Which is better: memorizing the Qur’an with its verse-by-verse interpretation, or memorizing the entire Qur’an and then memorizing its interpretation?

Memorizing the Quran along with understanding its meanings is essential, because Allah revealed it to be pondered upon and acted upon, and this cannot be achieved except by understanding its meanings. The Companions used to learn the verses and their meanings, hence learning the tafsir (exegesis) is important for pondering upon and acting upon the Quran. It is not necessary to memorize the tafsir; rather, grasping the meaning is sufficient. And for whoever finds memorization easy but comprehension less so, let him memorize with the intention of studying the tafsir later, and likewise for one who does not know Arabic.