8 Common Challenges Faced by Hifz Students and How to Overcome Them

Hifz, or the memorization of the Quran, is a noble endeavour that every Muslim reveres. It's a journey that transforms a student into a guardian of divine words, a Hafiz. Coming in at a chunky 600 pages, you're looking at a few challenges along the way when undertaking something like memorizing the Quran. Here's a look at 8 of these hurdles and ways to leap over them, ensuring a smoother, more fulfilling hifz journey.

Lack of Consistency

💔 The Challenge: One of the most common challenges is an inconsistent routine.

💡 The Solution: Set specific times for hifz daily. Whether it's after Fajr or before bed, sticking to a fixed routine helps in solidifying memory. Remember, the key is not the duration but the regularity. Try setting an alarm on your phone or blocking out a chunk of time in your calendar/diary. That way, every time you look at it, you'll treat it like another important task to do every day and eventually, it'll become second nature!

Remember to tailor the routine to suit you; if you're a morning person, make sure you're getting plenty of sleep the night before and if you prefer the evening or late at night, try and eat light, minimize distractions and ensure you've had some rest so that your mind is open and ready to embrace learning.

Distractions

💔 The Challenge: From digital devices to daily duties, distractions are aplenty.

💡 The Solution: Dedicate a special place for your hifz, free from noise and disruptions. When memorizing, it might also help to switch off digital devices or use apps that can help you time block so that you don't get any notifications for the duration of your study session.

Fear of Forgetting Previously Memorized Ayahs

💔 The Challenge: As you move forward, the anxiety of forgetting previous lessons sets in.

💡The Solution: Revise, revise, revise! It's just as important as memorization itself and the weight of forgetting the portions we've memorized is such that we're encouraged to seek forgiveness immediately. Regularly revise the passages you've already learned and set aside a specific time weekly or daily for this purpose. If you're feeling brave, try leading a prayer with a recitation of what you do know to further reinforce your memory.

It's no secret that some struggle with the mutashabihat of particular verses. If this is you, go over those verses as many times as possible until you're sure of the difference...

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Memorization Mistake Detection🧠: You will make mistakes when starting to memorize something new - it’s a given - but Tarteel detects them and lets you know in real time! You’ll also know exactly what and where they are because they’ll be highlighted in red.

Advanced Memorization Mode 🚀: Hide the page of what you’re memorizing and watch the verses appear as you recite them!

Peeking Feature 👀: Don’t worry about getting stuck! Our peeking feature lets you preview the next word, or the entire next verse without giving away the entire surah.

Unlimited Challenge-Setting🏆: We’re working to build new habits so that memorization becomes a regular practice, right? Setting challenges on Tarteel is a great way to go because you can customize it to your liking (which surah, how many verses, how often etc) and then let the app remind you when it’s time to sit down and focus.

Historical Mistakes 📜: Check your progress at a glance. Our newly launched Historical Mistakes allows you to see how many mistakes you’re making per surah overall so that you’re aware of what’s solid and what could use some more revision.

Session Playback ⏯️: Listen to and share your previous recitations AND MORE!

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Difficulty in Understanding Meaning

💔 The Challenge: Rote memorization without comprehension.

💡 The Solution: Make it a habit to understand the Tafsir (exegesis) of the verses you're memorizing. This not only aids memory but also deepens your connection with the words of Allah.

Overwhelm from the Length of Surahs

💔 The Challenge: Longer Surahs can seem daunting.

💡 The Solution: Break them down! Memorize in bite-sized chunks – be it an Ayah or a set of Ayahs. Celebrate small milestones to maintain enthusiasm.

Lack of Motivation

💔 The Challenge: Sometimes we hit a roadblock and we're not quite with it.

💡 The Solution: Motivation can only take you so far; discipline is what will carry you all the way! Remember your purpose and the immense reward of becoming a hafiz and renew your intentions, regularly. Connect with peers or join hifz circles. Listening to renowned Qaris can also rekindle your spirit!

Physical Fatigue

💔 The Challenge: Physical tiredness can affect memory retention.

💡 The Solution: Ensure you're getting adequate rest. Your mind retains information better when well-rested. Incorporate physical exercise into your routine, and keep yourself hydrated and properly nourished with a balanced diet.

Facing Criticism or Comparisons

💔 The Challenge: There might be those who critique your pace or compare you with others.

💡 The Solution: Keep your intention (niyyah) pure and seek strength from Allah. Everyone's journey is unique. Surround yourself with positive influences and remember that this path is between you and Allah.

While the path of hifz is undeniably challenging, it is also incredibly rewarding. With every challenge comes an opportunity for growth, and with every page memorized, you're one step closer to attaining the beautiful title of Hafiz or Hafiza. Seek support, stay consistent, and always turn to Allah for guidance and strength.

May Allah make it easy for all the hifz students and bless them in their honorable endeavors. Ameen.

Psst! If you made it this far, check out the re:Verses podcast for more discussions, advice and stories around memorizing the Quran!👇🏽