Rabi Muhammad is one of the students who graduated from a Qur'anic school in Kano. A walima was held to celebrate the completion of her ...
Rabi Muhammad is one of the students who graduated from a Qur'anic school in Kano. A walima was held to celebrate the completion of her recitation of the Holy Qur'an. Our reporter spoke with her. Here’s how the conversation went:
DAILY STRUGGLE: Would you like to introduce
yourself?
Rabi Muhammad: My
name is Rabi Muhammad.
DAILY STRUGGLE: How old are you?
Rabi Muhammad: My
age is seventy (70).
DAILY STRUGGLE: You are one of the students who graduated
from this Qur’anic school for the complete recitation of the Holy Qur'an.
Despite your age, here you are. What motivates you?
Rabi Muhammad:
You know, in the past, if you studied before reaching Suratu Sabbi, you would
be removed from school and married off. When I started my Qur’anic studies, I
was removed from school and got married. While married, there was a small
almajiri in the house we rented. I asked him to teach me. We studied together
until we left the place and moved back to the Kawo area during the Maitatsine
time. I found another almajiri in the area to teach me. Later on, my daughter
Maryam, who is a teacher, always taught me. When they went to Malam Musa
Maradi's school and came back, I used to practice what they did. Then she became
my teacher.
I taught her the little
I knew about Western education, and she taught me Qur’anic education. That's
what we used to do. I wanted to continue my studies, but my husband, you know
the custom, said that married women should not study. My daughter Maryam and
her group were told to bring a student for a scholarship, and that’s how I got
the opportunity to study. With the help of Almighty Allah, I have done it. When
I was younger, my husband was jealous and would not let me talk to someone
else, so he stopped me from studying. But as I got older, he gave up. I was
happy to join this school, and with the grace of Almighty Allah, I have
completed the recitation of the Holy Qur’an.
DAILY STRUGGLE: Today you have completed the
recitation of the Holy Qur’an. How excited are you as a seventy-year-old?
Rabi Muhammad: It is amazing. Alhamdulillah! Since the graduation date was announced, I have been happy and feeling good. Even yesterday, since we woke up, I didn't sleep; I was so happy. This gathering that was held indicates I made it. Alhamdulillah! As for memorization, I will make an effort to learn a little more before I leave this world.
DAILY STRUGGLE: Some elders think they have
grown up with knowledge. What call do you have for them?
Rabi Muhammad: What
I did is rewarding. Seeing how old I am and what I achieved may inspire and
motivate both young men and women who left their studies to come back and
continue.
DAILY STRUGGLE: What is your message to the general
public?
Rabi Muhammad: I
wish them the best. I beg them in the name of Almighty Allah and the Prophet of
Islam to persevere, learn, and read the Holy Qur’an. You never get too old to
read.
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