What is the ruling on one who memorized the Qur'an, then forgot it?

Question:
A message was sent from Jordan by the listener Najiyah, asking three questions, one of which is: What is the ruling on one who memorized the Noble Qur'an, then forgot it?

Answer:
The ruling in this matter is that he should strive to recover it and be diligent in doing so, and Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) will grant him success if he is sincere. He owes nothing. The hadith containing the threat is weak, and there is no blame on him in this. The threat is only for one who forgets acting upon it, leaves it, and turns away from it. As for one who memorized it and forgot it, or forgot part of it, he owes nothing. He only has to strive and be diligent in recovering his memorization. Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) has decreed forgetfulness for the children of Adam; forgetfulness is part of the nature of the children of Adam. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who is the best of creation, said: As for the hadith: "Whoever memorizes the Qur'an and then forgets it will meet Allah while being severed," it is a weak hadith.
And as for His saying (Exalted and Majestic is He): He said: "My Lord, why have You gathered me while I am blind, when I used to be seeing?" He said: "Thus did Our signs come to you, and you forgot them, and thus today you are forgotten." [Ta-Ha:124-126] This means: he forgot the action and fulfilling the right of Allah. It is not intended that he forgot the words. It is intended that he turned away from action and left action. We ask Allah for well-being. Yes.

The presenter: May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.