Imagine being born blind, unable to see the words of the Qur'ān before you. Imagine being unable to speak, your voice silenced. Imagine lacking the ability to read or write, the very skills many rely upon to commit the Qur'ān to memory. Now, consider being elderly, with the years having added their weight to your shoulders. Would you still embark on the monumental journey of memorising the Qur'ān? It may seem insurmountable to many, but I have stories to share that will challenge your perceptions of what is possible.
In a world where challenges often deter us from pursuing our dreams, the individuals I am about to tell you about stand as shining examples. They have shattered barriers, transcended limitations, and defied the odds to become successful in becoming Hāfiz—those who have memorised the Qur'ān in its entirety.
Read these stories and share them. I pray they give you the motivation you need to carry you forward in your own journey.
Abdul Kareem is unable to speak but can recite only the Qur'ān
In a world where words flow freely from one person to another, where communication is the heartbeat of human connection, imagine the profound isolation of not being able to speak a single word! Abdul Kareem knows this isolation intimately. Abdul Kareem cannot speak a single word to anyone no matter how hard he tries, but if you ask him to recite the Qur'ān, he does so from memory!
Abdul Kareem is not defined by his silence; he's defined by the unwavering strength of his spirit and his extraordinary connection to the Qur'ān.
Abdul Kareem's story began 21 years ago when he was just three years old. At that time, he was living with his parents and ten siblings in Saudi Arabia. However, tragedy struck, and nine family members, including his parents and seven siblings, lost their lives in an accident, leaving Abdul Kareem and only three of his siblings as survivors. The accident caused severe hearing impairment in Abdul Kareem's left ear, and he also began to stutter. They remained in the hospital for a full year after the accident and then spent another year with a family friend in Saudi Arabia. Later, their aunts and uncles inquired about them and arranged for their return to their home in Egypt. Abdul Kareem and his surviving siblings were then taken care of by their aunts and uncles.
Abdul Kareem had completed the memorisation of the Qur'ān at a young age and had enrolled in the Faculty of Commerce at Helwan University. To support himself and not burden his family, he sought employment and started working at a metalworking factory. Then, the loud noises in the factory led to further complications in his hearing, and he eventually lost his ability to hear from both ears. This caused him severe psychological distress, and he completely lost the ability to speak. Despite seeking medical help and trying various treatments, including hearing aids, he remained unable to speak. Doctors so far cannot diagnose his condition.
Abdul Kareem has shared a life-changing dream, in which he recited the Qur'ān. In this dream, he encountered an elderly man dressed in a white robe with a white beard who accompanied him as they walked down the street. The elderly man reassured Abdul Kareem, saying, “Do not be sad that you do not speak, and be eager to recite the Qur’an. You will be rewarded for it and Allāh will compensate you!” Abdul Kareem woke up for Fajr prayer, and since then, he has found inner peace that has never left him. He became content with Allah's decree and found his voice in reciting the Qur'ān.
He mentioned that the man he saw in his dream asked him to recite the verse:
۞ لَّيْسَ ٱلْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ ٱلْمَشْرِقِ وَٱلْمَغْرِبِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلْبِرَّ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَءَاتَى ٱلْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ ذَوِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَٱلسَّآئِلِينَ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَـٰهَدُوا۟ ۖ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ فِى ٱلْبَأْسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَحِينَ ٱلْبَأْسِ ۗ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا۟ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ
Righteousness is not in turning your faces towards the east or the west. Rather, the righteous are those who believe in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Books, and the prophets; who give charity out of their cherished wealth to relatives, orphans, the poor, ˹needy˺ travellers, beggars, and for freeing captives; who establish prayer, pay alms-tax, and keep the pledges they make; and who are patient in times of suffering, adversity, and in ˹the heat of˺ battle. It is they who are true ˹in faith˺, and it is they who are mindful ˹of Allah˺. [2:177]
Since then, he has not found any difficulty in reciting the Qur'ān, and his tongue effortlessly pronounces its verses, even though he cannot speak or articulate no matter how hard he tries. He is forced to write down what he wants to communicate to those around him so they can understand his intentions.
Muhammad, one of Abdul Kareem's close friends and neighbours, explained that they were all shocked to discover that Abdul Kareem could neither speak nor hear. But, suddenly, they noticed him reciting verses from the Qur'ān, beautifully and fluently. Moreover, he could respond to any question, and if you asked him about any verse from the Qur'ān, he would provide you with the surah's name, verse number, and even the page number. He also had the incredible ability to mimic the voices of well-known Qur'ān reciters.
Allāh bless him. Can you imagine going through these events and not giving up on your Qur'ān? Take this as a lesson for yourself o brothers and sisters!
Hajja Fatima at the age of 77 beats youngsters
Age is just a number, and Hajjah Fatima, at the age of 77, won first place in a Qur'ān memorisation competition! She beat 18 year olds and younger. Can you imagine yourself competing against all those young people?
She began memorising the Qur'ān at the age of 55 in a village, despite not knowing how to read or write. Her heart is attached to the Qur'ān. She is in love with the Qur'ān. She says that memorising it is a blessing and a light.
She said, "I am like the ladies of my age who didn't complete their education, got married, and devoted their lives to raising their children after my husband passed away. However, throughout this journey, my heart and ears have only heard the Qur'ān. All I wish for in life is to memorise it!"
So, she decided to attend Qur'ān classes in her village when she was 55 years old. She sat among the young children, memorising just like them, starting with the smaller surah (30th). Some criticised her, saying that she was an elderly woman sitting among children to learn the Qur'ān. But she was determined to memorise it. She has become the pride of their village.
"Children may criticise me if I stumble over a verse, and adults may be surprised that I go to the Qur'ān classes with the young ones, but I smile at them. The important thing is that I memorise the Qur'ān."
Her children and grandchildren supported her and encouraged her.
She would wake up every day to pray Fajr, then from the Qur'ān to memorise new verses. At seven in the morning, she would go to the village's Qur'ān classes to recite what she has memorised and to take new verses to memorise, all while being encouraged by her children. She expressed her desire for her life's end to be with the Qur'ān in her heart and the Qur'ān in her hands, and she hopes to perform Hajj one day.
She's memorised half of the Qur'ān and this strong determination is awe inspiring!
May Allāh grant blessing! Take this as a lesson for yourself o brothers and sisters!
Two elderly women memorised Qur'ān in their 70s!
In a small village nestled in the heart of Jordan, two remarkable women, Fatimah Ahmed Al-Jarraha, lovingly known as Umm Bilal, at 70 years old, and Siham Ibrahim Al-Sharman, affectionately referred to as Umm Ya'qub, at 78, embarked on a truly inspirational journey. Their mission: to memorise the entire Qur'ān.
Umm Bilal and Umm Ya'qub, each with her own story, showed that it's never too late to embark on a spiritual quest.
Umm Bilal was illiterate, but her heart burned with a fervent desire to connect deeply with the Qur'ān. Umm Ya'qub, on the other hand, possessed some reading skills, which would aid her. Together, they embraced the daily grind of learning, repeating verses, and slowly but steadily making progress. It took them 14 years!
Today, Umm Bilal and Umm Ya'qub stand as living testaments to the power of persistence and faith. The achievement resonates far beyond the boundaries of their village, serving as an inspiration to anyone who has ever doubted the possibility of starting a new chapter in life, regardless of age or circumstances.
Their story teaches us that it's never too late to embark on any journey of learning, spirituality, and self-discovery. They remind us that the Qur'ān is accessible to all who seek it with sincerity.
Their journey continues, and they eagerly await the opportunity to inspire six more elderly women in their village who have also memorised the Qur'ān. These women, in their golden years, have shown the world that determination knows no age, and faith can move mountains, one verse at a time.
Wheelchair bound, Yusuf memorises the Qur'ān in a year
Yusuf says, "I was born with partial visual impairment, seeing only through one eye, along with atrophy in my leg, which made me wheelchair-bound. But thanks to Allāh first and then my family, who cared for me and made me feel like any other person."
"I tried my best not to be a burden on them. Throughout my school years, I relied on my sense of hearing and learned Braille. I consistently ranked among the top students. My parents provided a conducive environment for me to study, just like any other regular student. Even when I entered the College of Arts and specialised in psychology, I always heard my father say, 'I wish I could see you discussing your postgraduate studies.' This motivated me greatly to continue my educational journey."
While Yusuf, at the age of 22, was engrossed in his studies within the confines of his small room, he decided to prove to the world and society that individuals with disabilities possess strong willpower. That they too can do what others can achieve. He resolved to memorise the entire Qur'ān by listening alone. He accomplished this incredible feat in just one year! This accomplishment boosted his confidence and inspired him to convey a message to people: that individuals like him have the ability to achieve the seemingly impossible.
He says, "My dream is to bring smiles to people's faces, to be a support and help to those in need, and to leave a beautiful mark in people's memories, always remembered for goodness. Alongside all this, I aspire to fulfil my dream of becoming a Qur'ān reciter."
Yusuf's story is a beacon of inspiration for us all. In the face of physical challenges, he chose not to be defined by his disabilities but by his unwavering determination and indomitable spirit. His journey from partial blindness and being wheelchair-bound to memorising the entire Qur'ān in just one year is nothing short of extraordinary.
Yusuf reminds us that the human will knows no bounds. Anything is possible. With dedication and persistence, we can overcome even the most daunting obstacles. His story tells us that no matter the circumstances, our dreams can be achieved if we believe in ourselves and our capabilities.
May Allāh grant us blessings and such efforts with the Qur'ān!
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