Traditionally, memorization schools offered direct admission into the Hifz (memorization of the Holy Quran) program. However, at Iqra, admission is not directly granted to the Hifz department. Students are initially admitted to the “Qaida” department, where they receive foundational instruction. If a student is not eligible for Qaida, then they are admitted in (Rauza) preparatory department. In these departments, a syllabus is set for students along with memorization of the Quran, and they are also introduced to the organizational rules and regulations.

Based on various concerns, there were reservations about having girls memorize the Quran, some scholars even discouraged it. However, under the guidance of the Iqra first President Mufti Wali Hassan Tonki, and later other scholars, the endeavor to have girls memorize the Quran gained momentum. Alhamdulillah, this initiative has flourished now, and Iqra has seen a significant increase in the number of girls who have memorized the Quran.

The main point is that memorization is a virtue. There is no gender-based disparity in this regard, and that girls, in particular, will use their knowledge to teach future generations. Therefore, having religion and the Qur’an ingrained in them is no less important. As for the concern that girls might forget the Qur’an, the same possibility exists for boys as well—so should boys be prevented from memorizing it too?

Certainly, memorization is not obligatory, but preserving and retaining it after memorization is necessary. This principle applies universally to both male and female children.

Historically, institutions for the Holy Quran memorization were hostel-based where students remained engaged in learning at intervals day and night. This sacrifice could be made neither by every student nor by every parent. The circumstances were becoming increasingly challenging, so Iqra decided from the very beginning to start a day school wherein students will attend school during the day, returning to their homes in the afternoon or early evening. To facilitate this, transportation has been arranged for the convenience of the parents. Nevertheless, the responsibility for transport and its associated logistics will rest with the parents and the transport providers.

At Iqra, as per the rules and regulations at the time of admission, classes in each department are generally formed with students of the same age group. This ensures that neither younger students and older children are placed together, nor are extremely young beginners of Rauza, Qaida, and Hifz placed in the same class.

Regarding Madaris and Makatib, the common complaints have always been that corporal punishment is used excessively there. Iqra has made every effort to resolve this issue seriously promoting education and discipline without using physical punishment. We are trying to provide to education and training by avoiding the issue of physical punishment. We can’t say that we have achieved complete success in our aim, but we are very thankful to Allah that the concept of “memorization without physical punishment” has been fulfilled.

In this regard, the dedicated attention, prayers, and timely intervention of our esteemed elders have played a fundamental and effective role. May Allah reward them all. Amen.

Our scholars and teachers raised awareness within their circles that if parents wish to protect their children from the destructive influences of modern times, it is essential to include faith, religion, and the Qur’an in their upbringing from the very beginning.

• Spread the blessing of memorizing the Qur’an and grant both sons and daughters this noble gift equally.
• Memorization of the Qur’an sharpens the mind, and after Hifz, both religious and worldly education become easier. This is commonly observed.
• The time spent in memorizing the Qur’an is never wasted. With proper planning, Huffaz can complete Matriculation at the same age as non-Hafiz students, while also being enriched with Qur’anic memorization and religious training, Insha’Allah. Today, the results of Wifaq-ul-Madaris and modern educational boards bear clear testimony to this reality.