Memorising the Qur’an is a life-changing commitment that strengthens your bond with Allah ﷻ and fills your heart with His divine words. This is more than just a task—it’s a legacy passed down through generations.
Countless scholars and Muslims have dedicated themselves to this noble effort, and their methods provide valuable lessons for anyone ready to take on this challenge.
Whether you're starting from scratch or building on what you already know, this guide - inspired by a course from our Self-Development Program - will give you practical, step-by-step advice to memorise the Qur’an effectively and meaningfully.
1. The Significance of Memorisation
Memorisation (Hifdh) has always been a cornerstone of Islamic knowledge. It is not only about retaining the words of sacred knowledge but also about internalising their meanings and teachings. For centuries, scholars have advocated for a balanced approach to knowledge, one that integrates both memorisation (Hifdh) and understanding (Fahm).
Remember this equation:
Knowledge = Memorisation + Understanding
This formula highlights that memorisation alone is not sufficient to acquire knowledge. Some individuals may have vast understanding but may struggle to recall verses or texts from memory. Conversely, someone who has memorised extensively may lack the depth to explain or apply the knowledge they have retained. To become a well-rounded student of knowledge, you must strike a balance between the two.
But why focus on memorisation first?
Historical Examples: Islamic history is filled with examples of scholars who excelled in memorisation at a young age.
- Imam Ash-Shafi'i memorized the Muwatta of Imam Malik—a collection of 1,947 hadiths—at the remarkable age of ten. He also memorized it with the chains of narration. Notably, during that time, books lacked dots and diacritical marks (Tashkeel) on the letters, making this achievement even more extraordinary.
- Imam an-Nawawi memorised Kitab at-Tanbeeh by Ash-Shirazi in four and a half months. In the remaining months, he memorised Rub' al-'Ibaadaat by the same author.
- ‘Ali ibn Mahmood ibn ‘Attaar memorised Alfiyyah al-I’raaqi - a 1,000-line poem - in one day.
- At-Tujeebi said about Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, “I wonder at the Hifdh of Ibn Taymiyyah.” The first book he memorised as a kid was Al-Jam' Bayna As-Sahihayn by Al-Humaydi - a 5-6 volume book of hadith.
With that said, the first thing a Muslim should memorise is the Book of Allah ﷻ - the Qur’an. It is the final revelation and a guide for all humanity, making it a priority in every Muslim’s life.
The Qur’an is a Divine Gift:
- Allah ﷻ says in Surah Az-Zukhruf:
وَإِنَّهُۥ لَذِكْرٌ لَّكَ وَلِقَوْمِكَ ۖ وَسَوْفَ تُسْـَٔلُونَ
“And indeed, it is a Dhikr for you and your people, and you [all] are going to be questioned.” [Az-Zukhruf: 44]
In this Ayah, "Dhikr" refers to the Qur’an being a source of honour and remembrance. Memorising the Qur’an grants a believer immense respect in this life and elevates them in the Hereafter. More importantly, the Qur’an is a light and a guide, a divine mercy that can bring even the hardest of hearts back to life.
2. The Reverence of the Qur'an
The Qur’an is unlike any other text. It’s a book that contains divine wisdom and guidance for all aspects of life.
- Allah ﷻ, in Surah Al-Isra, challenges humanity to produce something even remotely like it:
قُل لَّئِنِ ٱجْتَمَعَتِ ٱلْإِنسُ وَٱلْجِنُّ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يَأْتُوا۟ بِمِثْلِ هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانِ لَا يَأْتُونَ بِمِثْلِهِۦ وَلَوْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ ظَهِيرًا
“Say, ‘If mankind and the jinn gathered in order to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like of it, even if they were to each other assistants.’” [Al-Isra: 88]
This Ayah underscores the miraculous nature of the Qur’an. No matter how advanced humans become, they will never be able to replicate its wisdom, beauty, and eloquence. The Qur’an stands as a timeless miracle that will continue to guide, inspire, and challenge humanity until the end of time.
The Divine Honour of Having the Qur’an
- In Surah Al-Hijr, Allah ﷻ says:
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَـٰكَ سَبْعًا مِّنَ ٱلْمَثَانِى وَٱلْقُرْءَانَ ٱلْعَظِيمَ
"And We have certainly given you, [O Muḥammad], seven of the often-repeated [verses] and the great Qur’an." [Al-Hijr: 87]
Here, Allah ﷻ reminds the Prophet ﷺ of the immense gift He has bestowed upon him. The "seven of the often-repeated" refers to Surah Al-Fatiha, and the "great Qur’an" refers to the entirety of the Qur’an. It is an unparalleled gift that surpasses all worldly wealth and luxury.
- Allah ﷻ then says:
لَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِۦٓ أَزْوَٰجًا مِّنْهُمْ [...]
Do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [certain] categories of them [i.e., the disbelievers] [...] [Al-Hijr 88]
Allah ﷻ tells us to stop craving for the wealth and luxury given to others when we have been given something much greater - the Qur’an.
A Heart Deprived of Hifdh
- The Prophet ﷺ said in a hadith:
إِنَّ الَّذِي لَيْسَ فِي جَوْفِهِ شَيْءٌ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ كَالْبَيْتِ الْخَرِبِ
"Indeed, the one who does not have the Qur'an inside him (his heart), is like the ruined house." [Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2913]
This hadith is a powerful reminder. Our hearts are meant to be filled with the words of Allah. Without it, they can become like empty, abandoned houses—void of purpose and life.
Take a moment to reflect: Do we want our hearts to become like neglected, ruined homes, or do we want them to thrive with the light of the Qur'an?
3. Listening to a Reciter: Preparing for Memorisation
Before delving into the actual process of memorisation, it’s essential to understand the power of listening. Listening to the Qur’an being recited by a skilled reciter is beneficial for your pronunciation and intonation and helps you internalise the words.
Many people think that memorising the Qur’an is difficult, especially for those who are older. However, there are countless examples of people who memorised the Qur’an later in life.
Abu Bakr as-Siddeeq رضي الله عنه completed his memorisation at 61 years old.
A scholar of Islam, Abu ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar al-Hammuyah, is said to have memorised the Qur’an at the age of 80 years! These examples show that Hifdh is possible at any age, provided there is determination and consistency.
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
[...] فَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُ اللَّهَ فَسَلُوهُ الْفِرْدَوْسَ
[...] so if you ask Allah for anything, ask Him for the Firdaus. [Sahih al-Bukhari 7423]
You must set the goal of memorising the Speech of your Lord and begin working towards it from this very moment.
Remember: HIFDH IS NOT A RACE.
You are not required to finish it in one year or two. You are required to BE CONSISTENT.
Keep seeking knowledge and do not give up.
The BIGGEST problem faced by a student of knowledge is when he says, “I can’t do it.”
Every scholar or Imam whose biography you read stayed in his mother’s womb for 9 months. Just like you.
- Above all, Allah ﷻ told us that He has made His Book easy to remember:
وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ
And We have certainly made the Qur’ān easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember? [Al-Qamar 40]
Practical Tips for Listening:
- Choose a Skilled Reciter: Sheikh Mahmoud Khalil Al-Hussary’s recitation is highly recommended due to his precise Tajweed and clear recitation.
- Repeat Listening Sessions: Start by listening to an entire page or specific verses 50 times before attempting to memorise. This repetition embeds the correct pronunciation and flow of the verses in your memory.
- Break Down Ayahs: For longer verses, break them down into smaller sections and listen to each section 10 times before moving on to the next part.
By engaging with the Qur’an through listening, you are activating multiple senses, making the memorisation process easier.
4. Reciting and Repeating: The Core of Memorisation
Once you’ve familiarised yourself with the verses by listening, the next step is recitation and repetition. This is where consistency and discipline play a crucial role.
Wake Up Early:
Starting your memorisation session early in the morning, ideally 1-2 hours before Fajr is an effective strategy. The quiet and calm of the early hours allow for focused and undisturbed memorisation.
Recite to a Teacher:
After listening to your portion, it’s essential to read it aloud to a teacher who can correct your recitation. When doing this, aim to read from the Mushaf. This practice helps ensure that your recitation is accurate, allowing you to catch and correct any mistakes in pronunciation or rhythm. By doing so, you ensure that the portions you’ve memorised are free from errors.
The Repetition Process:
Here’s a step-by-step guide for memorising through repetition:
- Step 1: Choose a verse (Ayah) that you wish to memorise. Read it three times while looking at the Mushaf.
- Step 2: Close the Mushaf and recite the verse from memory three times. If you make even a minor mistake, go back and repeat Step 1.
- Step 3: Once you’ve successfully memorised the first Ayah, move on to the next one. Follow the same process, reading it three times from the Mushaf and three times from memory.
- Step 4: Once you’ve memorised two Ayahs, combine them by reciting both together three times. This method reinforces the connection between verses and solidifies your memory.
Keep repeating this set of steps until you finish your daily portion.
Whenever you memorise a new Ayah from the portion, you connect it with the preceding Ayahs by reading from the first Ayah of the portion/page.
Another effective method one should never neglect is writing down the portion one aims to memorise. This portion - be it one page, a half, a quarter, etc. - should be written in its entirety 3 times.
Its benefits include learning how to write the Mushaf and enhancing writing speed.
One factor without which you cannot progress in your Hifdh journey is discipline. The idea of sitting cross-legged for hours and focusing on memorisation and repetition causes a lot of people to leave this path.
Finishing a Surah
When you make it through the pages and complete your memorisation of a Surah, you do something known as Jam’. It simply means reading the entire Surah from beginning to end.
The Tradition of Sub'ah
Once you finish a Juz’ of the Qur’an, you do something known as Sub’ah.
5. Sub'ah and Finishing the Qur'an
Memorising the Qur’an is not just about individual verses; it’s about completing the entire Book. As you progress through the Juz’ (sections) of the Qur’an, a traditional method known as Sub'ah can help reinforce your memorisation.
What is Sub'ah?
Sub'ah involves revising the Qur’an with a partner. Each person takes turns reciting alternating verses. This method ensures focus and engagement, as both participants are actively listening and correcting one another. For example, one person recites the first verse, the second person recites the next, and so on. Joint recitation of the last part of every Ayah helps to maintain rhythm and accuracy.
Finishing the Qur’an
Your goal should be to finish the Qur’an consistently.
The 30-Day Obligation
Completing the Quran at least once within 30 days is a must for every Muslim. Anyone failing to do so has abandoned it.
- It has come in the Aayah:
وَقَالَ ٱلرَّسُولُ يَـٰرَبِّ إِنَّ قَوْمِى ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ مَهْجُورًا
And the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) will say: "O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this Qur’ân (neither listened to it, nor acted on its laws and teachings). [al-Furqan 30]
The Seven-Day Program
If you are a Hafidh, you must ensure you finish it every seven days. The Sahaabah رضي الله عنهم used to finish the Qur’an in this manner. Following their example, here’s a seven-day schedule:
- Day 1: Surah Al-Fatiha to Surah Al-Ma’idah
- Day 2: Surah Al-Ma’idah to Surah Yunus
- Day 3: Surah Yunus to Surah Bani Isra’eel
- Day 4: Surah Bani Isra’eel to Surah Ash-Shu’ara
- Day 5: Surah Ash-Shu’ara to Surah As-Saffaat
- Day 6: Surah As-Saffaat to Surah Qaf
- Day 7: Surah Qaf to Surah An-Naas
Sticking to this schedule ensures regular revision and keeps the Qur’an fresh in your mind.
Graduating to the Three-Day Program
As an aspirational goal, the Hafidh should strive to finish the Qur’an every three days. This journey from Surah Al-Fatiha to Surah An-Nas within three days is a significant milestone.
Here is a brief plan for this method:
- Day 1: Surah Al-Fatiha to Surah Al-Anfal [Ayah 41]
- Day 2: Surah Al-Anfal [Ayah 41] to Surah An-Naml [Ayah 56]
- Day 3: Surah An-Naml [Ayah 56] to Surah An-Naas
6. Revision: The Key to Retention
Memorising the Qur’an is only the beginning. The real challenge lies in retaining it. This is where Muraaja’ah (revision) comes in. Without consistent revision, it’s easy to forget what you’ve memorised.
A unique way of doing Muraaja’ah suggested by Ustadh Abdulrahman Hassan includes the following:
- Keep oneself consistent in doing Sub’ah.
- Once you finish memorising the Qur’an, start listening to Sheikh Mahmoud Khalil Al-Hussary. It has the following benefits:
- His recitation is flawless in terms of Tajweed
- His recitation teaches you where to stop and where to avoid stopping in the Qur’an
- Incorporate listening to Sheikh Hussary into your 7-day program.
For example, on day 1 you listen to Sheikh Hussary’s recitation of the Qur’an from Surah al-Fatiha to al-Ma’idah THRICE. As you are listening, your eyes should be on the Mushaf, following his recitation.
Stick to One Mushaf:
One of the most important tips for memorisation is to stick to a single copy of the Qur’an. Your visual memory is an invaluable tool, and by constantly looking at the same Mushaf, your brain will begin to associate certain words and phrases with specific locations on the page. This builds strong visual recall, making your memorisation more precise.
Conclusion: The Journey of Memorising the Qur’an
Memorising the Qur’an is a journey that requires dedication, patience, and consistency. It’s not a race, and the only goal is to finish—whether it takes five years or ten, the effort is what matters. Every verse you memorise brings you closer to Allah ﷻ and grants you immense rewards in this life and the Hereafter.
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
خَيْرُكُمْ مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ وَعَلَّمَهُ
“The best among you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 5027]
No matter where you are in your memorisation journey, the key is to start and stay committed. With Allah’s help, you will succeed.
May Allah ﷻ make it easy for you, and may His words always be a light in your heart.
