The “Takrār program” (Tikrar program or the Tikrar method) is for the memorisation and perfection of the Qur’ān located in Madinah al-Munawwarah. It is also a method that has been adopted in other countries too. Takrār means repetition. So this method is a systematic practice that is carried out through repetition regularly, orderly, and with a set of practices.
The method involves a period of memorisation and a period of mastery.
First: A new memorisation course that consists of memorising one page daily. This enables one to complete the whole Qur’ān in approximately one year and eight months. Or for those wishing to complete the memorisation of the Qur’ān in ten months are required to memorise two pages daily.
Second: A period of achieving mastery that consists of perfecting three pages daily over a period of seven months, or four pages over five months. This is once you have memorised the entire Qur’ān but are yet to gain some mastery.
Both periods (memorisation and mastery) in the method are built upon three pillars which are: “memorisation”, “connection”, and “revision” not sufficing with one at the cost of another. This is basically the same as Sabaq, Sabqi, and Manzil (as used in Indo/Pak/Malaysia) but with certain tweaks.
Let’s look at it.
The Method of Memorisation
The method of memorisation in both periods are as follows:
First: Listen to the page that is to be memorised three times by a reciter while following along in the Mus’haf during the period of new memorisation. For the period of mastery, you will do this once only to safeguard the memorisation from errors and mistakes.
Second: Read the Tafseer (interpretation) of the page to be memorised during the day to enhance awareness of the meanings of the particular verses covered. You can go onto apps like ‘QuranHive’ to read Tafseer by Ibn Kathīr and others. There are not many available in English at present but whatever you can gain access to, use it. It’s good to use a vast range of translations too.
Third: Begin to memorise the daily portion of the Qur’ān, paying close attention to two important matters:
(1) Be aware and focus on the stopping and starting points of the verses on the page being memorised.
(2) While memorising the current page don’t stop at the last verse, but rather memorise the entire page, along with the first line of the following page; repeating it together to help connect both pages.
Third and Fourth: After the student is confident he has memorised the page, using a voice recorder he/she should then proceed to record himself/herself reciting the memorised page three times from memory without looking at the Mus’haf.
After completion, he should then listen to the recording while looking at the Mus’haf to ensure proper memorisation and to ensure there are no errors.
If any mistakes are found (even one!), this phase is to be repeated. Using the voice recorder he/she is to then recite three times again. If no mistakes in the three times, then proceed to the following phase.
Fifth: Following that, he/she is to begin repeating the page from memory without looking at the Mus’haf (30 times) for the mastery period or (40 times) for the new memorisation phase. If a mistake occurs in any repetition, this count is removed from the overall number and replaced accordingly.
Sixth: If memorising more than one page a day, please be advised to follow the previous steps on the second and third pages etc.
Seventh: On the following day, repeat what was memorised yesterday five times without looking at the Mus’haf, which is known as: [Repetition of Yesterday]. Whereas the previous steps are known as: [Today’s Repetition].
Connection
This is reciting all mastered (perfected) pages over the previous 30 days from memory; one time, without looking at the Mus’haf.
Revision
This is reciting the old memorisation from memory without looking at the Mus’haf. It is upon the student to complete the old memorisation every six days. Old memorisation means the portion of memorisation that has gone beyond the “connection” phase.
So once you begin memorising form the first page, you continue reciting it from memory one time every day for 32 days. On the 33rd day, you drop the initial six days of memorisation, and then after six more days have passed you drop six other days from the beginning. And like this continue; every time six days pass you drop six days from the beginning. You will notice that the “connection” phase will not contain less than 25 days of memorisation and will not increase more than 30 days.
The beginning days that have been dropped from “connection” become Old Memorisation, which has its own section known as “revision”, it must be completed every six days.
It is incumbent upon the student in all phases to pay close attention to reciting properly, in a voice that is heard, not fast or slow, but in the middle which is called ‘Al Hadr’.
Check out the schedules for the method.
SCHEDULES
Memorizing one page daily
[Link not working, see below]
Memorizing two pages daily
[Link not working, see below]
The Mastery course
Mastering three pages daily
[Link not working, see below]
Mastering four pages daily
[Link not working, see below]
YouTube explanation:
Other schedules [UPDATES]
Reversed Tikrar schedules
There have been a number of people requesting a schedule that is reversed (starting from Surah an-Nās to al-Baqarah), I have had one being made in a spreadsheet. Memorising one page a day is more or less complete at the time of updating.
You will also find all the other schedules in each tab in this.
Half a page (Tikrar schedule)
One page (Tikrar schedule)
Two pages (Tikrar schedule)
Three pages (Tikrar schedule)
Four pages (Tikrar schedule)
The one-fourth method [NEW]
What if you can't memorise a page? Here's an alternative method!
The One-Fourth Tikrar Method introduces a balanced, systematic approach to memorisation, covering both quality and consistency over speed. This method aligns perfectly with the ethos of the Madinah-style Tikrar schedules while adapting to modern schedules.
Key Features of the One-Fourth Tikrar Method:
- Daily Commitment: Memorise 3-4 lines per day, taking approximately 20 minutes. This manageable workload ensures consistency, even for individuals balancing work or school responsibilities.
- Structured Repetition: Each new segment is repeated 35-50 times to embed it in long-term memory, ensuring retention before moving to the next.
- Connection and Review Phases:
- Connection Phase: Regularly recite the last 10 memorized pages to ensure fluidity and coherence between pages.
- Review Phase: Revisit all memorised sections weekly, except on Fridays, to reinforce learning without burnout(.
- Integration of Tafsir: Before memorising, learners are encouraged to reflect on the tafsir (exegesis) of the verses, deepening understanding and connection to the Quran.
The Daily Workflow
- Listen: Begin by hearing the section recited three times by a Qari to perfect pronunciation.
- Memorise: Focus on 3-4 lines, ensuring natural stopping points at the end of verses.
- Repeat and Register: Recite the newly memorized portion 35-50 times, recording and correcting errors.
- Connect: Incorporate the new portion with the previous day’s lines to create seamless transitions.
Benefits of the One-Fourth Method
- Sustainable Progress: With its bite-sized daily targets, this method suits even the busiest schedules.
- Improved Retention: Regular, spaced repetition strengthens memory retention.
- Holistic Approach: By integrating tafsir and a teacher’s guidance, this method nurtures both the heart and the intellect.
This approach to Quran memorisation reflects the principle that "the most beloved deeds to Allah are those done consistently, even if small" (Bukhari, Muslim). Whether you're just beginning your journey or revisiting past efforts, the One-Fourth Tikrar Method provides a clear, sustainable pathway to becoming a Hafiz.
The Quran memorization schedule pdf
You may also download the excel sheet:
May Allāh grant blessing
