How to start memorizing the Qur’an again

If your relationship with the Quran has ever been glowing, through recitation, memorization and or reflection, and now you don’t know that version of yourself anymore and you are as good as a stranger to the Quran. You struggle to get back and rekindle the flame, but you stumble every time you try. And then you gave up. “Not everyone is meant to be a haafiẓ”, you would say, “there are other ways to Jannah”.

Sounds like you? Hmm… you’re not alone.

 

If I tell you, you can be your good old self again and renew your engagement with the Qur’an, would you believe me? Now, stop sitting on the fence, try out these easy but effortful steps and change the narrative, by Allah’s permission.

 

1.ACCEPT YOURSELF.

You’re no longer that person, now you’re a beginner, don’t rush it, the secret is, take an ayah a day. One thing that affects us is thinking low of ourselves, that if we can’t memorise a page a day, then something is wrong. No, nothing is wrong, except your thinking that way. Or maybe it’s not only writers that have a block; maybe we have memorizers’ block too. Either way, because someone is completing two pages a day and you’re here struggling with half a page, is nothing. That you’re even attempting, is meritorious in front of Allah Azza wa jalla. And that should be our goal. To please Allah, not fulfil peoples’ expectations.

 

2. REVIEW YOUR INTENTION.

If you’re starting again, make sure you’re starting on the right track. Have the right intentions. Until you can see yourself with the Quran for the right reasons, don’t start yet.

This saying of Imam al-Ghazali explains it better: We sought after knowledge for other than Allah’s sake, but the knowledge refused to come to us until it was for Him.

So, don’t feel obligated to memorise by colleagues, mates or family.

Also, know that intention changes and so it needs to be revisited from time to time.

 

 

3. SEEK FORGIVENESS AND MAKE DU’A.

Wakee’ ibn al-Jarrah, one of the teachers of Imam Shaafi’ee said: “Know that knowledge is light, and the light of Allah is not bestowed upon a disobedient.”

It is, therefore, advisable to stay away from sins as much as possible, seek Allah’s forgiveness often and make supplications to Him to ease the path for you.

 

4. MAKE IT THE PRIORITY IT WAS.

Know that if you put your heart to it, then you’ll get it, nothing can stop you. Revisit your life goals and priorities.

BE FOCUSED. Make sure you don’t sleep until you’ve spent some minutes on your Qur’an goal. Better still, start your day with it, so you don’t end up procrastinating.

“Once you decide to do it and you commit to seeing it through, it becomes easier. Pure intention, dedication to putting in the time and effort on a consistent basis. Be aware that your lifestyle needs to change. Be willing to put the Qur’an first, your heart needs to be empty for the Qur’an to fill it up, even halal things can take up space in your heart” says Nadya Aweinat, a student and Qur’an teacher in a sisters magazine post by Jenna Evans.

You can read the second part here, where I talked about, revision and getting help.

In the meantime, what challenges did you face in your journey with the Qur’an and how did you overcome it? why not tell us about it in the comments section below, we love to know.