Throughout most of my Hifdh journey, I was very open with people as… — فهل من مدكر؟ — TG.ME

Throughout most of my Hifdh journey, I was very open with people as to how much I had memorized. I wanted to share my progress as an encouragement to those close to me, and as an inspiration to them. Alhamdulillah, after I began, most of my family began and made huge progress in their Hifdh as well. Near the end of it, I switched that up completely, to the point that not a single soul is aware of where I am or whether I’m done or not. I achieved my desire (in encouraging others), now it’s time for me to guard my most precious treasure and ensure its sincerity. Many loved ones felt strongly about it — some slightly offended and others confused. Some don’t even know it’s a secret, and they’re still expecting an announcement of completion from me whenever it may happen. When one memorizes the entire Qur’ān , the threat to sincerity is imminent and heavy. You are celebrated like no other, you are praised beyond measure. You become a status symbol for family and a source of pride for your parents. Everywhere you step foot, you’re introduced as “The Hāfidh”. While the respect and love the masses have for the book of Allāh سبحانه وتعالى is commendable and lovely, that treatment doesn’t appeal to me in the slightest. Why would I want any of that? Why would I want to risk losing all the hardship and sacrifices I made in this journey, and all the anticipated rewards, due to mere publicity? If I did it seeking Allāh’s Majestic Face, then who else needs to know but Him? They (family/loved ones) want to rejoice in the blessing of Allāh (completion of my Hifdh), but by Allāh, I am rejoicing in my secret and in the blessings of the journey already. If they come to know, my rejoicing will cease, doomed to be forever in doubt of my intentions. At the same time, I do not censure those who are open or public about their progress in the slightest — no doubt, there are many benefits and reason one may choose to do so. I know my secret cannot always remain a secret, as there are some that I cannot hide from forever — but I pray that Allāh covers me in the good the same way He has hidden my faults. May our Niyyah never waver and our eyes never lose sight of Firdaws.