My Hifz Journey

[ummtaalib]

 

By Hafiz Dr Ebrahim Mayet – Completed Hifz at 64 Years Old

 

My journey to becoming a Hafiz of the Noble Qur’an began in 1988 when I moved to Port Elizabeth at the age of 32 to work at Livingstone Hospital. At that time, I struggled to recite properly - Surah Yaseen alone took me an hour.

 

During my first Ramadaan there, I attended Taraweeh and was struck by the Imam’s powerful yet unhurried recitation. He paused, repeated verses, even cried, and I could hear every word clearly - yet I understood almost nothing. I thought to myself:

 

This is the Speech of Allah… how can He be speaking to me and I not understand? That realisation lit a spark in my heart.

 

From then on, I began reciting whatever I could, slowly, together with the English translation. It was painstaking and I forgot most of what I read, but the Qur’an came alive for me - it felt as if I was being drawn into its world.

 

In 1995, at the age of 39, I performed Hajj. Standing behind Sheikh Sudais and Sheikh Shuraim in Makkah gave me goose bumps. Back home, I listened daily to their recordings after Fajr, following the meanings with my finger and trying to match the Arabic words to their recitation. This continued for years, but I still understood little during Taraweeh.

 

I realised I needed to learn Qur’anic Arabic. In 2012, at the age of 56, I began a self-study Arabic course. It was systematic - teaching grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension with reading exercises and written answers. Writing was the key; it made the knowledge stick. It was the most enjoyable and effective language course I had ever done.

 

In December 2015, I decided to begin Hifz with a local Aalim. We started in January 2016, just before I turned 60. It took four years and nine months to complete. My routine was fixed: wake up at 3:30am to memorise until Fajr, then continue for about an hour after, with revision between Maghrib and Esha. I never missed a day except when sick. On average, I memorised ¾ to 1 page every few days, plus constant revision of both recent and older portions.

 

My golden rule: I never memorised a verse without knowing its meaning. I would read the verse, look up the meaning, use my Arabic to understand it, then memorise it. Even during revision, I relied on meaning for recall.

 

Today, Alhamdulillah, whether I recite or stand behind an Imam, I understand 90-95% of what is being recited. This transforms Salaah into a deeply engaging and focused experience, allowing me to connect with Allah’s words and apply them in daily life.

 

My message: No matter your age or profession, you can memorise the Qur’an - start small if needed but start. Learn its meanings, and if possible, learn Arabic.

 

Understanding the language is like being given the key to a priceless treasure: direct access to what Allah is saying to you. The Qur’an is a guide, a reminder, good news, and instruction. To gain its full guidance - understand it!

 

Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians