Golden Hifz Tips From the Tarteel Community to You!
So you want to memorize more of the Quran... Alhamdulillah! Hifz is a journey that comes with its fair share of ups and downs - trust us, we'd know. After spending years working tirelessly to create the best app for Quran memorization and speaking to hundreds, if not thousands of you along the way, we've picked up a thing or two from our fellow huffadh that we think are timeless words of advice.
Our very own online community - The Hifz Network - is brimming with said advice, with so many members helping one another to navigate the Quran memorization journey with renewed intentions, resilience and determination. There's no gatekeeping over here, so here's what we heard! 👇
Guidance comes only from Allah (SWT), so seek it from Him 🎯
Make dua to Allah to make things easy for you and to guide you through your times of struggle. In the Quran, we are repeatedly reminded of the importance of seeking Allah's guidance and assistance in all aspects of our lives and Hifz is no different!
We are taught to turn to Him in prayer and supplication, asking for His help and ease in our endeavors. This is exemplified in the frequent recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha, where we ask, "Guide us to the straight path" (Quran 1:6), highlighting our reliance on His direction. Additionally, the reassurance found in verses like "For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease" (Quran 94:6) encourages us to trust in Allah's mercy and wisdom, believing that He will bring relief even in challenging times.
On balancing Hifz with the rest of the world ⚖️
In regards to balancing deen and dunya, make it your priority to pray all of your salah on time and do not intentionally miss it. In terms of memorizing the Quran, it's easy to tell ourselves that there isn't enough time in the day - excuses show up in abundance when we're trying to do something good.
Make a point of dedicating part of your day to read, memorize and review the Quran for a good amount of time (for e.g. 30 mins) whether it is in the morning, at night or spread out throughout the day. The most important thing is consistency and having discipline!
Remind yourself it's worth it 🤍
Life gets on top of us sometimes, and so we need to remind ourselves often of the importance of the Quran. Remember, you're getting a lot of reward for your efforts and engaging with the Quran in any capacity - whether it be recitation or reading translations and tafsirs - also sharpens your mental skills which can be applied to other areas of your life. A win-win if we ever saw one!
Grab a word for word translation! 📖
Memorizing the Quran is tricky enough but for those of us who aren't native Arabic speakers, it's a little harder. With a word for word translation by your side, you can deep dive into the meanings on a more granular level and eventually, those words will stick, making the Arabic easier to memorize overall. Our community has recommended putting Tarteel in Adaptive Mode with the translation underneath as well as Quran.com and the Al Quran app.
You can read our comprehensive list of recommendations for the best Quran apps on iOS and Android for translation below. 👇
Tarteel AI
Get creative 🎨
Hifz doesn't just have to be you and your Mushaf, you know! If you're a visual learner or you like using your hands, try Quran journalling the segment you're trying to memorize or write out the verses. This practice is an age-old tradition in many parts of the world and you can read more about it here. 👇
Tarteel AI
One of our aspiring huffadh also recommended tracing Quranic script - this is great for those of us who might not be used to writing in Arabic and need a helping hand. Take a look at Quran Trace to find out more about engaging with the Quran through tracing its script.
Use the Pomodoro method ⏱️
Using the Pomodoro method to memorize the Quran can enhance focus and retention. Here's how to do it: Set a timer for 25 minutes and dedicate this period solely to memorizing a specific verse or passage. Recite the verse out loud, write it down, and listen to its recitation repeatedly.
When the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break to relax and clear your mind. Repeat this cycle four times, then take a longer break of 15-30 minutes. This structured approach helps maintain concentration and prevents burnout.
Revise, revise, revise! 🧠
Revising is crucial in Quran memorization because it reinforces what you've learned, ensuring long-term retention and accuracy. Without regular revision, it's easy to forget previously memorized verses, making progress difficult. Tarteel's Memorization Mistake Detection feature is a fantastic tool for effective revision. As you recite, Tarteel listens and highlights mistakes in real-time, helping you identify and correct errors instantly. This immediate feedback ensures your recitation is precise, reinforcing memory and boosting confidence in your memorization journey.
Take it slow and break it up 🧱
Try to break the ayah up if it's too long. Learn it in sections e.g one line at a time rather than the entire ayah in one go. Each time you memorize a line, go back to the beginning of the ayah. Repetition is also key! Repeat it several times before sleeping, e.g after praying 'Isha and then try to memorize after Fajr. This is a great hour to memorize as it is a time of blessings.
It was narrated from Ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"O Allah, bless my nation early in the morning"
Sunan Ibn Majah, 2238
Take a walk down memory lane and repeat 🗣️
Some of our earliest memories of engaging with the Quran are going to weekly classes where we'd sit on the floor, listen to the teacher recite a verse and then repeat it ourselves, right? This method is known as Talqeen and honestly, it's underrated in adulthood. Repetition alone is already an incredible way to memorize but throw audio in the mix and you're onto a winner!
The next time you have a Hifz class, ask your teacher if you can simply listen and repeat. If you're revising independently, pull out Tarteel and customize Listening Mode to suit your preferences (the Qari, how many times you want the verse repeated, whether it's on loop) and repeat after every verse when you're ready.
Some softer advice to go ☕️
Embarking on the journey of Quran memorization is a beautiful and rewarding endeavor. Remember, every verse you memorize brings you closer to Allah and strengthens your spiritual connection. Take it one step at a time, celebrating your progress, no matter how small. Don't be discouraged by challenges; they're part of the process. Trust in your efforts, stay consistent, and always keep your intentions pure. You're doing an amazing job, and Allah's blessings are with you. Keep going!
