Qur'an Seeking Knowledge

How to Review What You’ve Memorized of the Qur’an

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinschoenmakersnl/5754861198/in/photostream/

The Qur’an Series: Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV Part V | Part VI Part VII | Part VIII | Part IX

“Shaykh Moheb, I can’t do this!” I vented to my Qur’an teacher. He had put me on a strict daily Qur’an schedule that included review, memorization and reading. I simply could not find the time to maintain it; I was completing my Master’s degree, conducting research, and working. I could not keep up.

The Shaykh, in his wisdom, listened to my distress and responded by sharing a different method with me in which I could memorize and review simultaneously without feeling overwhelmed.

I have tried numerous methods throughout my years of memorizing. Sometimes I would stop memorizing for months at a time and only focus on review (although this always failed when I didn’t have a teacher who could help me stay on track because I ended up wasting precious months without review or memorization). Sometimes, I would work on reviewing portions of what I had already memorized while continuing my memorization. This method, however, was tedious and would often result in my forgetting what I had reviewed as soon as I moved onto reviewing something new. Shaykh Moheb offered a different strategy—the most effective strategy I have experienced so far.

For anyone inquiring about how to maintain their previously memorized portions in the middle of their busy schedules and other commitments, here is a recommended schedule based on Shaykh Moheb’s advice:

  1. Count how many pages or parts (ajza, sg. juz) of Qur’an you’ve already memorized.
  2. Set a specific amount you will read everyday only from what you’ve memorized.
    • For example, if you have memorized half of juz `amma (the 30th chapter of the Qur’an), read 2 pages of it everyday. Every 5 days, you’ll begin from the first 2 pages again.
    • If you’ve memorized more, like 3 juz, then make sure to begin by reading half a juz (10 pages) a day.
  3. As you maintain your daily reading (wird) you’ll be reviewing all of what you have memorized within the span of a week. Slowly, you’ll realize that your memorization of those chapters is getting stronger and remaining fresh. You’ll find yourself able to recall an ayah (verse) from a surah (chapter) with more ease and speed.
    • Add more slowly as you increase in your memorization
  4. For example, once you complete memorizing all of juz `amma, begin reading 4 pages of it everyday. Every 5 days, you should complete  reading all of juz `amma and then starting over again.
    • If you had 3 juz memorized and then finished memorizing another and now have 4 all together, increase the 10 pages by another 3 and begin to read 13 a day. When you complete the memorization of your 5th juz, you should be reading 16 a day. Finally, once you finish memorizing 6 juz, you should be reading a juz a day. By 18 juz, you should be at 3 juz daily. By 24, you should be at 4. Don’t worry – because you’re building up to it, it’ll go by very quickly. It just takes practice 🙂
    • Continue reading to understand how to review the Qur’an once you’re finished with memorizing all of it.

The idea is to finish everything you’ve memorized from the Qur’an every week. If everything you have memorized amounts to less than 5 juz, then you should finish reading everything you’ve memorized within a 5 day period. Anything above 5 juz, you should finish in 6 days. This leaves only one day left in the week – make it a Friday and read Surat-Al-Kahf and allow this day to be for anything you have to makeup reading from the week.

I know that reading significant portions of the Qur’an everyday sounds difficult and incredibly overwhelming. I had once heard an Imam say that reading a juz a day should take no longer than half an hour. I was shocked. A half hour! It would take me a couple of hours to get through a juz. That’s why I could barely, if ever, even complete one reading of the Qur’an during Ramadan, the month of the Qur’an!

However, once I had memorized a few portions of the Qur’an, I realized the difference between him and me: he was a native Arabic speaker and fluently read Arabic. He had also already memorized the whole Qur’an.

I’m not Arab and reading Arabic was something new; I would stumble over words, make mistakes and get bored and frustrated. It would take me forever. But once it was something I memorized, it became easier to read. The more I listened to the same portion, the more fluid its words were in my brain. The more I practiced, the easier it became. The one juz that used to take me hours can now easily be read in less than 20 minutes. And those much more experienced than my rookie self have shared that it only gets easier and faster with further practice and dedication. The point: ANYONE can get to reading seemingly enormous amounts in very little time. It simply takes practice, consistency and…practice!

Here are a few tips to mitigate the fear of reading a certain amount daily:

  1. Build it up
    • Even if you’ve already memorized the Qur’an but completely forgotten most of it because of a lack of review, start with a few pages a day and stay consistent with those for a few weeks. Then after a few weeks, add a few more. Plan to be reading 1 juz a day within a month. Maintain the 1 juz for a month or two and then add another, and so forth. The more you do it, the faster you’ll get at it. It just takes practice and commitment.
  2. Read it throughout the day
    • Always keep the Qur’an handy for those “unplanned” times you can get a few pages in (i.e. in a grocery line). That will add up and you’ll finish your portion without even realizing it.
  3. Listen to the portion often
    • If you know you won’t be able to read it for that day, listen to it as you take care of other tasks that require your physical attention but will allow for your mind to focus on Qur’an.

Finally, once you’ve completed your memorization of the Qur’an and you’ve worked up to reading a certain amount of ajza everyday, you should begin to read 5 juz a day. Reading the 5 daily will help you know the entire Qur’an with the strength that you know Surat-al-Fatiha (Chpater of the Opener, Qur’an 1). I know, 5 juz sounds crazy! Impossible! Overwhelming! Take a deep breath 🙂 Realize – this is once you’re completely finished memorizing and you’ll be working up to it. When I first finished memorizing, I complained to Shaykh Moheb that 5 juz was just too much. I couldn’t handle it!

Shaykh Moheb put me in my place. “Your problem,” he shared, “is that you didn’t build up to it. You didn’t read two juz and then three juz and then four juz and then once you finished, start with five. If you had, it would be easy for you now.”

He was right. He had told me to start from the beginning, but I kept making excuses, justifying that I was busy with a million other commitments. It wasn’t until I was almost finished memorizing that I was reading 2 juz a day. It was hard and time-consuming. I’d read on the bus, during class breaks, in line for food… but within a few weeks, it became easy. As I neared the end of my hifth (memorization) and I compared the 3 juz I had to read to two, it seemed like two juz would take just fleeting moments of my day. However, now that I was finished memorizing, I resolved I would try my best because he told me that the one who reads 5 knows the entire Qur’an like they know Surat-al-Fatiha. He shared:

من يقرأ الخمس لا ينسى

“The one who reads the five does not forget.”

When I first completed my memorization and had been doing 5 juz for some time, I was disappointed that I didn’t know the entire Qur’an like surat-al- Fatiha already. But then I learned that this takes time; at minimum it could take up to an entire year if I do it regularly and possibly longer. But if I’m serious about maintaining it, eventually, I will know it like the back of my hand – and even better.

I can’t always do 5 juz a day; sometimes I simply do not have time and sometimes I get lazy. But I didn’t build up to it the way the Shaykh pushed; so for me, it still takes time. Thus, for all of you who seriously intend to build up to it, glad tidings that reading 5 a day is completely possible – it just takes planning, practice and dedication. And sometimes, there may be lapses (i.e. finals week). During these times, make sure to decrease the amount rather than leave it completely. Pick it back up as soon as you can.

You CAN do this, God willing! Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala (exalted is He) will never fail you when you make a commitment to His Book and you’re sincere about it. We have time for reading articles (hi!), checking email, and updating our statuses on Facebook. For me, reading 5 juz a day helped me realize how much time I really do have that I thought did not exist. The point is to work up to 5 juz throughout your memorization. Work on a few pages, then half a juz, then 1, then 1.5…then 2, then 2.5…then 3, then 3.5…then 4, then 4.5…and finally 5. And yes, it will take time. But it will get easier and faster. And isn’t knowing the entire Qur’an like you know Surat-al-Fatiha worth it?

Allah (swt) is with us as long as we make a sincere and serious commitment to His Book. He (swt) is ready to assist us and help us succeed, but we need to be the ones who make the effort. The question is: Will we be of those who work to show Him that we truly want His Book etched in our hearts?


Note: Please read Part 1 for tips on how to memorize the Qur’an. Please read ‘How Can I Enjoy Listening to the Recitation of the Qur’an in Taraweeh if I Don’t Understand What is Being Recited?’ for tips on understanding the meanings of the Qur’an for those who do not understand Qur’anic Arabic.

 

About the author

Maryam Amirebrahimi

Maryam Amirebrahimi

Maryam Amirebrahimi received her master’s in Education from UCLA, where her research focused on the effects of mentorship rooted in Critical Race Theory for urban high school students of color. She holds a bachelor’s in Child and Adolescent Development from San Jose State University, where she served as the President of the Muslim Student Association for two consecutive years. Currently, she is pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in Islamic Studies through Al Azhar University’s distance learning program. Maryam spent a year studying the Arabic language and Qur’an in Cairo, Egypt, and has memorized the Qur’an. She has been presented the Student of the Year award by former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and holds a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Maryam frequently travels to work with different communities to address a variety of social issues and writes about topics related to social realities, women’s studies and spiritual connections on www.virtualmosque.com.

96 Comments

  • This is an amzing share for those trying to manage everything else while learning Quran-e-Kareem by heart. Simply amazing.

  • I have been waiting for this article to hit!! Timing was perfect too…i’m at the beginning of my Qur’an memorization journey – and this will come in handy along the way.

    I love you. I love your articles. May Allah (swt) grant you success in everything else you pursue in life.

    With your dedication, you WILL know the Qur’an like al-fatiha in no time.
    You are an inspiration to many xx

    • Mariam, you are too way too kind and you are in fact my inspiration! May Allah give you tawfiq and allow me and others to follow in your footsteps.

  • As salaamu alaykum,

    JazakAllahu khayra for a very informative article.

    Two questions:

    1. When you say read, do mean looking in mushaf or by heart.

    2. I find that even though i generally reveiw all my back portions in about a week or so, when i start from the begining again it is really weak and i get lots of mistakes. Is this normal?

    • wa alaykum as salam warahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

      1- Read by looking at the mushaf and just read it like you’d read a book by looking at the words.

      2- Yes, that’s very normal. But if you maintain reviewing all the portions you know every week, within a year or 2 inshaAllah it’ll become very solid. You just need to maintain it consistently.

      May Allah give you and us all success in our review!
      Maryam

      • Assalamualaikum, I habe memorized about 6 juz. I try to read one manzil daily, so completing Quran once a week, so in my case how I should review memorsized Quran along with my manzil

  • JazakAllah khair for this awesome post, it truly shows the wisdom of having a teacher help in the process of memorization. I’ve been trying different review methods suggested to me by others while at the same time trying to find a review method that works for me. InshaAllah I’m going to try and implement this method starting this week. May Allah continue to bless you and increase you in knowledge ameen.

    • Salamz, I am doing my muraaja through an online Academy. you might also want to benefit from it as you need only review to be done. I am putting the link in the homepage section of this comments.

      regards,
      Banazer Cherry.

  • Hi Maryam,
    thanks for your articles encouraging us to start memorising the Qur’an. Can i ask one thing? Can we still continue with memorizing new verses if we are menstruating? Thanks!

    • Hey!

      YES! Please continue memorizing even while on your period. You will hear different people give you different opinions on why or why you cannot do it but I believe the proof allowing it is stronger than that prohibiting it.

      I’m working on an article addressing this question so inshaAllah once that’s up there’ll be more details. For now, please don’t stop! If anything, since you don’t have to pray the 5 prayers you’ll have more time for Quran!

      • Salam Dear Sister Maryam,
        Jazakallah Khair for this. It was so perfectly timed.Last Ramadan I came across your article – Becoming one of Allah’s special people which inspired me to start Memorization.I must admit I hav been very slow with it but I do dua daily as u always mention to keep me going. Wenever i feel low I read ur that same article again. Dear sister we are eagerly awaiting your article on this issue. Last year I did my own research and decided that I will touch the Quran copy even if I am menstruating.Beacause if I hadnt touched I wouldnt have been able to memorise more than 2 chapters.The verse of surah Waqiah has been misinterpreted by many. If women were to follow this they wouldnt be referring to the Quran for 7 days after every 25days , so by the time she is out of it she hasnt touched the Quran for for approx 230 days in her lifetime (almost a yr considering she starts at 12 & ends at 45). When I am washing dishes I revise the memorised portion also to myself and if I get stuck on a word , I go immediately , refer to the mushaf and continue with my work….. yes heard right . I dint go to perform wudhu then hold then refer. Ofcourse I dont do it when my husband is around bcoz he is of the belief that Quran should not be touched without wudhu as it is insult to it.Yes it is perfect to do wudhu and then touch the mushaf . I myself do wudhu and then recite and memorize . But strict conditions like u cant evn touch with ur finger tip if u are impure and not in wudhu is not wat I believe. Allah knows best. Plz address the article to all the men also who prevent woman from accessing the Book of Allah under the pretext that we are impure.
        May Allah bless you and your family since your articles are a real inspiration as we can identify with you.

        • i think you have to read the fatwa of sheikh alfawzan and alalbany to understand the matter of touching the Quran

  • Salams Sis Maryam,
    I’d like to know if ‘reading’ you refer to- is looking directly at the text or reading from memory?

    Hope you find time to respond.
    Jazakallah Khair

  • Shiekh Moheb is my shiekh as well. I memorized with him the whole Quran. He is an amazing great teacher. I am a teacher myself and I can easily identify great teachers. His tips and methods in memorizing are always right. He would customize a plan for you that solves your problems in memorization. As long as you are series in memorization, you will get a great leadership from him.

  • Assalamualaikum Sis Maryam,

    Subhanallah, what an amazing advice and it really hits the right time as I’m currently beginning my memorization and I have just finished the 1st Juz wanting to proceed to the next. However i find it difficult to choose whether I should review what I’ve memorized 1st or just proceed and review later. I find this article really helpful and I will try the method inshaAllah. My questions is:

    Do I understand it correctly that I should start the daily reading after completing every half or a full Juz
    or
    I shouldn’t wait until reaching half/full juz and just start add up to the daily reading immediately after each new page is memorized?

    • Wa alaykum as salam warahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

      You could start adding it immediately but after awhile it might get a little too heavy. I’d recommend doing it after every half or full juz based on where you progress in your memorization and Allah knows best.

      Very happy for you and all those who’ve commented that they’re beginning this journey, AlhamdulilLah. May Allah give you and us all success!
      Please keep us in your dua.

  • Jazaki Allahu khairan for this!! Subhanallah I always get frustrated at how I forget a surah right after I memorize it and I have been searching for a solution; Alhamdulillah I think you have just provided me with one! May Allah reward you. Ameen

  • Jzk khairr may Allah reward you for your humility which is apparent in your prompt responses to your fans’ doubts and questions, and also for your super human productivity level:-)
    An inspiration u r indeed, may Allah raise you in ranks in both worlds insha Allah, and may we all be of the ones who have ikhlaas in all that we do!
    Jzk khairr

  • JAK for the article sister. I have a question. I heard that there is a severe punishment for forgetting the Quran. So part of me wants to memorize as little as possible so I’m not liable. Memorizing is not fard as I know. I’m not discouraging memorizing Quran to anyone else, but do you see where I’m coming from? What sisterly advice do you have about that?

    • subhan Allah, may Allah bless you and reward you and protect you in both worlds! What an incredible question! This only points to your caution and consciousness of the Hereafter and may Allah increase you in taqwa and all that pleases Him.

      I completely understand where you’re coming from and can understand how scary it may be to consider memorizing but then forgetting it and dealing with punishment because of that, may Allah protect us.

      But think about it this way, although I understand that it’s not completely the same. We know relationships are difficult, yet people still get in them. Why is that? Because of the incredible benefits of being in one. The love, the passion, the connection, the compassion, the progress of an individual in striving to become a better person…and yet we’ll be held accountable in front of Allah in the way we are in our relationships. But we try our best to be the best spouse/child/parent/sibling/friend and we are judged based on our effort.

      However, if we intentionally sabotage the relationship or are neglectful of the relationship or leave the relationship, then that’s upon us and we bear the consequences.

      So now consider the Qur’an. It’s a relationship that will never fail you. It’s a relationship that is filled with passion, with connection and fulfillment, and it’s a relationship that creates incredible yearning for Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. And that’s all in this life- so imagine the Hereafter!

      As long as you try to memorize and try to review, inshaAllah you’ll be greatly rewarded for those efforts. There are ahadith which teach us about the Qur’an interceding for us on the Day of Judgment and different ways which it will benefit us in both world. Just like relationships with people, we derive incredible strength, support and connection through our relationship in the memorization, review, and comprehension of the Qur’an…yet it’s a relationship that never fails, never goes sour and always goes rewarded as long as one is sincere.

      As long as you are not intentionally trying to forget it- may Allah protect us- and you’re trying your best to work on it and review it, inshaAllah you’ll only find benefit and gain from it in both worlds. As long as you’re not intentionally neglecting it, leaving it or turning away from it, may Allah protect us, and you’re consistently striving to maintain what you’ve memorized on a regular basis, then inshaAllah you will be counted as those who the Qur’an is a witness FOR rather than a witness against, may Allah protect us.

      Finally, gaining knowledge is one fo the best acts of worship and the greatest knowledge is the knowledge of the Qur’an. Here is an article which outlines a number of benefits for those who seek knowledge which I hope you’ll find encouraging inshaAllah 🙂

      http://www.virtualmosque.com/islam-studies/blessings-of-seeking-knowledge/

      I hope inshaAllah that this was helpful in helping you make your decision.

      I understand your caution, and may Allah reward you greatly for being so concerned about that which you do not want to be held accountable for. But if you have the opportunity, if you have the ability, then the benefits of memorizing the Qur’an are too many to list in both worlds. The experience, the new relationship with Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala is indescribable. Feeling the Qur’an calling you to come to it is worth all of this world and more.

      As long as you try, and you aim to inshaAllah try your best to memorize, review, and maintain it, inshaAllah you’ll be greatly rewarded. Just try your best and make a firm resolution to seriously review your Qur’an on a regular basis and inshaAllah you’ll see great rewards and benefits in both worlds.

      and Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala knows best.

      may He give you incredible success! Let me know how it goes inshaAllah and please pray for us!

      maryam

      • Jazaki Allah khair for taking the time to respond to my question. I appreciate the time and effort you put into it and I appreciate you doing it in such a gentle way. May Allah bless you and your family in this dunya and the Hereafter.

  • Assalaamualaikum, sis Mariam.

    I feel like crying reading your article.. what makes me thankful the most is that you actually show that memorizing Quran is humanly possible for common people, not only for those who spend most of their life in the masjid or Islamic school masha Allah. I happen to be a master student and working as well. I think that’s why I can really relate to this article :”)

    Jazaakillah khayran katheeran, sis Mariam. May Allah reward you abundantly and accept from us. Please keep us in your dua :”’D

    Wassalaamualaikum wa Rahmatullah

  • Jazak Allah khair sis Maryam!
    Another excellent article 🙂
    Can we have next article on what responsibility comes with memorizing Quran?
    Like giving up entertainment, your behavior, communal responsibility, the responsibility to teach it further and other things.

  • Sister Maryam, I am so upset. We have you, Shaykha Muslema, that Azhari sister with the beautiful voice,(Dont know her name) who lead at Masjid Omar, and we cant get a sisters Qiyam in SoCal!!

  • maryam, assalamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh

    Alhamdulillah that I saw this, you truly inspired me to start memorizing the Quran. Alhmamdulillah, I do know tajweed rules, thing is i want a quran like a pdf or something for my phone so that wherever i am i can also learn it by seeing, other than obviously by hearing of course. An accurate one cos sometimes those on the net are incorrect cos there are a lot of people who don’t have a good intention and put the wrong stuff. I am hoping inshaAllah you could help me..pls…i am so sorry to bother, may Allah reward u and me and all of us and make us sincere muslimahs and may we ascend the highest place in Jannah!

  • Jazakumullahukhairan!
    Thank you so much for your kind and generous guidances and very useful content for all people.Islam is the latest divine religion chosen by Allah Almighty for the human beings. Reading of Holy Quran is a matter of great blessings and virtues for any true Muslim. According to a Hadith of Holy Prophet (PBUH),

    “If Allah wants to do a favor to somebody, He bestows on him, the gift of understanding the Quran and Sunnah. I am but a distributor, and Allah is the Giver. The state of this nation will remain good till the Hour is established, or till Allah’s Order comes.” Sahi Bukhari, Vol 9, Book 90
    You can get the knowledge of quran from the website below and inshalah you will learn alot from it.

  • as salaaam alaikum
    i’m wondering if one page means one side ? (two sides is one page)
    and, currently i have memorised half juz amma and it not at all perfect plus i’m continuing the memorisation till the whole of juz amma
    so if i start reviewing now how do i go about that ?

    jazaakallaah

    i would appreciate a prompt response 🙂

    • Just one side. Like any book, if you hold one leaf from it, the first side is page1, if you look at its opposite side you will see page2 written there. Good luck.

  • […] How to review what you’ve memorized of the Quran by Maryam Amir-Ebrahimi (The Qur’an Series)Tips on how to know the entire Quran like one knows the opening chapter, Al-Fatiha – and the struggle one sister took to apply the tips. It all started with the adage: “The one who reads the five [juz] does not forget.” […]

  • we can revise and learn Quran like Surat-ul-Fatihah if we read a little portion in Salah five times a day. We should also try to perform Salat-ul-Tahajjud.

  • Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu Everyone,
    May the zeal and passion of memorising/memorizing the Quran be instilled in all of us,Ameen.
    There is an Online Quran Memorisation Academy (www.hifzonline.com) which facilitates Quran Memorisation classes Online. The Academy operates from Madinah and the teachers are certified and experienced in Quran Memorisation and Tajweed Rules of the Quran. The Academy caters to people of all age groups, you can also register for some demo classes to experience the classroom learning at the Academy.
    I hope this is beneficial for all of those who would want to memorise the Quran or learn to recite the Quran with Tajweed, Ameen.

  • Assalaamu Alaykum,
    I believe it is incorrect for someone to make a judgement themselves as to whether the recitation of the Quraan during menstruation is permissible or not- that is the job of qualified Ulema who have dedicated their lives to such matters. According to the Hanafi Madhhab, if she was memorizing the Quraan, she would have to break her words so she is not reciting a full Ayah- so a pause after every 3 words. And Allah knows best.

    In the state of menses it is not permissible for a woman to:
    1) Touch the Qurān.[1]
    2) Recite the Qurān.[2]
    3) Enter in the masjid.[3]
    4) Perform Tawāf.[4]
    5) Offer Salah.[5]

    There is a difference between the touching the Qurān and reciting the Qurān:

    Reciting is impermissible as mentioned above. However, touching the Qurān with such a cloth that is not attached to the hand, for example, handkerchief, etc, will be permissible.

    If a person is using such a cloth which is attached to the body, for example, hand gloves (as mentioned in the query) or using the side of the shirt, etc, it will not be permissible for him to touch the Qurān.[6]

    The academic justification for the above are referred to below for the benefit of the Ulamā.

    And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

    Mufti Zaid Mohammed Shelia,
    Student Darul Iftaa
    USA

    Checked and Approved by,
    Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
    http://www.daruliftaa.net

    حرمة قراءة القرآن لا تقرأ الحائض والنفساء والجنب شيئا من القرآن والآية.. الفتاوى الهندية 1/38 دار الفكر
    أن لا تقرأ القرآن عندنا لحديث ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلّم كان نهى الحائض والجنب عن قراءة القرآن.. المحيط البرهاني 1/216 دار الكتب العلمية بيروت
    و يحرم قراءة آية من القرآن إلا بقصد الذكر.. مراقي الفلاح 1/61 المكتبة العصرية

    • wa alaykum as salam warahmatullahi wa barakatuh Sr.Zainab,

      May Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala reward you for your concern and for quoting the above information. Also, I ask you to have good opinions of your sister. I did not make a judgment on something related to matters in the deen which requires evidence, may God protect me from doing so!

      We need to understand that there are a variety of opinions that exist. Simply because one mathab, or all 4 mathahib, prohibit something based on certain evidences or qiyas, it does not mean that there are not other scholars which have looked at the same issues, the same evidences, and come to other conclusions as well. I’m working on an article to address this issue and inshaAllah I hope that article will provide more clarity to this issue.

      One does not have to agree or follow other opinions they encounter, but one should at least keep an open mind and understand that great scholarship have come to conclusions which may differ from what one is used to hearing or learning and when it’s based on sound evidence, it should be respected as a valid opinion.

      and Allah knows best.

      May Allah bless you for your deep concern of our following Islam correctly.

      Maryam

  • asalaamu a3laycom, i wanted to know do you mean by revision reading off the mushaf or reciting without looking and referring to the mushaf when you get stuck. which one is suffiecent?

    • wa alaykum as salam warhmatullahi wa barakatuh,

      Here, revision refers to looking at the mushaf and reading from it while reading the words. However, if you can read without looking and refer to it when you get stuck, that’s awesome! That’s the eventual goal inshaAllah, so that you won’t need to read at all by looking and won’t need a mushaf at all because you know it so well.

      Maryam

  • Dear Sister Maryam,

    May Allah bless you with the ever lasting benefits of Quran. Your post helped me immensly. I had memorized quran a few years ago and then Forgot most of it. ALlah forgave me and gave me another chance to come back to it. I was struggling so hard as to how to Redo it when I saw your post and realized that I did not review it properly thats why I forgot it. Now I am trying to rebuild it according to what you wrote. I tried it for the past few months and slowly rememorized a few ajza while trying to keep repeating them in a week span and its just a great method. I just wish I knew it earlier. Unfortunately I am still looking for a teacher. pray for me that I do find one. Thank you so much.

  • Assalamualaikum sister
    When did you start to memorise the quran?? Is it true that after the age of 23 it becomes difficult to memorise the quran as you forget quickly what you memorised ?

    • wa alaykum as salam warahmatullahi wa barakatuh!

      I don’t know where that random number came from, but memory changes with different ages and different people.

      Memorize at any age! I know of a woman who memorized in her 80s mashaAllah! My Qur’an teacher encourages people in their 70s to memorize. A woman who finished her memorize around the same time I did was in her 60s.

      I was in my late teens when I started and older than 23 when I finished! You can do it, with Allah’s help. Just start and maintain consistency!

  • Dear sister,

    Assalamu aleyki wa rahmatullah

    I noticed that you say that the revision is by just reading every week everything you memorized.

    But is there not a big difference between reading and actually saying it out loud without looking?

    I am afraid if I just read, that I will loose what I have memorized, because reading and reciting by heart are two different things.

    But do you say that even by reading every week, the memorized parts are stuck in your head?

  • as salam alaikum, i wsa looking for a different article about quran memorization , one that i hadnt read before and alhamdullillah this was it.
    i am 40 and have been trying hard to memorize, i read someitmes 4 -6 juz a day revision, it will become easy eventually espeecially if you know the meaning of what you are reading, as it becomes more meaningful, you are actaually memorizing events in an order of occurence. so the memorization is no longer just sounds and words but also meaningful information. please all make dua for me i complete my hifz this year and can maintain it will ameen

    • He does, but in Southern California! If you live there, you’re welcome to ask him to become his student inshaAllah.

  • Salam Sister,

    You say that we must read the quran by looking in the mushaf but how does this solidify your memorization since the whole concept is that we must read without looking?

    Also if you notice the great recitors they all recite slow. Approximately 40-45 mins per juz so how is it possible to read 5 juz w/ a busy schedule? Do we read extremely fast and try to finish in 30 mins with less stress on madd and ghunnah?

    • wa alaykum as salam warahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

      It’s like reading a script. If you read it over and over and over and over and over eventually you’ll know the words without looking inshaAllah. The point is to keep reading until you’e able to read it without actually looking.

      That is true of some reciters but not all. And that’s not what you should do for this type of review. This should be a speedy review and it can take less than 30 minutes. You should still do the madds and ghunnas but make your recitation quick and inshaAllah it’ll also be quick.

      One shaykh once advised me the following: “Have you heard of Shaykh Ahmad Ajmy? He recites really fast. Do your review with his type of speed. For tajweed and memorization, use someone like Minshawi.”

      May Allah give you tawfiq and please pray for us,
      Maryam

  • Assalamu alaikum
    There’s sth I’d like to ask. Let’s assume one has already memorized 3 juiz (starting from 30th up to 28th). In this case, he/she has to read 10 pages in order every day. But how many times are these particular 10 pages required to be read and revised a day? Would only reading once be enough or it has to be done several times? I am looking forward to ur response sister.
    JK.

    • wa alaykum as salam warahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

      Hope your questions were all answered via email!

      May Allah give you continued success and please pray for us.

      Maryam

      • Asalamulaykum Sister Maryam,

        it has been some time since the posting of this article, would it be possible for you to give us an update on your results from this method of review inshallah?

        Interested to hear the long term results from someone who has been using this method for sole time. Is the Hifdh becoming more and more solid as time goes on? Have you gotten to the point where you are able to recite without looking?

        Looking forward to your findings,
        -Jazakallahukahir

  • Asalamulaykum Sister Maryam,

    it has been some time since the posting of this article, would it be possible for you to give us an update on your results from this method of review inshallah?

    Interested to hear the long term results from someone who has been using this method for sole time. Is the Hifdh becoming more and more solid as time goes on? Have you gotten to the point where you are able to recite without looking?

    Looking forward to your findings,
    -Jazakallahukahir

  • Jazakillah khair jazaa’ sis.

    Really an inspiring article! The way you write it makes me think that, “oh, its not that difficult to memorize the whole Al-Quran!”.

    I pray that Allah will always grant me strength and consistency to maintain my memorization. Ameen..

  • I’m Al-Hafiz the schedule that you have stated above very good to practice in order to maintain my “hafazan”.Now I manage to read 3 juz a day.jazakallah.May Allah bless you…

  • Assalaamualeikum,

    Just completed 27.5 juz hifz and im finding it difficult to review and maintain the memorization of specially the newly memorized juz.

    I used to review without looking and only at the mushaf when i get stuck … Used to do on average 2-3 juz review a day.

    But i think this article will help me alot. I tried review with looking since past 2 days and i’m easily doing 5 juz… Once i complete my hifz i think i can do 10 . Just hope this method works for me… As i really dont know the results of review with this method, i always thought we must review without looking.

    I had heard of a great scholar who used to review 1 Quran daily for 6 months …thereafter he never needed to look into the mushaf to review again.

    Going to try this method for a year at least insha’Allah. Hope it works.

    Request for duas.

    Jazakillah khairan.

  • Asalam Alikom sister Maryam,

    You have no idea how much this article helped me. I struggled with quran memorization for 12 years and not because of not knowing arabic or not finding time… but because of lacking the proper structure that you clearly provided in this article. Alhamdolilah I started doing this plan me and my mother. My mom finished 1 juzz now and I recovered close to 6 Ajzaa and will continue in sha Allah till I finish.

    You really changed my life forever sister. I will never forget what you did to me. I have no words of thanks to say to you except Jazkae Allaho Khairan and May Allah reward you.

    Wa alsalam Alikom

  • Amazing blog. I memorized a few portions. Now I will use the advice given here to revise the portions.

    Make dua for me that I am able to complete my hifz.

  • This is wallahi one of the best articles ive read.I was actually searching for something like this,and stumbles across this at the right time alhamdulillah. Subhanallah,I was just sitting today , utterly disappointed and frustrated at myself with regards to my quraan revision. Alhamdulillah I completed memorizing 2 years ago, but its not thorough as i want it to be.Ive been slacking so much lately 🙁 Due to university and other stuff, I just could not keep up to it. I know thats not an excuse at all, and I take the blame to myself completely. I was being lazy and insincere . May Allah forgive me.
    At times id feel hopeless of how I could catch up and get back on track. Id always make plans as to much I need to revise per day, but it was too much for me and i never stuck to it consistently. Alhamdulillah there are many ajzaa which i know quite well,but others which i feel is like new memorization. May Allah forgive me for my heedlessness 🙁
    InshaAllah I will start by following this plan. Just a question, by reading, you mean reciting tilawah by looking yeah?
    BarakAllahfeeki ukhti for this amazing article.I ask Allah to give me sincerity in following this well and to make me among those who remember the entire quraan, which Allah has blessed me with like surah al fatihah. aaameen

  • I have been memorising quran for years, and reviewing is the hardest part. I was suggested by student of a proven method called spaced repetition, and it is working. Alhamdlillahi. I downloaded this program which is developed based on spaced repetition which has flash card approach to memorizing and reviewing. You can download from ankisrs.net. My reviewing time drastically improved.

    • as salaamu ‘alaikum.

      I am interested in understanding how you used Anki for review? Requesting a ‘step-by-step’ video tutorial, please. And how did you take into account and adjust for mistakes that need to be corrected?

      Jazaakumu Allahu khaira.

      as salaamu ‘alaikum.

      • I have been using Anki for Quran reviews 2-3 years now. It is very useful, but I don’t suggest you leave the daily recitation of 1-2 juzz if you truly want to be proficient. Anki can help you master difficult ayaat, but I don’t recommend it for memorizing long passages.

        In my case, I downloaded the quran from an online Quran database, then created a spreadsheet of two columns of all ayaat like so:

        1 2
        2 3
        3 4
        4 5
        5 6

        After importing, you just work through it in Anki and the difficult ayaat end up getting more attention than the easier ayaat by virtue of the SRS.

        Another approach (especially if you’re at least moderately proficient) is to review w/ a friend and only enter into Anki the ayaat in which you err.

  • Assalaamu alaykum, I would like some advice, if one was memorizing and reviewing 5days a week about 5-6 hours a day, what is a realistic goal for him/her, how many juzz should they aim on memorizing per month, jazaakum Allahu khayraa

  • Nice article! I’m liking this Qur’an series.

    For those interested: I’ve put together a couple of Android apps to help people review what they’ve memorised and to use some of the techniques mentioned in this article. You can find them on Google Play here:

    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thinkincode.qurantracker

    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thinkincode.qurantester

    They’re both works in progress so expect a lot more features over the coming year insha-Allah. And let me know if you have ideas that you’d like incorporated within the apps.

  • I left a message on this site a year ago, when I was struggling to memorize the forgotten Quran. ALH I completed it with a great teacher. Its such a great article. I looked at it almost every week to keep my motivation up and for advice as well. May Allah bless you sister Maryum.

  • Asalamu3alaykum,
    I went to a Madrasa in order to memorize the Quran. Now I am in the revision process. It is a bit hard, considering the fact that I lost a lot of my ajaa. But I am working towards getting it solid from home now. At my madrasa we would recite to each other without looking. I read this article, and it said that we should read our previous ajaa, does that mean we should read with looking or without?Or both? and when is a good time for this.

  • pls should one do if he was being made to forget most part of his memorisation, let say he has memorised 10 juz and above.

  • As Salaamu Alaykum wa rahmatullah,
    I am a student of many of the mashayyikh in Egypt in Hadeeth, Fiqh and Aqeedah, and have had roughly 10 teachers in the recitation of the Quran. My current Shaykh in Quran is the best of them, he grants ijaza in the 7 modes of recitation, extremely strong in grammar of the Quran, a good ear, knowledgeable in the tafseer, similar verses, and abrogation. He has requested from his students to review without opening the book, because he randomly does reviewing by calling out random ayaat that you are expected to complete. By doing this ongoing review a student is able to complete the Quran and be able to recite from wherever he or she desires immediatly after it’s completion. I am currently traveling so he gave me a review plan: 10 pages review from memory, 10 pages reading with tafseer and a careful listening of its recitation, 2 1/2 pages in ever unit of prayer in tahajjud, and not to exceed 1 page a day. He has a few students who have completed the Quran and are doing other modes of recitation, I am aiming to finish in 1 more year. He turned me away from just reviewing by reading because it would leave the student in a weak state when completing it. The Shaykh also teaches Arabic, the details of which i don’t know.

  • Secondly, the best way to stay in the habit of review is to understand what you are saying, use it regularly by praying the night prayer, working by the knowledge you have gained from it seeking the face of Allah, you should also look into leading the prayers at the masaajid a well as teaching what you are able of it to your family and the Masaajid if you are able. May Allah grant us success

  • As salamu alaykum, im curently doing hifz and this article really amazed me, jazakallahu khairen..im wondering how long are you using this method? did this method worked for you? i would like to try it..

  • THANKS IT HAS HELPED ME A LOT .THESE SITES ARE GOOD FOR QURAN MEMORIZATION BECAUSE I AM DOING HIFZ TOO.ALLAH BLESS U AND THANKS REALLY IT HAS HELPED ME A LOT.

  • I started memorizing Quran recently. I forget soon after I memorize. if I don’t revise it like three days due to any work I just forget everything. What should I do ?

    • Practice and revise and practice! Hifdh is revision… and revision… and revision. No two ways about it. The Qur’an escapes one’s memory faster than camels that are released from their tying ropes! If you’re an Android user, I’ve put together a couple of apps which might help in this regard. Search “Hifdh Tracker” and “Hifdh Tester” in the Google Play store.

  • AssalamuAlaikum, I am using this method and Alhamdulillah I can see the difference in my Quran. I’m not at the stage yet where I know my Quran like Surah Fatihaa but Inshallah I will get there soon. It just takes time, patience and perseverance.

  • السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
    How are you habeebty? I hope this finds you in the best of health and Iman, Ameen.

    I wanted to ask you regarding your 5 juz a day reading review, assuming you’ve been doing it for a while now, how has it strengthened your hifdh?
    Are you able to recite off by heart now?

    I have memorise the Quran by Allah’s grace and mercy, but am struggling with effective ways of review. I would really appreciate your input.
    Barak Allah feek <3

  • Assalam.o.Alaikum sister Maryam
    I am a hafizah and im trying to revise my Quran i do but only half parah daily and that too sometimes i missit.. im a student so every 2 weeks EXAMSSS and then well…i dont know what to do main bohat pareshan hun please some advice from u would be really helpful JazakAllah khair

  • listening is the best way, keep some recording in your mobile and listen this whenever u have opportunity, specially during travelling . also read it with meaning, it helps to keep memorize, and avoid yourself from sins of eyes, ears.

Leave a Comment