A Personal Journey and Practical Guide to Qur'an Memorization

"Indeed, We have revealed the Remembrance,

and indeed We will preserve it."

Qur'an 15:9

By Admad Adisa

Taking on memorization of Qur'an or any book of knowledge is not for the lazy. It will take dedication, determination and a true intention. Here are a few things that can I have found to help me in my personal journey towards memorization of Qur'an and advice that I've gotten over some time from my teachers and fellow students.

1. PURITY OF INTENTION: Sincerity is purifying the action from being observed by people. Dhul Nun al-Misri said that 3 signs of sincerity are when praise and censure from the masses are equal, forgetting to see your involvement in deeds, and wanting reward for one's action in the Hereafter. Make it a habit before you begin your daily hifdh section by renewing your intention. It is a good way to start fresh each day.

2. BE GOOD: Avoid sin. Learn and apply the Sunnah to your daily life. Do good deeds and seek Allah's forgiveness as much as you can remember to. Qur'an is the Word of Allah Ta'ala, therefore having the utmost respect for yourself becoming a vessel that contains it is of the utmost importance.

3. HAVE A CONSCIOUS TECHNIQUE: In other words: Know HOW you're going to get it done. This can be a confusing part for quite a number of people. There are no shortage of techniques however, the question is: which one works best for you?

THE MAURITANIAN METHOD I have read and heard of various forms of it. What worked for me is what was taught to me by Shaykh Rami Nsour.

Here's how it is done:

- On the first day you will choose the sabaq (section for memorization) for the day. This time can be late morning, early afternoon or in the evening. Whichever fits your specific schedule.

- You will read from the Mushaf 100 times. Not from memory, but by looking and reading from the mushaf.

- You want to pick a few times during the day to do this and only this. Two really key times is reading before you go to bed and when you wake up.

- Ultimately you want to read your sabaq 300-400 times from your beginning time until your end time.

- If you have the means you should write out the sabaq and read from it. I personally do this to work as many senses as I can into what I'm memorizing. I also write it out in skeleton form (i.e. no vowel markings).

- I use a dry erase board however, you can use whatever method available just be mindful that you are writing Qur'an and learn the proper methods of disposing of it.

- Shaykh Rami hinted at me really focusing on the morning time being the final session and my experience is that it is quite beneficial and should be your aim before moving on to the next section for memorization. The next day you will do the same with the next section. Only with this section you will add a piece from what you memorized the day before. Its works as a connector between them. Sort of like a brain hack to facilitate piecing the sabaq together.

- The previous days sabaq should be repeated 'up to' 50 times

- The day after 25 times

- The day after that 15 times

- And then 10 and 5 times

The days after the initial memorization are for stronger retention. It can be 'up to' these numbers, but review after the initial memorization is mandatory. This method, like most methods, takes time but, the more time you take the stronger the retention.

33 x 33 (or BACK-AND-FORTH METHOD) This is a method used in Nigeria and is quite strong as well. Unlike the Mauritanian method, it done ayat by ayat (or, in longer ayat, portion by portion).

- You read the ayah from the mushaf 33 times and then from memory 33 times.

- You would then move on the the next line reading it 33 times and the reciting it 33 times from memory.

- Next you would take both lines and repeat this method.

- You do this until you complete your memorization goal for the day. Reviewing can be done just as it is in the above method or as many as you see fit for a really good retention.

OTTOMAN (or BACK-AND-FORTH METHOD) The Ottoman method is really about 'where to start'. In Turkey they still do this. When someone endeavors to memorize Qur'an they begin by memorizing, first, the last page of each of the thirty juz of Qur'an. When finished they go back and memorize the 2nd to last page and so on until they complete the entire Qur'an. How it is done is that you start on the last page on the last ayat. After memorizing it, then you move on to the second ayat and so on. The wisdom of this is that if you've were ever made to forget a longer surah you lose the latter part first. This method ensures a very strong later part memorization. Another tip is to recite these latter pages in your prayers alone at times.

10 x 3 METHOD This is where you read from the mushaf 10 times and recite from memory 3 times. This is good, in my opinion, for repair and revision. I personally combine all these methods. In my initial review I begin with the Back-and-Forth Method at the last ayah of the sabaq. I don't always repeat 33 times either way however, I go no less than ten times until I reach my daily goal and from there I begin repeating the entire sabaq using the Mauritanian method mentioned above. The 100 times may not be feasible for those who have jobs or other responsibilities. There is plenty of time throughout the day to do the needed repetitions: walking, waiting in line, etc. Use any 'free' time and fill it with the dhikr of reciting and inculcating Qur'an. Lastly, find a time during the day to recite as much as you can, from memory, of Qur'an. Dedicate an hour or more into your schedule to do this. In any of these times when you are memorizing find a nice quiet spot, free from distractions and get to it.

4. Use One Mushaf Hifdh is quite visual. Stick with one.

5. Understand What You're Saying Read tafsir and look up words you don't know.

6. Seek Allah's Help

7. Tahajjud Utilize it for reviewing what you learn.