Memorising the Quran is among one of the most virtuous and rewarding deeds. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever recites a letter from Allah’s Book, then he receives the reward from it, and the reward of ten the like of it. I do not say that Alif Lam Mim is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Mim is a letter.” (Tirmidhi)

When people decide to embark on the journey of memorising the Quran, they feel excited and motivated to strive to become amongst the huffadh. However, oftentimes, people may start this journey with a sense of determination only to find themselves lost and stuck. They don’t have the motivation to carry on and at times, may find that they stop memorising all together.

Read this article to find out the 3 common mistakes people make when starting hifdh and how to avoid them so that you can complete your goal your hifdh insha Allah.

1. Setting unrealistic goals

When people first make the intention to memorise the Quran, they quickly want to see the end result. They want to become a hafidh or hafidha in a short period of time. So they set some really big goals for themselves. To memorise a certain number of pages each day or week so that they can finish their memorisation. They just want to finish and so they never give any thought to these goals.

The first few days or weeks may seem easy but then it starts to feel like a heavy burden especially when they realise that they can’t really achieve the high goals they set for themselves. Within a short period of time, they start to feel demotivated and feel like they can’t carry on. Some people even give up completely after a short period of time.

Quran memorisation  just requires taking small steps to achieve bigger goals. Setting small targets and making a daily commitment to achieve those targets allows you to reach your potential.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Take up good deeds only as much as you are able, for the best deeds are those done regularly even if they are few.” (Sunan Ibn Mājah 4240)

By choosing a set number of ayahs to memorise every day and maintaining that, your dream of memorising the Quran can become a reality with the help of Allah.

2. Not having a teacher

Some people start memorisation on their own. Whilst it is possible to memorise on your own, it often comes with a lot of challenges. You’re more likely to have less commitment to your memorisation if you’re doing it alone. There is no one to hold you accountable or correct your mistakes. It’s easy to lose focus and this is why it is extremely important to have a qualified Quran teacher when memorising.

The teacher will act as a reference point for you, helping you correct your mistakes and refining your tajweed if needed. The teacher will encourage you and support you throughout your hifdh journey.  Even if it’s not possible to learn with a teacher face to face, you can still do it online. Many institutions provide online Quran classes. Search online and find a reputable Quran school.

Also, having a Quran buddy is very helpful during your hifdh journey. This can be a friend, family member, or anyone that can push you and motivate you each day. The Quran buddy can also listen to you and help you with your revision.

3. Not doing revision

Quran memorisation is a lifelong journey which requires dedication and commitment. Many people memorise and continue to learn new surahs without looking back and reviewing previously memorised surahs.

Whilst memorising the Quran is the easy, keeping up with your Quran revision is the most difficult part. Without effective Quran revision, it is easy to forget what you have memorised. Try to plan your time and allocate time for hifdh and time for revision. Have a revision plan so that you can easily review all the surahs you have memorised. Remember, it’s not about quantity but rather about quality. You want to ensure that your hifdh is strong by continuously revising.

The prophet peace be upon him said: “Keep on reciting the Qur’an, for, by Him in Whose Hand my life is, Qur’an runs away (is forgotten) faster than camels that are released from their tying ropes.” [Bukhari]

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