There are many who will tell you that you can memorise a page of the Qur'ān within 5 to 15 minutes. While it might be true for some, it will rarely produce what true memorisation demands. I get it, sometimes time is short and you want to memorise fast or even super fast.
There are those who memorise the entire Qur'ān without knowing how to recite or write. They are villagers and were never educated to be literate people. People like this still exist today. They memorise by either learning to read at an elderly age or they memorise through listening. Some manage to complete it in 3 years, while others may take 30 years.
But...
How do you start memorising the Qur'ān?
If you have 15 minutes a day, this is what you could do to memorise the Qur'ān:
- Give yourself 15 minutes a day to start with.
- Purify your Hifz intentions. You're doing it for Allāh, to enter paradise, to be with the People of Qur'ān, etc.
- Stick to one Mus'haf.
- Get a teacher and a Hifz buddy.
- Start with the 30th Juz'.
- Start by memorising 3 verses. That's 15 minutes or less, in shā' Allāh. Stick to your portion of 3 verses, don't get tempted to begin memorising more and more. When verses get long then break them down into chunks.
- Recite with Tajweed.
- Use your senses.
- Memorise after Fajr ideally, or a time that works for you.
- Repeat the 3 verses in your salāh (farā'id, sunan, nawāfil), 3 times each prayer.
- Every day add to the previous day and repeat them together.
- Revise previous memorisation in 2 rak'ah nail after 'Ishā' prayer.
- Once you finish Juz' 30, go over it twice a day for a week. Only when it's solid, move onto the next Juz' which can be the 1st or the 29th.
- When you've memorised 2 Juz', revise half a Juz' daily and revise it in the 2 nail after 'Ishā'.
- Reduce your speech, food, and sleep to levels that you require, no more.
Scholarly Advice Transcending Time and Science
There's the following advice for the one who seeks to memorise the Qur'ān:
نصيحة من أحد المشايخ لمن أراد حفظ القرآن : قلل المقدار وأكثر من التكرار وحافظ على الإستمرار واخلص النية للجبار واعمل به تكن مع الأبرار ستحفظه كاملا بإذن الواحد القهار
Advice for those memorising the Qur’ān:
- Your portion: shorten (quality)
- Your repetition: lengthen (effort)
- Your consistency: strengthen (strive)
- Your intention: purify (for Allāh)
- Your knowledge: actualise (become righteous)
Through this, by the Will of Allāh, your goal will be realised.
The Strategy of Chunking: Making Your Portion Less
Reducing the portion for daily memorisation makes the task less daunting and more manageable. This method is not about the quantity but the quality of learning, where each verse can be given due attention. It is said that some of the great Imāms were known to cover text with the hand to avoid memorising unintentionally, focusing only on the part they wished to learn at that moment.
Chunking Explained: Chunking is a cognitive strategy that involves breaking down information into smaller, manageable units, making it easier to process and remember. This concept, critical in cognitive psychology, suggests that our short-term memory can hold a limited amount of information at any given time. By organising data into chunks, the capacity of short-term memory is optimised, facilitating easier transfer to long-term memory.
Practical Example: For Qur'ān memorisation, starting with a small number of verses—such as one or two verses per day—allows for focused attention and deeper memorisation. The companions (Allāh be pleased with them all) used to do this.
Relevant Study: A foundational study by George A. Miller in 1956, titled "The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on Our Capacity for Processing Information," highlights the effectiveness of chunking. Miller's research demonstrates that the human mind can comfortably hold 7±2 items in short-term memory, underscoring the value of breaking down memorisation tasks into smaller segments.
The Science of Spaced Repetition: Increasing Repetition
The emphasis on repetition is rooted in the understanding that repetition is key to transferring knowledge from short-term to long-term memory. In fact, there's a saying amongst those who studies the memorisation habits of scholars and they concluded that memorisation requires a repetition of a minimum of 50 times. This is when you begin to form a visual relationship with the page.
The people of Mauritania and other places are used to repetitions of more than 150 times.
Spaced Repetition Explained: Spaced repetition is a learning technique that involves reviewing information at increasing intervals to exploit the psychological spacing effect. The principle is based on the finding that memories decay over time, and the act of recalling information just as it begins to fade strengthens the memory, making future recalls easier and more likely to be retained in long-term memory.
Practical Example: In the context of Qur'ān memorisation, this might involve revisiting memorised verses later in the day, then the next day, progressively extending the interval between reviews. This technique ensures that the Qur'ān is not only memorised but also retained long-term. This is something I have spoken about previously (repetition).
Relevant Study: Ebbinghaus's forgetting curve, introduced by Hermann Ebbinghaus in the late 19th century, underpins the concept of spaced repetition. His research showed that memory retention improves significantly through spaced reviews, as opposed to massed practice (cramming).
Maintaining Consistency: The Habit Loop
Consistency in the memorisation process ensures gradual but steady progress. It's about making the act of memorisation a daily habit, integrated into one's routine. This is the most important ingredient. A modern example comes from individuals who set aside time for memorisation after Fajr prayers, when the mind is clear and receptive. This routine, consistent and undisturbed, enables better memorisation.
The Habit Loop Explained: The habit loop, a concept popularized by Charles Duhigg in his book "The Power of Habit," describes the three-step process that forms habits: cue (a trigger for the behavior), routine (the behavior itself), and reward (a positive reinforcement for the behavior). This cycle, when repeated over time, can help inculcate consistent behavior patterns, such as daily Qur'an memorisation.
Practical Example: Establishing a specific time and place for Qur'ān study can serve as a cue, with the act of memorisation as the routine. The sense of spiritual fulfillment or the accomplishment of memorising a new verse acts as the reward, reinforcing the habit loop.
Relevant Study: In the study "How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world," Phillippa Lally and her colleagues found that the average time for a new habit to form is 66 days, although this can vary widely depending on the individual and the activity. This research suggests that consistency in Qur'ān memorisation, supported by the habit loop, can lead to the formation of a durable memorisation habit.
Purifying the Intention: The Psychological Impact of Purpose
Purifying intention means dedicating the effort of memorisation to Allāh, seeking His pleasure rather than worldly recognition. This sincerity elevates the act to one of worship and devotion. The life of Imām al-Bukhārī is a testament to the power of pure intention. His meticulous approach to collecting hadith was driven by his intention for the sake of Allāh, and that drove his perfectionism - a principle that can be applied to the memorisation of the Qur'ān.
Intrinsic Motivation Explained: Intrinsic motivation refers to performing an activity for the inherent satisfaction and fulfillment it brings, rather than for some separable consequence. This concept is pivotal in educational psychology, emphasising the importance of engaging in tasks for personal growth and satisfaction, rather than external rewards.
Practical Example: Making the intention to memorise the Qur'ān for the sake of Allāh and to seek His pleasure is an example of intrinsic motivation. This spiritual motive purifies the memoriser's intention, ensuring that their efforts are sincerely for Allah's sake, enhancing the memorisation process's spiritual and emotional rewards.
Relevant Study: Deci and Ryan's Self-Determination Theory (SDT) elaborates on intrinsic motivation, proposing that activities aligned with one's values and interests, like memorising the Qur'ān for spiritual reasons, are more likely to be motivating and fulfilling. This theory underscores the importance of purifying intention in the memorisation process, as it aligns the task with the memoriser's intrinsic values and spiritual goals.
Actualising Hifz: The Effectiveness of Practice
Actualising the knowledge gained from memorisation means applying the teachings of the Qur'ān in daily life. It's about living the Qur'ān, not just reciting it. The story of Sayyidunā 'Umar ibn Al-Khattāb (Allāh be pleased with him), who would take years to memorise a single Surah because he focused on implementing its teachings in his life, exemplifies this principle.
Practical Learning Explained: Practical learning involves applying knowledge through action, enhancing understanding and retention. This approach, known as experiential learning, suggests that engagement with the material in a real-world context can deepen comprehension and memory.
Practical Example: Implementing the teachings of the Qur'ān in daily life, such as applying its guidance in personal behaviour and decision-making, exemplifies practical learning. This not only helps in retaining the memorised verses but also in living by the teachings, fulfilling the ultimate goal of memorisation.
Relevant Study: The concept of "learning by doing" is supported by research from David Kolb, who introduced the Experiential Learning Theory (ELT). According to ELT, the process of learning involves four stages: concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualisation, and active experimentation. Applying the Qur'an's teachings in daily life involves all four stages, reinforcing memorisation through practical application.
Example. Here’s how ELT can be practically applied to Qur'ān memorisation:
1. Concrete Experience
- Engage with the Text: Start by reciting the verses aloud, listening to their recitation by renowned Qurrā', and reading the text. This multisensory engagement serves as the concrete experience, where the learner is directly in touch with the Qur'ān through both auditory and visual means.
- Personal Reflections: Encourage reflecting on personal experiences that relate to the themes or teachings of the verses being memorised. This personal connection makes the memorisation process more meaningful and grounded in the learner's life.
2. Reflective Observation
- Contemplation and Analysis: After the initial engagement, reflect on the verses, pondering their meanings, context, and implications. This could involve discussing the verses with a teacher or mentor, writing down reflections, or engaging in group discussions to gain different perspectives.
- Connection with Daily Life: Reflect on how the verses relate to daily life situations and challenges. This deepens understanding and facilitates the application of Qur'anic principles in real-world contexts.
3. Abstract Conceptualisation
- Theoretical Understanding: Delve into Tafsir (exegesis) and scholarly interpretations to understand the verses in a broader Islamic context. This step moves the learner from personal reflection to abstract conceptualisation, where they construct a theoretical understanding of the verses.
- Systematic Study: Engage in structured study sessions to explore themes, linguistic structures, and historical contexts of the Qur'ān. This helps in forming a comprehensive, conceptual framework around the memorised verses.
4. Active Experimentation
- Practical Application: Actively apply the teachings of the memorised verses in daily life. This could be through changing personal behaviour, making decisions based on Qur'anic guidance, or using the verses in prayer. When verses say to look at the birds taking flight, you do it and recall the verses.
- Teaching and Sharing Knowledge: Share insights and understandings with others, whether through teaching, social media, or casual conversations. Teaching is a powerful tool for reinforcing one's own learning and solidifying memorisation.
May Allāh grant blessing.
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