📚 The Ottoman Stacking System
The Diary of A Hāfiz - Issue #83
Bismillāh al-Rahmān al-Rahīm
Assalāmu ‘Alaykum!
Hope you’re all doing well. Allah grant ease and blessing. Hope you liked the sneak peak to the new tool in the last issue of the Diary of A Hafiz.
Today, I focus on the idea of stacking (inspired by one of the diaries). I also reveal some new things in the updates.
Let’s get to it!
- Qāri’ Mubashir
🔗 READ
Be On The Right Side Of Hifz Perfectionism (6 min read)
In the quest to memorise the Qur'ān, many students struggle with perfection. I get it. It's a constant battle to get that flawless recitation and retention. But, an excessive focus on perfection can be a daunting and often an unattainable goal, leading to frustration and burnout.
Instead, you should be focusing on 'Ihsaan'—excellence or spiritual excellence—which offers a more compassionate and productive path to personal growth. Today I want to explain why aiming for excellence, rather than perfection, is not only beneficial but also is the way of our Deen.
The right side of perfectionism is called Ihsaan.
The Ottoman Hifz Method (5 min read)
The Ottoman method of memorising Quran is a unique Quran memorization method widely used in Bosnia and Turkey. You can even find it being used in schools as far as Malaysia!
Core Principles of the Ottoman Hifz Method
The Ottoman Hifz Method is founded on a few key principles that ensure effective memorisation:
Structured Repetition: The method involves a systematic approach to repetition, ensuring the verses are deeply ingrained in the memory.
Consistency: Regular review sessions are essential to prevent forgetting what has been memorised.
How To Use The Ottoman Stacking System For Hifz (7 min read)
Over the years, my journey with the Qur'ān has led me to delve deep into various memorisation techniques, each with its own beauty and challenges. Among these, the stacking system stands out as a profoundly effective method for both learning and reinforcing one's Hifz.
In the newsletter I send out every Tuesday, 'The Diary of A Hafiz,' brother Muhammad has been chronicling his own experiences with this approach, demonstrating its remarkable potential.
Now, it's my turn to bring this system into the light for you. Today, I want to explain how it works and how you too could benefit from this method should you choose to do so.
📖 THE DIARY OF A HĀFIZ
This is where we try to learn by watching others memorise. Today I share a roundup reporting the progress of a brother and a sister in their pursuit of memorising the Qur'ān.
Muhammad, 36, still on Surah an-Nisā’
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 a few months away from having a years diary complete.
What he accomplished last week (1 year, week 9):
“I’ve slightly changed what I was doing but, I’m revisiting the 5th and 6th, alongside the 7th Juz’ using the stacking system. Alhamdulillah it is going well. I also revise a juz’ a day from the back. The challenge will be what to do when the amount gets bigger!”
Umm Zayd, a mother
Background: Umm Zayd is 28, a mother to a 11 month old. She started memorising after the birth of her son and until now she has had no schedule. She would consolidate and recite to her aunt whenever her child allowed her the time but now she has made the intention to memorise a page of the Qur’ān daily, in shā’ Allāh and recite her lessons once a week for correction.
Where is she now? Alhamdulillāh, she has completed Juz’ 30, Surah al-Baqarah and Surah Al e Imran. She reviews both surahs daily but I does not review the 30th as it's solidified. She decided to start Surah an-Nisā’ on October 1st, doing one side daily in shā’ Allāh and as revision she will alternate between Surah al-Baqarah and Al e Imran.
Week 6:
“Alhumdulillah, I resumed memorization on 3rd November and did half a page per day, so I completed page 93 and 94 of Surah Nisa. Revision was on schedule Alhumdulilah.”
👉 If you have any questions, just drop a reply to me and I'll feature the questions and answers in relevant issues.
Allāh grant us all success and ease on this path!
⚒️ MOTIVATION, TIPS & TOOLS
The traditions of Gaza
One of the things that really makes me proud about our brothers and sisters in Gaza is the level of Iman (faith) they have. This is evident by how dedicated and spirited they are to the Qur’an.
Did you know that they hold regular memorisation camps? Regular ceremonies and events for those that have memorised?
A few months ago, before the current genocide, they held beautiful gatherings.
Brothers and sisters gathered in two mosques in Gaza, one for males and one for sisters between Fajr and Maghrib to recite Qur’ān. Children as young as 8 years old, elderly as old as 72 years old, 26 people with special needs, 163 male and female teachers, 34 security men, 90 medical professionals, and others participated. They all gathered to recite and listen to the Qur’ān.
Today they are facing a situation that we cannot comprehend.
Don’t let yourselves fall behind. Use the Palestinian spirit to move you forward. Don’t let them down!
⭐ COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS & UPDATES
1️⃣ Whoever wants to find a Hifz buddy, a teacher, or make a du’ā request for your journey, this is your space! Just send me an email.
2️⃣ My request is also on-going, share your usual hifz schedule with me. Please fill in the Form. (I have had several which I will add online soon)
🎉 What’s new / recent 🎉
Launching Hifz Camp: Alhamdulillāh, I’ve given you all a platform that I have spent time and finance on, I’m trying to do as much as I can for you. We have the free groups and services but to further this, I’ve launched a waiting list to a premium community called Hifz Camp. But I will scrap it if there’s little to no interest. Take a look.
New tool: I revealed this last week, a sneak peak at what’s being built, what do you think?
Quran teachers database. It’s getting busier. I think I’m going to introduce Hifz groups too it too: https://howtomemorisethequran.com/teachers/
Volunteering: I’m always on the lookout for more volunteers to maintain the groups and communities (Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, etc), or get involved with different tasks. If you’re interested, then let me know.
YouTube: I’m also starting to get active on YouTube.
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Brought to you by Qāri' Mubashir.