Golden Tips for Reviewing the Quran for Children and Adults

Golden Tips for Reviewing the Quran for Children and Adults

There is no doubt that memorizing the Holy Quran is one of the greatest righteous deeds. Allah Almighty says:

{إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَتْلُونَ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَنفَقُوا مِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ سِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً يَرْجُونَ تِجَارَةً لَّن تَبُورَ} [سورة فاطر: 29]

The Prophet ﷺ also said:

منْ قرأَ حرفًا من كتابِ اللهِ فله به حسنةٌ ، والحسنةُ بعشرِ أمثالِها لا أقولُ آلم حرفٌ ، ولَكِن ألِفٌ حرفٌ، ولامٌ حرفٌ، وميمٌ حرفٌ

Narrated by At-Tirmidhi, and the hadith is authentic.

Reading and reciting the Holy Quran carries an immense reward. The reward is not only for every word, but for every letter of the Quran. This is truly a tremendous gift for anyone who understands its value.

For this reason, maintaining and reviewing what has been memorized is extremely important. Below are several golden tips for reviewing the Quran, suitable for both children and adults.

1. Review the Quran Regularly

You will never find advice more valuable and beneficial regarding the Quran than the advice of the Prophet ﷺ, who said:

تَعاهَدوا القُرآنَ؛ فوالذي نَفسي بيَدِه لَهو أشَدُّ تَفَصِّيًا مِنَ الإبِلِ في عُقُلِها.

Agreed upon.

This hadith highlights the importance of constantly reviewing the Quran. Quran memorization requires continuous revision because what has been memorized can easily become weak or forgotten if it is neglected.

Therefore, one of the most important steps in Quran revision is to create a clear schedule for reviewing the memorized portions and stick to it consistently.

This advice applies equally to children and adults.

My Experience with My Quran Students

The following method is based on my personal experience with the children I teach. By the grace of Allah, it has been very beneficial for our students at Dar Ibn Abbas Online Quran Memorization.

The method is based on dividing Quran revision according to the number of lessons.

Many of our students memorize the Quran starting from Surah An-Nas and moving backward through the shorter surahs, because the shorter surahs are generally more suitable for young children. Other students begin their Quran journey from Surah Al-Fatihah and then Surah Al-Baqarah.

Regardless of where the student begins, the basic method remains the same.

Each lesson is divided into two main parts:

New Memorization

The student spends no less than 30 to 40 minutes working on the new portion to be memorized. This part has its own detailed method, which we will discuss in another article, Insha'Allah.

Reviewing Previous Memorization

After completing the new memorization, we move on to reviewing what the student has previously memorized.

If the student's previous memorization is relatively small—for example, less than two quarters of a Juz', or from Surah An-Nas up to Surah Al-Adiyat—we have the student recite the entire previous portion during every lesson.

If the student has memorized approximately half a Juz', we divide the previous portion over only two lessons.

If the student has memorized more than that, we divide the previous memorization over three days.

In this way, the student reviews the entire memorized portion at least three times every month.

By the grace of Allah, the result can be remarkable. Through consistent revision, a student can develop strong Quran reading and memorization skills and become highly familiar with the Quran within a period of approximately two months.

This method can be beneficial for both Arabic-speaking and non-Arabic-speaking students, based on our experience, by the permission of Allah.

2. Recite the Quran to Someone Else

To ensure effective Quran revision, it is important to recite the Quran to another person.

Having someone listen to your recitation can reveal mistakes that you may not notice when reading by yourself. This is particularly important for students who are memorizing the Quran.

From my own experience, when I did not have someone available to review my memorization with me, I would record my recitation on my phone and then listen to the recording afterward.

This is a very useful method, especially when a teacher, parent, or study partner is not available.

However, whenever possible, it is better to recite your memorization directly to another person who can listen carefully and correct your mistakes.

3. Reduce the Amount and Increase Repetition

If your previous memorization is weak and contains many mistakes, do not rush into memorizing new portions until you have strengthened and mastered what you already know.

A small amount of Quran that is reviewed consistently is better than a large amount that is reviewed irregularly.

A useful principle is:

Reduce the amount and increase the repetition; this strengthens and preserves your memorization.

The goal of Quran memorization is not simply to finish a large number of pages. The real goal is to retain the Quran firmly and recite it accurately.

Therefore, if you find that your previous memorization is becoming weak, reduce the amount you review each day and increase the number of times you repeat it.

4. Memorize and Review from the Same Mushaf

One of the most useful techniques for strengthening Quran memorization is to use the same Mushaf edition consistently.

By this, I mean using the same printed edition rather than changing from one edition to another.

It is preferable to use what is commonly known as the Huffaz Mushaf, such as the Mushaf of the Two Holy Mosques printed under the King Fahd Complex, in which the page generally begins and ends with a complete verse.

Another commonly used edition in Egypt is the Al-Shamarly Mushaf.

The important point is not necessarily the specific edition you choose. Rather, the important thing is to memorize and review from the same Mushaf.

The visual position of the verses on the page can become part of your memory. Therefore, constantly changing the appearance and layout of the Mushaf may make memorization and revision more difficult for some students.

Use the Printed Mushaf Whenever Possible

Try not to rely entirely on your phone when memorizing the Quran.

Although Quran applications are very useful for reading and listening, it is beneficial to make the printed Mushaf your primary source for memorization and revision.

With regular use, your eyes become familiar with the location of verses and pages, which can support your Quran memorization.

5. Create a Practical Quran Revision Schedule

If you memorize the Quran at home, you should create a practical program and a clear plan for reviewing everything you have memorized.

For someone who has memorized the entire Quran, the complete revision cycle should ideally not exceed one month.

For example, reviewing approximately one Juz' every day allows someone who has memorized the entire Quran to complete a full revision cycle in one month.

The exact amount, of course, can be adjusted according to your circumstances, age, level of memorization, and available time.

The most important thing is to have a consistent Quran revision schedule rather than relying on occasional revision.

The Best Times to Review the Quran

Choosing the right time can also make Quran revision easier.

Many people find the early morning to be an excellent time for Quran recitation and memorization, especially after Fajr prayer.

Another beneficial time is after Asr prayer.

Choose the time when your mind is most focused and when you are least likely to be interrupted.

Most importantly, remain consistent and do not allow busy days to completely interrupt your Quran revision schedule.

Conclusion

Reviewing the Quran is just as important as memorizing it. Without consistent revision, memorized portions can become weak over time.

Whether you are a child, an adult, an Arabic-speaking student, or a non-Arabic-speaking student, the basic principles remain the same:

Review the Quran regularly.

Create a clear Quran revision schedule.

Recite your memorization to someone else.

Reduce the amount when necessary and increase repetition.

Use the same Mushaf for memorization and revision.

Review your entire memorized Quran regularly.

Choose suitable and consistent times for revision.

The key is not to review a huge amount once in a while, but to review a manageable amount consistently.

May Allah make the Quran the spring of our hearts, illuminate our lives with it, and grant us the ability to memorize it, understand it, act upon it, and continually review it.

May Allah grant us success and steadfastness. Ameen.