Question about when Zahra´wain and about ghusl before jummah

[chackodepacko]

I have two questions:

1. Hadith (partially): "...Learn Surat Al-Baqarah and Al `Imran because they are two lights and they shade their people on the Day of Resurrection, just as two clouds, two spaces of shade or two lines of (flying) birds....."

What means "Learn" ? Memorize? Well, memorizing is a problem, especially of those "big" surahs. I could be happy if I can do Surah Mulk memorized.
My Q: Is there a chance to get/receive those clouds on the Day of Resurrection in another way instead of memorizing the 2 surahs?

(I read somewhere else that is is ok if you just read the 2 surahs at once from thursday till morning friday.)

2. Normally it is advisable to make ghusl before jummah prayer and on friday. Well, friday begins in islam at thursday night. So, can I make ghusl on thursday after magribh or must it be on the "christian" friday?

[Yahya]

In the Shafi'i school, the time for the ghusl of Jumu'ah begins at Fajr (when fajr time first comes in) and it ends either when the Imam climbs the minbar, or when the opening takbir of the Salat begins (i forget which).

But it is sunnah to delay the ghusl as long as possible before leaving the house. It is also sunnah to arrive at jumu'ah early. So you could fulfill both sunnahs by leaving your house early to go to the jumu'ah, and showering shortly before leaving your house.