Thinking of memorising the Qur’an? Start with Juz 1 (Surah al-Baqarah). Here’s a short, practical case for why it builds rhythm, context and lasting recall.
If you want to become one of the memorizers of God’s Word but don’t know where to begin, read on. This article explains the best method to start and which parts to prioritise.
Memorising the Qur’an is a highly meritorious act in Islam and is strongly encouraged in the prophetic tradition. The Prophet (peace be upon him) praised those who learn the Qur’an and teach it to others. Another narration reports that the one who memorises the Qur’an will be addressed in the Hereafter and move through its ranks by recitation; the Prophet advised reciting slowly and melodically, because a person’s final resting place corresponds to the final verse they recite. But practically speaking: where should you begin so verses lodge firmly in your mind and flow naturally in recitation?
Be confident: with the method presented here you will find recitation and recall manageable, and verses will come out orderly, coherent and rhythmic.
Memorisation requires persistence, effort and discipline. Regular, targeted repetition brings results. Besides repetition, having a clear, structured path matters. Teachers use different methods; many learners fail because they pick the wrong starting point. Several suggestions exist about where to begin:
Some say start with Juz 30 (the last juz).
Others recommend beginning with the final five juzs (from Surah Muhammad onward).
A third group suggests starting with the last ten juzs.
Today many experienced instructors who understand learners’ needs reject those approaches for several reasons:
If learners begin with Juz 30, they tend to focus on short surahs rather than on verses and lines; when they later encounter long surahs their minds often tire and they lose momentum. Also, the many short chapters in Juz 30 change musical rhythm repeatedly, which may confuse the learner’s internal order of phrases and verses.
If someone starts with the final five juzs and later moves forward to Juz 1, they often meet contextual confusion.
As for starting with the last ten juzs: the apparent difficulty of those parts owes to less repetition and practice, not inherent complexity. Beginning there can make the earlier juzs (1–20) feel harder later on.
You may now ask: so what is the recommended solution and where should you actually begin? The answer: start with Juz 1. This is the best entry point.
The coherent flow and narrative of the opening juz prepare the learner to receive varied themes and verses. Most instructors advise starting with the very first sura of Juz 1 — Surah al-Baqarah. Several reasons support this recommendation:
The character of al-Baqarah’s verses warms up and activates memory.
Beginning with al-Baqarah reduces fear and anxiety in the learner.
The sura’s narrative progression helps meaning and content lodge more easily in the student’s mind.
The rhythmic, melodic flow of its verses simplifies learning and sustains motivation over time.
It is worth noting that a learner taught with a sound, standard method — for example a visual memorisation technique — can complete the path successfully.
This article outlined how to begin memorising the Qur’an and which sura or juz makes the best starting point. According to the points above, starting from Juz 1 and beginning with Surah al-Baqarah makes the process more attractive and easier. It also reduces the learner’s anxiety about long surahs. Success depends on a principled teaching method; one recommended approach is visual memorisation, which leverages the Qur’an’s melodic nature, rich content and organised structure so verses stick during recitation.
