What It Feels Like Completing Quran Memorization

It is now the new calendar year, 2023. It would be befitting to start it with a story to motivate us for the year ahead. The folllowing is another beautiful, inspiring, and emotional Hifz story and one that can keep us motivated for a long time. I hope you will take the time to read it, listen to it and share it with others.

The journey of Hifz is one that requires dedication, discipline, and a strong commitment. It is a challenging undertaking, but the rewards are immeasurable. As you read this story, I hope it will encourage and inspire you in your own path, whatever it may be.

The Story of Jawhara

Jawhara al-Mutairi was a young girl in her twenties and worked as an administrator in a village called ‘Ulyā in Saudi Arabia for a Qur’ān memorisation school (Dār Zainab bint Jahsh). After the death of her mother, she relates her story as follows:

Making a heartfelt prayer

It was raining, so I went out to make a supplication under the rain repeatedly asking: "O Master (Yā Rabb!), grant me an action that brings me closer to You! (Arzuqnī ‘amalan yuqarribunī ilayka). As I finished my supplication, I cried loudly, but it was not a cry of despair, it was a cry of tranquility and faith that Allāh would answer my supplication.

A prayer answered

After a few days or weeks, one of the Qur’ān memorisation teachers gave me a call and informed me that they had set up an intensive Qur’ān memorisation program and asked me to join it. I told her that my time and circumstances do not allow me to memorise the Qur’ān because I work at the centre and have household chores. But the teacher insisted, so I reluctantly agreed and then I lay down and felt that this was the answer to my supplication (in the rain) a few days ago.

So I searched YouTube for stories of people who memorised the Book of Allāh, and my interest in this dream increased. I watched memorisers on the day of completion crying loudly and I wondered what their real feelings were: was it joy or fear or what? I was eager to experience this feeling myself and so I made up my mind to take this journey!

Getting started with Hifz

I started the session and my journey from the first day. That day, I prayed to my Lord to accept this work from me and bring me closer to Him, and I hoped that my reward for memorizing the Quran would be for my mother in her grave.

“My Master, accept this work from me, and make it a means to draw close to You, glory be to You, and that I seek a reward for memorising the Qur’an for my mother in her grave."

I was always praying and seeking help from Allāh. I was waiting for the hour of response. I always asked my father to pray for me too and even the small children asking them to pray for me to have written down with my Lord as those who memorised His Book.

The moment of completing the Qur’ān arrives

And all praise and thanks be to Allāh, after three years I finished memorising the Qur’ān completely! On the day of the final recitation of Juz 'Amma, Surat Al-Ma'un was the last chapter that was read. My teacher told me that I completed memorising the Qur’ān and congratulated me. This day was extraordinary!

I went to one of the rooms of the memorisation school to be alone with myself. I prostrated to thank Allāh for honouring me and honouring me with memorising His Book. I cried in my prostration and called on Allāh to end my life now because the world no longer meant anything to me!

But Allāh did not want that for me.

The day arrived for the celebration of the memorisation school for me and the those who completed the memorisation of the Qur’ān.

The Shaykh gave a speech and I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. My father hugged me and kissed me, and my mother hugged me and cried with me. My brother and sisters congratulated me and my friends hugged me.

I don't have the words to express my feelings that day. It was a mix of happiness, sadness, and relief. I was happy because I had completed my dream, but sad because it meant that my journey of Hifz was over (the memorisation process) and I would no longer have the same daily routine. I was relieved because I had overcome the challenges and difficulties that came with memorisation.

That day, I made a promise to myself that I would continue to review the Qur’ān and strive to understand and apply its teachings in my daily life. I also made a promise to Allāh that I would use my knowledge and experience of the Qur’ān to serve and benefit others.

Seeing a vision

It was never to be a normal day!

I prayed and opened my Qur’ān from the beginning Surat Al-Fatihah and decided to read one āyah from every single page as if I were recalling those days, months and years. I started reciting and reciting. Then I dozed off for a short while.

I saw a dream.

II saw myself in a dark land and there was a very bright and long ladder reaching up to the sky. On the right and left of the ladder were two huge men whose features I couldn't distinguish.

I was climbing the ladder's steps in awe and amazement until I reached its top.

I saw a golden chair with a lot of beautiful gold around it. My mother was sitting on top of this chair. She didn't speak to me, but she started reading Surah Al-Baqarah in its entirety, then Ali-‘Imrān in its entirety, and then An-Nisā’ in its entirety. She was reading them with eloquence and perfect recitation.

Although my mother can't read or write in reality, I was amazed at how she could recite the Qur’ān with such proficiency. When she finished, I asked her, "Mother, how are you able to recite the Qur’ān like this?"

She looked at me and said, "Jawhara! Your gift has arrived!"

I woke up from my sleep and I praised and thanked Allāh for honouring me and my mother and granting us the great honour of memorising His noble book.

It is time for my story and your story to begin from this moment on. Let's start realising our dream of memorising and living the Qur’ān!

Lessons from the story of Jawhara

The story of Jawhara is a beautiful and inspiring glimpse of a Hifz journey that highlights the importance of perseverance, faith, and hard work in achieving our goals.

One of the key lessons from this story is the power of supplication and the importance of maintaining a strong connection with Allāh. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, Jawhara never lost hope and consistently turned to Allāh in prayer, seeking His guidance and support. Through her faith and trust in Allāh, she was able to overcome the obstacles in her path and ultimately achieve her dream of memorising the entire Qur’ān. This serves as a reminder for all of us to keep our faith strong and never lose hope, knowing that with prayer and reliance on Allāh, anything is possible.

Another lesson from the story is the value of hard work and dedication. Jawhara faced many challenges and sacrifices in her journey to memorise the Qur’ān, including balancing her job and household responsibilities with her studies. However, she remained committed and dedicated to her goal, putting in the necessary time and effort to ensure her success. This serves as a reminder for all of us to put in the hard work and effort required to achieve our dreams, no matter how difficult or challenging the path may seem.

Finally, the story of Jawhara highlights the importance of community and support in our journey towards success. Throughout her journey, Jawhara received guidance and encouragement from her teachers and fellow students, which helped to keep her motivated and on track. This serves as a reminder for all of us to seek out and surround ourselves with supportive individuals who can help us reach our goals.

You also see how she saw the gifts and rewards come to fruition as a result of her memorisation.

May Allāh grant success!