In Islam, a hafiz (hafiza for women) is someone who has memorized the Quran in its entirety. The term hifz is the memorization of the Quran.
Huffaz are people who aspire to obtain the fruits of the afterlife. The hifz is an act of worship that brings honor to those who go on such a journey and achieve their goal.
Becoming a hafiz / hafiza has an array of benefits, such as:
Huffaz will be crowned on the Day of Judgement
As was narrated by Abu Hurairah as per the Jami at-Tirmidhi, a collection of hadith compiled by Imam Abu Isa Muhammad at-Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) in regards to the words of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH: “The one who memorized the Qur’an shall come on the Day of Judgement and (the reward for reciting the Qur’an) says: ‘O Lord! Decorate him.” So he is donned with a crown of nobility. Then it says: “O Lord! Give him more!’ So he is donned with a suit of nobility. Then it says: “O Lord! Be pleased with him.’ So He is pleased with him and says: “Recite and rise up, and be increased in reward with every Aya.”
The parents of huffaz will be crowned on the Day of Judgement
No matter the level of knowledge held by the parents of huffaz, Allah will honor them as they raised and taught their children the Quran.
The Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed had stated in February that 37 huffaz will be leading the Tarawih prayers in Male’ this Ramadan, with many of them being young and qualified for the job. He also said that Maldivian huffaz will be leading the Tarawih prayers at the Salman Mosque and at the Islamic Center.
Not only will the prayers be conducted in Male’, a sizable number of Maldivian huffaz will also be leading the Tarawih prayers in various other islands.
Yoonus bin Ahmed: The 16 Year Old with a Passion for Faith
Q1: What inspired you to begin this journey? What made you want to become a hafiz?
A1: I used to listen to many Quran recitals when I was a kid, and my mum encouraged me to recite as well. A lot of my friends were huffaz as well when I was growing up so that was a big inspiration for me as well.
It pushed me to memorize the Quran as quickly as possible.
Q2: How was the experience from the start up until graduation?
A2: It was quite challenging at the time because I had to juggle studying, going to other activities and memorizing as well. But looking back, it really was not that hard.
The most important thing is that you have to want to learn and make it your top priority.
Q3: Do you have any plans in the future to pursue it any further, be it in an educational sense here or overseas, or otherwise?
A3: I would really like to learn different recitations and improve my Tajweed, along with different aspects of Islamic knowledge. I also want to improve my memorization skills so that I can recite as accurately as possible.
I would like to study in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
Q4: What impact has it had on your life?
A4: It is not that much different, but I am quite happy that I have graduated and officially become a hafiz.
Q5: If you have had the chance to conduct Tarawih this Ramadan, what was the experience like?
A5: I led a Tarawih prayer last year as well at the Zikura Mosque but this time around, it was on behalf of the Islamic Ministry. I have led a Tarawih prayer this Ramadan at the Mohamed Fareedhul Awwal Mosque (Dhunburi Miskiy).
Muhammad Aasiru: The Unshakeable 43 Year Old
Q1: What inspired you to begin this journey? What made you want to become a hafiz?
A1: The Quran was an important part of my life when I was growing up back in GA. Kanduhulhudhoo, but I only began memorizing the Quran in May 2023. I managed to learn the Quran in one year and a half while working as a prosecutor.
My parents and my grandmother really wanted me to become a hafiz, and this has given me the drive to pursue this journey.
Q2: How was the experience from the start up until graduation?
A2: My work as a lawyer is quite challenging but I do like the work that I do. However, with some key changes, I made memorizing the Quran my priority.
A lot of late nights resulted in a bit of exhaustion and I did not tell anyone of this journey other than my family. I dedicated all my extra time to this pursuit and sacrificed a lot of things I did at the time including spending time with friends and family.
Q3: Do you have any plans in the future to pursue it any further, be it in an educational sense here or overseas, or otherwise?
A3: I would like to form a recognized association for people who want to learn the Quran, with classes being conducted at night after Isha prayers.
Another thing is to write books that can help people learn the Quran. Books that would help people to further solidify the parts they have already learned and to become better as time goes on.
Q4: What impact has it had on your life?
A4: One thing I have learned from my journey is that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. Memorizing the Quran has strengthened my discipline, patience and determination.
This has motivated me to pursue the next goal on my priority list which is completing a Master’s degree in Law, with a focus on criminal offenses. My hope is that I get the opportunity to do my Masters soon.
Q5: If you have had the chance to conduct Tarawih this Ramadan, what was the experience like?
A5: The first Tarawih I have ever done was at a very young age while I was at school. It was very different from now and does not require to be a hafiz. I have not gotten the opportunity to conduct Tarawih this Ramadan since becoming a hafiz quite recently but I have led a Tahajjud (dhamu namaadhu) in the past.
I was memorizing the Quran last year so I did not conduct any prayers as Imam even though I got the opportunities to do so.
Zaan Muhammad Zameel: The Ambitious 20 Year Old
Q1: What inspired you to begin this journey? What made you want to become a hafiz?
A1: My grandfather. It was his wish that I become a hafiz and conduct Tarawih before he passed.
When I was a child, he would bring me for prayers and encourage me to fast, pray and read the Quran.
Q2: How was the experience from the start up until graduation?
A2: It was quite challenging because I was far from home and I was missing my family a lot. A friend of my mother’s was taking care of me in India at the time I was memorizing the Quran.
I was admitted to the hospital as well due to some stomach issues.
Q3: Do you have any plans in the future to pursue it any further, be it in an educational sense here or overseas, or otherwise?
A3: Yes, I want to teach students overseas in a Middle Eastern country like Medina. I also want to do a degree in this line in Saudi Arabia after I finish my current Computer Engineering degree in Malaysia.
Q4: What impact has it had on your life?
A4: After I learned the Quran, it has become quite easy for me to learn other things as my memorization skills have improved. I have also gotten closer to religion and it makes me want to gain more knowledge.
Q5: If you have had the chance to conduct Tarawih this Ramadan, what was the experience like?
A5: I have already been conducting Tarawih as an Imam at my island of B. Eydhafushi for the last four years. It was a bit difficult because I also had to go to school and study while practicing how to conduct the Tarawih.
My first time was quite a new experience for me. I got some negative comments from people but I did not take it to heart and I improved upon those things.
I did get the opportunity to conduct Tarawih at Male’ but I could not do it because I was still studying at the time so it was quite tough to come to Male’ to do so.
The three individuals who were interviewed for this feature all graduated at the most recent ceremony in February, where a total of 31 huffaz had graduated, with 19 male huffaz and 12 female huffaz.
Minister Shaheem has stated that this year’s ceremony marked the highest number of huffaz that graduated in one ceremony.
As per the minister, there are 301 huffaz currently in Maldives, with 139 of them being women and 162 of them being men. The minister also stated that there are an additional 1,800 students who are conducting their studies in memorizing the Quran via the National Center for the Holy Quran and other institutes.
Minister Shaheem said that one of the goals of the ministry is to increase the number of huffaz in Maldives to 500 within the current term, with the attempt to “make Maldives the nation that has the largest number of huffaz relative to the population.”
