Hifz Journey

From Five Years Old to Hafiza: My Journey Memorizing the Quran

When I was just five years old, I began memorizing the Quran at home alongside my mom. We started small—just a few words a day. With her patience and guidance, my capacity gradually grew until I could memorize multiple lines in a single sitting. Slowly but surely, by the time I turned ten, I had memorized 27 out of the 30 juz (sections) of the Quran.

Around that time, my family moved to Dallas, Texas. Shortly after arriving, I joined the Amatur Rahman Girls Academy (ARGA), an all-girls hifz school. There, I reviewed the juz I had already learned and pushed through the final three. In May 2023, after approximately seven years of diligent effort, I officially completed my hifz.

Overcoming the Obstacles

Memorizing the Quran was no easy task. It required immense patience, perseverance, and dedication. There were multiple times along the way when I felt like quitting or believed I simply couldn't go on. During those moments, my parents and teachers continuously encouraged me to keep pushing forward, reminding me that I would reap the benefits of my hard work in the future.

When we moved to Texas with only three juz left, my progress slowed down slightly as I adjusted to a new school, neighborhood, and circle of friends. However, with the steadfast support of my teachers, I was able to cross the finish line with minimal delay.

Stepping Into the Alimah Program

After completing my hifz, I transitioned into the Alimah program offered at the same academy. This six-year program is designed to teach students the various aspects of Islam, the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the lives of his companions, and the fundamental guidelines every Muslim should live by.

At the start of my first year in the program, I took a assessment to officially certify my hifz. At the end of that academic year, the school principal presented me with my official Hafiz certificate.

Balancing Islamic Studies with Academics

Throughout this time, I was also managing my standard academic education. I completed middle school online through iUniversity Prep, one of the top virtual schools in Texas. This flexible environment allowed me to keep up with the same rigorous coursework as traditional public schools while balancing my religious studies.

Through iUniversity Prep, I had amazing opportunities, such as:

• Participating in National History Day (NHD) every year.

• Taking High School Biology in 8th grade, which opened up space for advanced classes in high school.

After finishing my second year of the Alimah program and completing middle school, I transitioned to my local high school, Wylie High School.

Looking Back

This entire journey taught me invaluable life lessons. I learned how to cultivate patience, persevere through challenging situations, and problem-solve when obstacles arise.

I am incredibly grateful that I stayed the course and completed my hifz. I am equally thankful for my two years in the Alimah program, as they built a strong foundation for my knowledge of Islam and the Arabic language. I will cherish these opportunities and the wisdom I gained from them for the rest of my life.