It’s important not to miss out on opportunities during the day/night (whilst doing other things) to revise previously memorised aayaat.

Also, most importantly, we should all remember the importance of abstinence from sins in relation to the strength of one’s memory, and not forget to make du’aa throughout, for assistance and ease in memorisation, insha’Allah.

[Fajr]

As-salaamu `alaykum

With regards to hifdh, there are so many ways a person can take but I think what's important is finding a method that suits each of us.

I used to try so many different methods that people recommended, but it was only after I was well into memorisation that I found my own comfortable method - e.g. I can't memorise after Fajr, I can only review then (contrary to popular thought). My favourite time for memorising new portions of hifdh is actually 'Asr time & after 'Isha!

Inna fee khalqi assamawati wal ardi....

(Inna (In a)) (fee(FItness) (khal (KHALed)+QIyam) etc. (i hope you got the idea)lol, I used to do this when I was young and ignorant of the Arabic language - let's just say it was a total disaster. After learning Arabic I had to re-memorise all those juz that I memorised with that method, because in my mind, the meanings were distorted to such an extent. I wouldn't really recommend it akhi.

[Fajr]

One good tip is Tawseel - connecting each verse/soorah to the next :-

After finishing a soorah, recite it from beginning to end (of by heart) and when having completed a Juz, recite it also from beginning to end!

[Salsabil]

lol, I used to do this when I was young and ignorant of the Arabic language - let's just say it was a total disaster. After learning Arabic I had to re-memorise all those juz that I memorised with that method, because in my mind, the meanings were distorted to such an extent. I wouldn't really recommend it akhi.

If one would know arabic that well, then yes, you are probably right. When I just started memorising I used that method very effectively, and would check pronunciation by listening to al-Ghamidi, and mashaAllah very effectively.

[Magoo]

i think everyone will develop their own methods over time, whats good for one wont necessarily be good for the other.

you have to take all these tips and try them out and see which one suits you insha'allah

[hifdh]

I am currently memorising the small surah's at the back of the Qur'aan, what I found is helping me is using transliterations of the Arabic text in English, along with the Arabic text to pronounce properly. My wife is fluent Arabic speaker so alhamdolilah i have a "teacher" to guide me.

[Anikaa]

One of my tajweed teachers [may Allah perserve her] gave me this checklist for memorisation:


Make your intention to memorise. Be firm and determined. Don't burn out.

Set aside a particular time of the day for memorisation. The earlier the better; after Fajr is the best time.

Spend 3 days a week memorising new verses, and use the other 4 days to revise.

Never memorise new verses you have not being tested reading. Also try to listen to the verses on a tape and repeat for a few hours before you start memorising. This way you will be familiar with a lot of the words before memorising.

Never memorise on a full stomach! Have a small snack, to avoid pain and hunger, and the occasionally grumbling sounds of your stomach. If you have eaten too much, you will be uncomfortable and distracted.

Have a special place for memorisation. A particular room, chair or even cushion. As soon as you sit, you will be ready to memorise.

Do NOT put your mushaf on the ground. Place it infront of you, so you don't have to tilt your head.

Always memorise aloud. Even when revising.

Once you have memorised a verse or line, repeat it 10 times, without any mistakes. If you make a mistake, start from 1 again. If you're successful, go on to the next verse. Once, you reach the end of a surah or page, repeat it 100 times. 20 times in 4 sittings. You don't have to do this all in one go. For example, after every salah, repeat the surah/page 15-20 times, counting on your fingers.

[This is the only way a new surah will become as easy as surah al-faitha for you now.]

Also repeat the surah/page you have memorised in your prayers and before you sleep.

Try to eat brain food, like dates:D and sultanas:D

Put a CD player in your room and put the surah you have memorised on repeat, while you sleep.

Lastly, always ask Allah subhanaahu wa ta'aala to assist you. Nothing is more powerful than the power of duaa.

HAVE FUN:)

[salahuddin_ayyubi]

Easiest Way to Memorize Al-Quraan

By our dear Shaykh: Abdul-Muhsin bin Muhammad al-Qaasim
Imaam and Khateeb of Masjid An-Nabawiyy ash-Shareef

All praise is due to Allah and may blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and his family and companions, all together.

This way is excellent for strengthening memorization and its firmness (in the memory), quick memorization and completing the Quraan with speed. And this way, with a demonstration with one section (wajh- which is about eight ayaat) from Surah al-Jumu`ah, is what follows:

1-Read the first ayah twenty times.

( يُسَبِّحُ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ الْمَلِكِ الْقُدُّوسِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَكِيمِ)

2- Read the second ayah twenty times.

( هُوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي الْأُمِّيِّينَ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آَيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِنْ كَانُوا مِنْ قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ)

3- Read the third ayah twenty times.

( وَآَخَرِينَ مِنْهُمْ لَمَّا يَلْحَقُوا بِهِمْ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ )
4-Read the fourth ayah twenty times.

( ذَلِكَ فَضْلُ اللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ )
5- Read these four (ayaat), from the first of them to the last of them, to link between them, twenty times.

6-Read the fifth ayah twenty times.

( مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا التَّوْرَاةَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَحْمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ الْحِمَارِ يَحْمِلُ أَسْفَارًا بِئْسَ مَثَلُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآَيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ )
7- Read the sixth ayah twenty times.

( قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ هَادُوا إِنْ زَعَمْتُمْ أَنَّكُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ لِلَّهِ مِنْ دُونِ النَّاسِ فَتَمَنَّوُا الْمَوْتَ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ )
8- Read the seventh ayah twenty times.

( وَلَا يَتَمَنَّوْنَهُ أَبَدًا بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِالظَّالِمِينَ )
9- Read the eighth ayah twenty times.

( قُلْ إِنَّ الْمَوْتَ الَّذِي تَفِرُّونَ مِنْهُ فَإِنَّهُ مُلَاقِيكُمْ ثُمَّ تُرَدُّونَ إِلَى عَالِمِ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ )
10- Read from fifth ayah to the eighth ayah twenty times to connect them.

11- Read from the first ayah to the eighth ayah: twenty times to perfect this wajh.

And like this, stick to this way in each wajh for the whole Quraan and do not increase in a single day more than eight (ayaat) so that you do not increase over you what you have already memorized, then the memorization changes and leaves your memory.

If I wanted to memorize a new wajh the next day, how do I do so?

When you want to memorize the next wajh the next day, then before you memorize the new wajh by the way I mentioned to you, read from the first wajh (from the beginning) to the end of it twenty times so that what you have already memorized becomes firm in your memory, then go over to the new wajh on the way that I pointed to.

How do I bring together memorization and review?

Do not memorize Al-Quraan without review because if you memorized al-Quraan one wajh at a time until you complete the Quraan and then you want to return to what you memorized, you would find yourself haven forgotten what you memorized. And the ideal way of bringing together memorization and review, and you divide the Quraan into three parts; every ten ajza' (plural of juz') is a part. So when you have memorized ten ajza' then pause (memorization) for a complete month for review and everyday review 8 awjah (pl. of wajh).

After a month of review begin with the memorization, memorizing one or two wajh, according to your ability, and review eight awjah, until you have memorized twenty juz'. When you have memorized twenty juz', pause the memorization for a period of two months for reviewing the twenty juz', each day reviewing eight awjah.

When two months have passed on reviewing, begin memorization again every day one or two wajh, according to your ability and review eight awjah, until you end the memorization of al-Quraan completely.

When you have completed the memorization of al-Quraan, review the first ten ajza' only, over a period of one month, each day half of a juz', then go ' on to the twenty juz' over a period of one month, each day half a juz' and read eight awjah from the first ten ajza', then go to reviewing the last ten ajza' of al-Quraan over a period of one month, each day half a juz' with eight awjah from the first ten ajza', and eight awjah from the twenty juz'.

How do I review the whole Quraan when I have completed this review?

Begin reviewing the whole Quraan, everyday two juz', repeating it three times each day, and (like this) you will complete the whole Quraan in two weeks. And by this way, you will have, in the course of a year, perfected the Quraan completely. And follow this way for the whole year.

What do I do a year after memorizing al-Quraan?

A year after perfecting al-Quraan and reviewing it, let your daily portion of al-Quraan till your death be the portion of Allah's Messenger Sallallau `alayhi wa Sallam, for he used to portion the Quraan into seven, meaning every seven days he would complete the Quraan. Aws in Hudhaifah rahimahuLlah said: I asked the Companions of the Messenger of Allah Sallallahu `alayhi wa Sallam, "How did you divide the Quraan?" They said" Three suwar (pl. of surah) , five suwar, seven suwar, nine suwar, eleven suwar, and the Mufassil, from surah Qaaf until the end." Ahmad reported it.

This means from the first day he reads from Surah al-Faatihah to the end of Surah an-Nisaa. On the second day he reads from Surah al-Maaidah to the end of Surah at-Tawbah. On the third day he reads from Surah Yunus to the end of Surah an-Nahl. On the fourth day he reads from Surah al-Israa to the end of Surah al-Furqaan. On the fifth day he reads from Surah ash-Shu`araa to the end of Surah Yaaseen. On the sixth day he reads from Surah as-Saaffaat to Surah al-Hujuraat. And on the seventh day, he reads from Surah Qaaf to the end of Surah an-Naas.

And the Ulamaa' have summarized the portions of Rasulillah Sallallau `alayhi wa Sallam into their words "Famee bi shawq" "فمي بشوق" which can be roughly translated as "My mouth is longing" or "My mouth eagerly".

So each letter in these two words is the beginning of one of the everyday portions Rasulillah Sallallahu `alayhi wa Sallam . The letter 'Faa' in the word "Famee" is a symbol for Surah al-Faatihah that shows that it is his hizb (portion) for the day that he begins with Surah al-Faatihah. The letter 'Meem' in their word "Famee" is for the beginning of his hizb on the second day, beginning with Surah al-Maaidah.
The letter 'Yaa' in their word "Famee" is for the beginning of his hizb for the third day, beginning with Surah Yunus. The letter 'Baa' in their word "Bi shawq" is for the beginning of his hizb on the fourth day, beginning with Surah Banee Israa-eel, which is also called Surah al-Israa.
The letter 'Sheen' in their word "bi shawq" is for the beginning of his hizb on the fifth day, which will begin with Surah ash-Shu`araa. The letter 'Waa' in their word "bi shawq" is for the beginning of his hizb on the sixth day, which begins with Surah was-Saaffaat (as-Saaffaat) .
The letter 'Qaaf' in their word "bi shawq" is for the beginning of his hizb for the seventh day, which begins with Surah Qaaf to the end of Surah an-Naas.

As for the current way that the Quraan was divided into ahzaab (pl. of hizb), then this is from al-Hajjaaj bin Yusuf.

How do I distinguish between similar ayaat in al-Quraan?

It is best to, when you come across two similar ayat, to open the mushaf to these two ayaat, see the difference between then, and contemplate it, and put yourself to a test, and during your review the part that difference repeatedly until you master the similarity between them.

Rules and regulations in memorization

1- Your memorization must be with a shaykh for correction recitation.

2-Memorize everyday two wajh, a wajh after Fajr and a wajh after `Asr or Maghrib, and with this way, you will memorize the complete Quraan perfectly (bi idhniLlah) in one year and you memorization will be perfect, unless you increase in the memorization, for if you did, what you memorized will weaken.

3-Your memorization should be from Suran an-Naas to Surah Al-Baqarah because it is easier. And after you memorize al-Quraan your review will be from Surah al-Baqarah to Surah an-Naas.

4-The memorization should be from a mushaf with the one print to be certain about the strength of the memorization and quicker studying the places of the ayaat and the ends and beginnings of the pages.

5- Everyone who memorizes (the Quraan) in the first two years loses some of what he memorized. This is called the "Marhalatut- Tajmee`", roughly translated as the "Gathering Stage". So do not worry about the Quraan leaving you or making many mistakes. This is a difficult stage of affliction which shaytaan has a portion of to make you stop memorizing al-Quraan. So do not pay attention to his whispers and continue memorizing it, for it is a treasure that is not given to just anyone...

Taken from shabkati al-Imaam al-Ajurri (Imam al-Ajurri's website)

Translated from Arabic into English by Ummu Istabraq as-Salafiyyah

[abuyasin]

Simple tip is to follow the way the Sahabah used to memorise which was take 10 verses or 5 and study them the implment them then memorise them doesn't matter how long it takes as the quality is what count not the quantity and remember what you memorize will be witness for you or against you depends on what you did with it..

[Abu Sufyan]

Sh. Suhaib Hasan came to our Masjid. He gave a lecture on 'What we owe to the Qur'an'

In terms of memorising, he suggested that eating almonds helps the memory. So he advised us to use this method while memorising the Qur'an

[Anikaa]

^ Raisans are good too and yummy!

[Abu Sufyan]

I find that reading and listening to Qur'an at any chance helps. E.g. on the bus or train etc, waiting for your wife when she's chatting with sisters (that is easily 20 minutes), at work or uni etc. I find that just fixing times to sit to memorise is not enough.

Also listening to Qur'an while reading helps me to memorise aswell maasha'Allah

[Aboo Uthmaan]

[FONT="Book Antiqua"]Sh. Suhaib Hasan came to our Masjid. He gave a lecture on 'What we owe to the Qur'an'
Was the lecture recorded? If so, how can I get hold of it?

[Sabro]

this was Yasirs advice on the other thread

A useful technique in memorising ayaat that I have seen others recommend is to practice them with the mushaf in the mornings, and try to recall them during the day without it. That exertion (recollection of the text without it before you) can be greatly beneficial in memorisation (and retaining information in general).

I absolutely agree. For me, sometimes if I can't remember the entire Ayah during the day, it drives me nuts and I have to look it up. However, when I do look it up, I recite it about twenty times or so and after that I'm usually good to go.

Also, after having memorized one Ayah when memorizing the next Ayah recite the one you've memorized along with the new one. So, you're always adding not memorizing and leaving the one memorized and going onto the next one.

I hope this helps others too.

Great thread.

[Abuz Zubair]

A tip for those with busy schedules... If you are out and about travelling (since most of our time is spent travelling in London), keep playing whatever Juz you are memorising in the car and within a couple of months it should all be in your memory if you do that on a daily basis.

[justabro]

Btw, a wajh is one side of a page... this term is used so as not to confuse with safhah, or page as one might understand from them both sides.

[Abu Ikrimah]

What about tips on retaining what one has. Many people can memorise easily and place vast amounts in their short term memory, but what about after a while when it dissapears? How can one transfer what is in in their STM to their long term memory?

[Magoo]

if you can afford it, i recommend buying an mp3 player, they go quite cheap these days and you can get alot more listening done with them

[Fajr]

What about tips on retaining what one has. Many people can memorise easily and place vast amounts in their short term memory, but what about after a while when it dissapears? How can one transfer what is in in their STM to their long term memory?
That's the killer, it's really sad when you go back to a soorah and find that you've forgotten some verses! Teachers always stress the importance of muraaja'ah (reviewing) more so than new hifdh because to be honest it's harder. Most people I guess could take it 1 juz per day - completing the Qur'an in a month, or depending on how much they want to review, they could do certain ajzaa per week etc.

[Aboo Suhayb]

What about tips on retaining what one has. Many people can memorise easily and place vast amounts in their short term memory, but what about after a while when it dissapears? How can one transfer what is in in their STM to their long term memory?

salaam 'Alaykuum

They say short term memory is lasts between 20-60 seconds anything over this goes into the long term memory (if I remember correctly). Which means the example you cited the person probably has it memorised - Psychologist say once something is in your long term memory it can be retrieved even if you cant remember it like there and then. Its somewhere lodged in your brain. (i'm not a psychologist I remember this briefly from some lessons I took)

As for memorising tips, I find that I can concentrate after salah al-fajr I normally start by reviewing what i've memorised from the previous day to make sure I have no mistakes and then move on. This way you wouldn't forget it....Allahu 'Alam

[Abu Ikrimah]

That's the killer, it's really sad when you go back to a soorah and find that you've forgotten some verses! Teachers always stress the importance of muraaja'ah (reviewing) more so than new hifdh because to be honest it's harder. Most people I guess could take it 1 juz per day - completing the Qur'an in a month, or depending on how much they want to review, they could do certain ajzaa per week etc.

Does that mean that one should memorise between half and one side a day and review one juz'?

[Fajr]

if you can afford it, i recommend buying an mp3 player, they go quite cheap these days and you can get alot more listening done with them
I second this... my mp3 filled with Qur'aan was one of my best investments (until it got put in the washing machine by accident! Subhanallah it was Sony as well)

Does that mean that one should memorise between half and one side a day and review one juz'?Yeah I think if one is memorising, they'd have to also be reviewing but it is tough I admit that. If it's easier, a person can do half a juz of review each day (or choose between the suwar). Sometimes it's easily to get so absorbed into memorising a new portion and have very little time to review (I'm a big time culprit in this so I'll hold out on giving advice on it). May Allah make it easy for us all! Ameen

I have to say though, even when someone becomes a haafidh, I'm sure they'll need a period of constant review before reaching a level of 'itqaan' where their memorisation & recollection is really good.

[Abu Ikrimah]

jazaakillahu khayran for the good advice.

I have a chinese friend who is a hafith....

I asked him once how good his 'itqan' was, he replied that he knows the whole Quran like he knows al-faatihah.

I asked him how much time he dedicates to reviewing every day - his reply - NONE!!

He says that he is ALWAYS reviewing, when he is walking down the street, to class, waiting for a lesson, having lunch, walking up the stairs, down the stairs, ALL THE TIME!

He is an inspiration for us all!

[Fajr]

Wa iyyaka
He says that he is ALWAYS reviewing, when he is walking down the street, to class, waiting for a lesson, having lunch, walking up the stairs, down the stairs, ALL THE TIME!
Masha'Allah that's amazing.
It's happened to me a couple of times when I'd be walking & someone would go past me audibly reciting Qur'aan - it was clearly muraja3ah masha'Allah. In Muslim countries it's quite common to see people do this and you can spot the students of Qur'an or those with deadlines and classes coming up for hifdh etc... they're always reciting wherever they are and looking into their pocket mus-hafs tabarakallah. May Allah increase them.

[AnonyMousey]

As-salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh,

Dunno if this has been already mentioned in the thread, but here's some advice my husband gave me about memorizing/ reviewing:

Make wudhu with concentration.
Sit in a place free from distraction.
"Warm up" by reading some other pages in the Qur'an.
Open to your spot where you're memorizing.
Read what you've previously memorized.
Read your new portion a minimum of five times to grasp it.

My father will use car rides as an opportunity for revision, for himself and for my brothers... when he's driving them to school he'll make them recite what they've done before, and correct their mistakes.
As for me, after I'm finished memorizing a new surah I'll go back and review the ones I've done before... and make sure to spend time on ayaat that I get mixed up on (esp. the ones that are the same and present in other surahs).

[Abu Ikrimah]

My father will use car rides as an opportunity for revision, for himself and for my brothers...

He probably lives in a place where people drive like human beings...

[Yasir]

Depending on the number of ajzaa previously memorised, it’s useful to split up your memorisation into three portions: a) new memorisation b) recent memorisation, and c) old memorisation

One should continue to memorise new verses daily as per their individual practice (e.g. half a side, one side, two sides etc.). Thereafter, focus on their recent memorisation. This should be from the beginning of the juz until the portion you are currently at.

For example if you’re starting an-Naml; your new memorisation would be from verse one onwards and your recent memorisation would be from ‘wa qaal allatheena…’ (the beginning of the nineteenth juz). Accordingly, the old memorisation would be from juz one to nineteen. This should be split up so that it is all revised at least once every ten days.

If this pattern is observed daily (i.e. learn new verses, revise from the beginning of the juz to the new verses, and revise a significant portion of the old memorisation), this should help one to strongly retain the Qur’an.

Another important aspects I’ve seen huffadh recommend is observing tahajjud. This is the time to test your memorisation – regardless of whether it’s a page or a juz, and to build upon it. Given that the month of the Qur’an is only weeks away, we should all aim to lead our families (and sisters leading sisters) occasionally in prayer…

[Abu Ikrimah]

Another important aspects I’ve seen huffadh recommend is observing tahajjud. This is the time to test your memorisation – regardless of whether it’s a page or a juz, and to build upon it. Given that the month of the Qur’an is only weeks away, we should all aim to lead our families (and sisters leading sisters) occasionally in prayer…

Yes!

My teacher stresses that big time.

He keeps quoting a hadeeth in Muslim that states something like it makes your hifth very strong (praying tahajjud with what you have memorised)

It would be great if someone can quote that hadeeth (i.e., find it)

[Fajr]

There's a really good thread on multaqa on the best ways of muraja3a (reviewing): http://ahlalhdeeth.com/vb/showthread.php?t=140725

سُئل الشيخ الحوينى عن ذلك فأجاب :
الصلاة به .
[Shaykh al-Huwaini was asked about the best way of reviewing the Qur'an and he said: Praying with it (i.e. reciting what you've memorised in the salaah]

This was a nice post:

طريقة المراجعة تتفاوت بحسب قوة الحفظ ..
من الحفاظ من يراجع خمسة أجزاء بسهولة ..
ومنهم من يعجزعن مراجعة جزء يوميًا !

وهذا مبني على الفرق بين المراجعة للضبط والتثبيت ومراجعة المتقن الضابط ..

المراجعة للتثبيت والضبط
1.اتخذ مصحفا مناسب الحجم وقدر الكم الذي تستطيع مراجعته بإتقان ( ربع -نصف -حزب .. .) وتذكر { أدومه وإن قل } .
2. لنقدر أنك ستراجع حزبا (عشرة أوجه) .. كرر الثمن(ربع الحزب) الأول حتى تتقنه من غير خطأ ، ولا تنس أن تضع خطًا تحت موضع الخطأ ليكون منبها لك عند العودة إليه .
3. اغلق المصحف وكرره عشر مرات بدون أخطاء.
4. افعل ذلك في بقية الأثمان الثلاثة .
5. إن استطعت أن تعرض حفظك على حافظ متقن فافعل فإنه ناااااافع .
6. قم بذلك الحزب في الليل وفي النوافل .
..............
وفي اليوم التالي ابدأ بمراجعة الماضي ثم ابدأ بالجديد ..
توقف في نهاية الأسبوع عن الجديد واجعله مراجعة لما أخذته في الأسبوع كاملا ..
وهكذا حتى تختم القرآن متقنا بإذن الله .

{ والذين جاهدوا فينا لنهدينهم سبلنا وإن الله لمع المحسنين }

مراجعة المتقن الضابط :

إذا كان المرء بدرجة من الضبط عالية فإنه لا يحتاج إلى تحديد وقت وطريقة ، لكن يتخذ له وردا لا ينزل عنه ، فيختم في كل سبع ليال أو عشر أو خمس عشرة بحسب ورده ..

وأختم بوصية أوصي بها نفسي وإخواني لاسيما طلاب العلم بــ

ـ(( أن لا تجعل للقرآن فضول وقتك وجهدك .. والتدبر التدبر ياأولي الألباب )).
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