In the first part of this series, we mentioned how the VARK model identifies four primary types of learners: visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic. If you haven’t discovered your learning style yet, take this quiz to find out. I had a go, my result was a multimodal learning preference – with aural and read/write strategies having the highest score. I agree with that.
Let’s now dive into Quran memorization tips for auditory learners.
Are You An Auditory Learner?
Auditory learners tend to have the following characteristics.
- They like to read to self out loud, subvocalize when they read or like to be read to.
- They sit where they can hear and retain best when they hear.
- They are good at explaining things.
- They remember names and things they hear.
- They notice sound effects in movies or things they watch.
- They are good at grammar and foreign languages.
- They read slowly.
- They follow spoken directions well.
- They can’t keep quiet for long periods.
- They are good in study groups.
Due to these strengths and characteristics, aural learners tend to:
- Use word association to remember facts and lines.
- Record things.
- Watch videos.
- Repeat facts with eyes closed.
- Participate in group discussions.
- Use audiotapes for language practice.
- Make recording notes after writing them.
Aural Tips to Memorize the Quran
The common tip you hear, even from me, are to use recording and listening to your advantage. Listen to verses of the Quran recited by yourself as well as a Qari. For instance, you can use Quran Companion’s features such as:
- Ayah looping function
- Record yourself and listen back
- Group challenges
This stuff works and was something that I did myself in the world before mobile apps existed. Today, I want to give you other tips that can also work for you in tandem.
Group Memorization
This is a concept that has spread throughout the world, it’s something I’ve seen in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Morocco. The idea actually has its roots in Pakistan. In 1962, Shaykh Muhammad Yusuf Siti started a Quran memorization groups movement and it eventually reached Madinat-ul-Munawwarah.
Practically, as an aural learner, the advantage of group memorization is that as a mixed group of individuals you get to bounce off each other and to listen to one another.
Use flashcards or photos
Whether you are memorizing a few lines, verses or even a full page – flashcards or photos will come in handy.
Flashcards can be used for the words that you keep forgetting or have difficulty with to even jotting down whole verses. If you don’t like to write, take a photo on your phone. You can then use these throughout the day or week to recite out loud from and test yourself.
Play verbal games
One of the games I’ve conducted is a “throw and recite” game. As a group or individual, you take a ball and each time you throw it you need to recite a verse or portion of the verse. You continue doing rounds until you complete it. This worked wonders with some of my students.
Create a story to tell out loud
To memorize the start of each ayah, you will make a story up with a location and the ayah. For example:
You smash through your front gate and say ‘Bismillah”
You are knocking on your front door and accidentally burp. You say ‘Al-hamdulillah’
You get the picture? This is an even stronger method when you incorporate the meanings of the verses into the equation.
Teach someone else the verses
This is one of the strongest things an aural learner can do. As an aural learner myself, I always turn to teaching. When you memorize verses and have it listened to, you’ve completed the first step. Now you have to maintain it and one of the ways is to incorporate teaching into your revision plan.
If you have kids, teach them or if you have no one to teach, pretend to teach someone. As you keep recalling it, you will associate those verses with that session and Insha’Allah, you will never forget it.
In Summary
Try out Quran Companion’s audio memorization features, group memorization, teaching, storytelling, verbal games and even flashcards. Add this to recording and listening and you have a solid path to memorizing the Quran.
Stay tuned for the final part of this series, where I’ll go into more detail on memorization tips for reading/writing & kinesthetic learners.
For more tips, I’ll be teaching a course with the founder of Quran Academy, Bilal Memon. The memorization course is called, “Building the Foundation of Effective Quran Memorization: A 6-Week Step-by-Step Live Course Covering the Psychology, Tools & Long-Term Strategies that Unleash Your Inner Hifdh.“
You can learn more about the course by clicking the image below.
Leave a Reply