Question

 

Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatu lilahi wa barakatuh

 

I would like your advice on a matter. I have been taught the memorization of the Quran (in my homeland) starting from surat An Nas.

Now that I have reached and almost finished memorizing surat Az zumar, I should be moving on to surat Sâd but my teacher (from my part time Hifz program) suggested that I start with surat Al baqarah once Az Zumar is completed.

I really would like to continue with the pace I have set for myself since Baqarah is very long and might take a lot of time for me to finish. Therefore, what exactly should I do? In other words which methods are better (from Nas to Baqarah or starting with baqarah right now)?

 

Jazakumulahu khairan, because your input is really important to all of us in general but me in particular.

 

Wa salamu aleikum wa rahmatulilahi wa barakatu.

 

Answer

Wa alaikum assalaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Many memorize from the end of the Qur’an forward, as you are doing, many others memorize from the beginning back.  The important thing is that you are consistent in your memorization and review.  You can memorize in both directions, but your teacher may want you to go to Al-Baqarah now and proceed forward for just the reason you are worried about.  It is much better to memorize the longer surahs first and get them into the review category, otherwise you may find an obstacle later in your memorization plan when you come to the larger surahs, such as Al-Baqarah, ‘Aali ‘Imraan, An-Nisaa, Al-Maa’idah, Al-An’Aam and Al-‘Araaf.  There is a chance, although we pray it won’t happen, that you will feel discouraged when you see the long surahs left and since they take longer to memorize, you may feel less motivated.  If you get them memorized now, and work forward towards the shorter surahs, you may find the smaller surahs a bigger motivation at the end when you insha’ Allah are close to reaching your goal.

May Allah guide you to the best way and make your memorization firm and tajweed complete.

Wa iyaakum.

Wa assalaam alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.