Tips for Perfecting and Memorizing the Qur’an

[LordJames]

Background:

Muslims across the world recite and memorize the Qur’an. However, a significant number of those who complete Hifz (memorization) come from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh—countries where Arabic is not the native language.

Strengths of This Tradition:

Over centuries, the subcontinent has developed highly effective techniques for memorization. These methods are widely regarded as some of the best in the world, allowing students to excel in memorization within a relatively short time.

Islamic Tradition:

Unlike Islam, most other religions do not have a widespread tradition of memorizing their scriptures. This is largely because their texts are not always regarded as fully authentic or preserved, and in many cases, they are not even considered the direct word of God.

Potential Weakness:

Because the focus is often on speed and completing memorization, proper Tajweed (the rules of correct pronunciation and recitation) may not always be emphasized.

Important Reminder:

To avoid mistakes, it’s essential to recite regularly with a qualified teacher who can correct your Tajweed and ensure your recitation is accurate.

Memorization vs Understanding?​

1. Understanding the Qur’an – You can do this by reading the translation or listening to explanations (for example, through scholars and lectures on YouTube).​
2. Memorizing the Qur’an – In Islamic tradition, the primary focus has always been on memorization, especially during childhood.​
3. Minimum Requirement: To perform the daily prayers (Salah), a Muslim only needs to know a basic portion of the Qur’an by heart.​

 

[LordJames]

Stage 1 (Minimum for Adults):

You’re in your 30s, 40s, or 50s, your Tajweed isn’t strong, and you feel too busy or even embarrassed to start learning.

Many people, even at an older age, feel the desire to improve their Tajweed (pronunciation). The good news is that today it’s easier than ever:​

1. Option 1: Find a qualified teacher and join a class.​
2. Option 2: Choose a skilled reciter and simply mimic their style.​

The human brain is excellent at copying sounds, rhythms, and patterns—even without fully understanding the details. At the very least, focus on perfecting Surah Al-Fatiha and the last 10 short chapters of the Qur’an. Just pick a reciter, put on your headphones, and follow along by imitating their recitation.​

Shaykh Al Hudhaify:

You can pick someone else but pick somebody who is plain and slow.

The best pronunciation, intonation and at relatively slower speed.

1. Put your headphones ON
2. Listen to it 10 times on repeat
3. Recite along (as often as it takes)

In 2-3 day, you are done and then

1. Repeat the same process BACKWARDS, Chapter 114, 113, 112, 111, n110, 109,108,107,106 and finally 105

 

[LordJames]

Stage 1 (Minimum for Adults):

You’re in your 30s, 40s, or 50s, your Tajweed isn’t strong, and you feel too busy or even embarrassed to start learning.

Many people, even at an older age, feel the desire to improve their Tajweed (pronunciation). The good news is that today it’s easier than ever:​

1. Option 1: Find a qualified teacher and join a class.​
2. Option 2: Choose a skilled reciter and simply mimic their style.​

The human brain is excellent at copying sounds, rhythms, and patterns—even without fully understanding the details. At the very least, focus on perfecting Surah Al-Fatiha and the last 10 short chapters of the Qur’an. Just pick a reciter, put on your headphones, and follow along by imitating their recitation.

Shaykh Al Hudhaify:

You can pick someone else but pick somebody who is plain and slow.

The best pronunciation, intonation and at relatively slower speed.

1. Put your headphones ON​
2. Listen to it 10 times on repeat​
3. Recite along (as often as it takes)​

In 2-3 day, you are done and then​

1. Repeat the same process BACKWARDS, Chapter 114, 113, 112, 111, n110, 109,108,107,106 and finally 105​

American System:

In America, adults are taught to pick a reciter and mimic without knowing the rules of Tajweed or anything else. This is a shortcut and enables adults/reverts to correctly recite in no time and that's why Americans (generally) are good in basic Tajweed.

British/Canadian System:

In Britain and Canada, adults are taught rules and in a classroom setting. This is good for advancing to the next stage but takes longer to master. The downside is that this is a longer process requiring commitment and time.​

 

[sweep_shot]

Thanks. Some great tips.

Option 2: Choose a skilled reciter and simply mimic their style.​

I kind of managed to memorize chapter 87 (surah Al-A'la) just be listening to Sudais over and over. So, I can vouch this method really works.

 

[LordJames]

Stage 2 (Basic Reading for Adults):

You’re in your 30s, 40s, or 50s, your Tajweed isn’t strong, and you feel too busy or even embarrassed to start learning. You have learned how to recite but know need to know how to read with Tajweed.​

Before reading the next section, understand that the Qur'aan is phonetic pronunciation so using any method will enable you to pounce it the same way in the end but the path is different, for example:

1. CAT = C+A+T
2. CAT = KA+AA+TA

It doesn't matter whether the child learns how to spell it method 1 or method 2 (modern method) but the pronunciation of the animal is the same.

Your goal is to pronounce and not to get stuck on the method!


Which Path?

The manuscript and vowels are written a little different for Indian/Pakistani versus Arabs and the vowels are pronounced differently so you need to decide which path you want to take:

Indian/Pakistani:

This is a standard beginner Qaida and words and vowels have definitions. If you choose to use this method of learning then you are locked into reading Qur'aan printed with this method.

Arab:

If you choose to use this method of learning then you are locked into reading Qur'aan printed with this method.

Using either method it should take you about 10 days to be able to read the Qur'aan from zero and if its taking you longer then its time to change your method/class/teacher.

 

[LordJames]

Stage 3 (Finishing the Qur'aan):
Whatever method and class or teacher which you have picked you need to finish the Qur'aan cover to cover at least ONCE, even if it takes you 6 months.

Stage 4 (Repeat the Qur'aan):
Repeat and finish

Stage 5 (Fluent Reading):

Read and repeat until you are fluent in reading.

 

[LordJames]

QUIZ:​

1. Read all the posts above​
2. Figure out what stage you are at​
3. At a minimum all Muslims should be at Stage 1 and you can get there in a few weeks easily.​

Thousands of Reverts (to Islam) with zero knowledge and experience get there all the time so stage 1 isn't too difficult.

If you want to memorize then ideally you want to get to Stage 5 although you can memorize many chapters using the techniques in Stage 1.

Many Reverts know a lot of Qur'aan because they live in isolated communities with no teachers so they just use techniques in Stage 1 and keep memorizing.

We will get to memorization in a few days.​

 

[aboveandbeyond]

I've heard Memorizing Surat Mulk is of a hugh benefit from the trials and tribulations of the Grave?

 

[LordJames]

Stage 1 (Minimum for Adults):

You’re in your 30s, 40s, or 50s, your Tajweed isn’t strong, and you feel too busy or even embarrassed to start learning.

Many people, even at an older age, feel the desire to improve their Tajweed (pronunciation). The good news is that today it’s easier than ever:​

1. Option 1: Find a qualified teacher and join a class.​
2. Option 2: Choose a skilled reciter and simply mimic their style.​

The human brain is excellent at copying sounds, rhythms, and patterns—even without fully understanding the details. At the very least, focus on perfecting Surah Al-Fatiha and the last 10 short chapters of the Qur’an. Just pick a reciter, put on your headphones, and follow along by imitating their recitation.​

Shaykh Al Hudhaify:

You can pick someone else but pick somebody who is plain and slow.

The best pronunciation, intonation and at relatively slower speed.

1. Put your headphones ON
2. Listen to it 10 times on repeat
3. Recite along (as often as it takes)

In 2-3 day, you are done and then

1. Repeat the same process BACKWARDS, Chapter 114, 113, 112, 111, n110, 109,108,107,106 and finally 105

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “A surah from the Quran containing thirty verses will intercede for a man so that he will be forgiven. It is the surah Tabarak Alladhi bi yadihi’l-mulk (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2891; Abu Dawud, 1400; Ibn Majah, 3786.

Stage 1/Option 2:

Since this is slightly longer I personally recommend Shaykh Shuraim because it is slightly faster

I've heard Memorizing Surat Mulk is of a hugh benefit from the trials and tribulations of the Grave?

Easy Insha'Allah.

1. Headphones ON
2. Listen 20 Times
3. Recite alone

A person will be amazed how much they retain with just listening and then there brain will mimic sounds and patterns in just 20 times.

 

[Suleiman]

Great initiative brother. Much of our non Arabic speaking brothers and sisters need to tap into this, and may they be rewarded for their effort, Ameen.

 

[Suleiman]

Sheikh Shuraim is my go to for listening to the Quran and if you want someone who recites slower if you prefer that pace as I do at times I would suggest Sheikh Saud Al Jummah

 

[LordJames]

Sheikh Shuraim is my go to for listening to the Quran and if you want someone who recites slower if you prefer that pace as I do at times I would suggest Sheikh Saud Al Jummah

Shaykh Shuraim is perfect pace Masha'Allah for listening and reciting along but nothing beats Shaykh Al-Hazaifi for beginners and Tajweed correction, each and every word is separate and distinguishable.

 

[sweep_shot]

By the grace of Allah (SWT), I have managed to memorize these:

Surah 97 till Surah 114 (18 Surahs)
Surah 93 (Ad-Duha)
Surah 94 (Ash-Sharh)
Surah 95 (At-Tin)
Surah 87 (Al-A'la)
Surah 96 (first 5 verses only; Surah Al-Alaq)
Surah Ya-Sin (first few verses only)
Surah Al-Baqarah (first few verses only).

 

[sweep_shot]

By the grace of Allah (SWT), I have managed to memorize these:

Surah 97 till Surah 114 (18 Surahs)
Surah 93 (Ad-Duha)
Surah 94 (Ash-Sharh)
Surah 95 (At-Tin)
Surah 87 (Al-A'la)
Surah 96 (first 5 verses only; Surah Al-Alaq)
Surah Ya-Sin (first few verses only)
Surah Al-Baqarah (first few verses only).

Forgot to add Surah Al-Fatihah.

Without it, there can be no salah.

 

[sweep_shot]

I also memorized Ayatul Kursi which is the 255th verse of surah Al-Baqarah. Very powerful verse.

Anyway, I want to memorize Surah Al-Mulk and first 10 verses of Surah Al-Kahf now. Let's see how it goes.

 

[LordJames]

Why do you get tired and run out of Breath?

Watch and observe the recitors of Qur'aan during prayer and notice some common things:

1. They all have their head straight so their airway is fully open, tilting your head will block your airway. Your gaze is supposed to be focused on your place of prostration but your neck doesn't need to be titled or bent
2. Recite at your own tone and pitch whatever suits you (this takes some practice).
3. Learn to breathe through your nose (inhale and exhale) because your mouth is reciting
4. Learn to breath through the diaphragm

3 & 4 is basic breathing which you should be doing at all times anyways.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Valuable information and tips , thank you.

I’m trying to memorise the meanings as much as possible, trying to understand what the meaning is what is being recited . It’s a lot more difficult

What makes the Quranic Arabic easy to memorise compared to other languages?

 

[LordJames]

Valuable information and tips , thank you.

I’m trying to memorise the meanings as much as possible, trying to understand what the meaning is what is being recited . It’s a lot more difficult

What makes the Quranic Arabic easy to memorise compared to other languages?

Its a miracle.

We have children whose languages are not Arabic, autistic and Down Syndrome kids who have memorized the Quraan so there is no rational explanations.

How do you explain an Autistic Imam leading Taraweeh during Ramadhan with no issues?