A journey rooted in grief and hope
My journey of memorising the Qur’ān began with a deep sense of regret and longing. One of the main reasons I embarked on this path was the passing of my beloved mother. May Allah have mercy upon her.
She lived in Pakistan while I was based in the UK. Although we visited each other regularly — she would travel to visit us almost every year, and I would travel to see her — I always felt a gap.
A part of me knew I could have done more, especially by being more present in her daily life. After her passing, I carried the pain of not having cared for her the way I wished I had.
During this period of grief, I came across a hadīth that touched my heart:
If anyone recites the Qur’ān and acts according to its content, on the Day of Judgment his parents will be given to wear a crown whose light is better than the light of the Sun in the dwellings of this world, if it were among you. So what do you think of him who acts according to this?” [1]
Hearing this, I realised there was still something meaningful I could do for her, a gift that would benefit her in the Hereafter.
Beginning a new chapter at 37
I began memorising the Qur’ān when I was nearly 37-years-old!
My schedule was already stretched, running multiple businesses while raising four young children. Still, I made a firm commitment to start, even if it was just one verse at a time.
I would memorise early in the morning, either before or after Fajr. Gradually, my pace improved until I was memorising a full page each day. Despite the demands of my work and family life, I made the most of every free moment.
Cutting down on socialising and dramatically reducing time spent on social media gave me the mental and spiritual space I needed. The time and attention reclaimed from scrolling became precious hours devoted to the Qur’ān.
Building a home of barakah
As time went by, an unexpected blessing emerged as my children watched me memorise.
Inspired by the environment, they began memorising small portions of the Qur’ān themselves.
Gradually, our home transformed into a little madrasa — filled with the sounds of recitation, mutual encouragement, and the barakah that the Qur’ān brings.
Each of us had our own online teacher — four different teachers for my children and one for myself. Having structured learning schedules and accountability truly helped keep our momentum alive.
Completion and a sign from the Unseen
At the age of 40, by Allah’s mercy, I completed the memorisation of the Qur’ān.
Around that time, a series of dreams brought immense peace to my heart. My mother appeared in the dreams of several family members, always smiling and content.
One dream stood out especially: my older sister saw our mother in a beautiful room filled with people.
She was radiant with happiness and said,
Look at what my son has done. He has filled this place with beautiful fragrances in every corner.”
This dream came soon after I completed my memorisation, and it felt like a divine reassurance that my effort had reached her and pleased her in the next life.
Ripple effect of collective sincerity
When a person undertakes Qur’ān memorisation with pure sincerity — seeking only Allah’s pleasure — the journey becomes lighter, faster, and filled with blessings. I experienced this firsthand.
And one of the major factors in my ability to stay consistent was the unshakeable support of my wife.
She took on additional responsibilities around the house and with our children to allow me the time I needed for memorisation. Her sacrifices, backed by an incredibly pure sincerity, were a massive part of this journey. May Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) reward her abundantly.
Now, although I never intended to announce my completion publicly, news of it naturally spread.
Many extended family members were also inspired to reconnect with the Qur’ān, while a number of people began reaching out, asking curiously,
How did you manage to memorise the entire Qur’ān while running businesses and raising a family?”
I explained that I had an online teacher based in Pakistan who guided me throughout. Soon after, people asked me for recommendations, wanting to start their own memorisation journey.
Recognising the need, I approached one of my teachers and encouraged him to set up an online institute. Alhamdulillāh, he agreed. And since then, nearly 50 students have enrolled — some memorising Qur’ān, others learning tajwīd and tafsīr.
These knock-on effects were among the greatest rewards of this journey. They are outcomes I could never have planned, but which Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) granted through sincere effort.
Advice for aspiring Huffadh
For anyone thinking about memorising the Qur’ān, my sincere advice is to just start.
Don’t let the scale of the task overwhelm you. Begin with small, consistent steps. Use the spare moments we often waste without realising.
Be reassured that Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) places barakah in your time when you dedicate yourself to the Qur’ān, allowing you to complete other tasks more efficiently and find even more time for memorisation.
Recognise that this journey will purify the soul, wipe away sins, and fill your life with divine light, guidance, and good deeds. It’ll empower you to overcome struggles and abandon habits that once seemed impossible to break.
The path requires patience, dedication, and consistency, but that is why the spiritual rewards are beyond measure.
Everyone is different, but here are a few principles that made a big difference in my journey:
- Sincerity. Do it purely for the sake of Allah, and you will find the journey becomes lighter and faster, inshāAllah.
- Memorising either before/after Fajr. That early morning focus is a game-changer.
- A strict teacher. Make sure it’s someone who won’t let you slack off. Trust me, you’ll thank them later.
- Staying consistent. Even if it’s a small amount every day, just keep showing up.
- Making it a real priority. It’s not something you fit around your life; it becomes part of your life.
- Getting family involved. Encourage your kids, spouse, or siblings to join you. The journey feels lighter when you’re not doing it alone.
- Understanding what’s being memorised. Read the meaning first. It makes everything connect so much deeper.
Many people assume I must have a naturally strong memory to have completed the memorisation. In reality, I struggled with memory even as a child.
When I began this journey, Allah placed barakah in my effort and made what once seemed impossible, possible.
As the Qur’ān promises,
And We have certainly made the Qur’ān easy for remembrance, so is there anyone who will remember?” [2]
Key practices for all of us
A highly effective method for memorising the Qur’ān includes three key practices.
Preparation the night before
The night before your memorisation session, read the portion you aim to memorise (whether half a page or a full page) at least 30 to 40 times while looking. This repetition allows the verses to settle in your mind.
By the next morning, the memorisation becomes much easier, as the words will already feel familiar and flow more naturally.
Daily review of recent lessons
Every day, revise the last six to eight portions you’ve recently memorised — ideally without making mistakes.
This regular review strengthens your short-term memory and reinforces fluency.
Make it a habit to recite these sections to your teacher or someone who can correct you.
Consistent revision of earlier memorisation
To maintain long-term retention, review about ten to 15 pages from your previous memorisation daily — again, aiming for accuracy.
Cycle through your memorised Juz (chapters) in a structured way. For instance, if you’ve memorised five Juz, divide them into halves and recite one segment per day to your teacher, continuing in order until you complete all five. Then begin the cycle again.
Once you’ve memorised ten Juz or more, it’s ideal to revise at least one complete Juz each day to preserve fluency and precision.
Final reflections
It took me almost three years to complete the memorisation, averaging about one Juz per month. The remaining time was devoted to revision and strengthening what I had learned.
Even if full memorisation seems daunting, maintaining a daily connection with the Qur’ān — even by reading just one page with understanding and reflection — can invite countless blessings and miracles into your life, inshāAllah.
The more you engage with the Qur’ān, the more your memory strengthens, making it easier to retain and memorise even more. Some people are able to memorise up to half a Juz in a single day, by the will of Allah.
I firmly believe that anyone, at any stage of life, can embark on this journey. Even memorising small portions with understanding and incorporating them into your salah can profoundly deepen your connection with the Qur’ān.
Lastly, keep your memorisation journey private as much as possible. This helps to protect your sincerity (ikhlās) and shields you from evil eye. Let your progress be known to Allah alone, and seek His acceptance above all else.
May Allah make this path easy and accepted for all of us. Amīn!
Source: Islam21c
Notes
[1] Abu Dāwūd, 1,453; https://sunnah.com/abudawud:1453
[2] al-Qur’ān, 54:17
