Question Summary:
Alimah Course vs. Hifdh

Question Detail:

If a woman has to make a choice between doing an Alima course and thereafter teaching the deen to others; and becoming a Hafidha of the Quran Shareef - then which of the options is more virtuous and more pleasurable in the eyes of Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala?
 

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Sister in Islam,
The ideal situation is to do Hifz and the Alimah Course as both have great value and virtue. Consider the following:
عن علي بن أبي طالب قال:قال رسول الله  :من قرأ القرآن فاستظهره فأحل حلاله و حرم حرامه أدخله الله به الجنة و شفعه في عشرة من أهل بيته كلهم قد وجبت له النار(الترمذي ج-٥ ص-١٧١، الرسالة العالمية)
Ali(Radiallahu Anhu)  narrates the Prophet(Salallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) saying: Whoever reads the Quran and memorizes it, thereafter he considers its lawful to be lawful and forbidden to be forbiden. Allah Ta'ala will admit him in to Jannah and accept his intercession on behalf of ten persons from his house hold, all of whom were doomed to The Fire(Tirmizi vol.5 pg.171, Al-Risalatul Al-'Alamiyyah).
عن عبد الله بن عمرو عن النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم قال: يقال-يعني لصاحب القرآن- اقرأ وارق و رتل كما كنت ترتل في الدنيا فإن منزلك عند آخر آية تقرأ بها (الترمذي ج-٥ ص-١٧٩،الرسالة العالمية) 
Abdullah ibn Amr(Radiallahu Anhu) narrates the Prophet(Salallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) saying: It shall be proclaimed- to the Carrier of the Quran- Recite and climb higher. And recite in the measured tone as you used to in the world. For verily your abode will be at the final Aayah you recite(Tirmizi vol.5 pg.179, Al-Risalatul Al-'Alamiyyah).
عن أبي هريهة قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم: ما من رجل يسلك طريقا يطلب فيه علما إلا سهل الله عز و جل له طريقا إلي الجنة... (أبو داؤد ج-٤ ص-٣١٢،دار المنهاج)
Abu Hurairah(Radiallahu Anhu) Says: The Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: No one treads the path of knowledge except that Allah All Mighty eases his path to Jannah...(Abu Dawood vol.4 pg.312, Dar ul Minhaj)
عن ابن عباس: أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم قال: من يرد الله به خيرا يفقهه في الدين(الترمذي ج-٤ ص-٥٨٩،الرسالة العالمية)
It has been narrated from Ibn Abbas(Radiallahu Anhu) that the Messenger of Allah(Salallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: Whomsoever Allah wants good for, he gives him the deep understanding of Deen.
However, if one has to choose between the two, we would advise to do the Alimah Course as there is more emphasis in seeking knowledge. The Ahadith which mention the status of the 'Carriers of the Quran' or 'People of the Quran' may also refer to the Alim/Alimah; because it is the Ulama that protect the meaning of the Quran. Besides that, seeking knowledge will be a means of imparting knowledge to others. One of the demands of our community is to have women to serve as role models for Muslim women.  
Generally the Alimah Course does incorporate some portion of Hifz. After completing the Alimah Course, one may pursue Hifz at one's own pace.
Make Dua to Allah Ta'ala to grant the Noor(light) of knowledge, His love and the love of Rasoolullah(Salallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam)
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Hisham Dawood
Student Darul Iftaa
Chicago,U.S.A.
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net