The melodious voice of Mughammad Ashraf van der Schyff echoed through the mosque of Masjidul Ragmah in Heathfield where the young Haafith boy of 13 received his certificate for memorising the Qur’an, on Thursday September 20.
The commitment and perseverene of Meadowridge resident Mughammad Ashraf van der Schyff, a Grade 7 pupil at Crescent Primary School’s to memorise the Qur’an, paid off.
PrincipalNaseerudien Harneker said “he was a shy boy but strong. He has won a few competitions for Nasheed (Islamic vocal music that is either sung a cappella or accompanied by percussion instruments).”
Mr Harneker said Mughammad Ashraf didn’t always recite the Qur’an, he was also soccer crazy. “He was caught playing soccer in the mosque once, he was also chosen to play club soccer.”
Mr Harneker said he hoped Ashraf would be an inspiration to other youngsters.
Special guest speaker Shaykh Ismail Londt, imam of the Auwal Masjid in Dorp Street, Bo-Kaap, spoke about the benefits of memorising the Qur’an, saying keeping young minds occupied with the word of Allah would avoid them spending time with “negative things”.
Shaykh Londt said children had access to the internet and they were exposed to so much information that would affect them. “Their innocent minds are under attack because what we look at, shapes us.”
He said the Qur’an meant recited text. “Reading the Qur’an will protect your mind, heart and faith when you are faced with tests. Our children need protection because they are like our hearts, walking outside.”
When faced with adversities, he said “the Book is the only hope that will help pull you to safety”.
Shaigh Londt said Mughammad Ashraf must be thankful to Allah even though he made the effort to memorise the Qur’an. “He should now show gratitude to Allah then Allah will give him more and he should make dua (pray) for acceptance at the start of the next phase in his life being a true representative of the Book. He will spend
time with the Qur’an and it will intercede as a companion to
benefit for this life and the hereafter.”
Another prominent leader in the community, Yusuf Cader, who works for the Peninsula School Feeding Association to feed hungry schoolchildren across the Western Province, said: “Mughammad Ashraf is fortunate and blessed to have an excellent education as 50% of schoolchildren go to school hungry. You can’t teach a hungry child.”
He said Mughammad Ashraf and other children should appreciate their parents who can afford to give them an education so they can help others in future.
Mughammad Ashraf’’s father Dr Nasief van der Schyff said his son was transferred to Crescent Primary at the beginning of the year. He completed the primary school programme at Islamia College which ends at Grade 6.
“The reason we transferred him to Crescent Primary this year was due to the combined hifz and academic programme. Mughammad Ashraf has been learning hifz part-time since Grade 1. His hifz programme was before and after school by various external teachers with a daily commitment of to three hours. He had learnt 19 chapters using this approach with a large emphasis on revising his back lessons. The programme at Crescent Primary this year allowed him to dedicate more time to his
hifz,” he said.
“Prior to this year, Mughammad Ashraf had normal schooling like any other child and participated in several extramural activities. He is extremely dedicated and motivated to succeed in whatever he does. He has a very busy life and strives to maintain a healthy balance between his Islamic, academic and sporting activities,” said Dr Van der Schyff.