Hifz al-Qur'an (memorisation)

Hifz is guarding a thing from loss — attending to it without heedlessness; one "memorises the Quran" when he retains it by heart; the technical sense does not depart from this. ¹

Those who hold the Fatiha a pillar agree it is obligatory on every legally capable person; if unable he must acquire the ability — by learning, from a mushaf, or by being prompted. For the Shafi'is and Hanbalis it is required each rak'a except a latecomer's — if ignorant of it and time is short, seven verses, then dhikr, then standing its length. For the Malikis recitation drops for the unable; for the Hanafis a long verse or three short ones suffice — the Fatiha not fixed but obligatory. ^{1 2}

The majority prefer the more learned in fiqh to the best reciter even if a full hafiz, so long as he retains enough Quran for a valid prayer — because the incidents of prayer are unbounded and need knowledge; and because the Prophet ﷺ put Abu Bakr forward while some Companions knew more of the Quran than he. ²

The Sheikh counts among the best things a parent can leave to his children that they memorise the Qur'an by heart, and says parents are honoured when their son or daughter does so. ^{3 4}