By Rasheed Abubakar and Abdul-Mumin Abdul-Quadir
* 400 hufaadh in 13 years
* Your journey with Qur’an has only just begun – Director of Studies
* You have made the best investments in both worlds – School Proprietor Hon. Iyepe
* Don’t involve your children in acts that are immoral and unGodly: Sheikh Shafi’i
It was a great sight to behold, on Sunday, July 28, 2024, as students, parents, management including teaching, non-teaching staff and well-wishers of Markaz Abdul Lateef Centre for Quranic Memorisation and Arabic Studies, otherwise known as Khalwatu Tanzeel made stunning entry into the Agege Stadium in Lagos for the third Graduation Ceremony of the school.
Dignitaries from within and outside Nigeria made time out of their busy schedule to witness the beautiful renditions of the Noble Qur’an and adornment by 148 graduands of the school; with some who could not make it down to the venue who joined the event virtually.
For hours, each of the Hufaadh – (memorisers of the Noble Qur’an) took over the stage as sonorously read the Qur’an to the pleasure of everyone in attendance. Having arrested the minds and souls of listeners with beautiful recitation, they filled the atmosphere with the light of Allah’s Divine Guidance for Mankind.
Muslim News reports that a handful of them could not contain their emotions as tears flowed freely down their eyes during the beautiful renditions of the holy Book with sonorous voices.
Completion of Qur’an memorisation – one of the best accomplishments: School Director
The School Director of Studies, Alhaja Bilikis Abdul Lateef, while welcoming guests to the occasion, described the successful completion of the memorisation of the Noble Qur’an as one of the best achievements in the lives of the graduands, saying it will illuminate their paths to success in both worlds.
She said: “It is an honour and favour to witness another day for the celebration of one of the best accomplishments in the lives of our children – complete memorization of the glorious Qur’an. The Qur’an, as we all know, is the manual of life and the light which guides to success in this world and the hereafter.”
She said the school was energised by the zeal to avail primary school leavers their first encounter with the Qur’an, Arabic Language and the pristine message of Islam.
Produces 400 Hufadh in 13 years
Alhaja Abdul Lateef noted that the school, which was founded by her husband, Hon. Dr. Abdul Lateef Abdul Hakeem in 2011, has churned out about to 400 Qur’an memorisers.
She stressed that the School aim is to provide primary school leavers the opportunity to acquire the foundational handshake with the Glorious Qur’an, Arabic Language and pristine Islam.
“We’re happy to announce that in the last last 13 years, we’ve produced close to 400 Hufaadh, many of who speak Arabic fluently and are practising Islam diligently in their various locations across the globe.
“Once again, we say Alhamdulillah, we’re grateful to Allah for using Markaz Abdul-Lateef to play this role despite the challenges,” she noted.
The Director of Studies congratulated the graduands and enjoined them to be committed to the Qur’an for a lifetime, as their journey with the Book of Allah has just begun.
“To my newest Hufaadh in town, I congratulate you for successfully completing your journey at Markaz Abdul-Lateef. You worked hard for it and we are proud of you all. However, your journey with the Qur’an has just begun, because no one graduates from the Qur’an. You must keep reading and learning from the Qur’an throughout your life. It will help you form the right decisions as you move on in life. May almighty Allah make it easy for you.”
She thanked her darling husband and Proprietor of the school, Dr AbdulLateef Abdul-Hakeem, parents, management, members of staff and well-wishers for their immense support.
‘Your investments in your children will not be in vein: Proprietor
The School Proprietor, Hon. AbdulLateef, who coordinated the graduands during recitation of the Qur’an programme for hours, appreciated the parents, calling them the greatest investors.
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He prayed thus, “Your investments in your children will not be in vein. You will all be prosperous. When people are busy setting up businesses, you are busy setting up lives. When people are busy taking out their children on irrelevant trips, you’re busy investing spirituality in your children. You insisted that after their primary education, they have to go for the memorisation of the Quran.
“I know many numbers of members of your community would have condemned your action, but you remain committed to your decision on your children because you remember Allah as your benefactors and today, your children are among the graduands who have memorized the entire Qur’an. You’re the best. May Allah bless you.
He prayed that the graduands would not just be memorisers of the Qur’an, but would be able to inculcate what they have learnt into their lives”, he added.
Gift your wards knowledge of Qur’an, Islam: Arch Adeboye
Chairman of the occasion, Arch. Mutiu Adeboye extolled the Islamic preacher, Dr Abdul-Lateef famously known as Hon. Iyepe, for the inspiration to use his facility for a school where Muslim children would commit themselves to the memorisation of the Qur’an.
He said: “I must commend our Proprietor, I’m also thankful to God for him, because if he had converted the place to a residence, would everyone have known that Hon. Iyepe lived there? The plan only changed by the guidance of Allah and today, everyone can see what has become of Khalwa. The place has been giving out light upon light. May Allah reward our father accordingly.”
He encouraged parents/guardians to gift their children and wards the pristine knowledge of Islam and the Qur’an, adding that its light will make them excel in life endeavours and liberate them from poverty and disbelief.
“For every parent, it is an obligation to ensure we give our children access to knowledge of the Qur’an and Islam. Let’s start with ourselves, searching for knowledge is the lost treasure of the Muslims. The only alternative to knowledge is ignorance, which leads to kufr (disbelief). Knowledge is the light that liberates one from poverty and kufr, so, let’s make sure we have it in our possession. May Allah SWT bestow upon us His light.”
It’s a spiritual milestone for graduands: Prof Yusuf
Chairman, Governing Board of the school, Prof. Tajudeen Yusuf observed that the feat being celebrated is not just an academic achievement, but also a spiritual milestone in the lives of the graduands, stating that the Qur’an is a source of guidance and light to humanity and a way to connect with the Most High.
“This feat does not only mark an academic achievement, it is also a spiritual milestone that resonates deeply with our hearts and soul. The Qur’an is a source of guidance, mercy and light for humanity. Its recitation and memorization are acts of devotion that connect us with our creator, enriching our lives with wisdom, patience and piety.”
He lauded the graduands for their dedication, perseverance and tireless efforts for two to three years in their journey towards the memorisation of the Allah’s Divine Book.
“I’ll like to extend hearty congratulations to each of you. Your journey has been one of immense effort and discipline, requiring countless hours of study, reflection and memorization. You have embraced this sacred task with utmost sincerity, and today, we witness the fruits of your labour.”
The Professor of Risk Management and Insurance at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), said it is the duty of every Muslim to embody the values and principles of the Qur’an in his or her daily life and to share the message of peace, compassion and justice with the world.
Don’t involve your children in acts that are immoral and ungodly: Sheikh Shafi’i
Speaking at the event, the Grand Mufti of Conference of Islamic Organisation (CIO), Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafi’i showered encomiums on the graduating students for attaining the feat while appreciating their parents and well-wishers who supported the cause.
The erudite Muslim scholar then advised parents and families of graduands to appreciate Allah in every way possible, celebrate cautiously and treat each of the graduands with reverence afterwards.
According to him, “Parents, appreciate Allah today in every way possible and do not celebrate with things that displease Allah. Know for a fact these children of yours are now outstanding among others, so, treat them as such and support them as they try to guard what they’ve memorized. On no occasion should you involve them in actions that are immoral and ungodly.”
He also implored the graduands to shun all forms of evil and abstain from every cause that does not align with the Qur’an which they have memorized.
“As for the graduands, this is just the beginning. You have memorized the Qur’an now, you have to hold it down. Always remember it, revise and reflect upon it. Shun all atrocious acts and abstain from evil.”
He then prayed for the school, its Proprietor and staff.
Sheikh Thani appreciates proprietor for sowing seeds of light in the hearts of the graduands
Erudite scholar and President, Council of Ulamah of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdul-Fattah Thani, who also graced the occasion with grandeur described memorisation of the Glorious Quran as noble, asserting that the Proprietor of the school and management have sown seeds of light in the hearts of the graduands.
Sheikh Thani, whose daughter, Lateefah was among the graduands, said: “Today, the Qur’an has become a source of light that radiates in the hearts of our boys and girls who are graduating today. You have done a very noble deed, may Allah SWT reward you accordingly. You have sown the seeds of light in the hearts of these youngsters and the Prophet (SAW) said, “whoever establishes one of my traditions, he shall have his due reward, and the rewards of those who tow the path.”
He disclosed that the goodies and bounties of Allah will descend on them as the Qur’an was being honored. He then prayed that Allah SWT use the opportunity to elevate the ranks of everyone in attendance.
“Today is the day in which goodies and bounties of Allah will descend. We pray the Almighty counts us among those who will benefit from the reward and bounties of the day. We pray unto Allah to make what brings us together count for us and not against us and elevate us to the zenith in this world and in the hereafter. May He reward our respected boss, Dr Abdul-Lateef Abdul-Hakeem.”
Memorizing Quran, a great sense of fulfilment: Graduand
Sheikh Thani’s daughter, Lateefah, who couldn’t contain herself from crying while reciting the Qur’an before the crowd told Muslim News that she felt very emotional in the cause of recitation.
“I just felt emotional during my recitation and that’s why I cried,” the 14-year-old graduand said.
She added that the achievement gives her a great sense of fulfilment, as she was able to fulfil her pledge to her parents.
“I feel excited and fulfilled. I promised my parents that I will memorize the whole Qur’an and I’ll make them proud.
When asked how long it took her to memorize the whole Qur’an and what she would do to retain it, she answered that it took her 2½ years to memorize it and she will find a responsible partner with whom she will always revise, in school or elsewhere.
I feel elated completing memorisation of Quran: Oreagba
Another graduand, Aisha Oreagba told Muslim News how elated she was to have completed the memorization of the Qur’an.
“I feel happy and proud of myself for expending years of my life on the memorization of the Qur’an and committing the whole of it to memory. At first, I didn’t like the experience, but with time things got better with the passing of everyday.”
13 year old Aisha promised to revise everyday, especially during weekends in order to have an endless grip on what she has memorized.
It’s really a thing of joy for us: Prof Oreagba
Her proud father, Prof. Ibrahim Adekunle Oreagba, a professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos said it has been his lifelong dream that his children memorize the Qur’an. .
He derives joy in Aisha’s accomplishment.
“Several years ago, it was our wish as parents, to have our children become Hufaadh and Haafidhat of the Qur’an. So, the success of today is really a thing of joy for us. It has taken so much from us in terms of patience, prayers and now that Allah has made it possible, we’re very grateful to Him.”
He also counselled parents and guardians to expose children to the memorization of the Qur’an at early stage, saying, the earlier it is, the better for everyone.
Beautiful faces at the event
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