10 Tips to Re-Memorize the Quran After Forgetting

📌 TL;DR Summary

• Forgetting is part of the hifz journey - but re-memorizing is absolutely doable.
• This blog shares 10 practical and spiritual steps to recover your memorization.
• Includes Tarteel tools, psychological encouragement, and dua reminders.
• You’re not alone - progress is always possible!

The Pain of Forgetting Quran - and Why You Shouldn’t Give Up

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Keep refreshing your knowledge of the Quran, for [I swear] by the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, it is more likely to escape than camels from their hobbles.” (Bukhari)

If you’ve forgotten parts of the Quran you once knew, you're not alone. It happens to thousands of huffadh and students worldwide and if anything, it's part of the process.

But forgetting doesn’t make you a failure.

It makes you human.

What matters most is what you do next.

Whether it’s been weeks, months, or even years since you last recited a portion from memory, there's always a way back. And this time, you can come back stronger, more intentional, and spiritually reconnected.

This guide will walk you through ten proven strategies to re-memorize the Quran after forgetting.

1. Start With a Heart Reset 🧠❤️

Before opening the mushaf, start by resetting your heart. Reflect on why you want to recover your memorization.

Make dua. Ask Allah for help. And most importantly, release the guilt. Know that Allah wants you to return over and over again.

Renew your intention. Shift from fear to love. You’re not starting over - you’re rebuilding stronger foundations.

2. Diagnose What You Still Know 🧩

Open your mushaf or app and recite what you can from memory - without looking first.

Mark what comes easily.

Then go back and try to recite sections you think you forgot. You’ll be surprised how much your brain recalls with the right cues.

Create a two-column list:

• ✅ Still Strong
• ⚠️ Needs Review

This gives you a clear roadmap and helps you set focused goals.

The perks of memorizing with Tarteel? All of this information will exist in your Mistake History so you can see where your memorization needs improvement at a glance.

3. Use the Layered Review Method 🧱

Don’t jump straight back into full-on memorization.

Instead, build in layers:

• Layer 1: Passive listening (play the Surah daily)
• Layer 2: Read while listening
• Layer 3: Recite along with the reciter
• Layer 4: Recite without aid

Only move to the next layer once you're comfortable with the current one.

This rebuilds fluency without pressure.

4. Make It Audible 🎧

Recitation lives in the ears and tongue.

If you’re only reviewing silently or in your head, it won’t stick as well. Recite out loud every single time.

Better yet? Record yourself and listen back. Notice common stumbles or hesitations and target those areas.

Bonus: Play Quran audio around your home, while driving, or before bed.

5. Focus on Fixing One Surah at a Time 🔍

Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to recover everything at once.

Pick one Surah (ideally one you once knew well). Set a realistic timeline—e.g., one week per page.

Finish that, then move to the next.

Celebrate each “reclaimed” Surah. Stack the wins.

6. Use Spaced Repetition 🗓️

Forgetting happens when we don’t review at the right intervals.

That’s where spaced repetition comes in.

It’s a scientifically proven method where you review verses right before you’re likely to forget them. Over time, the interval between reviews grows longer.

You can:

• Use an app (we've got something special in the works 👀)
• Or set up a paper-based schedule (Day 1, 3, 7, 14, 30...)

It helps your brain encode the verses into long-term memory.

7. Lean on Tarteel’s Tools 🤖

If you’ve ever wished for a hifz teacher in your pocket, Tarteel is the next best thing.

Use these features to rebuild your memory:

• Hide verses: Test your recall line by line
• Mistake detection: Get real-time feedback on any slip-ups
• Resumable sessions: Pick up where you left off
• Audio features: Listen on loop and customize what you listen to.
• Mistake history: See which ayahs you forget most often

You can re-memorize smarter - not just harder.

8. Involve a Real Person 👥

Yes, tech is helpful - but don’t go it alone.

If you can, get a teacher to help you out and go back to basics if you need to. Even better? Join a virtual or local hifz circle.

When someone else is expecting you to show up and recite - you will. That accountability will transform your consistency.

9. Anchor With Spiritual Consistency 🌙

Re-memorizing isn’t just mental - it’s spiritual.

The Quran enters the heart that is open and consistent.

Establish a routine that includes:

• Tahajjud or quiet recitation after Fajr
• Dua asking Allah to return what was lost
• Reflection on meanings, not just memorization

Let your Quran journey be tied to your relationship with Allah—not just your memory.

“And We have certainly made the Quran easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?” — Quran 54:17

10. Celebrate Progress and Reframe Failure 🏆

Many people give up hifz because they see forgetting as failure.

But reframing your mindset is essential:

• A forgotten ayah that is now revived is a victory.
• A missed review is a reminder - not a punishment.
• Each session you show up is proof of your intention.

Start tracking small wins:

• ✅ “I reviewed Surah Yaseen today”
• ✅ “I corrected 2 ayahs I forgot last week”
• ✅ “I recited out loud without stalling”

These micro-victories are what rebuild long-term motivation.

A strong memory starts with a strong mindset. You’re not behind. You’re on the path.

FAQs

Q: I feel ashamed I forgot so much. Should I even try again?
A: Yes! The Prophet ﷺ warned us about forgetting so we could stay vigilant - not so we’d give up. The Quran is meant to be returned to over and over.

Q: Should I go back to the beginning of the surah or just pick up where it gets fuzzy?
A: If possible, go back to the beginning. Familiar verses will help re-anchor the harder ones.

Q: I don’t have a teacher. Can I still do this?
A: Absolutely. Use Tarteel’s tools to simulate a teacher experience. You can even recite to a friend for accountability.

Q: What if I keep making the same mistakes?
A: Track them and isolate them. Recite that section daily. Use repetition + active recall to burn it into memory.

Q: Is it better to revise in the morning or evening?
A: Whenever your mind is freshest. For many people, after Fajr or early evening works best. Try both and stick to what works.