Innovative Way to Memorize the Quran (2)
There
are some questions that we have received after the first lesson from
this educational series, and we should answer them before showing the
second lesson in memorizing the Quran.….
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From
these questions: How can the recited Quran be listened to? Should we
listen to a whole Surah several times a day? And what are the suitable
times for listening to the Quran?
How can the recited Quran be listened to?
You
should know my brother believers that all times are suitable for
listening to the Quran. The believer mentions Allah in all times,
standing, sitting, lying down on his side, before going to bed, at
awakening, when at work, when walking on the street and when are among
friends and family. The believer mentions Allah in all times and so
listening to the Quran does not have a specific time. However, those
who want to memorize should listen to recited Quran whenever it is
possible. Almighty says, "Men who celebrate the praises of Allah, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides" [Al- 'Imran: The Family of 'Imran: 191]
Should we listen to a whole Surah several times a day?
I
prefer to repeat listening to the same Surah several times every day
until its words become familiar to the listener. For example, if you
want to memorize An-Naml (The Ant) Surah, you have to listen to this
Surah in a voice of one of those who recite it for several times in a
period of several days. Then, the memorization process will be very
easy after that. I have followed that and it was fruitful. I have
memorized the Quran without exerting any great effort because I was
listening to the Quran.
What is the perfect time to memorize the whole Quran?
We
should know that the Great Apostle (pbuh) memorized the Quran in 23
years!!! The period the Quran was revealed. From the Prophet sayings,
there is no specific time for memorization, but my brother reader, you
can memorize what may Allah avails for you from His Book and you
determine firmly to complete memorization.
Do
not feel disinterested if suitable circumstances were not available.
You only need to ask Allah Almighty to furnish you the suitable
circumstances and He may answer your supplication. You may be able to
memorize in a month and it may take years, but I think the right period
for who likes to set a time table is one year or two years.
Finally,
the left question is around my experience in memorizing the Quran and
how much time did it take me to keep by heart the Book of Allah
Almighty? In fact, I did not think at all during my memorization
process of time or how much I memorized. However, my concern was
pleasing Allah Almighty, and I was always saying I need the big rewards
and proximity to Allah Almighty. I used to know that a believer may
memorize “Say: He is Allah, the One and Only”
Surah and he will be at the top in front of Allah because of his
devotion and sincerity with Allah. This is what makes the believer the
best memorizer of Allah’s Book because Allah will assist him to
memorize.
But,
whoever memorizes the Quran to boast and gain a certificate to show to
people, his rewards will be little even if he memorized the whole
Quran. Maybe, all of us know about the man who will be used to fuel
Hell on the Day of Resurrection, a man who kept the Quran by heart and
read it to be called a reader, a man who takes pride in memorizing in
front of people and not for the sake of Allah. This person got his
rewards in this World and does have anything in the Hereafter.
Therefore, I always say dear brother and sister: Little memorization with sincerity is much better than much without devotion.
How should I memorize a Surah from the Quran?
The new way depends on three stages:
- Listening to recited Quran stage
- Stage of understanding, managing and deep-thinking of the speech we heard
- Stage of establishing memorization from the Book
Listening to recited Quran stage
We
have mentioned in the first lesson of this educational series the
importance of listening to the Quran. It has a great impact in
long-period memorization. This way is not new or innovative, but it was
the way if our Master, the Prophet (pbuh).
The
Great Apostle (pbuh) was memorizing the Quran by listening to Gabriel
(pbuh); therefore, the first stage is listening and repeating this
process.
Stage of understanding, managing and deep-thinking of the speech we heard
The
second stage is very important in easing the memorization process and
making it enjoyable and interesting. When you consider the verses you
have heard and understand them carefully, that will consolidate these
verses in your memory for a longer period and you will discover new
things in the indications of the verses.
Stage of establishing memorization from the Book
The
third stage is establishing memorization from the Book. After, we have
listened to the Surah many times, it has become familiar to us, and we
have understood its words from availed explanations or asking scholars.
Let us now read this as follows:
- Reading this Surah as whole three or four times.
- Divide
this Surah into portions and each portion includes several verses
according the linguistic meaning and the connections between the
portions with each other.
- Read
the first portion several times until you complete memorizing it, next,
read also the second portion several times until you memorize, then,
read the third and repeat it many times until you feel that you have
memorized it.
- Now,
you have to connect these portions, you read the first and the second
portions several times until you memorize them. Then, read the third and
the fourth portions till you memorize them.
- Then, you read the four portions together, memorize and establish them.
- Finally, we move to the fifth portion and so on until we complete memorizing the Surah.
A practical example from Surah An-Naml (The Ant)
- First stage: As aforementioned, we have to listen to Surah An-Naml every day several times.
- Second stage: We try to understand every word in this Surah.
- Third stage: We establish memorization from the Book.
Now,
we will live in the introduction of Surah An-Naml. This Surah was
named the Ant because it was the only Surah in the Quran in which the
ants were mentioned. Before you know how to memorize this Surah you
need to know the story of our Master Solomon (pbuh) in this Surah in an
easy manner.
The story of Solomon (pbuh)
There
was among Solomon's soldiers a bird named "The Hoopoe". This bird
disappeared by traveling far away. Solomon (pbuh) came to ask about it
and he did not find it. He said: he will punish it severely because it
went without his permission unless it comes back with news or true
important information.
Soon,
the Hoopoe came back and showed in front of Solomon (pbuh) and said: I
knew new things you do not know O' King. King Solomon said: What is
this new information which I do not know?
The Hoopoe said: I went to Sheba
Solomon
(pbuh) said: we will consider what you have said, but you have to go
back with a letter to them. In this letter, I will call them to believe
in Allah Almighty and quit worshipping the sun.
The Hoopoe went to Sheba
The
ministers said: We are strong and King Solomon cannot conquer us. The
queen replied: This king is very strong and he can conquer us. When
kings enter a country, they destroy it and humiliate its people.
Therefore, I think we send him a gift because it may convince him and
stop attacking us.
The
queen sent a gift of jewels, gold and very precious things. But the
Hoopoe had heard the queen's words, went back to Solomon, and told him
that: The queen is sending you a gift.
When
the gift arrived to Solomon, he did not accept it and said: Do you give
me money? Allah has given me things much better than what you have.
You rejoice the gift while I do not rejoice other than the gift of
Allah, His generosity and mercy.
Then,
he said: Go back to them. We will bring them an army that they will not
be able to meet. We will dispel them in disgrace. The soldiers went
back with the gift to their queen and told her with what happened. They
said: That King Solomon will send us soldiers to dispel us from our
country. What do you order us to do? And how to behave in this
situation?
This
queen was wise and very smart. She realized that this king was not like
other kings. He did not covet money, but he called for faith in Allah
free of charge and without pay. Therefore he had to be sincere; I would
go and talk to him.
The
queen went with some of her soldiers to King Solomon (pbuh). Then,
Solomon (pbuh) had met with his ministers and men. The counsel included
some sprite of jinn whom Allah had made them subservient and that was a
grant which Allah gave it to Solomon and no one after him.
Solomon
told them: I want from you to bring me the throne of this queen,
because they will come in submission to the true religion. Who can bring
this throne before they come? A sprite of jinn said: I can bring you
this throne before you leave this counsel? I am strong, reliable and
obedient to you O King.
Then,
one of the believers who had been given knowledge from Him and who used
to read the Psalms, Solomon and David's Book that was revealed by Allah
and from which he learned a lot said: I can bring you this throne
within the twinkling of an eye!!! Then, this good man brought the throne
from Sheba
After
that, Solomon (pbuh) said to his soldiers: Take this throne and
transform some things in it so that the Queen of Sheba when she comes,
she cannot recognize. We want to be assured whether she can recognize
her throne or not. They transformed the throne. This shows that Allah
always tests the believer to see if that has a negative impact on his
faith or his faith will increase.
When Balqis, Queen of Sheba came into Solomon Kingdom Sheba
Balqis
was astonished by this scene and asked a lot about the secret of the
existence of this throne. However, she was impressed by King Solomon and
how he brought her throne from Sheba
Despite
that, she tried to declare her submission to the true religion, but she
hesitated because she was a disbeliever and was prostrating to the sun
and this what had stopped her from believing in Allah Almighty. Our
Master Solomon (pbuh) realized that.
Thus,
King Solomon (pbuh) took her to a lofty building with a great arena
made of glass. She said this is a lake of water! But Solomon (pbuh) told
her that this is a palace paved smooth by transparent glass. Allah has
made subservient who can make for him this antiques and wonders.
Here
and in this situation, Balqis, the Queen, stood convinced and declared
embracing Islam in front of Solomon (pbuh) who was glad for this happy
ending for a woman who was a disbeliever!!
Practical Example
Now let us write the first portion of this Surah (from verse 1 to 44) and we divide into portions as follows:
The first portion: Introduction of Surah and a talk about the Quran
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. These are verses of the Qur'an,-a book that makes (things) clear; 2. A guide: and glad tidings for the believers,- 3. Those who establish regular prayers and give in regular charity, and also have (full) assurance of the hereafter. 4.
As to those who believe not in the Hereafter, We have made their deeds
pleasing in their eyes; and so they wander about in distraction. 5. Such are they for whom a grievous Penalty is (waiting); and in the Hereafter theirs will be the greatest loss. 6. As to thee, the Qur'an is bestowed upon thee from the presence of one who is wise and all-knowing.
The second portion: Story of Moses (pbuh)
7.
Behold! Moses said to his family: "I perceive a fire; soon will I bring
you from there some information, or I will bring you a burning brand to
light our fuel, that ye may warn yourselves. 8.
But when he came to the (fire), a voice was heard: "Blessed are those in
the fire and those around: and glory to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
9. "O Moses! verily, I am Allah, the exalted in might, the wise!.... 10.
"Now do thou throw thy rod!" But when he saw it moving (of its own
accord)as if it had been a snake, he turned back in retreat, and
retraced not his steps: "O Moses!" (it was said), "Fear not: truly, in
My presence, those called as apostles have no fear,- 11.
"But if any have done wrong and have thereafter substituted good to
take the place of evil, truly, I am Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 12.
"Now put thy hand into thy bosom, and it will come forth white without
stain (or harm): (these are) among the nine Signs (thou wilt take) to
Pharaoh and his people: for they are a people rebellious in
transgression." 13. But when Our Signs came to them, that should have opened their eyes, they said: "This is sorcery manifest!" 14.
And they rejected those Signs in iniquity and arrogance, though their
souls were convinced thereof: so see what was the end of those who acted
corruptly!
The third portion: Story of Solomon (pbuh) and the ants
15.
We gave (in the past) knowledge to David and Solomon: And they both
said: "Praise be to Allah, Who has favoured us above many of his
servants who believe!" 16. And Solomon was David's
heir. He said: "O ye people! We have been taught the speech of birds,
and on us has been bestowed (a little) of all things: this is indeed
Grace manifest (from Allah.)" 17. And before Solomon were marshalled his hosts,- of Jinns and men and birds, and they were all kept in order and ranks. 18.
At length, when they came to a (lowly) valley of ants, one of the ants
said: "O ye ants, get into your habitations, lest Solomon and his hosts
crush you (under foot) without knowing it." 19. So
he smiled, amused at her speech; and he said: "O my Lord! so order me
that I may be grateful for Thy favours, which thou hast bestowed on me
and on my parents, and that I may work the righteousness that will
please Thee: And admit me, by Thy Grace, to the ranks of Thy righteous
Servants."
The fourth portion: Solomon (pbuh) and birds
20. And he took a muster of the Birds; and he said: "Why is it I see not the Hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees? 21. "I will certainly punish him with a severe penalty, or execute him, unless he bring me a clear reason (for absence)." 22.
But the Hoopoe tarried not far: he (came up and) said: "I have
compassed (territory) which thou hast not compassed, and I have come to
thee from Saba with tidings true. 23. "I found (there) a woman ruling over them and provided with every requisite; and she has a magnificent throne. 24.
"I found her and her people worshipping the sun besides Allah. Satan
has made their deeds seem pleasing in their eyes, and has kept them away
from the Path,- so they receive no uidance,- 25.
"(Kept them away from the Path), that they should not worship Allah, Who
brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows
what ye hide and what ye reveal. 26. "(Allah)!- there is no god but He!- Lord of the Throne Supreme!" 27. (Solomon) said: "Soon shall we see whether thou hast told the truth or lied! 28.
"Go thou, with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them: then draw
back from them, and (wait to) see what answer they return"...
The fifth portion: Solomon (pbuh) and Queen Balqis
29. (The queen) said: "Ye chiefs! here is delivered to me - a letter worthy of respect. 30. "It is from Solomon, and is (as follows): 'In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful: 31. "'Be ye not arrogant against me, but come to me in submission (to the true Religion).'" 32. She said: "Ye chiefs! advise me in (this) my affair: no affair have I decided except in your presence." 33.
They said: "We are endued with strength, and given to vehement war: but
the command is with thee; so consider what thou wilt command." 34.
She said: "Kings, when they enter a country, despoil it, and make the
noblest of its people its meanest thus do they behave. 35. "But I am going to send him a present, and (wait) to see with what (answer) return (my) ambassadors."
The sixth portion: Solomon (pbuh) and the throne
36.
Now when (the embassy) came to Solomon, he said: "Will ye give me
abundance in wealth? But that which Allah has given me is better than
that which He has given you! Nay it is ye who rejoice in your gift! 37.
"Go back to them, and be sure we shall come to them with such hosts as
they will never be able to meet: We shall expel them from there in
disgrace, and they will feel humbled (indeed)." 38. He said (to his own men): "Ye chiefs! which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?" 39.
Said an 'Ifrit, of the Jinns: "I will bring it to thee before thou rise
from thy council: indeed I have full strength for the purpose, and may
be trusted." 40. Said one who had knowledge of the
Book: "I will bring it to thee within the twinkling of an eye!" Then
when (Solomon) saw it placed firmly before him, he said: "This is by the
Grace of my Lord!- to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! and
if any is grateful, truly his gratitude is (a gain) for his own soul;
but if any is ungrateful, truly my Lord is Free of all Needs, Supreme in
Honour !" 41. He said: "Transform her throne out
of all recognition by her: let us see whether she is guided (to the
truth) or is one of those who receive no guidance."
The seventh portion: The end of the Story
42.
So when she arrived, she was asked, "Is this thy throne?" She said, "It
was just like this; and knowledge was bestowed on us in advance of
this, and we have submitted to Allah (in Islam)." 43. And he diverted her from the worship of others besides Allah. for she was (sprung) of a people that had no faith. 44.
She was asked to enter the lofty Palace: but when she saw it, she
thought it was a lake of water, and she (tucked up her skirts),
uncovering her legs. He said: "This is but a palace paved smooth with
slabs of glass." She said: "O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul: I
do (now) submit (in Islam), with Solomon, to the Lord of the Worlds."
The
reader may follow the above steps to memorize the portions one after
another, then joining and memorizing every two portions, and so on we
treat the rest of the Surahs.
Golden advices
- Choose
your best times to memorize the Quran; do not put this project on the
margin of your life. The Quran won't give anything unless you give it
everything.
- You
should know that the biggest mission of the Noble Prophet (pbuh) was
memorizing the Quran and spread it to his people. The best thing you can
do is memorizing the Quran. Therefore, the Prophet (pbuh) said: (The best of you is the one who learned the Quran and taught it). You should intend to memorize the Quran and teach it to others.
- Try
to read any study or article related to the Quran such as the studies
of the miracles of the Quran. This process will strengthen your
relations with the Quran,
- Try
always to search the meaning of any word you hear and you do not
understand its meaning from an explanation, an Internet site or asking a
scholar. Because this process will increase your information account
greatly with time. This Article copied from kaheel7 website due to the Importance of this subject and its relationship with Quran ,you could check the website for more interesting articles
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