Memorising a page of the Qur'ān can be done in many different ways. The methods can be used to memorise any amount. People ask questions like, how do you memorise a page in 5 minutes? How do you memorise a page of the Qur'ān in an 1 hour?
Here I share the most common, tried and tested methods that you can use to memorise a page.
Memorise a page using the chunking method
When we memorise, we're working with 'short-term memory'. It's so short that it holds only 7 things at a time. This is why we have to repeat so much. It's also why phone numbers have 7 digits. They like to call it the magical number 7. This is the basis for what is called chunking memorisation.
Interesting fact: The Qur'ān mentions the word ha-fi-za (حفظ) which means to memorise 7 times!
When you're chunking, you break down an āyah into 4-7 workable segments. You then work on repeating them and putting them together. Then you move on to the next set. This method is particularly useful if the āyah is big (spilt it into small segments).
So instead of reciting the entire āyah, you break down the āyah by word and then put them together. For example, you might recite 7 times, close your eyes and do it 7 times for a few words. Then you move on to the next words, recite 7 times and then your eyes closed, recite 7 times. Then you join both groups of words together 7 times. This might be longer as a process but it serves well long term.
Memorise a page line by line
The other approach is to memorise line by line, rather than a whole āyah. You can even write and memorise line by line.
When memorising line by line, you can use the same method as mentioned above. This would be doing one line at a time and combining them.
Memorise a page āyah by āyah
The first and most common method to memorise is to take an āyah by āyah (verse by verse) approach. You can memorise by repeating the āyah a specific amount of times by looking, listening, and from memory.
There are different approaches to repetition in terms of how much you should repeat things. Ultimately, you have to figure out your number. What's the amount you need to repeat in order for it to settle. For some, this can be 100 or more, while for others, it might be much less.
Once you've repeated an āyah and you can recite it from memory comfortably, without struggle, you can then move on to the next āyah and repeat that in the same way.
Once you've done that, you then combine the two āyah that you memorised and repeat them together (without looking).
Memorising a page by creating segments on the page
You can instead memorise by creating sections, segments, or groups of āyāt or a number of lines.
Split the page into equal sections
If you're using a Mus'haf (copy of the Qur'ān) that has 15 lines on each page you can split the page into three sections of 5 lines each. This way you can memorise 5 lines at a time and then combine them until you memorise the entire page.
Split the page into two halves
If you're using the 16-lined Qur'ān, you can split the page into 8-line halves. Likewise, with the 15 lines, you can split it into 7.5 line halves. If using the 13 lines Qur'ān, then split it into 6.5 lines. Memorise one half and then memorise the second then combine them.
Split the page into five sections around the five prayers
You can split the page into five sections that then memorise three lines throughout the day in five slots of time. The three lines can be memorised before or after praying each of the five prayers or you can arrange another five times in the day.
You can split every five points of the day by a certain amount of time. Ten to 15 minutes is a good time period. You can even add a sixth period to connect the entire page together. Then also allocate an hour on a specific day to review everything in the week.
Split the page by meaning
This is the ideal way to split a page. Dividing the āyāt into groups by meaning can create a completely different experience of memorisation. Especially for those that find more connection, ease, and sweetness through understanding.
Again, you would memorise each section at a time and then combine them.
How do you figure out how an āyah links to another in meaning? Use translations that group sections by meaning and Tafseer that show you groups or links like Ibn Katheer.
Memorising a page by listening and repetition
You memorise an entire page by continuously listening to it and repeating it. The Takrār method has you repeat a page 40 times alongside listening and reading Tafseer.
Every method has a particular approach that can be adjusted to meet your needs. In Mauritania, they will repeat a page up to 500 times.
Memorise a page by splitting it over a number of days
You don't have to memorise a page in one day. You should always memorise as much as you are able to take on. You can take any of the methods here and instead of applying it to a day, you can spread the memorisation across a week.
Memorise a page from the Qur'ān in 30 minutes
You may want to memorise in even less time. Perhaps you've only got 30 minutes or so to memorise. You can use the method of memorising in 30 minutes.
Memorise a page in faster ways
You may want to memorise a page faster (although not recommended). If it is the case, you can choose to try any of the 9 fast methods for memorisation.
May Allāh grant blessing!
