While university students focused on vocational skills to keep themselves busy during the prolonged Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike, a student of architecture at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Idayat Titilope Ogungbade, use the eight-month strike to memorise the Holy Quran.
During the strike, Ogungbade enrolled at Daarus Salam Tahfidh Int’l Academy (DASTIA). At the Arabic school, she was able to memorise 17 parts out of 30 parts of the Holy Quran.
The hafizah, Idayat in an interview with The Guardian, said she prioritised memorising the holy Quran to move nearer to Allah, learn His injunctions, abide by it, to the best of her abilities and teach it to others.
“In the hereafter, the Holy Quran will be a shining light in my grave, an intercessor on the day when there shall be no intercession (Judgment Day), a ladder to recite and ascend in ranks and a shade to me, my parents and loved ones, who supported me in the world,” she said.
She added that listening to those who memorise the Holy Quran inspired her.
“ Memorising the Qur’an has always been a priority for me above worldly aims and achievement. Sadly, allocating enough time for it has always been a struggle. Hence, immediately after I sensed the long duration of the strike, I figured it would be a good opportunity to achieve what I’ve always needed time to achieve. I had other things I wanted and needed to achieve during the strike too, but I opted to give my full focus on eternal achievement.”
She commended the school and the teachers who are there through thick and thin, to achieve the feat.
“It’s a struggle to squeeze out enough time for Islamic education. There is no specific time in life set aside to pursue Islamic education like western education that has already been set in place our whole youth. I had challenges with consistency, repetition to attain firm memorisation and revising previously memorised portions to avoid forgetting and getting tired of the entire journey that seems long.”
The Director of Studies, DASTIA, Mrs. Rasheedat Oke-Olaniyan, described Ogungbade as a well-trained lady with a fear of Allah, noting that the periods she stayed in the school with young students denote her moral uprightness and positive character traits.
She said the feat she achieved is significant in the history of the school, and will in sha Allah serve as a motivation to do more and accomplish more for all students of Daarus Salaam Tahfidh International Academy (DASTIA).
“On behalf of the school management, sincere appreciation and hearty congratulation to the Ogungbade family. Also, we appreciate all our qualified handlers who have been working selflessly for this to be achieved.”
Idayat’s mother, Mrs Ogungbade Ramat Adenike, said she was happy at the feat as her daughter is a determined lady and she implored parents to always encourage their children on the part of the deen.
“I am elated because we’re achieving our mission gradually. Even though she’s yet to complete the whole qur’an, she’s on the way to doing that. Alhamdulillah. He has promised to give us more if we give gratitude, so, In Sha Allah she will complete the Holy Quran.
“Always encourage your children on the deen because we are going to give account to Allah on the day of resurrection.
