Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read

26 August 2024

Haafidh Muhammad Raees Amanjee, winner of the South African National Quran Competition and currently participating in the King Abdul Aziz Quran Memorization Competition, was profiled on Sabahul Muslim this week.

For Haafidh Muhammad Raees Amanjee, his Quran memorization journey began at the young age of 9 at Khanqah Sheikh Zakariyya in Lenasia. He completed within 3 years and after 2 years of dhor, his journey culminated with a year of Qiraat-al-Hifdh at the age of 17. Upon completion, Hf Muhammad Raees was elated when his Ustaadh tied his turban, stating that there is ‘no better feeling’ than that of having memorized the entire Quran.

Haafidh Muhammad Raees’s inspiration was listening to Sheikh Sudais from a young age on his Quran pen. His typical day composed of learning 2 pages Sabaq of Quran per day after fajr at the Khanqah, and thereafter attending school. Once he completed hifdh, he would give 2 juz a day dhor and currently, he does ½ juz after every salaah.

Last year, Haafidh Muhammad Raees competed in the South African National Quran Competition and went on to participate in the Nationals where he was selected to go to Makkah for the King Abdul Aziz Quran Memorization Competition. Prior to his departure, he spent 3 months perfecting his tajweed under the auspices of Qari Basheer Patel. Initially being very nervous when he got onto the chair in the Haram, Hf Muhammad Raees ‘put his heart into the microphone’ and was rightly proud of his recitation.

He shares some advice for aspiring Huffaadh – ‘Quran is the most noble thing a person can be entrusted to, so carry it with dignity and honour’, and ‘always keep your intention pure’. For those who have completed their hifdh or are close to completing, Hf Muhammad Raees shared these words of wisdom – Hifdh is ‘like owning a classic car; it is easy to attain the valuable thing but maintaining it throughout your life is the difficult part’, advising Huffaadh to do their dhor every single day. He also recommends ‘teaching Quran after memorizing it’, as hifdh is a massive responsibility.

Haafidh Muhammad Raees concluded with the sentiment that he was ‘honoured and privileged to read in the Haram’.

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim.