The Quran repeats some phrases with small changes. Mixing them up is one of the most common Hifz problems.
The mutashabihat notebook
- Every time your child confuses two verses, write both down, side by side.
- Circle the word or words that differ.
- Write a short clue: why is it different here?
- Revise the pair together twice a week.
Example in Juz Amma: Al-Kafirun
| Verse | Text |
|---|---|
| 2 | لَا أَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ |
| 3 | وَلَا أَنْتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ |
| 4 | وَلَا أَنَا عَابِدٌ مَا عَبَدْتُمْ |
| 5 | وَلَا أَنْتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ |
Clue: verses 3 and 5 are the same; verse 4 uses the past, عَبَدْتُمْ.
Example in Al-Baqarah
- 2:48: وَلَا يُقْبَلُ مِنْهَا شَفَاعَةٌ وَلَا يُؤْخَذُ مِنْهَا عَدْلٌ
- 2:123: وَلَا يُقْبَلُ مِنْهَا عَدْلٌ وَلَا تَنْفَعُهَا شَفَاعَةٌ
Clue: the order of “intercession” and “compensation” swaps.
More strategies
- Page position: notice where each verse is on the page.
- Meaning: context often explains the difference.
- Weak-spot revision: start sessions with the pairs.
Teacher’s tip: ask the teacher for a list of the mutashabihat in the surahs your child is memorising. Knowing them in advance prevents many mix-ups.
Related: Falaq vs Nas and stuck on the same verse.
