How to Stay Motivated and Consistent with Hifz
We all know that being consistent when it comes to memorizing the words of Allah is important to achieve our goals. Yet we find ourselves lacking and falling short of our own goals. In a world full of distractions, it is becoming increasingly difficult to learn the Holy Quran, so in shaa Allah today I will go over how to stay consistent, which in shaa Allah will help me and you.
Motivation is not the answer
The first thing we need to understand is that motivation is not the solution to all our problems. Motivation comes and goes. When we are struck with hardship, our motivation can derail us, whether it is in hifz or any other aspect of our lives. Yet we can use motivation as a foundation. We have a desired outcome, the reward that comes with memorizing a surah, juz, or the entire Quran, which can serve as a motivating factor behind our actions. Instead of relying on motivation to do the work itself, we should use it to remind ourselves of the reward we are striving for.
Structure is the answer
We need to treat hifz as something non-negotiable, like school or work. Even if it is just a small amount every day, showing up daily is more important than doing a lot occasionally, as stated by an authentic hadith of the Prophet (ﷺ), where he said, "Take on only as much as you can do of good deeds, for the best of deeds is that which is done consistently, even if it is little" (Sunan Ibn Majah 4240). The virtue of consistency exists in Islam as stated by the hadith above, which we cannot neglect in any aspect of our lives.
Realistic goals
Setting up realistic goals is another key to being consistent. If you set goals outside your scope, you will burn out quickly as it is not sustainable. It is not realistic to have a goal of memorizing Surah Al-Baqarah in a week when you barely know Arabic. That is why it is better to set up a goal you truly believe you can achieve rather than a goal that you do not think you will be able to finish.
Role of the environment
Another important factor is that our environment is most often not suited to our hifz habits. If you have a fixed time and place every day where you solely do your hifz, whether it be a chair or on a specific part of the floor, you will associate that place with focus and distractions become less frequent. Usually, before and after fajr is the best time to memorize the Quran because of fewer distractions and the freshness of your mind. Jazak Allah khair for reading.