For many families, the decision to start hifz begins with the virtues. They are worth knowing well, not only to motivate the start, but to keep going through the long, ordinary months in the middle. Here are the most important ones, with their sources, and what they mean in practice.

1. The people of the Quran are the people of Allah

The Prophet ﷺ said, "Allah has His own people among mankind." He was asked who they are, and said, "The people of the Quran: they are the people of Allah and His chosen ones" (Ibn Majah 215; Ahmad). The "people of the Quran" are those who recite it, act on it and keep it with them. Memorisation is one of the clearest ways to be among them.

2. With the noble, righteous scribes

"The one who is skilled with the Quran will be with the noble and righteous scribes, and the one who recites it while stumbling over it and finding it difficult will have two rewards" (al-Bukhari 4937, Muslim 798). The "scribes" are the angels. This hadith also comforts beginners: the struggle itself is doubly rewarded.

3. Recite and rise

"It will be said to the companion of the Quran: Recite and rise, and recite slowly as you used to recite in the world, for your rank will be at the last verse you recite" (Abu Dawud 1464, at-Tirmidhi 2914). Scholars explain that this refers to the one who memorised it and acted on it. Every verse kept in memory becomes a step upwards.

4. An intercessor on the Day of Judgement

"Read the Quran, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection as an intercessor for its companions" (Muslim 804). The surahs al-Baqarah and Al 'Imran are described in the same hadith as coming like two clouds, arguing on behalf of those who recited them.

5. Raised in this world too

'Umar ibn al-Khattab appointed a young freed slave as governor of Makkah. When asked why, he explained that the man had learnt the Book of Allah and the rules of inheritance. 'Umar then quoted the Prophet ﷺ: "Allah raises some people by this Book and lowers others by it" (Muslim 817). Knowledge of the Quran is a source of honour.

6. Leading the prayer

"The one who should lead the people in prayer is the one who is most versed in the Book of Allah" (Muslim 673). Huffaz serve their communities, from family prayers at home to taraweeh in Ramadan.

7. The reward of every letter

"Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah will have a good deed, and a good deed is multiplied ten times. I do not say that alif lam meem is one letter, but alif is a letter, lam is a letter and meem is a letter" (at-Tirmidhi 2910). A hafiz who recites in prayer, while walking, while waiting, is constantly gathering this reward.

8. Protection of the heart

Allah says, "Truly, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest" (ar-Ra'd 13:28). Memorised Quran is with you everywhere: in salah, in difficulty, in moments when you need comfort and have no book to hand.

A note on responsibility

These virtues come with responsibility. The Quran asks to be acted upon, not only memorised. And the Prophet ﷺ warned about allowing memorisation to slip through neglect (al-Bukhari 5033). That is why serious hifz programmes put as much weight on revision and character as on new pages.

You do not need to memorise the whole Quran to benefit

These hadith speak of "the companion of the Quran" and "the one who recites". Every surah you memorise is part of that. Many people begin with Juz 'Amma, then al-Mulk, Ya-Sin or al-Kahf, which have their own specific virtues. Start where you are.

Taking the first step

For children, the best starting point is usually fluent reading, then short surahs. See the best age to start hifz. For adults with busy lives, this guide shows how to fit it in. When you are ready, our one-on-one Hifz programme pairs you with a Hafiz teacher who listens to your new lesson and revision every class.