12.SIMPLE TIPS TO MEMORIZE AL QUR'AN FOR AGED PEOPLE

In The Name Of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

This topic is about "Simple Possible Tips To Memorize Al-Qur'an" for old aged people.

Before the writer talks about this topic, the writer wishes to declare that he is not an al-Hafiz (a person who can memorize 30 juz of the Qur'an); he is only able to memorize important ayat for prayer and may not be qualified to talk about this topic. Still, at the age of 65, if the writer takes effort to do so, although it works slowly with some success, In sya Allah, whoever is interested can also do the same. Most may already have their own method of memorizing the Qur'an. Nevertheless, the Writer would like to share his approach; perhaps it can also work on some interested in trying. The writer would like to share the five (5) simple tips to make memorizing a bit easy for aged people, although the writer admits that talking or sharing is much easier than actually doing it.

As most of you are aware, al Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad SAW (peace be upon him) over a period of 23 years. Today, millions of Muslims aged as low as 3 years to adults aged above 80 years can memorize and recite ayat of the Qur'an by heart, cover to cover, with some able to know which page, which paragraph, and which line! Ma Sya Allah. What Allah says in these ayats (repeated four (4) times) are true...this is one of the many miracles of the Qur'an.

Let us see what Allah says;

Al-Qamar (54:17,21,32,40)

In the above verse, Allah gave the assurance that Al Qur'an is easy to remember, and Allah will also protect the Qur'an from corruption.

Al-Hijr (15:9)

One of the many ways on how Allah guard the Qur'an against corruption is to make it simple for Muslims to memorize it. The writer also believes that even non-Muslim, if they know how to read Al-Quran Arabic (the writer has seen on youtube some do, even though there is no "hidayah" yet), can also memorize the Qur'an if they willingly try or dare enough to try!

Based on what the writer observes, al Qur'an should be memorized at a young age, but once; one reaches adult age (perhaps, above 55 years), it would be more difficult (need perseverance and, most importantly, patient) to memorize it BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE. Some people have done it.

First, let see what Allah says in Surah Al-Furqan (25:32).


As earlier mentioned, the Qur'an is sent down by Allah to Prophet Muhammad (via Angel Gabriel) in parts over a period of 23 years. Some non-Muslims says, why not all at once like the Torah and the Injeel?  (Bible). The reason is to strengthen the Prophet's heart.  Have you ever heard any Jew or Christian able to memorize the Torah and Bible? I believe none but Muslims, many. So, likewise, we also need time to memorize the Qur'an. At a young age, maybe one can memorize the whole Qur'an within 2-3 years (of course, some have done it within 3 to 4 months), but at old age, it is OK for us (including the writer) to try to memorize it slowly or use other methods at time or practice suitable for him.

Surah Al-Qiyama (75:16 to 19)

Let's examine the five (5) possible tips to memorize the al Qur'an. These may not be suitable for some of the readers, or perhaps, it is not the right way to do it, but Alhamdulillah, to a certain extend, works for the writer, and he wishes to share it, maybe it can works for others too.

What are the five (5) "simple possible" tips? 

1. The basic rule, recite each complete sentence. A complete sentence is when you begin a new ayat; you stop reading before you reach a waw و  (which means " and") even though it is within the same ayat. You are supposed to repeat the ayat until you memorize it, before moving to another waw و  if the ayat is long;

For example:

Al-Baqarah (2:5)

......and also at each time, when you see these signs in the Qur'an.

At the same time, understand the translation. Since you are memorizing the ayat, you might as well learn al Qur'an Arabic by knowing the "word by word" meaning (you need to remember this too) and understand the short tafsir (translation) of the ayat. You can try to download an application Al Quran (Tafsir & by Word) via Play Store if you are using an android phone, as this will help you to understand the word by word meaning. The best thing to do is to purchase a word by word Qur'an with translation.

If you can write the Arabic word by word (don't rush, do it slowly) and the translation for one complete sentence, you can gain two things (a) learn to write Arabic words and  (b) remember the translated meaning. Try first with surah al Fatihah. "Do mark my words," overtime if you write it frequently and consistently,  In sya Allah, you would be able to write the whole Arabic version of Al Fatihah, from memory.

3. Check your tajweed; make sure you read the ayat the right way, i.e., short or long, etc. If we immediately try to memorize it (without proper tajweed), and when we managed to remember the ayat, it may be difficult to correct what we have memorized i.e., when later you found out that your reading is not according to the tajweed. It would be better for you to ask someone nearest to you (maybe your wife) to check and listen to your recitation to ensure what you recite is correct;

4. Repeat the ayat at least 60 times - recite continuously 40x by reading the ayat, 10x without looking at the ayat, and the last 10x by reading the ayat.

When the writer asked why it has to be 60 times? An al-hafiz teacher said that by reciting it 60x, we are sending signals to our memory and also to our self-conscious mind that we have remembered it and know the meaning. The writer does not know whether there is any scientific proof to this, but most importantly, it works. Some say, repeat the ayat 31x to emulate surah ar Rahman (surah 55), which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) to the pagans or idol worshipers in Makkah,  who prosecuted the Muslims at that time. It is said, Allah is putting this ayat " So which of the favors of your Lord, would you deny?" in the sub-conscious mind of the pagans for them to realize that they are on the wrong and to accept the truth. Of course, it is still Allah's will to make them accept or not to accept Islam!. Humans are the best of Allah's creation, as they can make their own choice, unlike the Angel and other of his creation. Today, in reality, you can see businesses are advertising their products either on TV or on your handphone. If you use Facebook or youtube etc., the advert will keep popping out for the same reason...Businesses are spending millions to plant their products in your subconscious mind, and eventually, you end up buying the same online.!

Surah 55 Ar-Rahman (Ayat 2)

5. Regularly read while you are doing supplementary solat (sunat) or anytime while you are walking, sitting or driving; while driving, listen to your al Qur'an application on your handphone or buy an al Qur'an CD and recite along with the reciter. When you reach a point when you can recite first before the reciter, that means soon you would be able to remember without following the reciter.

Able to recite the Qur'an by heart would help boost your self-confidence. Imagine if you are asked to be an imam (sometimes, being an aged person, you are always next in line when there is no imam or Bilal in the masjid to lead the prayer), especially during fajr (subuh), maghrib, and isha' prayers since you are required to recite the ayat orally for the jama'ah to listen. Imagine you recite the ayat wrongly, forgot halfway, etc. or the jama'ah tell you, you recite wrongly ..... how discouraging it would be if you are pushed again to be an imam, the second time. This is talking from experience.

Thus, to help you improve your memory, try these tips (after listening to the hafizan) and  a non-muslim brain coach Jim Kwik (the writer combined both methods). Perhaps, it can work for you:-

1. Decide this first i.e. what is your plan and why you want to memorize the Qur'an? (a) to remember all the thirty (30) juz? (b) to remember certain surah for prayer? and (c) to memorize selected ayat that have dua in it (all the good duas are in the Qur'an)?

You need to determine your goals. You have to admit that you are no longer young, don't put pressure on yourself. But you need to tell your inner self first, what're your goals. One al-Hafiz trainer says (see the video below section - unfortunately, it's in the Indonesian language), you need to always smile (avoid getting angry as if you get angry it will take about five (5) hours to really calm yourself), and this may make you difficult to memorize ayat for the day. In addition, even it takes a few days, a few weeks just to remember one complete sentence, never give up.

2. According to Jim Kwik(you can goggle his background), at least two (2) hours before bedtime, avoid watching TV (most will do this, irrespective young or old when there is nothing to do,....including the writer, who is also guilty when it comes to watching TV and handphone when there is nothing to do). The writer is not able to explain it scientifically, but it seems, it DOES HAVE some effect on his eyes due to radiation from the TV or handphone. According to Jim Kwik, it will also affect your subconscious mind and memory, and also avoid you having a good sleep. You need good sleep, as you have to do the same routine, the next day, especially those who are still working or having your own business. In conclusion, so when too many people say (including the hafizan earlier mentioned) about the impact on the "subconscious mind" when exposing to too much radiation from TV, handphones etc, it would be better for us not to expose to such risks, especially at our age. Handphone technology was first introduced maybe 30 years ago, so imagine if your grandchildren are exposed to it now, from a young age, what would be the impact? Google and find out!

3. Read the Qur'an before you go to sleep (maybe 30 minutes before) or recite by heart when you are lying on your bed (before going to sleep). Try to recite ayat you are trying to memorize! Anyhow, if you are not planning to memorize any ayat, suggest before going to sleep, make a habit to recite some ayats e.g. last 10 verses of surah Al-Imran (3), As-Sajdah (32) and  Al-Mulk (surah 67) which one can emulate Prophet Muhammad SAW (there is a hadith on this, if none, someone please correct me)  or perhaps, these ayats which writer frequently recites:-

# Surah Al-Fatihah (1x)
# Ayatul Kursi (1x),
# Surah Al-Ikhlas (3x),
# Surah Al-Falaq (1x)
# Surah An-Nas (1x)
# zikir Subhanallah (33x),
# zikir Alhamdulillah (33x),
# zikir Allahuakbar (33x),
# Last two ayats of surah Al-Baqarah (2:285-286) and most importantly, # your Syahadah..

.....which may be your final (if Allah decides to take you home while sleeping), thus, at least that is the last thing you do or recite, before dozing-off and not watching TV, not watching your handphone (most young generations like to do this)  or doing something forbidden in Islam. Again, make sure the last thing you do before going to sleep is to recite a few ayats of the Qur'an and Syahadah as those ayats may be your last, forever.

4. If you are able to do it (consistently or once a while, read the ayat you already remember (especially the ayat you just memorized) during and after your tahajjud prayer. An Hafizan said, the best time to memorize ayat of the Qur'an is at least an hour before and after fajr' (subuh) prayer.

5. When you woke-up from sleep before you lift-up your body from the bed, try to recite again what you read try to remember before you go to sleep the night before or you can also read it when sitting by the side of your bed. Another tip..before reciting it, don't just push your body up! You need to slowly move your body sideways, place your leg down, and don't move for a while to let your blood flow back to normal. Some suggest you recite at least (there are longer ones)  this doa;

Then try to read back the ayat you plan to remember the night before, before standing up. Anyhow, don't immediately stand-up as it is not good for the body after hours of sleep. Not sure it will work for you but maybe you can try it.

Why should you recite the ayat you try to memorize the night before? 

This is one way to improve your memory. Jim Kwik, the brain coach commented that if you want to improve your memory, try to remember your dreams before you move away from your bed but what the writer suggests, apart or instead of trying to remember your dreams (not wrong to do so...maybe it can also work, but try to recite back the ayat you plan to remember instead, the night before.

6. Istiqamah - do it consistently. Please don't give up even you find it difficult. Do a lot of dua to Allah.


Surah Al-Asr (103:1-2)

Surah Thaa Ha (20:1-3)

Surah Yusuf (12:2)

Some other available tips

Good luck, if you plan to try the above-mentioned method. Don't forget, when you dua for Allah help in your process of trying to remember the Qur'an, please also include the Writer in your dua, as the Writer really needs it.

• MAY ALLAH FORGIVE THE WRITER, IF HE IS NOT ABLE TO LIFT-UP TO WHAT HE SHARED IN THIS BLOG AS THE WRITER EARLIER SAID, IT IS EASIER TO TALK THEN DONE. 

• ALL OF US HAVE OUR OWN CHALLENGES, AND MOST OF US WILL CONTINUE TO FACE CHALLENGES IN LIVES... BUT DON'T FORGET,  WE SHOULD NEVER GIVE-UP ASKING ALLAH'S FORGIVENESS AND GUIDANCE, AS ALLAH IS MOST FORGIVING AND WILL SHOW US THE STRAIGHT PATH..(AS WHEN WE RECITE AL FATIHAH IN OUR DAILY PRAYERS; THAT IS ALSO DUA!)

• ALSO ALWAYS ASK ALLAH IN OUR PRAYER, "OH ALLAH, GIVE ME THE STRENGTH, GOOD MEMORY TO EASILY MEMORIZE ALL THE SURAH IN AL QUR'AN AND ITS TRANSLATIONS, AND PLANT IN ME "ISTIQOMAH" (PERSEVERANCE)  IN MY GOALS TO MEMORIZE .....LET ALLAH KNOWS YOUR GOALS ...(ALTHOUGH ALLAH IS AWARE OF YOUR INTENTION) AND TO UNDERSTAND AL QUR'AN ARABIC LANGUAGE..... AAMIIN. 

Only Allah Knows Best
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