Apa Hasina Ismail has been serving her community for many years with dedication and sincerity. She teaches, guides, and helps people with so much patience and love. Her knowledge is deep, but what makes her truly special is the way she shares it. She explains things gently, makes difficult matters easy to understand, and always reminds us of Allah’s mercy. Her classes are not just about learning – they are about feeling uplifted and encouraged to live with faith.

What makes her stand out is her motherly nature. She treats everyone with respect and care, no matter who they are. Whenever I sit with her, I feel safe and understood. She listens carefully and gives advice that truly comes from the heart. There were times in my life when I was struggling, and she was the one who lifted me. She gave me hope when I felt hopeless, and reminded me to keep trusting in Allah. Her words and her presence bring peace, and her care feels like the care of a mother.

I have also seen how she helps so many others. Women come to her with family difficulties, young girls turn to her with their questions, and everyone who meets her leaves with a lighter heart. She gives her time selflessly and never asks for recognition. Even when she is tired, she still shows up for people, always ready to guide, listen, or comfort.

Her humility is something I admire deeply. She does not look for praise or attention. In fact, she is happiest when others benefit, even in small ways. But it is exactly this quiet service that makes her so loved. She has changed many lives, not just through teaching, but through the way she cares for people.

To me, Apa Hasina is more than a teacher. She is a role model, a guide, and truly like a mother. She has shown me that knowledge is not just about books, but about living with kindness and compassion. I feel blessed to know her and to have learned from her.

For these reasons, I wholeheartedly nominate Apa Hasina for the Aalimah of the Year Award. She deserves to be recognized for her years of service, her knowledge, and above all, her kind heart. I pray that Allah accepts all her efforts and rewards her greatly in this world and the Hereafter.

2^nd Nomination

It is with immense love, gratitude, and deep respect that I nominate my teacher, Aalimah Hasina Ismail,  
for the Aalimah of the Year Award. For me, she is not just a teacher — she is a guide, a role model, and  
one of the greatest blessings Allah placed in my life. 
 
I first met Aalimah Hasina at her mother’s institution, Al Hudaa Foundation in Lenasia, Johannesburg.  
The Al Hudaa Foundation itself has been a beacon of learning and service in the community, and it was there  
that my own journey of seeking knowledge began. When she came to visit us, even before she became my teacher,  
her warmth, humility, and sincerity stood out. I felt an immediate connection and did not know then how  
profoundly she would change my life. 
 
When I arrived in South Africa from Luanda, Angola, I did not know a single word of English. I also did not  
know even the basic Islamic rules. My journey as a student of deen began in uncertainty, but Allah placed  
Aalimah Hasina in my path, and through her, my life was transformed. 
 
She was my Fiqh teacher for five years, and it is no exaggeration to say that everything I know today about  
how to practice my deen correctly stems from her patient and tireless teaching. Even something as fundamental  
as how to purify myself for salah — if I can clean myself for prayer today, it is because of her. She taught  
with such clarity, care, and repetition that the knowledge became part of me, and to this day, I carry her  
lessons into my daily acts of worship. 
 
But her teaching was not limited to textbooks or rulings. Through her words and her example, she shaped my  
character and my outlook on life. There is one statement of hers that I will never forget, and that I now teach  
to my own children: “You eat what you get, you don’t complain, and you make shukar to Allah.” This simple but  
profound advice has stayed in my heart all these years, reminding me and my family to live with gratitude and  
humility no matter what circumstances we face. 
 
Aalimah Hasina completed her Aalimah studies in 2003 at Khanqah Madressah Sheikh Zakariya lil Banaat, and for the  
past 12 years, she has been serving as a teacher. What sets her apart is not only her deep knowledge of the deen,  
but her way of delivering it with compassion, patience, and wisdom. She treats her students like her own children,  
always attentive, always encouraging, always guiding us toward becoming better Muslims. 
 
I witnessed firsthand how she balanced teaching with caring for her community. She was never too busy to listen,  
never too harsh to discourage, and never too proud to admit when gentleness was more powerful than correction.  
Many times, her quiet presence and a few kind words were enough to uplift a struggling student. 
 
Her influence on me has been lifelong. She gave me the confidence to practice my faith correctly, she instilled in  
me the values of patience and gratitude, and she left me with lessons that I now pass on to my own children. Her  
teaching has rippled far beyond the classroom; it has entered our homes, our families, and our hearts. 
 
She has dedicated her knowledge, her compassion, and her years of service to uplifting her students and  
community. To me, she is not just an Aalimah but a second mother, a mentor, and a lifelong inspiration. 

3rd Nomination

This tribute celebrates the profound and lasting impact of Aalimah Hasina, whose life is a testament to dedicated scholarship, faithful service, and unwavering guidance, rooted in the sacred teachings she mastered.

​For over two decades, Hasina has walked a path defined by the pursuit and transmission of sacred knowledge, illuminating the way for countless individuals within her community. Her journey began with an exceptional foundation, culminating in her graduation in 2003 from the esteemed Khanqah Madressah Sheikh Zakariya Lil Banaat. The name of her madressah—linked to the revered scholar and Hadith master, Sheikh Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi (may Allah have mercy on him)—speaks to the depth and authenticity of the education she received. It prepared her not just to teach, but to embody the rich tradition of Islamic scholarship.

​Her successful completion of the Aalimah course marked the beginning of her public service, but it was in the classroom and the community that her true legacy took shape.

With twelve dedicated years of teaching experience, Aalimah Hasina has proven herself to be a pillar of stability and a fountain of wisdom. Teaching is not merely a profession for her; it is a profound act of service (khidmat) to the Ummah. Her unique contribution is her versatility in nurturing the Muslim community across all levels of religious education.

​Aalimah Hasina’s service is distinguished by its comprehensive reach:

• ​Teaching Maktab: By teaching Maktab, she lays the vital foundation of faith. She instills in young children the basic yet crucial love for the Qur’an, correct recitation (Qira’at), and fundamental manners (Adab). This commitment ensures the next generation has a strong, righteous starting point in Islam.
• ​Teaching Aalimah Girls: At the other end of the spectrum, she guides and mentors advanced female students in the Aalimah programme itself. This work is critical, as she is shaping the future female scholars who will go on to inspire, guide, and serve their own communities. She is not just passing on knowledge, but forging the intellectual and spiritual leaders of tomorrow.

​The true measure of Aalimah Hasina’s contribution lies in the positive change she has fostered. Every student who leaves her tutelage with a stronger sense of identity, a deeper appreciation for the Qur’an, and a practical love for the Sunnah is a testament to her tireless efforts.

​May Allah (SWT) accept Hasina’s twelve years of noble service and continue to grant her the strength, immense reward, and opportunity to inspire, guide, and serve for many years to come. Her dedication is a brilliant inspiration all who seek to dedicate their lives to the cause of Islamic education.

4th Nomination

It is with great honour and heartfelt appreciation that I Nominate Apa Hasina for the Aalimah of the Year award. Qualified in Khanqah in 2003, Apa Hasina has since dedicated herself to teaching and nurturing young minds in the path of Deen with sincerity, humility, and love. With 12 years of dedicated teaching experience, and four years of service at the Darul-Uloom for Girls, she has touched countless hearts and left an everlasting impact on her students and community.

I had the privilege of being her student during my final year at LMA Main Centre in Lenasia, and it remains one of the most treasured experiences of my life. Apa Hasina was not only a teacher to us — she was a guide, a mentor, and a source of inspiration. She carried herself with grace and gentleness, always eager to help her students both inside and outside the classroom. Her passion for teaching and her deep love for the Deen of Allah shone through in every lesson she taught.

What made her unique was her ability to make every subject come alive. She didn’t just teach us from the books; she connected each lesson to our daily lives and real experiences. Through her wisdom and care, she taught us life lessons that extended far beyond the classroom — lessons about sincerity, humility, patience, and striving to be better Muslims in every aspect of life.

Her classroom was more than a space for learning; it was a space of warmth, reflection, and personal growth. She treated each student with kindness, understanding, and respect, nurturing not only our knowledge but also our hearts. Her constant encouragement and gentle reminders helped us build a stronger connection with Allah and a deeper appreciation for the beauty of Islam.

Even after all these years, the values and teachings she instilled in us continue to guide and inspire me. Her impact goes far beyond words — it is seen in the way her students carry themselves, in the love for Deen she helped plant in our hearts, and in the continuous ripple effect of goodness that spreads through her teaching.

Apa Hasina truly embodies what it means to be an Aalimah — a woman who inspires, guides, and serves with dedication and humility. Her unwavering commitment to her students and her community reflects her deep devotion to Allah and her sincere desire to uplift others through knowledge.

It was an absolute honour to be her student and to sit in her class, learning the sacred knowledge of Deen under her guidance. She is a shining example of what it means to teach with heart, to lead with compassion, and to serve with purpose. For her years of service, her selflessness, and the profound difference she continues to make in the lives of others, she truly deserves this recognition and the title of “Aalimah of the Year.”