The Imam of Falomo Police Central Mosque in Ikoyi, Lagos, Dr. Tajudeen Adebayo, has urged Muslim parents to prioritise quranic education for their children, describing it as a greatest legacy they can leave behind.
The cleric, who doubles as the Deputy Director at Voice of Nigeria (VON), gave this advice at the Walimatul Qur’an of Madrasatul-Deen Qoyyim Al-Islamiyah held last weekend in Lagos.
He emphasised that knowledge of the Quran equips children with moral guidance, spiritual strength, and serves as greater benefit for them in the hereafter.
He also encouraged their parents to support the graduands to pursue higher Islamic education, so as to gain deeper insight into its application in their daily lives.
He further urged parents to see their children as a trust (amana) from Allah, adding that parents will be held accountable for how they raise their children.
“We need to encourage our parents to know that whatever resource Allah has given us, we need to take care of our children in two aspects; to be relevant in this world and in the hereafter. So, without with these in place, we have not succeeded,” he added.
Addressing the graduands, the Proprietor of the madrasah, Ustadh Lukmon Uthman, said that the seven graduands have successfully completed the Arabic language, Hadith, Tajweed and the fluent recitation of the Quran.
“In our madrasah, we ensure that before you are qualified for graduation, you must have met our expectations by completing the required courses. Within the space of two that these graduands spent, we are confident of their performance and ability,” he said.
In his remark, a lecturer at the Lagos State University, Department of Language, Art and Social Science Education, Faculty of Education, Dr. Oseni Kayode, said that occasions like this should be encouraged to reshape the mindset of the upcoming generation towards what is right as stipulated in the Quran and Hadith.
He said: The knowledge of Quran is very important. It is important because it guides brothers and sisters on the right path, on how to behave in the society, and how to go about their daily activities. The knowledge goes beyond reading and writing because through it, they (youths) become meaningful individual in the society.”
One of the fathers of the graduands, Abdulhakeem Muh Awwal, expressed his gratitude for witnessing his two children graduating from the Arabic school.
He noted that when children learn and read the Quran, it serves as a guidance for them and their parents.
Muh Awwal, who also serves as the Chief Imam of Unity Estate Community Ataqwallah Central Mosque, Isashi Odan, further noted that while Western education is essential for children, Islamic education must never be regarded as insignificant. He added that the lessons in the Qur’an guide children to become responsible individuals and equip them to overcome life’s challenges as they progress in life.
