My Personal Journey in Retaining the Qur'an (Still in the Journey -Smiles- )

 

My Personal Journey in Retaining the Qur'an (Still in the Journey -Smiles- )

I will always believe that one of the most effective methods to prevent forgetting the Qur’an is through understanding it. As in, premium and comprehensive understanding. Being busy with life’s countless responsibilities, academic pressures, work, personal commitments, while also trying to retain the over 77,000 words of the Qur’an no be beans. Most of us battle with this challenge. Despite the best efforts to revise, do muroojaha back to back, mistakes still occur, especially with the mutashabihaats (my ustadhs are probably looking me with one kin eye as they read this, MashaAllah. They have tried so much and I ask Allah to reward them abundantly). I experienced this challenge myself until I discovered a transformative solution that works for me: Tafsir.  

From a young age, memorization came easily to me. My teachers often commented on my photographic memory. But as I grew older, this ability began to diminish under the weight of academic demands and other responsibilities. Don't let me give excuses, it’s just a natural process; children’s brains are inherently more receptive than adults, shikena.  

I’ve never been one to thrive in group learning environments. Even as a child, I found it soooo uncomfortable to study in collective settings, madrasahs or schools. Emi kọ́. The window side was my best buddy and still is (smiles). I preferred the solace of enclosed spaces where I could read alone and immerse myself fully in my own imaginative world. In these moments of solitude, it was as if the words of the Qur’an came to life, making memorization not just a task but an ethereal, deeply fulfilling experience. You know how wild kids' imaginations be now after listening to a story.

However, as my responsibilities grew, I realized that relying solely on memorization wasn’t sustainable. I needed something deeper to retain these words, these expressions. The Qur'an is lovely but not as easy to memorize. As a child, I had the habit of memorizing straight up as soon as I am not grasping the meaning, whether it was equations, other expressions, or even the Qur’an. But I always enjoyed understanding novels and stories; their structured storylines captivated me. If I missed a part, I felt lost. I must go back oo and reread for hours. I must oo. I can not even can to miss the show. This realization reshaped how I approached learning as a whole either western or Islamic. So, I began treating every topic or subject as a story.  

When I applied this method to the Qur’an, it became a transformative experience. The Qur’an is not merely a book of commands; it teaches ethics, rules, healing, and the captivating stories of past people, nations. As a child, I was particularly drawn to the Sababun Nuzool (reasons for revelation) discussed in tafseer classes. These stories further widened my imagination, loving the Qur’an more and bringing its verses to life. I have once imagined myself as Khalid bin Waleed wielding the sword skillfully, hehe. He was my favorite sahaba, MaashaAllah!

This method of engaging with the Qur’an—through meaning and reflection—made memorization easier and more impactful. Reflect on a verse for 10 minutes then do it for 30 minutes and notice the difference of what it stirs in you. How deeper it hits you. Wallahi, it deepens khushoo’, elevates Eeman and makes the Qur’an as addictive as a compelling storybook. Even when I paused my formal tafseer classes, I never stopped reflecting on the verses I memorized. Yes, I did have strong background in Arabic. Reflection became an essential part of my learning process.  

I recall my school days when I often hesitated to attend madrasah on Friday nights. My friends, however, would encourage me. Sometimes, I’d reluctantly join them without preparation, yet I managed to memorize a page in under 10 minutes. How? I relied on Tafseer Ibn Kathir, the English version. I would scroll through to get the real idea of the Aayats, try to weave the storyline into my imagination, recite with the storyline as I remembered it, recite it again then reflect on the verses before reciting it for the last time. This was my approach and it helped a lot, Maa sha Allah! This approach eased my Qur’an memorization journey till I finished. Alhamdulilah!

Alhamdulillah, few months after completing the Qur’an, I received a gift I had long desired: a copy of Tayseer Kareem ar-Rahman, a comprehensive tafseer. I was so happy and I ask Allah to bestow that person with goodness of this life and hereafter. This gift revolutionized my muroojaha as a whole. Before each session ehn, I’d read the tafseer to immerse myself in the stories and context of the verses. By visualizing these storylines, my retention improved significantly. Coupled with frequent recitation and reflection, this process strengthened my connection with the Qur’an, increased my motivation, deepened my Eeman, and I even became more conscious of Allah. Alhamdulilah. May Allah increase our Eeman! PS: I still make mistakes but it significantly reduced. A whole lot.

Sharing my personal story is with no other intention that to benefit people of what I have learnt and discovered, to motivate and urge Muslims, especially our parents, to instill a love for the Qur’an in their children. Let them experience its beauty before or while diving into memorization. Captivate their imaginations with the awe-inspiring stories of the Qur’an—like the people of the cave, the trials of Prophet Lut’s people, the arrogance of Fir’aun, and the destruction of Aad, Thamud, and Al-Aykah. These narratives hold timeless lessons that sits deeply into their minds when understood. They won't be able to resist the Qur'an, inshallah!

May Allah grant us retentive memory and a strong love and Eeman in His Book. Let us find joy in understanding the Qur’an, reflecting on its verses, and I ask Allah to ease continuous learning of the Qur'an for us.

Aaishah Bint Abdirrauf (A. Cryptic)

10:40PM

06/02/25