Hifdh Journey Part 1

I thought I should, for the benefit of those parents out there whose yearning I totally understand, chronicle some aspects of our journey on my son's path to memorising Qur'an.

First and foremost, what I have experienced so far is that parents who are serious about setting their child or children upon this path, need the following characteristics. If they don't have them now, they will definitely gain them or need to gain them over the 'Hifdh years' if they really want to get to where they need to be insha Allah.

1. Sincerity. You can't get through it without sincerity.
2. Immovable motivation: why are you doing it? Read all you can about the Qur'an, the reward for the Hafidh and for their parents.
3. Desire the good of the aakhirah for your child more than you desire the good of this dunya. (You may have to put hifdh above all other study considerations and you can definitely wave goodbye to virtually all of those after-school clubs, even homework may need to be but on the back burner or its completion delayed). However in reality it will be for the good of this world and the next for your child insha Allah.
4. Both parents must be in on it. You will probably talk about it every day, make decisions around it, you may need to take turns being your childs revision buddy. You will probably at some point argue and even row about it...but you need to keep each other motivated.
5. Increase your own attachment to the Qur'an. I say, we need to be memorising along with our children if we haven't already done so. Maybe not at the same speed as them but in order to be able to empathise, in order to be truly someone who loves the Qur'an, we need to be examples to our kids. When they see that we are memorising, it will motivate them too. Very soon, they will be able to test us on our hifdh! Imagine the self-esteem boost they'll get from that! ("I know more than you Amma" my son incessantly reminds me. "Yes" I say, "you are my Sheikh!")
6. Tenacity...for when the going gets tough. There may be times when it seems you cannot go on. Get through those times...see past the obstacles...show Allah that you will keep on this path...it is a test of your sincerity and commitment.
7. Be able to motivate your child. There may be times when your child cannot do something or go somewhere because of the Hifdh. You need to be your childs motivater...to help them see it to the end, not to make it a negative experience, but to make it as inspiring and positive as possible...rewards, special privileges are all necessary and well-deserved! Being able to talk about what they are memorising...the meaning of it, also really helps keep the child's interest.
8. Willingness to sacrifice your own time, energy, money...I truly believe that Allah will insha Allah provide the financial 'scholarship' if we are prepared to show Him that we are utterly dedicated to this. You might need to let go of other things in order for the hifdh to be completed successfully. It is a lifestyle shake-up, a new lifestyle.
9. A disciplined home-life: There need to be times established for hifdh...bedtime needs to be set and the house needs to be organised and running like a well-oiled machine. (I haven't mastered that one yet - believe me, but things are getting better).

And Allah knows best...

Insha Allah will post more in part 2.