- 2 June 2026
Lawh Boards
and African Students'
Memorization Journey
In many parts of Africa, especially in rural areas, students use a special teaching tool as they learn to read and memorize the Holy Qur’an: the lawh boards.
What Are Lawh Boards?
The lawh is a board, usually made of wood, in a rectangular or oval shape. Students write verses or surahs upon this board using a special ink. This ink is generally prepared from a mixture of water and charcoal, and the writing is washed off and cleaned once the memorization process is complete. In this way, the board can be used over and over again.
The Role of Lawh Boards in Memorization Education
Memorization (hifz) means committing the entire Holy Qur’an to memory, and this process is regarded by many African students as a great spiritual and academic goal. Lawh boards are an important tool guiding students on this journey. Each day, students write the verses they need to memorize, commit them to memory under the guidance of their teachers, and afterwards erase these writings to make room for new ones.
This daily routine takes time and can prolong the memorization process.
The Conveniences of the Printed Holy Qur'an
While traditional methods still continue in many places, the spread of the printed Holy Qur’an has brought great conveniences to the learning process.
- Ease of Access: Thanks to its portability and widespread availability, the printed Holy Qur’an provides a great advantage for students. Each student can own their own copy, and the learning process becomes more personal.
- Time Saving: Whereas writing on and erasing the board takes time, with the printed Qur’an students can work directly on the text.
- Durability: Since lawh boards must be used repeatedly, they can wear out over time. The printed Qur’an, however, is a durable resource that can be used for many years.
While preserving the depth and spiritual bonds gained through the lawh boards, the conveniences provided by the printed Holy Qur’an enable new generations to engage more deeply with the Qur’an. For this reason, the teaching and memorization of the Holy Qur’an is made possible through the spread of the printed Holy Qur’an.
