In our journey to seek knowledge, there’s a vital balance that every student must strive to achieve—memorization and understanding.
These two are like the wings of a bird, enabling us to soar towards true knowledge. One without the other leaves us grounded. Let’s explore why both memorization and understanding are crucial in the path of studying the religion of Islam.
Memorization: Knowledge You Carry Everywhere
- Some of the Imams of the past like 'Abd al-Razzaq al-San‘ani (d. 211 AH) are reported to have said:
كل علم لا يدخل مع صاحبه الحمام ، فلا تعده علماً
"Any knowledge that does not accompany its possessor to the bathroom should not be considered knowledge."
This statement might sound strange, but it holds a deep meaning. What do you take with you when you go to the restroom? Not your books, not your notes, and sometimes not even your phone.
What goes with you is what you’ve memorised—the Quran, the hadiths, Mutoon, poetry, and so on. That is true knowledge.
Imagine someone stops you on your way to the Masjid or a Dars and asks whether something is halal (permissible) or haram (forbidden). If your answer is, “Hold on, let me check my notes,” that’s not true knowledge. Knowledge is when you have it within you, ready at any moment, guiding you in every situation. This is why memorization is so essential, especially in Islam, where we aim to carry the words of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ in our hearts.
The Right Order
Memorization begins with the Quran, but it doesn’t stop there. The hadith of the Prophet ﷺ must also be memorised as much as one can, followed by the core principles and texts authored by scholars.
The great Imams of Islam memorised poetry and texts from various Islamic sciences, such as Fiqh (Islamic law), Tafsir (exegesis), and the Arabic language. This practice enabled them to carry their knowledge with them wherever they went. Each line of poetry or text acted as a key, unlocking detailed knowledge of numerous issues and topics within the relevant discipline.
Why Understanding Is the Other Half of the Picture
Memorization alone is not enough. Imagine a donkey carrying a load of books—it doesn’t matter how many books are piled on; the donkey gains no wisdom. Similarly, if we memorise without understanding, we’re just carrying information without truly benefiting from it. Allah warns us in the Quran about those who were given the Torah but didn’t practise it.
- Allah says in Surah al-Jumu’ah:
مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا۟ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَحْمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ ٱلْحِمَارِ يَحْمِلُ أَسْفَارًۢا ۚ…
The example of those who were entrusted with ˹observing˺ the Torah but failed to do so, is that of a donkey carrying books… (Surah al-Jumu’ah 62:5)
They are compared to donkeys carrying books, signifying knowledge without action.
It is crucial to note that we must strive to adopt the Fahm of the Salaf—the Pious Predecessors—of this Ummah, as their understanding of the Qur'an and Sunnah is the only correct one.
Memorization + Understanding = Practice
Understanding gives life to what we memorise. We memorise so that we can practise or implement what we learn, and we seek understanding to perfect that practice. Knowledge in Islam is not just about storing facts; it’s about living those facts. When we understand what we’ve memorised, we’re able to act on it, implement it, and make it a part of our daily lives.
Memorization helps us take the knowledge with us wherever we go, and understanding gives us the depth to apply it correctly.
Growing with Knowledge: A House Filled with Learning
Now imagine a household where everyone is actively memorising the Quran, hadith, and Islamic texts. Children, parents, everyone is learning, bit by bit. Over time, the household becomes a hub of knowledge. The children may start with the Quran and gradually move on to other Islamic sciences like Fiqh or Tafsir. Parents can also join in, even if it’s just one verse a day.
A family that memorises together grows together in knowledge. They build a strong foundation of Islamic understanding, ensuring that their learning is not just in their books but in their hearts.
How to Balance Memorization and Understanding at Different Ages
When children are young, their ability to memorise is much stronger than their ability to understand. As they grow, this changes—their understanding deepens, but their capacity for memorization might lessen. This means we should focus more on memorization during their early years, filling their hearts with Quran, hadith, and primer texts of each Islam science.
As they get older, we shift towards building their understanding, teaching them how to apply what they’ve memorised. This ensures that by the time they reach adulthood, they are not only carrying knowledge but also living it.
For adults, the approach might be slightly different. Adults should emphasise understanding, while memorising as much as they can. A balance between the two ensures that both the heart and the mind are working together in the pursuit of Islamic knowledge.
The Goal of Seeking Knowledge: Action
At the heart of it all, the goal of learning is to practise. In Islam, knowledge is meant to transform us, to make us better worshippers, and better human beings. We don’t memorise just for the sake of it, and we don’t seek understanding only to appear wise. We do it so that we can apply it in our everyday lives.
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
خَيْرُكُمْ مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ وَعَلَّمَهُ
“The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 5027]
This shows that the purpose of learning is not just to store information but to live it and share it with others.
Bringing It All Together: A Life of Balanced Learning
So, how do we achieve this balance between memorization and understanding? It starts in the home. Encourage memorization from a young age and nurture understanding as children grow. As adults, we must strive to keep both memorising and deepening our understanding, making knowledge a part of our everyday actions.
By balancing these two wings—memorization and understanding—we can ensure that our pursuit of Islamic knowledge leads us to become better worshippers and more mindful followers of Allah’s guidance.
In your home, encourage a culture where knowledge is not just stored in books but carried in the hearts. Create a household where memorization is nurtured, understanding is deepened, and both lead to action. That’s the true balance in seeking knowledge in Islam.
We hope you learned something beneficial today! If you're looking to create a household that values, seeks, and implements Islamic knowledge, join us at AMAU.
For adults with high aspirations and a passion for learning, AMAU Academy offers dedicated programs in personal development, Arabic language, and an intensive program for deeper studies in Islamic sciences.
For the younger ones, AMAU Junior is the perfect platform to nurture their interest in the Deen. Both offer flexible options with live classes, helping Muslims of all ages grow and join the ranks of the people of knowledge.