How Should One Memorize The Noble Qur'an

Question :

Is there a Hadith that explains how to memorize the Noble Qur'an? What is the ruling regarding someone who, when praying, wears an impure garment, but who only realizes the fact after having begun the prayer? And is there any Hadith that mentions the superiority of Surat Al-Kafirun?

Answer:

There is a Hadith recorded by At-Tirmithi (number 3641) in the Chapter of the Supplication for Memorization, in which is mentioned the story when 'Ali bin Abu Talib complained of his weak memory to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, who taught him a long supplication to be recited on Thursday night, after praying four Rak'ats of prayer. However, the Hadith is weak, its like has not been confirmed. Still, supplication in general is a good way to help improve your memory. Also, once you make an effort to memorize the Qur'an, you should remember that Allah Almighty made the Qur'an easy to memorize and understand, as Allah Almighty said:
"So we have made this (the Qur'an) easy in your own tongue.."

The scholars have mentioned a few tips regarding the memorization of the Qur'an:

1) One should understand its meanings, an appreciation of which will help one remember what they are trying to memorize.

2) One should not only repeat the verses over and over again, but also continue to repeat and revise it, daily and weekly. until it becomes ingrained in one's memory. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said :
"Secure (your memorization of) the Qur'an, for it escapes more easily than a camel does from its fetter."

Whoever consistently revises without being negligent is sure to retain what he memorizes until he dies.

Regarding one who prays and his garment, body, or place of worship is impure, and he only realizes that fact after having completed the prayer, he doesn't have to repeat his prayer, because he is excused for forgetting. However, if he remembers during the prayer, he must stop and wash off the impurity, repeating the prayer, because if a part of the prayer was void, then all of it must be repeated.

As for Surat Al-Kafirun, a narration from the Prophet ﷺ is recorded by At-Tirmithi from Ibn 'Abbas which says that it is equal to one-fourth of the Qur'an. The Prophet used to recite it along with Qui Huw Allahu Ahad (Surat Al-Ikhlas) in the Sunnah prayer of Fajr, in the two Rak'ahs performed after Tawaf, and on other occasions. The Prophet ﷺ ordered us to read it before going to sleep and informed us that it absolves one from Shirk (associating partners with Allah Almighty). This is because it mentions the Tawhid that involves one's actions, objective, and intent, that is, Tawhid Al-Thadah, but this must be understood and one must be familiar with its proofs.