As-salaamu `alaykum wa rahmatullaah

A slight change in the structure of the translations – the parts on the virtues of hifdh will continue inshaa’Allaah, but I’ll now also be adding the steps to memorisation at the end (so half-half translations).

Hifdh al-Qur’aan is one of the causes of salvation from the Hellfire

The servant of Allaah hastens with all that he has in order to be saved from the punishment of Hellfire, and Allaah has indeed written for the one who has memorised the Qur’aan – seeking thereby the Face of Allaah – that the Fire will never touch him. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “If the Qur’aan was to be gathered inside a vessel (heart), Allaah will never punishment it with the Hellfire.” [1]

The one with the most Qur’aan leads the people

The carrier of Qur’aan has great worth and value in this world and in the Hereafter, for the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) has informed us that the Salaah (prayer), which is the support of this Deen and its 2nd pillar – none leads the people therein except the one with the most Qur’aan. It is narrated from Abu Mas’ood al-Ansaari that he said: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “The one with the most Qur’aan leads the people. If they are the same in that, then the one most knowledgeable of the Sunnah. If they are the same therein, the one to have made hijrah first.” [2]

From the honour of Allaah is to honour the carrier of Qur’aan

Truly, the honour of the carrier of Qur’aan is not due to his personal self, but rather it’s because of and due to the honour of Allaah’s Words which he carries in his heart. For this reason the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “Indeed, from the honour of Allaah is to honour the grey-haired (older) Muslim, the carrier of Qur’aan who is neither extreme in it nor turns away from it…” [3]

Allaah raises a people by this Book

Just like the carrier of Qur’aan has the most right to leading the people in their salaah, he also has the most right to leadership and government. It is narrated from Naafi’ ibn ‘Abd al-Haarith that he met ‘Umar (radhiallaahu `anhu) in ‘Isfaan and ‘Umar made him a governor over Makkah. He said, “Who have you put over Ahl al-Waadi (as a governor)?” He replied, “Ibn Abzi.” He said, “And who is Ibn Abzi?” He said, “A slave from amongst our slaves.” He said, “And you put a slave over them as a governor?!” ‘Umar replied, “Indeed he recites the Book of Allaah `azza wa jall and he is knowledgeable of the Faraa’idh (obligations), did your Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) not say, “Truly, Allaah raises a people by this Book and debases others by it.” [4]

Steps and Causes that Aid in the Memorisation of Qur’aan

1 – Establishing the Tawheed of Allaah (`azza wa jall)

Whoever establishes the tawheed of Allaah, then He opens for him all doors of goodness – & the greatest of those doors is Hifdh al-Qur’aan. That is because tawheed is the foundation of all principles because of which Allaah created the heavens and the earth, revealed the Scriptures, sent the Messengers and made people on the Day of Judgement into 2 parties – a party in Paradise and a party in Hellfire.

2 – Sincerity in Intention

Indeed actions are by intentions… every deed without a good intention is like a bird without a head, so it is upon whoever wants to memorise the Book of Allaah `azza wa jall, to purify their heart from aafaat and make his intention sincerely for the Lord of the heavens and the earth, so that he may open up for him all the doors to goodness and ease for him the memorisation of the Noble Verses.

3 – Du’aa

Du’aa is from the greatest causes that will aid you in memorisation because as the beloved, the chosen one (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) has said, “Du’aa is worship.” [5] The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) ordered us to have yaqeen (certainty) that the du’aa will be answered. He said, “Call unto Allaah in certainty and know that Allaah does not answer the heedless and inattentive heart.” [6]

So increase in du’aa – that Allaah `azza wa jall makes you from the people of Qur’aan, because as it is said, ‘whoever persists knocking at the door, it’s bound to open for him.’
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References:

[1] Narrated by al-Bayhaqi from ‘Ismah ibn Maalik – Saheeh al-Jaami’ (5266)
[2] Reported by Sahih al-Muslim
[3] Narrated by Abu Dawud from Abu Musa – Saheeh al-Jaami’ (2199)
[4] Reported by Sahih al-Muslim
[5] Narrated by Ahmad and al-Tirmidhi – Saheeh al-Jaami’ (3407)
[6] Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and al-Haakim from Abu Hurayrah – Saheeh al-Jaami’ (245)