* As At-Tanzeel Schools celebrates Qur’an memorizers, Primary Six graduands
The Chief Imam of Masjid Ahlu Sunnah, Ikorodu, Lagos State, Sheikh Abdullah Ali Jabata, has urged Muslim parents to become the first role models of faith, character and discipline for their children, stressing that no technological advancement, including artificial intelligence, can replace God consciousness and righteous upbringing.
Sheikh Jabata, an Islamic scholar and lecturer, made the call while speaking at the Qur’an Haflah and Primary Six Graduation Ceremony of At-Tanzeel Schools, held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the school’s Valley View Estate campus in Ikorodu.
The ceremony, themed “From Learners to Leaders: Shaping Tomorrow With Purpose,” brought together scholars, educationists, parents and community leaders to celebrate pupils graduating from Primary Six, learners who attained various milestones in Qur’an memorisation, and students who distinguished themselves academically and morally.
Highlights of the event included Qur’an recitations, multilingual presentations in English, Arabic, French and Yoruba, lectures, awards for outstanding staff and pupils, and the presentation of certificates to learners who completed five, ten, fifteen and twenty juz of the Noble Qur’an.
Artificial intelligence cannot replace taqwa
Delivering his keynote lecture, “Islamic Perspective on Artificial Intelligence,” Sheikh Jabata said the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence presents enormous opportunities for education and human development, but warned that technology can never replace faith, moral responsibility or consciousness of Allah.
He said Islam encourages the pursuit of knowledge and innovation, noting that the first revelation to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, began with the command Iqra, which calls believers to seek knowledge. However, he stressed that knowledge must always be guided by worship, humility and obedience to Allah.
“Knowledge is important, but knowledge without worship and commitment to Allah is not the knowledge Muslims need. Artificial intelligence may process information faster than humans, but it cannot fear Allah or make moral choices,” he said.
Sheikh Jabata explained that true education is measured not only by intellectual ability but also by integrity, adding that children should be raised with the consciousness that Allah sees every action.
Quoting the advice of Luqman to his son, he said cultivating taqwa from childhood provides a moral compass that remains with a person throughout life.
The renowned Islamic scholar also cautioned against reducing Qur’an memorisation to beautiful recitation without allowing its teachings to shape conduct.
Citing the renowned scholar Al-Hasan Al-Basri, he said the true people of the Qur’an are recognised not merely by excellent pronunciation but by obedience to its teachings.
“It is not enough to establish the letters of the Qur’an. We must also establish its limits in our lives. The Qur’an should influence our thinking, our relationship with Allah and our relationship with people,” he added.
Good parenting begins with good example
Turning to the role of parents, Sheikh Jabata said the greatest influence on a child’s life is not technology but the examples set at home. According to him, children naturally imitate what they constantly observe long before they fully understand the values behind those actions.
“If somebody is raised in a household where the father and the mother do not observe their prayers, it becomes very difficult for that child later in life to appreciate the importance of Salah because children first learn through imitation,” he said, adding that nobody suddenly becomes a practising Muslim through intellectual arguments alone.
He observed that many parents desire righteous children without first becoming righteous examples themselves.
“A father who does not recite the Qur’an or care about what it teaches, but hopes his child will become better, is expecting what he has not modelled. Children follow what they see.”
Explaining the Qur’anic concept of leadership, Sheikh Jabata said the word Imam conveys three important lessons. It refers to a person who is followed, a source of guidance and the path a person chooses in life.
He urged parents and learners to pay attention to all three by developing good character, deriving values from the Qur’an and the Sunnah, and remaining steadfast on the right path.
Congratulating the Haflah learners, Sheikh Jabata reminded them that memorising the Qur’an carries a responsibility to live by its teachings.
He prayed that Allah would preserve them upon righteousness and make them role models in their homes and communities.
“If we celebrate memorisation without helping our children live by the Qur’an, then we have not achieved the purpose for which we invested our efforts,” he said.
At Tanzeel is raising lamps of guidance, says Board Chairman
Earlier, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the school, Alhaji Saheed Bashir, described the learners as lanterns whose true value comes from what has been placed inside them.
“You may polish a lantern and decorate it beautifully, but if there is no flame inside, the room remains dark.”
He said the learners being celebrated had preserved the words of Allah in their hearts and were becoming sources of guidance for society.
Quoting the saying of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, that the best people are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it, Bashir said the occasion was not merely a graduation ceremony but “the lighting of lamps.”
He urged the graduating pupils to preserve the values they had acquired, reminding them that while school uniforms would eventually be put aside, the knowledge and character developed in school should remain for life.
Schools need parents’ support to raise responsible children, says Isioye
The Head of School, Mr Hakeem Bolaji Isioye, urged parents to become more intentional in raising children in an age shaped by digital technology.
According to him, schools cannot successfully mould children if parents fail to reinforce the same values at home.
“What we expect of the children, we as parents must first practise. That makes our work easier in school.”
He described the internet and artificial intelligence as useful tools that require proper guidance and supervision.
“We need to regulate how our children use digital technology. As Muslims, we must guide them so these tools become blessings rather than distractions.”
Mr Isioye reminded learners that although artificial intelligence could calculate, write and answer questions, it could never possess taqwa.
“Character cannot be downloaded and taqwa cannot be automated.”
He added that At Tanzeel Schools places equal emphasis on academic excellence and moral development because leadership begins with integrity. “A child with excellent results but without character is like a lantern without a flame.”
He advised the graduands to continue honouring their parents through diligence, humility and exemplary conduct.
Attitude is your greatest wealth, Aweda tells learners
Delivering the second lecture titled “My Attitude, My Wealth,” Alhaji Yusuf Aweda encouraged the learners to regard attitude as their greatest asset.
“Attitude is our present reality. It shows up in how we respond, not just how we feel,” he said.
Alhaji Aweda reminded the audience that Allah praised the noble character of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, while the Prophet declared that he was sent to perfect good character.
He encouraged the learners never to surrender to failure, never to despise humble beginnings, to remain patient during difficult times and to stay humble after attaining success.
“Start small with the right attitude and it will become something great. When success comes, do not allow comfort or wealth to change your values or weaken your spirituality.”
He concluded by reminding the audience that true wealth lies in good character rather than material possessions.
“Sometimes you must take a few steps backward to move many steps forward. Face your challenges with courage, seek proper mentorship and remain connected to Allah.”
Student led presentations impress stakeholders, says Ashimi
Chairman of the At Tanzeel Schools Stakeholders Forum, Dr. AbdulFattah Ashimi, praised the school for giving learners active roles throughout the programme.
He explained that the Stakeholders Forum performs the role of a Parent Teacher Association while bringing together parents, teachers, management and board members.
Dr. Ashimi described the decision to allow students to anchor parts of the ceremony and translate Arabic presentations into English as one of the event’s most impressive features.
“What stood out for me was seeing students confidently coordinate the programme. It was impressive and should be sustained.”
He also commended the school for combining conventional education with Arabic language proficiency and Qur’an memorisation.
“They are receiving western education while speaking Arabic confidently and memorising the Qur’an. We are preparing them for success in this world and in the Hereafter.”
Qur’an memoriser dreams of becoming a surgeon
Speaking on behalf of the Haflah learners, 15-year-old Oyewunmi Hameedah expressed gratitude after being recognised for completing twenty juz of the Holy Qur’an.
“I feel very excited to be celebrated today and I pray that Allah continues to increase my memory and knowledge.”
The SS 2 student credited her parents for introducing her to Qur’an memorisation at an early age and said she resumed her studies after the Covid pandemic before continuing her memorisation journey at At Tanzeel Schools.
“I have gone beyond twenty juz now and, by the permission of Allah, I hope to complete the entire Qur’an before the end of next session.”
Hameedah said balancing academics, Arabic studies and Qur’an memorisation had not been easy, but she remains determined to excel in her WAEC, NECO, GCE and IGCSE examinations before pursuing her ambition of becoming a surgeon.
Attention will now shift to the school’s 7th Valedictory and Haflah Ceremony for graduating secondary school students, scheduled to hold on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, where another set of learners will celebrate the successful completion of their academic and Qur’anic journeys.
Sponsored
Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Global Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
