How to Memorize the Quran: Structure, Tips & Review Strategies

Many of us are taught from a young age about the importance of memorizing the Quran. The status of a person who commits the Quran to memory is elevated in the Hereafter, with each verse they recite raising their rank.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
"It will be said to the companion of the Quran: Recite and ascend (in ranks) as you used to recite when you were in the world. Your rank will be at the last verse you recite."
- [Sunan Abi Dawood 1464, Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 2914, Ahmad]

Additionally, even the parents of a hafiz will be honored on the Day of Judgment by being crowned as a reward for their child's dedication.

The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever recites the Quran, learns it, and acts upon it, on the Day of Judgment his parents will be given a crown whose light is greater than the light of the sun in your worldly houses, if it were among you. So what do you think of the person who acts upon it?"
— [Sunan Abi Dawood 1453]

However, discussions about Quran memorization often remain theoretical, leaving students with many practical questions: How do I start memorizing the Quran? What is the most effective way to memorize? How often should I review my newly memorized portions?

This article provides a step-by-step guide to structuring your Quran memorization, ensuring that your efforts are both effective and long-lasting. Once you understand this framework, all that remains is to put in the necessary effort.

The numbers and timelines used in this article are based on what I, along with other students, have found effective. Some individuals may need more repetition to fully internalize their memorization. Also, I have intentionally omitted general advice—such as maintaining a pure intention—just to ensure the tips provided here are specific and precise.

*Please note that this is not a 'one size fits all' approach and you may very well need to try and test other methods of memorization on your own journey inshaAllah.

Breaking Down Memorization into Three Categories

When it comes to memorization, I divide it into three distinct phases:

• New Memorization for the Day – The portion you are currently working on.
• Recent Memorization – Verses memorized in the past 21 days.
• Old Memorization – Anything memorized beyond 21 days.

Before we dive into each of these, it’s essential to prepare your mind and body before memorization even begins. The process of memorizing a Quranic page starts the day before you sit down to commit it to memory.

Preparing for Memorization

The day before memorizing Surah Al-Fajr, for example, follow these steps:

1. Listen to a Reciter with Proper Tajweed
   Choose a reciter known for their accurate pronunciation, such as Sheikh Husary or Sheikh Minshawy. If you're able, use headphones to block out all other distractions and really hone in on every letter being recited.
   
2. Recite Along with the Reciter

• Follow along with the recitation to ensure your tajweed is correct.
• Use the same mushaf layout for consistency and recognition.
• Do this at least three times throughout the day.
• Listen to the surah as much as possible—while commuting, before sleeping, or during breaks.

3. Write the Surah by Hand (Optional but Effective)
   Writing out the verses helps reinforce retention and improves recall.

💡 Don’t underestimate these preparatory steps. If done properly, they will make your actual memorization process much smoother.

The Memorization Process

On the Day of Memorization

1. Start with the First Verse

• Read it five times from the mushaf (Quran).
• Recite it five times from memory.
• Read it again five times from the mushaf.
• Recite it five more times from memory.
• This method helps catch mistakes early, as you are reading from the text twice.

2. Move to the Next Verse

• Repeat the above process for verse two.
• Once you have memorized it, link it to the first verse and recite them together.

3. Continue Until the End of the Page

• Recite the entire surah (or page) at least eight times consecutively from memory.
• This step ensures the memorization is solid and will remain strong over time.

4. Review Throughout the Day

• Recite the surah five times throughout the day.
• Have a teacher or a friend test you. If you don’t have a teacher, Tarteel can help!

• Recite it during prayer—this is the highest level of mastery.

Why This Method Works

Some surahs that I memorized strongly from day one have remained deeply ingrained in my memory. Others, which I didn’t perfect initially, took weeks to solidify. This is why it’s crucial to memorize well from the start—a strong foundation ensures long-term retention.

Recent Memorization: The First 21 Days

Any newly memorized portion remains fragile for the first 21 days.

• If you memorized Surah Al-Fajr today, repeat it every single day for 21 days straight.
• If you’ve memorized multiple surahs recently, such as Surah Al-Fajr, Al-Ghashiyah, and Al-A’la, they all need to be reviewed daily for 21 days.

Skipping even one day during this period weakens the memorization, making it harder to retain long-term.

Old Memorization: Keeping It Strong

After 21 days, a surah moves into old memorization. This phase requires a structured review plan:

1. Daily Review

• Recite at least one-fifth of your old memorization every day.
• Example: If you know five Juz, review one Juz per day.
• If you’ve memorized the entire Quran, aim to review five Juz per day.

2. Gradual Increase

• If this feels too difficult, start small and increase the daily review load gradually.
• If you only know one Juz or less, it’s best to review everything you know daily until your memorization is solid.

Summary of the Memorization Steps

✅ Before Memorization
1. Listen to a reciter and follow along.
2. Recite the surah multiple times throughout the day.
3. Write the surah down if possible.

✅ On the Day of Memorization
4. Recite each verse five times from the mushaf, then five times from memory (repeat this process).
5. Connect the verses together as you go.
6. Recite the full surah eight times from memory.
7. Review the surah three times throughout the day, have it tested, and recite it in prayer.

✅ Post-Memorization Review
8. Repeat the surah daily for 21 days.
9. Maintain long-term memorization by reviewing one-fifth of your total hifz daily.

Final Thoughts

Following this structured approach will help ensure your memorization is strong, consistent, and long-lasting. If you find yourself struggling, increase the amount of review and repetition. The key to Quran memorization is not just learning new pages, but ensuring what you’ve memorized remains solid.

This article serves as a foundational guide—stay tuned for a follow-up piece with additional practical tips to enhance your memorization journey.

📖 May Allah make the Quran a light in our hearts and a means of success in this life and the next. Ameen.

Written by Faiyaz Jhawnie