Best Quran Memorization Techniques
When memorizing the Quran, it’s important to use different methods to reach the goal efficiently. Some parts of the Quran can be challenging to remember, so it’s helpful to use specific techniques. Whether you choose the one-page technique, 3×3 lines, 6446 methods, or the orthodox rote learning technique, it’s vital to understand how to apply them correctly to achieve the best results. These techniques can help in quickly and effectively retaining the hifz lessons for a long time. It’s important to carefully select from our comprehensive list of techniques.
20 Best Quran Memorization Techniques
Here are some tips shared by Hifz Academy Quran memorization tutors for students to learn quran by heart easily.
1. 7×3 Memorization Technique
This 7×3 quran memorization method is highly result-oriented. You have to read the desired verse 7 times by looking at the text, then 3 times from your memory. Move to the next verse and read it 7 times by looking at the text and then 3 times from your memory. Now, combine both the verses and recite them together 3 times. This is how you will keep proceeding until the whole lesson is done.
When you are reading by looking at the text, recite with Tajweed and a proper understanding of the meaning to get excellent results and memorize quran fast.
2. 10×10 Memorization Technique
To ensure you retain verses in your memory, it’s highly recommended to use 10×10 Memorization Technique. Recite each verse 10 times, even if you’ve memorized it by the 7th or 8th repetition. Then, move on to the next verse and do the same. After that, combine both verses and recite the combination 10 times. Spending more time on consolidation will help you retain the verses for a longer period. For Surahs with rhyming words in the end, this is the best hifz method.
3. Spaced Repetition Technique
Do not just stay on your memorization multiple times, repeat the portions one after the other to keep them in your memory. Gradually increase the portions as you advance. Begin with the oldest and reach to the latest. Repetition is key to finishing your memorization journey with a bang.
4. The 6446 Technique
6446 hifz technique is excellent for kids beginning their memorization journey at an early age. To use this method, create a hifz card with the following pattern. Recite the verse 6 times while looking at the Mushaf, then recite it 4 times from memory. Next, recite it 4 times while looking at the Mushaf, and finally recite it 6 times from memory. When reciting from memory, focus on the circles and mark them once you have finished each recitation. Once you have practised this technique for a month or two, you can shorten it to 3223.
5. Half-Page Memorization Technique
If you have a very sharp memory and you have experienced that you learn too fast then give a shot to this technique. The best way to approach this method is to divide the page into 2 halves. If you have verses in even numbers, then you can divide them equally too. In one go, recite the half page at least 10 times with a focus on Tajweed and makharij.
Also, read the meaning of the verses to keep them in mind. After reading 10 times, try reading the 1st 2 lines out of your memory. Keep trying until half of the page is perfectly learned. Hifz academy tutors mostly used this method in intensive hifz program for students to remember quran in short time.
6. The old Ottoman Method of Stacking
1st step:
Begin by developing an amazing hifz routine and capacity. You have to memorize the last Juz i-e 30th (Amma). This juz has all the types of verses, small and big. It covers all the tajweed rules that are essential to learn. So, give it a try and memorize it first.
2nd step:
Now, start with the ottoman way of stacking. It is like making a building with Legos where you build a base first. So, you have to memorize 1 page daily but in a different way. Begin with the last page of 1st juz. When it is done and revised, move on to the last page of 2nd juz. In the same pattern, keep learning the last pages of all 29 juz in 29 days.
3rd step:
The next step is to begin with the 2nd last page of 1st juz, then the 2nd last page of 2nd juz, moving on with all the 2nd last pages of 29 juz. This will take 29 days to complete 29 pages.
Last step: The last step is to keep stacking up the pages and reach page 1 of each juz. When you check the piles, you will have pages 1- 19 or 20 (depending on the type of Mushaf you are using) of every juz. Now, revise your juz from 1st page till the last and strengthen your hifz.
7. Whole-Page Technique
Another way of memorizing the Quran with the best outcomes is to give a shot at the whole page hifz method. If you have a photogenic memory then you can easily memorize whole page of quran fast.
Begin by reading the entire page with Tajweed at least 15 times. Do not rush, take things easy. Now revise the page line by line and check if it is perfect. When you are reading the page, spend half the day because the more time you spend on grasping the lines, the more accurate your hifz will be.
8. Bottom-to-top Technique
Some tutors prefer this technique for their exceptional students who are just gifted with an amazing memory box. So, it goes by starting from the last line of the page. Memorize bottom to top but revise top to bottom. In a 14-lined Mushaf, you will memorise from line 14th and reach line 1. But, when you review it, you will recite from line 1 to line 14th.
Note: The teachers of Hifz Academy suggest choosing the techniques wisely after giving them a try. Do not burden yourself if you are uncomfortable with any of the methods.
9. 20:20 Memorization Technique
Another superb technique is 20×20. It is a bit extensive but does have shown results. You need to memorize a line by reading it 20 times and reviewing it 20 times. Like this, you will be reciting a single verse 40 times which is enough to retain it in your memory. Whether it is your new lesson or the revision of the old lesson, you have to recite it 20 times for perfection and another 20 times for revision.
10. Madinah Memorization method
This madinah hifz method was designed by the Shiekhs of Madina who used to revise their entire Quran according to what they had deduced from the authentic hadiths of Prophet Muhammad SAWW. This is for the advanced level students who have memorized the entire Quran or half of it. The review goes like this,
- Day 1: Fatiha to Al-Imran (three surahs)
- Day 2: Al-Nisa’ to Al-Anfaal (five surahs)
- Day 3: Al-Tawbaa to Al-Hijr (seven surahs)
- Day 4: Al-Nahl to Al-Nur (nine surahs)
- Day 5: Al-Furqaan to Al-Faatir (eleven surahs)
- Day 6: Yaa Seen to Al-Fath (thirteen surahs)
- Day 7: Al-Hujuraat to Al-Naas (Mufassal)
11. Reciting Aloud Method
This technique has no calculations but is just a mind game. Adopt any of the ways of memorizing the Quran but recite the verses out loud. It will work like magic, you will stay focused and will have excellent Tajweed.
Usually, in group classes, students are appreciated for reciting the lesson loudly to concentrate more and have good pronunciation.
12. Group Memorization Technique
Some individuals learn best when accompanied by other mates. They stay motivated and committed to their hifz journey. If you are one such person who can’t give the best when learning alone, give it a try to hifz with a group. Let your friends, siblings, or any class fellows join the class with you and through group studies and review sessions you all will reach the goal easily.
Once you memorize the verses, you can design a way out to review them. Start reciting the verses one by one.
- Person 1 will read the 1st verse.
- Person 2 will read the 2nd verse.
- Person 3 will read the 3rd verse and so on.
This group method will let you enjoy your hifz lesson more.
13. Association Technique
This method is also known as the Loci method where you build up an association of text with your surroundings and label them from 1st to last. Let us suppose you are memorizing Surah An-Naas, there are 5 verses in it. When you memorize the 1st verse associate it with the window look at the window and recite the verse multiple times.
Next, read the second verse and look at the light, recite the verse several times. Then, recite the 3rd verse and look at the table. Recite the verse several times by looking at the table. Now, read the 4th verse and look at the cupboard, recite several times with the eye on the cupboard. Read the last verse and look at the door. Recite multiple times by looking at the door. The association is built up in your mind in the following sequence:
- Window
- Light
- Table
- Cupboard
- Door
So, when you combine these verses, your mind will give you a clue of which verse comes next. It is good to review with a sequence.
14. Don’t change your Mushaf (Quran copy)
Every Mushaf has a different font and number of lines. So, when you start memorizing the Quran, choose one Mushaf, ideally the one with a bigger font style and Tajweed labels. Then, complete your hifz journey with that specific Mushaf because it will have a photogenic effect on your memory. By changing the Mushaf, you will get confused about the placement of words.
15. Visualizing, Listening, Writing, and Constant Reading Technique
Depending on the type of your inclination, you can opt any way from this technique where you either visualize the text by reading it several times and placing the finger on the lines or by listening to the audio clips of the designated verses to copy the accent and intonation.
You can even write the lines that you have to memorize or just keep reviewing them 20,30, or 40 times until you have learned. It is believed that by writing the verses you send all the images of your hand-written verses to your brain, which will help you recall easily.
16. Understanding Meaning for Better Memorization
Memorizing without learning the meaning is just like reading the verses blindly. Once you read the summary of the Surah, it will become easy to associate the meaning while memorizing. Take the example of the following Surah.
In Surah Al-Lahab, We have the story of Abu-Lahab and his wife who were wicked. When you start memorizing the first verse you will understand that it begins with a harsh tone from Allah SWT. Move on by associating the verses with their meaning.
In Surah Al-Feel, we have the story of Abraha, his army of elephants, and the birds who crushed the huge army with stones. It is amazing to memorize Surahs by understanding the meaning.
17. Stick to one Sheikh
Every teacher has a different way of approaching online hifz classes. They use their experience and apply the methods they find workable. So, it is appreciated to stick to 1 Shiekh while memorizing the Quran to build up a good connection and rapport with him to make things easier. Changing your tutor unnecessarily will harness your progress as you will be starting from the beginning with a new tutor for reviews and tests.
18. Strategic Revision Policy
Revision plays a key role in excellent memorization because when you move on with the chapters, the previous chapters are stacked up. If you are not dealing with them strategically, they will either mix up or vanish away from your memory. So, devise a review plan on your own or with the help of your teacher. It is also a technique of hifz to follow up on your old chapters to consolidate them. Divide the hours of the day between new chapters and old revisions. Give early mornings to new parts and save your noons for revision and nights for combining all together. Review less in the beginning and more when your chapters increase.
19. Writing and Tracing the Letters
Some of the sheikhs believe that if you have not set a time limit for your hifz lessons (like a year or 2) then try this technique too. All you have to do is to read the verse or verses you want to hifz, perfect them in Tajweed, understand their meaning and hold up your pen to write the verse down by looking at the Mushaf. After writing down with 100% focus, trace the verse with your index finger and recite it again. This will send an image of the handwritten verse in your brain and by writing with your hand, the memory box will retain better.
20. Consistent Daily Routine
Being passionate in the beginning and giving up after a juz or two is what has been experienced by many of the volunteer students because of the wrong hifz technique or poor learning routine. So if you want to reach the ultimate goal, be consistent with your classes and be there on time no matter what. Give priority to hifz and see wonders happening. Taking occasional offs is fine but do not take 2 days off together.
Conclusion
All the above-mentioned techniques will work differently with all of the students. You can alter and change your learning method as per your needs. You can also mix two or three techniques to enjoy the variety. Also, consider taking a formal hifz course for beginners from a reliable platform that will guide you about these techniques in more detail.
