– If you’re seeking something, don’t give up until you get it
A renowned Muslim scholar, Ustaz AbdulGaniy AbdulHadiy is a true example of a popular saying: “age is not a barrier to learning”, as he recently bagged his Masters in Al-Fiqh and Usul-Fiqh from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) at age 54.
Muslim News gathered that the former Head of Cultural Unit of The Muslim Congress (TMC), one of Nigeria’s leading Islamic organisations, bagged his BA in Islamic Studies from the International University of Africa, Sudan in 2017 where he graduated with a coveted First Class at age 49.
The news of his recent attainment was shared on social media early Tuesday, March 15, by the immediate past Amir (President) of the Society, Dr. Lukman Abdurraheem, who is resident in Brunei.
He wrote: “Alhamdulillahi! Ustaz AbdulGaniy AbdulHadiy successfully defended his MSc Thesis today in Malaysia. His Major : Fiqh and Usul -Figh. His Minor: Jurisprudence of Islamic Financial Transactions. A boost to Islamic Finance in Nigeria. WabiLLahi Taofeeq wal Idayyah.“
While speaking with Muslim News, Ustaz AbdulHadiy, a member of Halal Professionals, Halal Compliance and Food Safety (HaCFoS) thanked Allah, Who “makes things easy for those who have strong determination.
“If you have good intention and strong determination, Allah will help you achieve what you want. He says in His book: ‘And as for those who strive hard for us, we will most certainly guide them in our ways and Allah is surely with the doers of good”, he noted.
Ustaz AbdulHadiy revealed that he heard about the Islamic University of Malaysia during his undergraduate days in Sudan, saying, “I made some findings about the school and realised that it offers courses of my interest, which is on contemporary study and jurisprudence.
“So, after I completed my first degree when I was 49 years old, I decided to process my admission into Malaysia, although it wasn’t easy. Running a program outside the country needs much money if there’s no scholarship. Alhamdulillah, I’m glad to have graduated from the University,” he said.
Ustaz AbdulHadiy, while speaking on the motivation behind his returning to school after seeing his children through university education said, “When I was a student at the Arabic Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, one of our teachers from Egypt was always encouraging us, saying if you are seeking something, don’t give up until you get it.
“After I completed my secondary education in 1989, I started seeking admission in any university outside the country until I got it in 2013.”
The former Imam of Jamiu Salamideen Central Mosque, Mushin, Lagos said though it is not easy for the elderly to go back to school at this time when things are difficult, saying the cost of living is very high. He said he would apply for his PhD immediately, after the convocation ceremony slated for November 19, 2022.
“I hope to get a job and combine it with the pursuit of my PhD to make things easy. If I don’t give up, I will surely achieve my goal. May Allah make our affairs easy.”
Ustaz AbdulHadiy became a household name in the early 90s when he took a teaching job at An-Najjat International School, Ijeshatedo, Surulere. He proceeded to teach Arabic at Al-Wasi School in Mushin, from where he had the opportunity to feature in public da’wah (lectures).
He soon rose to become the Radif Wakil of TMC, Mushin. He later became the Cultural Affairs Officer of Lagos State, and the Head of Cultural Unit, TMC National Headquarters.
The revered Muslim scholar told Muslim News how he has been able to combine his academic sojourn in foreign lands with da’wah activities.
“I didn’t miss spreading the universality of Islamic messages to the people, because da’wah work continues everywhere. It will go on wherever we go until the day Allah takes our souls back to Him”, he added.
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