Question

Some people who teach Qur’an insist that children read the entire Qur’an before they begin memorizing even their first surah-is this correct?

Answer

As Muslims we are encouraged to teach our children Qur’an as soon as it is feasible.  Some children can recite the Fatihah and some of the shorter surahs when they are three, others at two, and for others they can’t until they are older.  It is known that some children have, by Allah’s will, memorized a very large portion of the Qur’an before they reach seven years of age.  Children generally learn how to read at between six and seven, so being able to read is not a requisite for memorizing the Qur’an.  Many illiterate Muslims have memorized the entire Qur’an over the years.  Children are like sponges, and learn so much in their formative years.  It is during these years that parents should try to teach as much Qur’an as possible.  Reading the entire Qur’an before memorizing it is not required nor especially encouraged.