Guidelines for Hifz Students
Amongst Muslims in the west, the practice of encouraging children to learn the whole Quran by heart seems to be something on the way out.
Here are some of the virtues taken from the 'Guidelines for Hifz Students' link above:
Verily We revealed the reminder (Qur'ân) and We are its guardian. (Al Hijr, ayâh no.9)
Uthman Radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam said: "The best amongst you is he who learns the Qur'ân and teaches it." (Bukhari)
Abu Saeed Khudri Radiallahu anhu narrates that the prophet of Allâh Sallallahu alaihi wasallam said: "Allâh says: "If anybody finds no time for my remembrance and for begging favours of Me, because he remains busy with the Holy Qur'ân, I shall give him more than what I give all those who beg favours of Me". The superiority of the word of Allâh over all other words is like the superiority of Allâh over the entire creation. (Tirmizi)
Yet why is it so?
Is it that we do not want to pressure them into learning?
Is it that there is not enough time in the day for them to learn?
Do we feel that we will be burdening them if we do this?
Are the pressures of worldly study so much, that they will fall behind if they take time to learn the Quran?
There are several ways to tackle these issues.
How about setting up part-time Hifz lessons in the local masjid?
Once they can read the Quran, the kids can immediately start learning the Quran on a part-time basis. Probably 2, 3, 4, 5 hours a week depending on the child and his/her school work load. Ramp down during school term, ramp up during holidays. But keep the momentum going, no matter how long it takes, the earlier they start the better. Where there is a will there is a way. Parents should approach their local mosque and demand these part-time classes.
Time Management at home
Another side of the coin is that parents should closely examine their child's daily routine. Is it really that difficult to set aside a few hours a week for them to learn the Quran? Parents should examine how many hours their children spend in front of the TV? Actions speak louder than words. Do the children really need to go to all those after school clubs? I am not saying they should not, but we must understand the importance of learning the Quran as well and place it on the same level as worldly education. Sometimes parents are so strict when it comes to worldly education but are so lax when it comes to religious education. Children pick up on this and grow up with this attitude. It is the parents' duty to put it on equal footing. Parents should reward their children for learning parts of the Quran just as they get rewards for passing exams. I say it again, Actions speak louder than words.
Aside from the spiritual benefits of doing Hifz, the following are also very relevant for the growing children:
Kids are in the company of pious people namely the imams, this in itself is something priceless.
Kids learn the virtue of patience as Hifz classes usually involve repetition
Kids learn to concentrate better
Kids get the habit of actually picking up the Quran, rather than just doing this for madrassas and forgetting it once they go home.
School holidays are used wisely instead of wasted in front of TV
Everyone knows how the best time to learn is when a child, we should use this not just for wordly knowledge but also for spiritual knowledge.
We must understand that Hifz is not just for the Moulana or Hafiz but can be for everyone. A Hafiz is not just for Taraweeh salaah. The duty of parents is to prepare the child for this world and the Akhirah. Many families want all their children to be doctors, engineers, lawyers, accountants. Yet how many want their children to be Hifz of Quran as well as doctors, engineers, lawyers, accountants?
Giving the Quran to the child may be the greatest gift a parent can ever give
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