How To Memorise And Master Surah Al-Mulk

Surah Al-Mulk, a chapter of the Qur'ān, holds a profound place in the hearts of believers. Comprising 30 verses, it is renowned for its spiritual significance and the peace it brings to those who recite it. The Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) highlighted its importance:

• Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “There is a chapter in the Quran, not but thirty verses, which will argue on behalf of its companion until he enters Paradise. It is the chapter: Blessed is He in whose hand is the dominion.” (67:1)
• Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “There is a chapter in the Quran of thirty verses, which will intercede for its companion until he is forgiven: Blessed is He in whose Hand is the dominion.” (67:1)
• ‘Abd-Allah ibn Mas’ud said: Whoever reads Tabarak alladhi bi yadihi’l-mulk [i.e., Surat al-Mulk ] every night, Allah will protect him from the torment of the grave. At the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) we used to call it al-mani’ah (that which protects). In the Book of Allah it is a surah which, whoever recites it every night has done very well.

The Prophet (ﷺ) used to recite every night. But how can one go about committing this powerful Surah to memory?

Daily Recitation: The Path to Memorisation

Memorising Surah Al-Mulk can seem daunting, but incorporating it into your daily routine can make the task more manageable. Reading it every single day, even if it's just one verse, helps in gradual memorisation. Over time, this consistent practice can lead to the full retention of the Surah. Many have found success in this method, especially during the month of Ramadān when the rewards for recitation are believed to be multiplied. Likewise reciting daily Surah as-Sajdah, Surah Yaseen, and al-Wāqi'ah can lead you to memorise them.

Strategic Learning: One Verse at a Time

An effective approach is to focus on one verse a day or one verse a week, depending on your personal learning pace. This strategy ensures that you are not overwhelmed and gives you the time to understand and reflect on the meaning of each verse, which is crucial for long-term memorisation.

Grouping for Better Recall

Another method is to divide the Surah into thematic groups. For instance, verses can be categorised by their focus on the power of Allāh, descriptions of life and the afterlife, or reflections on human nature. By memorising these groups, you can then piece them together to form the entire Surah. This technique leverages the cognitive benefits of chunking, where the brain finds it easier to remember information in groups rather than in isolation.

An example of grouping the verses of Surah al-Mulk:

1. 1 to 4 (the power of Allāh)
2. 5 to 15 (Descriptions)
3. 16 to 22 (Nature of life on Earth)
4. 23 to 24 (That life is short)
5. 25 to 27 (Questioning everything)
6. 28 to 30 (You're weak and in need)

You would memorise them like this and then put them together.

Dealing with Difficulties

Confusion and mixing up verses are common challenges when memorising. To combat this, pay attention to the patterns of words and their meanings within the Surah. These patterns can serve as mnemonic devices, aiding in memorisation and recall. Deep learning involves not just rote repetition but understanding the essence of the verses, which naturally facilitates memorisation.

One student always mixed up the verses due to the words highlighted:

67:16
ءَأَمِنتُم مَّن فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ أَن يَخْسِفَ بِكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ فَإِذَا هِىَ تَمُورُ
Do you feel secure that the One Who is in heaven will not cause the earth to swallow you up as it quakes violently?

67:17
أَمْ أَمِنتُم مَّن فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ أَن يُرْسِلَ عَلَيْكُمْ حَاصِبًۭا ۖ فَسَتَعْلَمُونَ كَيْفَ نَذِيرِ
Or do you feel secure that the One Who is in heaven will not unleash upon you a storm of stones. Only then would you know how ˹serious˺ My warning was!

What's the solution? Use the alphabetical order technique, the letter Khā' comes before the letter Rā'. This way you won't ever forget the order of the words.

Sharing the Journey

Memorisation is a personal journey, but it can be enriched by sharing experiences with others. Engaging in discussions, sharing tips, and encouraging one another can provide motivation and new techniques for memorisation. If you have your own story to share, do share it with me.

Memorising Surah Al-Mulk requires patience, consistency, and strategy. By incorporating daily recitation, focusing on one verse at a time, grouping verses, and understanding their deep meanings, anyone can memorise this Surah and reap the spiritual benefits it offers.

Sharing your progress with a community can also provide support and inspiration, making the journey of memorisation a shared spiritual practice.

May Allāh grant you success!