Are you too old and too busy to memorise the Qur'ān? There are many that have memorised the Qur'ān at the age of 40, 50, 60, and those who say they are busy too.
- A 100-year-old memorised Qur'ān
- An 85-year old memorised Qur'ān
- A mother took 30 years to memorise in her old age
- Mothers over 40 years old memorised Qur'ān
Other examples of adults memorising Qur'ān
Hope from a man from an ex-soldier
For 36 years, he served in the military and had a family of five children. But something was missing. He wanted the Qur'ān. So he worked so hard for 6 years and became a Hāfiz at age 59. All of his five children had also memorised with ijāzah. This is a family in Dubai.
He said that the issues were inconsistencies in not reciting daily. Periodic and regular review is required. This was his most difficult part, as it is with almost everyone. He reviews 3 ajzā' daily. When he is busy he won't do anything but will make up for the next day doing 6 ajzā'. What encouraged him?
وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍۢ
Clear Quran
And We have certainly made the Quran easy to remember. So is there anyone who will be mindful? [54:17]
Hope from a mother aged 72
She had learned how to recite the Qur'ān with her mother by the age of 10. Her mother was a teacher in their small town teaching girls. Things changed. She got busy with life and for the next 50 years, she left reciting the Qur'ān.
Full of guilt and remorse, at the age of 60, she started memorising the Qur'ān. She ignored all those who mocked her age and ability. She kept going and 12 years later aged 72, she had memorised the Qur'ān!
How do they memorise the Qur'ān?
#1 Set the scene
This begins with sincere and clear intent. Then determining and fixing a time and place (without distraction) for memorisation. Finally, having someone to read to with accountability.
#2 Make it stick
How do they memorise at such an age? Lots of repetition. They tend to:
- recite an āyah carefully, slowly, with reflection and understanding
- listen to an āyah on repeat
- repeat an āyah between a minimum of 20-to-200 times
- connect the end of an ayah with the start of the next āyah before
- continue like this until they reach a page or whatever the target is
- after memorising the target for the day, recite it to someone (teacher/buddy)
- write the memorised portion down on paper from memory and then correct mistakes
#3 Post-memorisation processes
There are a number of things involved here. For example they:
- continue to recite the portion memorised (or memorise) throughout the day. During commutes, at work, lunch breaks, at home, during chores in every place possible!
- continue to recite the portion memorised in nafl or extra voluntary prayers
- reserve a specific day dedicated to reviewing the entire week
- use the āyāt memorised while making du'ā' (a means for review and plea for help). I loved this when I heard it from a 67-year-old 'Iraqi!
- never get carried away with how much they are doing but remain focused on quality progress
There's so much to learn from our elders
Regardless of age or commitment, many people have memorised or are currently working on memorising the Qur'ān. There is no secret method or blueprint, as you can see. It's always the same processes used in different ways. Yes, it is all from Allāh but we must also learn from what those who have succeeded do differently or consistently.
Consider the following. Older and busier people will have tight schedules, a lot going on in their bodies and minds, and a lot of fatigue. They will have less focus and concentration and are more likely to fall asleep. The energy levels aren't what they used to be, and as a result, they'll need to spend more time memorising the Qur'ān. They need to exert themselves more. They need to work a lot harder. Generations before us had a lot more grit, a strong work ethic, and dedication. There's so much to learn from.
This article is a reminder to me, first and foremost, and to you, that you can achieve a lot by being at least 1% better each day.
Don't stop seeking. It's never too late.
