What is the ruling on one who memorizes something from the Book of Allah and then forgets it?

The questioner : Yes. If a person memorizes something from the Book of Allah and then forgets it, is there a sin on him or not?

The Shaykh : No, if a person memorizes something from the Book of Allah and then forgets it, he owes nothing, because this is something that can happen. It is established that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and he forgot a verse of the Qur'an. When he finished the prayer, Abu 'Ubaydah ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) reminded him of it, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him, "Why did you not remind me of it?" However, a person should not be negligent with what Allah has granted him from the Qur'an and leave it alone; rather, he should strive to maintain it, because it is a bounty. If he guards it and persists with it, it will benefit him.