Memorizing the Qur'an

Asalamu alaikum sisters I absolutely love this blog, mashallah. I go to a madrasah once a week and I am set 2 pages of Quran to read, which isn't too much too ask. However during the rest of the week my time is consumed by revising for my exams,staring at the tv and surfing the net. I leave it to the last minute and just about read it ok to my teacher. Every time I feel really guilty about not dedicating my time to the Quran and just reading it to the quran teacher. My question is how do I stop cheating myself and love the Quran as it should be loved?

Walaikum Salaam dear sister,

And, Ramadan Mubarak! I hope you are in the best of health and highest of imaan and that you are showered with His countless blessings during this beautiful month and for ever more. Ameen.

I think it’s awesome that you attend a madrasah and are trying to become more committed to your Quran studies, MashAllah and trying to love the Qur'an more. Remember:

'Uthman reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The best of you is the one who learns the Qur'an and teaches it." [al-Bukhari]

The BEST of you ....imagine the billions of people who have walked on this earth. If you memorize the Qur'an, you will be considered in Allah's sight as from the best/most special.

And you know what , you’re right – 2 pages doesn’t seem to be asking a lot – however, it’s all about quality, not quantity. 

Sometimes when there’s so much to do and not enough hours in the day to do it all we can become disappointed with our half-hearted attempts. But, here are a few suggestions to help you dedicate more time and perform your best when reading the Quran.

Don’t see it as ‘homework’ but as an investment in yourself. While exams are important and it’s nice to wind down and relax in front of the tv after a hard day at school or work – devoting just 30 minutes or an hour or so to practising your recitation would be much more beneficial and is just as important (if not more) and can be just as relaxing. 

In fact, I want you to think of memorizing the Qura'n as preparing for a court ruling with the best lawyer possible. Think about all the sins you might have committed- the good deeds you should have done that you didn't- the things you don't want to face Allah with. On the Day of Judgment, Allah, the All-Knowing and Well Acquainted with your deepest desires will be your Judge.  But also, on that Day, by the will of Allah, the Qur'an will act as an intercessor...pleading your case for you.

"Fasting and the Qur'an will intercede for the slave on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say: 'O My Rabb! I prevented him from food and desires, so accept my intercession for him.' And the Qur'an will say: 'I prevented him from sleep during the night, so accept my intercession for him.' He (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: 'And they will (be allowed to) intercede.'" [Ahmad, at-Tabarani, Al-Hakim, Sahih]

an-Nawwas ibn Sam'an said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'On the Day of Rising the Qur'an will be brought with the people who used to act by it in this world, preceded by Surat al-Baqara (2) and Ali 'Imran (3), arguing on behalf of those who knew them.'" [Muslim] 

Remind yourself of that. Make a poster or wall paper with some hadiths about the rewards of reading and memorizing the Qur'an and put it up somewhere where you can always see it, including next to your television and computer.

"Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah will receive a hasanah (good deed) from it (i.e. his recitation), and the hasanah is multiplied by ten. I do not say that Alif-Laam-Meem is (considered as) a letter, rather Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter, and Meem is a letter." [At-Tirmidhi, Ad-Darimi]

Creating a schedule and allocating specific times dedicated to reading the Quran can be helpful. Make it easier for yourself by dividing the two pages into sections and throughout the week tackle each section until you’re happy with your recitation. Remember it’s not a race! Take your time with it and try to stick to the schedule. Practice a little each day throughout the week and insha’Allah by the time it comes to reading to your teacher you would have gone over the 2 pages enough times to be happy with your reading.

Abdullah ibn Amr RadiyAllahu `anhu re¬ports that Rasulullah Sallallahu `alaihi wasallam said: "On the Day of Judgment, it will be said to the Man devoted to the Qur'an, 'Go on reciting the Qur'an and continue ascending the stories of Paradise and recite in the slow manner as you had been reading in worldly life; your final place will be where you reach at the time of the last ayat of your recitation." (Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud) 

The only way to get better is through practice, practice, practice. Before reading to your teacher maybe you could also practice reading to someone else, like a friend or a parent. Of course they may not be a qualified teacher and may not be able to point out ways in which to improve but reading to someone else might help your confidence in your reading and you might be able to spot your own weaknesses yourself. Or, perhaps you could get together with others from your Madrasah outside of class and practice reading together.

Try to also keep using the same Quran and with little pencil marks write down next to the places you mess up. You can just underline the verse number/ word, so that the next time you read it, you remember where you had trouble.

Someone else you could go to is your madrasah teacher. They might have noticed you haven’t been reading as well as you could/should be and might have some ideas on how to improve. If it’s timing that appears to be the only problem then try asking them whether you could have more time for the 2 pages or whether you could reduce it to 1 page a week instead.

Also, it might be useful to have a translation copy of the Quran at hand so you know exactly what it is you’re reading. Understanding the passages on the 2 pages might help you connect with the Quran on a more personal level and lead to a better reading performance.

You can also download the surah that you are working on on your Ipod/ mobile/ computer and try playing it before you sleep. Basically, hearing it before/while you sleep, will allow your subconscious  to "store" it in its memory files :)

The Quran was first revealed during the month of Ramadan and while this holy month is upon us take it as an opportunity to learn more about its revelation, the events surrounding it and what an immense blessing it is. Increasing in knowledge of the Quran and looking at ‘the bigger picture’ than just the 2 pages you’re allocated can also help understand and enhance a connection to the Quran and ultimately with our Creator, Allah (SWT).

But, don’t be discouraged by your performance. The key thing to remember is to continue reading even if you don’t feel your recitation is ‘perfect’. If your heart and intentions are in the right place and you are making an effort to read, even when reading may seem like a struggle, your efforts shall be rewarded.

Aa’isha (Radiallaho anha) narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu `alaihi wasallam once said, "One who is well versed in the Qur'an will be in the company of those angels who are scribes, noble and righteous; and one who falters in reading the Qur'an, and has to exert hard for learning, gets double the reward." (Muslim) 

Make time for yourself and the Quran, practice as much as you can, ask others for help and even if you aren’t completely happy with your reading – do the best you can and never stop trying.


A big hug and lots of love,

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