We were challenged to memorise the 99 names of Allah(SWT) as a class and applied a range of memorisation techniques which we thought were worth sharing as aids in your memorisation (hifdh) journey. Rote memorisation is a foundational skill that can be used to build understanding so it can be effectively applied and developed.
Flashcards
There are tools like Anki which are mobile apps, free and open-source flashcard programs, which use techniques from cognitive science such as active recall testing and spaced repetition to help memorisation. One of the students took the initiative to customise an existing set of cards and published the apk so we can all search and learn words and their translations, strengthening those which are weakest.
Printed flashcards can also be stuck up around the house or in your car to remain front of mind and enable repetition.
Audio poetry
An excellent technique to use our wider senses is to listen to recorded audio poetry which brings together the key words using rhyme to aid recall.
Chunking
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Just as we recall phone numbers easier by breaking them into manageable bite-size chunks, so too with memorisation. Try selecting pairs or a section you can say in one breath and then repeating this multiple time till it flows off the tongue even the next day or later. This recall at a later stage helps strengthen medium term learning. Once you have mastered the first chunk, move to the next one and then before the end of the day, try stringing the two together. Take care to strengthen the weaker side more, as its too easy to keep repeating that which is strong memorisation.
Write it down
With most of our exams, we wrote or edited our own notes. This is a very strong way of reinforcing learning and imprinting it in your mind.
