Preservation and Understanding in the Pursuit of Knowledge

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, he says: One of the professors mentioned that he desires understanding of the lessons, but does not desire memorization. He indicated that he relies on a Western opinion in this, which translates to: "Your memorization of a thing without knowing it is a harm to you." Is this statement correct? And if so, does he find in the Islamic religion what points to that, so that it may be clarified to this professor, given that he and others are influenced by the Westerners? And does memorizing the Qur'an require understanding of everything, meaning all that is memorized?

Answer:
Memorization is necessary. Knowledge does not exist except through memorization. Understanding alone is not sufficient; memorization without understanding is not sufficient, and understanding without memorization is not sufficient. If you do not memorize, what do you understand, and what remains with you? So you must memorize first, then understand second. Both are necessary. We do not pay attention to the words of those who discourage memorization and say that it is like a parrot that memorizes and does not know what it is saying. We do not tell him to memorize only; we tell him to memorize and understand the meaning. Understand the meaning. As for understanding without memorization, it does not become established and does not remain. And as for memorization without understanding, it is of no benefit. Both are necessary: memorization and understanding. Yes.