As Muslims, it is part of our Imaan to believe in the Books of Allah; Torah (revealed on Prophet Musa A.S), Zaboor (revealed on Prophet Dawood A.S), Injeel (revealed on Prophet Esa A.S), and Quran (revealed on Prophet Muhammad SAW). Unfortunately, all other Books of Allah, except Quran were subjected to distortion and changes by their followers. Only Quran remains as the true word of Allah. This miracle happened because Allah SWT Himself took the responsibility of protecting Quran.

It is mentioned in Quran: 

 Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an and indeed, We will be its guardian. [1] 

Reciting and understanding Quran is very essential for us as Muslims for a number of reasons:

1.           Reciting Quran is a way to earn hasanah, or good deeds.

Abdullah ibn Masood said: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Whoever reads one letter from the Book of Allah, will earn one good (hasanah/ good deed) thereby. One good deed is equal to ten good deeds the like of it. I do not say that Alif-Lam-Mim is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter and Meem is a letter." [2] 

2. Recitation of Quran would help us on the day of the Judgement.

Narrated from Abdullah ibn Amr that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Fasting and the Quran will intercede for a person on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say, ‘O Lord, I deprived him of his food and his desires during the day, so let me intercede for him.’ And the Quran will say: ‘I deprived him of his sleep at night so let me intercede for him.’ Then they will intercede.” [3] 

3. Understanding Quran is essential because we cannot follow Islam, if we do not know the true teachings of our religion. Quran is what explains how Allah SWT would like us to spend our lives.

Imagine, if these are the benefits of only reading and understanding Quran, what would be the rewards for memorising it?

Narrated from Ayesha (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) said: “The likeness of the one who reads Quran and memorises it is that he is with the righteous honourable scribes. The likeness of the one who reads it and tries hard to memorise it even though it is difficult for him, he will have two rewards.” [4]

Memorisation of Quran is not just a way of ensuring good deeds, and Pleasure of Allah, it is a means of getting to a higher level in Jannah.

Narrated from Abdallah ibn Amr that the Prophet (SAW) said: “It will be said to the companion of the Quran: Recite and rise in status, recite as you used to recite in the world, for your status will be at the last verse that you recite.” [5]

Being a hafiz ensures respect in this world, too. A hafiz deserves to lead the prayer according to this hadith. He can not only lead the obligatory prayers easily, but also the Qiyam ul layal in Ramadan.

It was narrated that Abu Masood al-Ansari said: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “The people should be led in prayer by the one who has most knowledge of the Book of Allah; if they are equal in knowledge of the Quran, then by the one who has most knowledge of the Sunnah.” [6]

Memorising the whole Quran is a momentous task. This task is made easy for those whom Allah SWT Wills. But it is a task that each and every one of us should try to achieve. We all are hafiz in one sense; we all have memorised a part of Quran, even if only for the sake of our salah. We all should try to increase the amount of Quran that we have memorised for the sake of Allah, and try to gain entry in Jannah in this manner. We should try to convince our children to do hifz at a young age, when there are little or no distractions and worries of life.

While memorising, several problems could be faced.

Difficulty in memorising new surahs, difficulty in retaining the already memorised part, losing interest in memorising, health issues etc.

A point to consider is that Satan is our eternal enemy. He promised Allah SWT that he will try  his best to lead the Muslims astray from their right path.

It is mentioned in Quran:

[Satan] said, "Because You have put me in error, I will surely sit in wait for them on Your straight path.

Then I will come to them from before them and from behind them and on their right and on their left, and You will not find most of them grateful [to You]." [7]

The foremost reason of losing interest in hifz, be it a child, or an adult, is Satan's doing. He knows what are the rewards of reciting and memorising Quran, so he tries his best to distract us from the way of Allah. He knows that what we are doing is going to help us in attaining the Pleasure of Allah SWT, so he tries his best so we end up getting the Wrath of Allah SWT. We can only encounter this by being steadfast in our commitment, increasing our effort in achieving our goal, and by making lots and lots of duas.

Regarding the issues concerning difficulties in retaining, or memorisation, they can be encountered by regular revisions, memorising at a suitable time; for example, at suhoor. If a child is trying to do hifz, it is essential that he has a good relationship with his teacher. If an adult is trying to memorise Quran, on his own, having a teacher, or a friend to listen his Quran is always helpful.

Allah SWT has blessed us with so much help these days. We can have a Quran teacher to assist us easily. Be it an online Quran teacher, or someone near your home, help is just a few finger tips away.

References:

[1] Chapter : 15, Al-Hijr, Verse :9

[2] Narrated by Tirmidhi, 2910

[3] Narrated by Ahmad: 6626

[4] Narrated by Bukhari : 4937

[5] Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi : 2914, and Abu Dawood :1464

[6] Narrated by Muslim : 1530. 

[7] Chapter 7, Al-A'raf, verse: (16, 17)