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The Noble Qur’an is a remedy to societal problems if its teachings are followed by people in their daily affairs, a renowned Muslim scholar in Nigeria, Sheikh Taofeek Busari (Abu Labeebah), has said.
Abu Labeebah, who is the Chief Imam and Director of Daaru Sa’aadah Islamic Centre, Otta, Ogun State, made the remarks on Saturday at the haflatul-Qur’an of Daaru Salaam Tahfidh International Academy (DASTIA) in Lagos, where 19 hufaadh (full memorisers of the Qur’an) were certified and celebrated.
The scholar, who was a guest lecturer at the well-attended event affirmed that the Noble Qur’an is a God-given solution to all problems of the world.
“The Qur’an is the remedy to the problems of the world, specifically Nigeria. Islam has taught us impactful leadership and productive followership, and those are problems affecting us as a people,” he said.
Speaking further in an interview with Muslim News, he said, “The Qur’an teaches accountability, either on the path of leaders or their followers. So, Allah has given us the manual, and for that, he’ll hold us accountable.
“The mantra (change begins with me) is not a political but a spiritual one. If the society is in disarray, one looks inwardly as an individual, then looks into homes as families before addressing the issue in the larger society,” he noted.
Prioritise Islamic Education
Speaking further, Abu Labeebah urged parents to prioritise Islamic education, noting such will not only serve them in the world but also the hereafter.
“If one trains a child to excel in worldly affairs, with Masters and PhD, it’s a good thing, but that’s not all that needs to be done. It’s not total. The parents might not benefit from it directly. For a child to live a wholly reformed life, he has to learn and understand the message and teachings of Islam. It’s very sacrosanct.
“The first legacy every parent should avail a child is Islamic education, especially the knowledge of the Qur’an. It is an essential tool for navigating the world full of problems,” he said.
The Qur’an helps develop the intellect
In his remarks, the Proprietor of the Institute, Engr. AbdulAzeez Olaniyan, said the Qur’an helps to develop the intellect of young ones.
He noted that when students memorise the Qur’an, they are very likely to do better in Western education and other academic endeavours.
According to him, Daaru Salaam Academy admits primary school leavers who are mostly between eight and nine years old.
“They come here to spend two to three years to memorise the Qur’an. Thereafter, they write their BECE or Junior WAEC. If after their exam their results come out fine, they’ll go straight to SS1,” he said.
The Proprietor told Muslim News that the first graduating set of the school, comprising 12 young people, was produced in December 2021.
Engr. Olaniyan, who works at Chevron, specifically appreciated his wife, Dr. Rasheedah Olaniyan, for effective and efficient management of the school since inception, saying her exceptional leadership has contributed to the successes achieved by the institution.
“One of the strategies used to ensure sustainability is the engagement of my wife, an educationist at the centre. She is the one in charge because I don’t always have the time. I have an energetic woman. She understands the nitty-gritty of education, and she’s the right peg in the right hole.”
We run other religious, and physical education: DOS
For her part, the wife, Dr. Rasheedah Olaniyan, who is the Director of Studies (DOS) at the Qur’an memorisation school, said adab (morals) and karate are part of their programmes at Daaru Salaam.
She said, “We’ve seen the lapses of some schools before us. So, we started and were determined to improve upon them. We imbibed adab in our curriculum and introduced karate as a course.
“With our holistic approaches, we have students who had challenges with learning before but have memorised the Qur’an as we speak. We just try to find solutions whenever we’re faced with a challenge and do a lot of research on how to improve our services.”
Dr Rasheedah said she has a passion for mentoring young ones, noting she loves seeing children around her.
“I love kids, and I love having them around me. I had the likes of Hajia Ghaniyyah Akorede, Hajia Aminat Muhammad, the late Chief Imam of Festac, and Hamzat Yemi as role models while growing up. I watched them do programmes on air, talk to kids, and motivate the younger generation.
“Those people inspired me to do something similar as well. So, I decided to come up with this. It was like child’s play from the start, but it’s a reality today, alhamdulilah.”
Graduands jubilate
One of the graduates, Abdul Lateef Adunola expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the mercy of completing the memorisation of the Qur’an.
The young hafidh said the Qur’an improves human reasoning and boosts academic performance.
“I believe if you memorise and understand the Qur’an, there is nothing you can’t learn,” he said.
Abdul Lateef explained that he paused his Western education at JSS 3 to join Daaru Salaam in 2022.
“My parents told me I was going to tahfeedh school, and I would stay in the hostel. So, I came here in 2022. I left my former school, Samat Citadel Academy. I’ll be going back to school now to continue from SS1,” he said.
Another graduate, Ridollah Oluwa, said she had a mixed experience in her Qur’an memorisation journey.
She, however, feels fulfilled that she didn’t quit at the point she lost her drive.
“There were good days, and there were bad days. Alhamdulillah, we’re here today. I want to genuinely appreciate everyone who stood by me through the journey. I mean my parents, teachers, and friends.
“I remember that at a point, I lost my drive. I was trying to memorise a portion of the Qur’an, but I wasn’t just getting it. I tried again and again, yet the effort was unyielding. That was when I wanted to quit. Thank God I didn’t because if I did, maybe I wouldn’t be celebrated today.”
Ridollah, who joined Daru Salaam in 2021 upon completing his primary education, said the Qur’an has instilled virtues such as patience and perseverance in her.
According to her, If one understands the message of the Qur’an and pays attention to its details, he will become reformed.”
Ridollah told Muslim News he is now back in the Western school for his secondary education.
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