13 Oct Hifdh Help: Work? Hifdh? How do I decide?
Assalaamu ‘alaykum wa Rahmatullah
Beloved Quran Hearts,
This week’s post – Hifdh Help – is all about answering and addressing your hifdh-related concerns.
- Have a hifdh question? Need some advise? Email: rayhaanah@gmail.com with ‘Hifdh help Q & A’ in the subject line, or leave a comment at the end of this post. Your question could be featured in an upcoming post & benefit many others.
Q: I wanted to ask for some advice. I recently quit my job to focus on my hifdh because I found I didn’t have the mental space to focus on it. Alhamdulillah, I am accomplished professionally and academically and now I am wondering whether stopping working is the correct decision, as I believe that there is quite a bit that I am able to give back in the areas I work in and I am afraid that I am stunting my progress in that area.
Despite this, I feel like I would work well with some months dedicated to my hifdh alone and this is what my heart inclines towards. Of course long term it is about ensuring that you have a consistent schedule with the Qur’an in your life such that you can establish a consistent relationship with it. However, in this case I feel I have spent much of my life working towards other things and having my Qur’an ‘on the the side’, and at this point I feel it deserves more than that. I have aspirations as to how I would like to journey to Allah with the Qur’an and I feel that some intensive study at this point in my life would be beneficial.
Background- I am in my early twenties and have memorised ~11 ajza. Jazakillahu Khair, [Sister S]
A: Wa ‘alaykumus salaam wa Rahmatullah dear sister S,
AlHumdulillah, I am so happy to learn that you are in the process of memorizing, and may Allah Ta’ala grant you ease, blessings, and acceptance – aameen.
My advise would be to begin with istikhaara and pray seeking Allah Ta’ala’s guidance in this matter.
Personally, I would suggest that if ‘hifdh has been put on the side’ for a while and this is making you feel uncomfortable and you are yearning a deeper connection and commitment to Al Quran, then to focus on your Quran lessons exclusively, after which you can return to work commitments. This life is such that each season of our lives comes with so many promising opportunities and by human nature, we don’t want to miss out on anything. But at some point, we may need to prioritize one thing over another, even for a short period of time.
An option to consider is to work at memorizing until Juzz 20, and then returning to a part-time / freelancing work option, if that is possible?
Also, bear in mind that one needs to give sufficient time to adjust to new routines, habits, goals, and plans.
Ultimately, make dua and seek His guidance, and consider your individual strengths and preferred methods of learning.
May Allah Ta’ala bless you dear sister, with making the decision which is best for you. I wish you ease, joy, and success in your hifdh journey.
Wishing you success at every stage of your hifdh journey!
Rayhaanah
TM
Posted at 13:26h, 14 OctoberAssalamu alaikum,
You said, “This life is such that each season of our lives comes with so many promising opportunities and by human nature, we don’t want to miss out on anything.”
That’s exactly my dilemma. I love studying and am throwing myself at a number of courses–ending up as Jack of all trades and a master of none. It doesn’t help that I’m in my 30s and feel like my brain power is running out, lol.
Right now I’m trying to decide between hifdh, Arabic, and Islamic studies.
Hifdh is very dear to me. I’ve completed 3 ajza but I wish I could just get the Quran into my heart pronto! With solid recollection!
Islamic studies is important for my development as a Muslimah and it serves as an elaboration of what I’m memorising from the Quran.
Arabic is the supporting crutch for both hifdh and further Islamic studies. (Also I love languages, so it satiates that craving too.)
By having this “everything is important” mindset, I’m only overwhelming myself and not making progress in any field. Should I cut something out, or is there a better way to balance all of them? Which is most important in your opinion?
May Allah reward you.
Rayhaanah
Posted at 13:30h, 16 OctoberWa ‘alaykumus salaam wa Rahmatullah,
alHumdulillah! so true, I think at some stage in the Hifdh Journey every student has felt the same,
there will always be this tug-of-war,
my advise would be to remember that the foundation of Islamic knowledge begins with correct recitation of Qur’an, followed by its memorization – as was done in the previous generations, before moving along with studying the other sciences. Having said that, yes, there are many who choose to merge all 3 aspects, and this would mean your hifdh taking longer to complete.
We learn tremendous life lessons from hifdh, and we learn much about our ownselves: hifdh teaches us about resolve, patience, and determination.
Perhaps begin by setting weekly goals, and see how that works for you.
BetawfeeqAllah!
Basheerah
Posted at 16:27h, 16 October“This life is such that each season of our lives comes with so many promising opportunities and by human nature, we don’t want to miss out on anything.”
This is so true! I’ve always struggled with making decisions, scared that if I choose one opportunity I’ll lose the other but I’ve found guidance in this quote that I came across on Apa Rayhaanahs instagram page :
When you choose Allah over everything else, He will most certainly take care of you. So when you are given two choices remember Allah and choose wisely. Choose truth over falsehood, piety over desire, mercy over harshness, justice over oppression and choose Him over yourself…then sit back and watch how beautifully Allah chooses for you and runs the affairs of your life ever so beautifully.
Rayhaanah
Posted at 17:24h, 16 OctoberAlHumdulillah!
Aisha
Posted at 03:48h, 17 OctoberI absolutely loved this! BaarakAllah feeki and the previous commenters asked such relevant Qs.. BaarakAllah feekom wa Jazaakumullah khair!
Rayhaanah
Posted at 10:37h, 17 OctoberAlHumdulillah! wonderful to hear , sis <3