This is a method developed by Abu Muhammad Hasan b. Sa'eed al-Qahtānī. He wanted to use a memorisation method for his Hifz that increased the quality of his memorisation.
Let's see how it works.
1. The Basics
Designate 3 recitation sessions within the day.
- After Fajr
- After 'Asr
- After 'Ishā'
You will memorise for 5 days. For the remaining 2 days of the week, only do revision.
Use a clear, large, good on the yes Mus'haf.
Before starting any memorisation, your focus must go into ensuring you are reciting it correctly.
You must also visit the meanings of the portion you intend to memorise.
Recite it to someone else. Record it and send it to someone for feedback (or self-check).
Memorise one side (a page) daily (at max).
2. The Day Shift
The sessions in the day should look like this:
- After Fajr - recite as much as possible by looking (30x) of the new portion (a side/page).
- After 'Asr - recite it again as much as possible (30x) but with some active recall (starting to not look as much).
- After 'Ishā' - recite it again as much as possible without looking (30x).
3. A Full Week (5 Days)
This is what a full week would look like:
| Day | Session 1 | Session 2 | Session 3 | Revision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 - Monday | Recite as much as possible by looking (30x). This can be the entire page. | Recite it again as much as possible (30x) but with some active recall (starting to not look as much). | Recite it again as much as possible without looking (30x). | N/A |
| Day 2 - Tuesday | Recite as much as possible by looking (30x) from a new side/page. | Recite it again as much as possible (30x) but with some active recall (starting to not look as much). | Recite it again as much as possible (30x) but with some active recall (starting to not look as much). | Repeat yesterday 20x in each session |
| Day 3 - Wednesday | Recite as much as possible by looking (30x) from a new side/page. | Recite it again as much as possible (30x) but with some active recall (starting to not look as much). | Recite it again as much as possible (30x) but with some active recall (starting to not look as much). | Repeat the last two days in each session. |
| Day 4 - Thursday | Recite as much as possible by looking (30x) from a new side/page. | Recite it again as much as possible (30x) but with some active recall (starting to not look as much). | Recite it again as much as possible (30x) but with some active recall (starting to not look as much). | Repeat the last three days in each session. |
| Day 5 - Friday | Recite as much as possible by looking (30x) from a new side/page. | Recite it again as much as possible (30x) but with some active recall (starting to not look as much). | Recite it again as much as possible (30x) but with some active recall (starting to not look as much). | Remove a page, and repeat the last three days in each session. |
That's the basic memorisation phase for the week. Now you'll have two days of pure revision.
4. The Weekend (Days 6 and 7)
Now you may rest from memorisation. Focus more on revision and building connection with what you've memorised.
- Use your salāh to repeat the pages memorised in the week.
- Correct mistakes.
- Link the starts and ends between the pages.
- Study and listen to the pages memorised.
- Use the weekend to link together a week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and up to a month's worth of memorisation.
5. Using a progressive system
The method uses a system where you reach 4 pages, 3 recent pages and 1 new page. You remove an old one and add a new one going forward. So you repeat every 4 sides, 4 days in a row before removing and repeating a single side 4 days in a row for 3 sessions.
You'd complete a Juz' monthly (at max) to complete the Qur'ān in 2.5 years (minimum).
May Allāh grant success!
