06/11/2015
Almost every Muslim
wishes to memorise
the Quran and many
have embarked upon
the journey of doing
so, yet a number
among them do this
task rather
haphazardly, which
leads to difficulty in
the process of
memorisation as well
as increasing their
chances of forgetting
what they have memorised. In view of the great need of ensuring the
successful memorisation of the Quran, some practical steps toward efficient
memorisation and avoiding setbacks are stated in this article:
1. The Same Copy
Use the same Mus-haf (copy) when you read the Quran and stick to it so that
you may become familiar with it and know the sites of various verses and how
to find them quickly when you revise what you have memorised.
2. Reader
Try to find a knowledgeable reader, such as a Shaykh (scholar) who is well
versed in the rules of Tajweed (correct recitation). Start reading to him what
you intend to memorise beforehand so that he may correct any wrong
pronunciation.
3. Group
Read and memorise the Quran within a group rather than individually. Members
of groups help each other in correcting mistakes and thus make the task
easier. Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam (may Allaah exalt
his mention) said: "Whenever a group congregates in one of the houses of
Allaah (i.e., Mosques) to recite the Book of Allaah (Quran) and study it, peace
and mercy will descend upon them, the angels will surround them and Allaah
will mention them to those with Him (i.e., the angels)." [Muslim]
4. Repeat
Repeat what you have memorised to yourself frequently, and the best way to do
this is during the prayers.
5. Tajweed
Learn the basic rules of Tajweed before you start memorising and try to apply
these rules while memorising. Allaah Says in the Quran (what means): "… And
recite the Quran with measured recitation." [Quran 73:4]
6. Supplication
Supplicate to Allaah to help you in memorising what you have read of the
Quran. Many Hadeeths (Prophetic narrations) point to how this is to be done.
7. Sequence of Chapters
Begin memorising the Quran from the last section (Juz') and work backwards,
as the verses in the last section are shorter and more familiar.
8. Audio Cassette
Listening to an audio cassette of the Quran will assist you in memorising what
you have read and make it easier for you to know the right pronunciation and
intonation; however, you must choose a reader who is well known for being
skilled, so that you can memorise the Quran correctly.
9. Location
Try to read the Quran in a quiet location and stick to this if you can, as this
will put you in the right mood to memorise the Quran and keep you away from
any distractions. An example of such a place is the Masjid (Mosque).
10. Time
Make reading and memorising the Quran a daily activity and allocate a special
time devoted to this purpose. Try to choose a suitable time when you are fresh
and not tired. The best time is at dawn, as Allaah Says (what means): "…
Indeed, the recitation [of the Quran] at dawn is ever witnessed" [Quran 17:78]
and that is after the Fajr (dawn) prayer. Avoid reading and memorising in the
late evenings when you come back from work tired and sleepy, as it will be
difficult for you to concentrate at that time.
11. Understanding
Try to understand the meaning of what you memorise, as this will assist
further memorisation and enable you to act upon what you read.
12. Review
Always review what you have memorised and make this a regular habit;
otherwise you will tend to forget what you have memorised after a while. It is
advisable to review the whole Quran every thirty days. Prophet Muhammad
sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "Take care of the Quran (by memorising
it). I swear by the One in whose Hand is my soul that it is easier to slip away
from you than the camels from their shackles." [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
