Changing how you live, changes your Hifz!
Why Your Hifz Keeps Breaking (And What to Do About It) - #177
Bismillāh al-Rahmān al-Rahīm,
Assalāmu ʿAlaykum!
What you need is perspective.
This is the second lesson as part of a new series on the foundations of Hifz: understanding life itself.
Do you want to feel peaceful and calm? Do you want to feel that you’re connected to your Rabb, that nothing can shake you, and that you have the strength to be resilient and consistent?
People around you may say, “Everything’s falling apart,” yet you remain calm, as if nothing is affecting you.
Dunya Is Not the Goal, It’s the Test Centre
Last week, we reflected over how you’re not here forever. Your time is running out. But we keep living as if this world is everything.
“Live how you want, you will die.
Love who you want, you will separate.
Do what you want, you will be repaid.”
This world is like a supermarket: you fill your basket, but at the exit, you pay. The cost is not based on size but value. A small sincere deed may carry you to Jannah. A huge showy one may drag you down.
Don’t fill your life with distractions, gossip, arguments, grudges, and wasted time. That is how Hifz dies, not from the brain, but from the heart.
Yes, live in this world, but your heart should always be concerned with the next one. Every decision in your life should be based on what benefits you in the Hereafter.
If hijāb is a command, then wear it. Don’t overthink it.
A believer must be honest, no matter what.
Trust that Allah is the Provider.
Never lie for worldly gain. Allah says: "Do you make your provision by denying the truth?"
The Red Lines of the Hafidh
You must have red lines in your life, non-negotiables:
What brings me closer to Allah is a red line. I won’t joke about it. I won’t debate it.
My daily Qur’an portion is a red line. Even if it’s a quarter Juz’, or a few pages, stick to what you can manage.
Seasons of worship (Ramadan, sacred months, etc.) are red lines. Use them to increase your good deeds, dhikr, and worship. They are special times.
These aren’t side-acts. They’re protection. Violate them and your Hifz will be the first casualty.
🛑 Weak Heart = Weak Memorisation
Many people memorise verses but don’t feel their effect. Why?
Because the heart is asleep.
“He prays, but it’s like he’s not praying. He hears the āyah, but it’s like nothing entered.”
A hard heart forgets easily.
Softness comes from remembrance:
Constant dhikr
Remembering the Ākhirah
Reciting with reflection
Reducing distractions
Allah praises people who remembered the next life so often that it purified their hearts.
“Indeed, We chose them for a pure quality: constant remembrance of the Hereafter.” (Ṣād 38:46)
This remembrance did two things:
It stripped them of dunya’s grip.
It pushed them into action.
“Maybe today is my last day. Let me review my portion.”
“Let me make this Sajdah count. What if it’s my final prayer?”
When this becomes your lens, Hifz becomes meaningful again.
Your Time Is Your Lifeline
You enter this world with empty hands, and you leave with them empty. A wealthy man’s funeral had his hands hanging out of the coffin, just as he requested.
“So people would see: I left with nothing. No cars. No house. No wealth. Just deeds.”
So use every moment.
A Shaykh said:
“Some people die from stress. Some ruin their ākhirah with a grudge. Don’t waste your life on what doesn’t matter to Allah.”
Even your phone: use it to listen, then close it and go act. Make a rule:
Listen to one reminder.
Share it.
Close your phone and go do a righteous deed.
How This Ties to Qur’an Memorisation
Don’t measure Hifz by how many Juz’ you finished.
Measure it by how much impact it is having on you. Observe it. Are you memorising while ignoring salah? etc.
If you want to be among the people of Qur’an, act like someone whose life is shaped by Qur’an.
✅ Your Action Plan
Draw out your red lines — Qur’an, Salah, sacred times
Renew your intention — before every Hifz session
Remember your exit — you’re leaving dunya empty-handed
Reclaim your time — 10 good minutes beats 1 distracted hour
Recite with heart — if an āyah doesn’t move you, repeat it until it does
And the next time you feel stuck, remember:
“the Hour is certain to come, so forgive graciously.”
Let go of what doesn’t matter. Hold fast to what does.
I’ve always motivated you through my work, but in this series, I approach things in a more serious tone. I have written on one of my devices: Time is running out.
Let’s go! Revise now. Don’t overthink. Just do it.
🔗 Read more:
- How to Stop Feeling Trapped in a Hifz Cycle
🤲 Requesting your prayers,
- Qāri’ Mubashir
📖 THE DIARY OF A HĀFIZ
This is where we try to learn by watching others memorise. A roundup reporting the progress of our brothers and sisters in their pursuit of memorising the Qur'ān:
🧕🏼 Aaliya
Background: I'm 28 and I started memorizing full time about 2 years ago. I have almost 17 Juz memorized Alhamdulillah. I go to a masjid hifz class everyday and I'm trying to increase my daily revision to 2-3 juz. I'm hoping recording weekly diaries will motivate me to be more consistent and inshAllah help others who read it too.
Week 54:
“I'm almost done memorizing 17th juz, but I'm on my reading break this week, so I've just been listening to others.
Next week, I plan on completing 17th juz and starting a new revision cycle. I will try to do 2 paras for revision and increase my way up to 3 or 3.5 paras daily.”
🧕🏼 Aisha
Background: I'm a 36 yr old, mother of 6. Getting married while memorising the Qur'an, my hifz got weaker and eventually led to forgetting it. Came across this wonderful website by Qari Mubashir and learnt many tips, connected with my childhood friend as a hifz buddy. Hoping to complete hifz with a strong revision!
Week 41:
“Assalamualaikum warahmatullah,
Took a baby step this past week, since I was away from memorisation it was all I could accomplish, but nonetheless, atleast I picked up the mushaf.
Revised a few pages from the 13th juz and planning to do little little till I reach my sabaq in the 15th juz because my hifz was weak from here .
For revision I tried to revise from the 12th juz and planning to go backwards from there.
May Allah grant me isteqamat and forgive my shortcomings.”
👳🏼♂️ Muhammad
Background: After forgetting what he memorised (half the Qur'ān) and kept struggling to start again. So he decided to share his diary and mission with us. After 19 weeks of struggle, he finally started. It took him a few months to do a few Juz’. He’s 38 and has been the most consistent of our diaries despite continued struggles.
Year 2 Week 52:
“I’ve now reached 3 years on this path and I have finished the 9th juz’ this week. One of the things I’ve learnt is to now disregard how much I’m doing and where I am up to. When I do this, it only makes me think negatively. Instead, just keep looking forward. There are things that can be improved and I know that has been the case throughout this journey. No matter who tells me anything, whether it’s Qari’ or my Shaykh, at the end of the day, it is me that has to take action, responsibility, and accountability. If you’re struggling, look at me, I’ve been consistent at a slow and steady pace whilst stopping and starting but I keep going. If you’re struggling, look at me, I have forgotten many things, but I have the stamina to remain connected.”
👉 If you have any questions, just drop a reply to me and I'll feature the questions and answers in relevant issues. If you want to join the diaries, get in touch also!
Allāh grant us all success and ease on this path!
⭐ COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS & UPDATES
NEW: Are you looking to teach???
If anyone is interested in teaching and may want to get involved with the community here, get in touch. Share your background, CV, and expectations with me.
Still in progress: I’ve had more feedback on the Hifz Tester and will look to update the tool.
There are now a number of you waiting for Hifz Camp, I’ll be working towards opening this very soon, in shā’ Allāh.
I still feel very unwell and request you all to remember me in your prayers.
📌 Your Turn: How Did You Find This Post?
🔥 Reply & let me know what helped you most today.
💬 Reply & tell me: What’s your biggest struggle in Hifz right now? Have a question? Reply to this email (or answer the question below) and let me know—I’ll try to feature your question in upcoming posts.