Izah Azahari
Reciting Al-Quran is of great importance for Muslims worldwide, and committing the holy verses to memory is a great achievement, as Al-Quran is the word of Allah the Almighty revealed to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) through Angel Jibreel.
Al-Quran contains guidance for all aspects of life, and reciting it serves as a means of connecting to Allah the Almighty and gaining spiritual and moral benefits. The verses are recited during daily prayers, as well as on other occasions.
Reciting it is not only a religious obligation for Muslims, but is a fundamental text for Muslims as its recitation has a profound impact on the spiritual and moral development.
The Nuzul Al-Quran is a significant celebration for Muslims as it marks the night when the first verses of Al-Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), and it occurred during the month of Ramadhan.
The celebration is a time for Muslims to reflect on Al-Quran’s importance and impact on each individual’s life, giving them an opportunity to also increase their worship and devotion, with many spending the night in prayer and reciting Al-Quran.
Muslims around the world celebrate this occasion with great enthusiasm, offering prayers, fasting, and engaging in acts of charity and kindness.
In the Sultanate, the Nuzul Al-Quran is annually celebrated as a national event, graced by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and other male members of the royal family.
It is through this celebration that the National Level Al-Quran Memorisation and Its Understanding Competition winners are announced, separated into five different categories. The Bulletin interviewed the top three winners.
The first place winner of Category ‘C’, which was the memorisation of Surah Al-Baqarah and Surah Ali ‘Imran along with the understanding of Surah An-Nisa and Surah Al Maa’idah, was a Science teacher from Ma’had Islam Brunei, Ahmad Muhammad @ Munir bin Haji Ibrahim.
Muhammad expressed his gratitude in being able to take part in the competition with the encouragement of his family members and an entire school community.
“In order to balance my preparations to compete and my school work, my daily routine in preparing for the competition saw me multitasking. For instance, I would repeat my memorisations while I’m in my car driving to any destination,” said Ahmad Muhammad.
He believes that memorising Al-Quran isn’t just for Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (ITQSHHB) students, but is something that can be done in stages by any individual as long as they have the interest and the will to undertake it.
Alya Fathiyyah binti Haji Abdul Rajid, 14, who won first-place in Category B – Memorising Optional Surah from Surah Luqman, Surah As-Sajdah, Surah Yaasiin, Surah Ar-Rahman, Surah Al-Waqi’ah, Surah Al-Jumu’ah, Surah Al-Mulk, Surah Al-Insan, Surah Al-Jinn along with Understanding Surah Al-Kahf and Surah An-Nur – shared that her decision to participate in the competition began within herself, and eventually her parents supported and encouraged her to strive in perfecting her memorisation.
Her father, who accompanied her during the event, said that thanks to efforts made as well as support and persistence, she was able to win in her category. He believes that it is indeed something difficult to undertake, but becomes worthwhile sooner or later, and sees his daughter’s win as her own blessing.
The Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit Girls Arabic Religious Secondary School student explained that in preparing for the competition, she had to create a target first, which she then continued on with consistent repetition without giving up.
“What motivates me a lot are both my parents, and I have made preparations from earlier on in a routine manner, as well as participated in other competitions. My teachers have also guided me and when I am at home, my parents would look after any shortcomings in my memorisations that they can improve on,” said Alya Fathiyyah.
She believes that it is important for youth her age to dive into getting closer to Al-Quran so that it doesn’t get lost in this generation, for them to be able to encourage the next generation to instil a love for Al-Quran in themselves as well.
“For my peers who wish to do so, they should not be idle and should also not give up. Have patience in doing so as the most important thing is the results at the end from your own efforts will come into fruition,” she added.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Abdul Aziz bin Noor Nasran was the first-place winner of Category ‘E’, the memorising of 30 Juzuk of Al-Quran from Juz One to Juzuk 30 along with the Understanding of Surah Al-Hashr, Surah Al-Mujadila, Surah Al-Mumtahanah, Surah As-Saf, Surah Al-Munafiqun, Surah At-Taghabun, Surah At-Talaq and Surah At-Tahrim.
The Hassanal Bolkiah Boys Arabic Secondary School graduate expressed gratitude to Allah the Almighty and everyone who has helped him in his journey thus far.
“I’ve actually entered this field since childhood, at the age of about three to four years when I entered Al-Falaah School. I also completed Al-Quran memorisation six years ago in 2017,” said Abdul Aziz.
Like other winners of the competition, Abdul Aziz puts his confidence in repeating memorisations consistently on a daily basis when preparing to participate in any Al-Quran competitions. Additionally, he practices reciting with tajweed and rhythm regularly.
“I’ve also created a habit of asking my friends and teachers to ask me questions while I’m training, which I think must also be done consistently until the day of competition,” he added.
As an avid participant in Al-Quran memorisation competitions, Abdul Aziz has competed at the national level from 2011 until this very year, except in 2021 and 2022, while also accumulating a total of five competition participations at the international level.
Abdul Aziz’s recent international level achievement being placed in the top 10 at the 26th International Al-Quran memorisation contest in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“Hopefully there will be many more people who want to venture into the field of Al-Quran memorisation and deepen their understanding of it until they are brave enough to participate in competitions in the country and abroad,” Abdul Aziz shared.
He said that it may be difficult in the beginning, but the reward at the end will be many times over in this world and in the hereafter.
“My parents are my biggest supporters, and I want to first and foremost thank them, as well as my teachers, Abdul Rashid from ITQSHHB and others who have helped up till now, along with my friends who helped and checked my recitations,” he added. Memorising Al-Quran is a highly significant and rewarding pursuit for Muslims.
It not only allows for a deeper connection to the words of Allah the Almighty and a greater understanding of Islam, but it also instils discipline, focus, and perseverance in the individual.
Al-Quran memorisation is a lifelong journey requiring commitment and dedication, but the spiritual benefits are immeasurable.
It is an honour and privilege to have Al-Quran stored in one’s heart and mind, and it is a practice that should be encouraged and celebrated within the Muslim community.
