Memorizing The Qur'an!

SubhanAllah, to memorize the Qur'an requires patience and persistence. It isn't something that comes easily to some, and neither is it something done once and put aside. Even if you memorize a single ayah from the Qur'an, time and time again you will have to go back and revise and practice that ayah so you do not forget it! However, the hard work and dedication put into it is more than worth it, because it is a glorious deed with many wonderful virtues. Let us take a look see...

Al-Bukhari (4937) narrated from ‘Aa’ishah that the Prophet (SAW) said: “The likeness of the one who reads Qur’aan and memorizes it is that he is with the righteous honourable scribes. The likeness of the one who reads it and tries hard to memorize it even though it is difficult for him, he will have two rewards.”

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (SAW) said: “The Qur’aan will come on the Day of Resurrection and will say, ‘O Lord, adorn him.’ So he will be given a crown of honour to wear. Then it will say, ‘O Lord, give him more.’ So he will be given a garment of honour.’ Then it will say, ‘O Lord, be pleased with him.’ So Allaah will be pleased with him. Then it will be said to him, ‘Recite and advance in status, and for each verse you will gain one more hasanah (reward for good deed).”

It was narrated that Buraydah said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever reads the Qur’aan, learns it and acts in accordance with it, on the Day of Resurrection his parents will be given a crown to wear whose light will be like the light of the sun, and his parents will be given garments which far surpass everything to be found in this world. They will say, “Why have we been given this to wear?” It will be said, “Because your child learned the Qur’aan.”’” (Narrated by al-Haakim, 1/756)

SubhanAllah! Allah knows best who is worthy of what, but I truly feel my parents are more than deserving of such an honor in the aakhira, and anything I give them in this world cannot amount to such a gift in the hereafter, inshaAllah. I would love to be the one to give them such a gift !

Now, I see in my community, and also in many others, that memorizing the Qur'an is encouraged for younger kids... but not so much for everyone else. Why has memorizing the Qur'an become a phenomenon among kids, and once someone reaches high school/college it takes the backseat? What was it? ..something to pass time until 'more important' things came along??

It doesn't matter if you are male or female, 6 or 60, working or unemployed, rich or poor... this is something we should all strive towards. I know it's a big goal for some of us, but we really do not give the Qur'an it's due. MashaAllah I know of a 6 year old boy who memorized the Quran, and an 80+ year old Muslimah who memorized the Qur'an. A revert sister I know learned to read the Qur'an and eventually memorized it just by listening to the audio on her mp3 player and playing it in her car, despite being in med school! This is not an impossible feat, you just really need to motivate yourself.

Being weak in reading Arabic is no excuse, as quoted above Allah has promised (at least) DOUBLE the reward for those who struggle in reading and still make the effort to memorize the Qur'an. This is the PERFECT regiment for slow readers, because the constant reading will only help improve your speed and agility in reciting Qur'an. Memorizing helps in giving you an extra connection with the Qur'an. For those who have problems with focusing in salah, it gives you a whole new surah to recite. It leads you to read the meaning and the tafseer and understand ayaat from a whole different perspective! We really do have time in our lives to do this, saying you don't is an excuse. There's always something you can do less of or even do without so you can give the Qur'an some time.

So please, if you know 20 juz (parts) or just 20 words from the Qur'an... set a goal for yourself to memorize something! Do a page a day, or a week, or a month! Do something! Get your friends invloved, meet once a week to test one another. See if there are any qualified people in your area who can listen to you once in a while.... make a chart and keep track of how much you memorize. Start with a surah that appeals to you or one which you love to listen to or like the meaning of. Use the audio to aid you in your memorizing and reading. We have so much at our fingertips right here online to help us in memorizing, so lets make it happen inshaAllah. Allah has already beautified the text of the Qur'an and the language of Arabic that these surahs are poetry and aren't a language that is too hard to pronounce, mashaAllah these verses can slide off our tongues like butta!