A lecturer in the Islamic Studies Department at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Katsina, Hayatu Umar, has urged youths and students to intensify efforts in memorising the Quran, saying it elevates their status in this world and the hereafter. 

He made the call on Monday in Dutsin-Ma, at the formal inauguration of the pioneer set of students of the College of Quran and Qira’at (recitation methods).

The college is an institution established for the memorisation of the Quran via different methods that chain back to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

He quoted Imam Ibn al-Jazari as saying: “A person’s status is not raised except by what he memorised and knows from the Quran.”

The lecturer explained that people of the Quran are the nobles and the righteous people of Allah amongst mankind.

Mr Umar, who is also among the instructors in the institution, further quoted the Prophet Muhammad, who was reported as saying, “The best amongst you is the one who learned the Quran and teaches others.”

He said that all the 10 recognised Qira’at (recitation) methods are equal in reward, and one is allowed to choose one to read the Qur’an with.

Another renowned scholar of Qira’at, Muhsin Abdullahi, explained that the prophet’s companion who used to write the Quran during the days of the revelation, Zaid Ibn Thabit, and other companions recorded the Quran in different dialects of Arabs.

Mr Abdullahi added that the wisdom behind that was to enable Muslims to read the Quran with ease.

The director of the institution, Gaddafi Sani, said that the college was established to enable students to achieve sound memorisation and read the Quran through different methods of recitation.

According to him, candidates must be interviewed before admission, and only qualified ones are admitted.

In his remarks, the institution’s registrar, Suleiman Abdullahi, said, “The section admits students with one-third of the Quran memorised, and they complete it within a year.

“There is also a six-month certificate course and a two-year diploma course, all for those who have already memorised the Holy Quran.”

The chairman and the district head of Dutsin-Ma, Kabir Abdussalam-Shema and Sada Muhammad-Sada, in their separate goodwill messages, pledged to continue supporting the institution in achieving its objective. 

(NAN)