I was requested to summarize my Hifdh experience. With much humility, I’ll share the journey I had in a nutshell.
My official journey of Hifdh began when I was 11 years old, two months after my parents returned from Hajj. I mentioned the latter because I personally believe that was one of the many seeds my parents had planted in result of their Hajj. At the tender age of 11, I admitted the Madressah only through their wisdom and encouragement.
I vividly remember the first day. I opened my copy of the Qur’an and gazed at the 850 pages (13-lined Quran). At that point in time, I remember saying to myself that this is an impossible task, but it’s not like I’d be doing anything better at home so I’ll give it a chance.
So one year became two years, and two years became three. These were the most fruitful years of my life in every aspect. In school, I was doing exceedingly well. In Madressah, I was on par with my lessons. However, when the 3rd year arrived, I left home schooling to attend one year if public high school. This did take a toll on my Qur’an progression. However, it worked out for the best Alhamdulillah, and I do not regret the Will of Allah.
So the fourth year arrived, when I returned to my sophomore year at home schooling, but by the second semester, I graduated from High School two years earlier than the norm. Hifdh did not affect my secular studies even the least bit. Rather, it only supplemented it in every good and righteous aspect. Of course, there were days when Shaitan would implant his evil whispers in my head. This occurred especially towards the end. Through many self battles, however, Alhamdulillah I some how fought till the end.
The journey seems long, but the reward is everlasting. You can reap the benefits in both worlds. However, it’s a trust to be kept until the Last Day. Consistency must be maintained in revision even after completing the Qur’an. Even harder than memorizing is revising. And at times, it can even be harder to re-memorize something you have forgotten. The best method is to be consistent in everything you do. Designate the time of day which you will dedicate to the memorization. But even before memorizing something new, be sure to revise what you have already learned.
Jazakumullahu Khair & Wa Alaykum As-Salaam,
Rashad Abdullah