He Memorized the Entire Qur'an. Then His Life Changed Forever

Millions of Muslims around the world take on the challenge of memorizing the entire Qur’an for spiritual, cultural, and practical reasons. Upon attaining such a highly recognized status, they receive the title of Hafiz or Hafiza (the feminine), an Arabic word meaning "guardian" or "protector." It refers to one who has preserved the Qur'an in their heart, ensuring the text is flawlessly protected against alteration over time. Hakiki, an Indonesian scholar who studied at HIU through the PKUMI program, is one of them. 

In Indonesia, a Hafiz is highly valued for several reasons. Religious commitment is widely prized, there is a shortage of qualified religious teachers, and this achievement is seen as proof of discipline, intelligence, and strong moral character.

For Hakiki (who uses one name), memorizing the Qur’an was, above all, a spiritual practice to deepen his connection with God. He undertook this activity on his own as a pathway out of hardship. Since his family could not afford his undergraduate studies, his school counselor suggested that he become a Hafiz. Hakiki went to memorizing school and achieved his goal in less than two years. This enabled him to secure full scholarships to pursue his bachelor's and master’s in Islamic Studies at prestigious universities in Indonesia. 

As Hakiki attempted to memorize the Qur’an, he had doubts that he could do it, but he constantly reminded himself that God says in verse 54:17 that anyone can achieve it: "And We have certainly made the Qur’an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?" 

To keep the memory of every verse of the Qur’an intact, Hakiki has carried the same copy with him since he began the process. Using a different edition, which might have a different layout or font size, would disrupt the mental map he has built of each verse on each page. He also uses highlighters to reinforce what he sees.

His memorization has shaped his personal life as well. When he met the woman who is now his fiancée, one of the first things that moved him was the beauty of her Qur'anic recitation. When he asked her father for permission to marry her, his accomplishment set him apart from other suitors. As they grew closer, they found that faith was not the only thing they shared; it was simply where they began.

Even while living on the HIU campus, thousands of miles from home, Hakiki continued teaching others to read the Qur'an. One of his students, who was depressed after a bad marriage, found solace in their sessions. Through learning, she felt closer to God and has begun to open herself to life again.

​For Hakiki, the Qur'an opened doors to education, opportunity, and love. He offered his grieving student that same key. That, perhaps, is the deeper meaning of Hafiz, the one who guards the Qur'an, but also the one who, in doing so, guards others.