Always start memorising or reviewing your memorisation with a dua to Allah (s.w.t) for success in your efforts, and seek help from Imam Zamaan (a.t.f.s). Allah (s.w.t)’s pleasure is our ultimate goal in this journey and He is a source of supernatural help.

Always memorise and review from the same Qur’an. A characteristic of strong memorisers is that they can visualise the page in their mind and be able to ‘see’ the first and last verse on the page, as well as the sequence of verses. This requires that the Qur’an be of a specific type to strengthen this particular skill. When selecting the Qur’an you will be using, keep the following in mind:

a. The pages should start and finish with a complete verse, rather than a verse going onto the next page.

b. The pages should be as free from busy writing as possible. Ideally try to avoid Qur’ans with translations in the margin or under each line of Qur’an.

c. Choose a Qur’an with pages of a light colour, with writing that stands out off the page. This is more soothing to the eye and contributes to a stronger mental picture of the page. Pages can be light blue/green, cream etc with blue or black writing.

d. Size of Qur’an: a pocket Qur’an is not ideal for memorising new pages. Rather, the chosen Qur’an should be larger than A5.

e. The first choice is an Uthman Taha Qur’an. This Qur’an observes all of the above conditions and is a standardised Qur’an used in many parts of the world.

Ideally you should reach a stage where you can memorize ½ - 1 page a week.

This can either be done in one sitting or split over 2 sittings. You should then spend the rest of the week reviewing and strengthening this.

When memorising a new page, ensure that you have the correct pronunciation by listening to a Qari. Qaris suitable for memorisers include tarteel recitations of al-Minshawy and al-Husary.

You should be revising your most recent 5 pages every day, and older memorisation should be split over the week to ensure that you are also revising those pages.

It is better that you review 10-15 minutes every day than spend 2 hours once a week and contributes to the memorisation reaching one’s long term memory. It helps to allocate the same time every day for review, and contributes to becoming a fixed habit.

The newly memorised page should be recited to 2-3 people to identify any mistakes. This will be exponentially more effective than trying to pick out your own mistakes. You can also ask them to test you on previous memorisation by starting off a verse and asking you to carry on, again with the same purpose.

We encourage you to pick a mobahetha partner who meet once (ideally twice) a week to review your past memorisation together. You can also arrange a phone/skype call if you can’t meet. This can be in the style of:

a. Reciting 1 verse each in turn while the other checks in the Qur’an for accuracy.

b. Reciting 1 page each in turn while the other checks in the Qur’an for accuracy.

c. Reciting 2 pages each in turn while the other checks in the Qur’an for accuracy.

This partner acts as a support system and a motivation for you to keep going. It is also good to test each other by starting off a verse and asking the other person to carry on, or asking them for the first and last verse of a particular page.

• As you continue your journey, you will become aware of verses that are very similar (perhaps with 2- 3 words or phrases that are different).

• Try to identify these similar verses early on and write them down if you need. This will aid in being able to distinguish between them and reciting each one correctly.

• Identify and make note of the last verse of each sura.

• Write them down to help you remember.

This is a unique opportunity to connect with the Qur’an – you are opening it every day. Enjoy it!

Read the meaning and tafsir of the verses you are learning and discuss them with your family and friends.