Promotion of Hafiz in Bey's Mosque: Bring What the Qur'an Offers into Your Life Environment

(Patria) - A ceremonial promotion of hafiz who successfully passed the hifz exam before the Hifz Commission of the Riyasat of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2024 was held today at the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in Sarajevo.

On this occasion, 21 male hafiz and 12 female hafiz were promoted, and the ceremony was attended by Reis-ul-ulema Husein-ef. Kavazović, who in the introductory part of his speech reminded of the status that hafiz have among believers. They are role models and worthy of respect.

"Today's gathering is unique in its nature, because we rarely have the opportunity to witness something like this. We have gathered here with our hafiz and we show them special respect. Today we look at them with joy and with elation in our hearts," said Reis-ul-ulema Kavazović. 

With special words of gratitude to the parents and families of the new hafiz for their support, and then praise to the muhafiz for their dedicated work, the Reis-ul-ulema reminded of the importance of the Qur'an in the life of believers.  

"You know that the Qur'an is a shield and that it is especially strong for those who have it entirely in their hearts. Never let it go, because it is very effective as a shield, if its owner knows how and wants to use it. You have taken on a great trust that is an honor to carry, so always carry it with dignity and adorned with its fragrance," said the Reis-ul-ulema.

Being a role model for others is a special responsibility that Reis-ul-ulema Kavazović pointed out on this occasion. It is answered by teaching and living the ideals of faith. 

"The Qur'an is preserved by being written down and by being memorized. That is the guarantee of its preservation until the Day of Judgment. Do not be satisfied with having learned the Qur'an by heart, but carry its values and teach others about it. Bring what the Qur'an offers into your life environment and beautify this world with the Qur'an," advised the Reis-ul-ulema to the present hafiz. 

Diversity United by the Qur'an

The organizer of the program is the Department for Religious Affairs of the Riyasat of the Islamic Community, and its director, hafiz Dr. Mensur-ef. Malkić, reminded of the significant connection that learning and understanding the Qur'an has with general education.

"Our young male and female hafiz have different professions. Among them are elementary and high school students, students of our madrasas, students and graduates of various faculties. There are imams, muallimas, theologians, engineers, and dentists," emphasized Dr. Malkić.

Despite their differences, all present male and female hafiz, besides today's space of the Bey's Mosque, are connected by their bond with the Qur'an and the effort and sacrifice that has defined their daily lives in the past period. 

"Most of the hafiz were born in our homeland, while some were born outside of it. They come from different societies, have different education and professional choices. What they have in common is their relationship with the Qur'an and the choice to embark on the path of hifz of the Qur'an," said Dr. Malkić.

Along with congratulations to the male and female hafiz on their success, Director Malkić offered several practical pieces of advice.

"This is a great blessing, so I congratulate you and tell you that by learning the Qur'an by heart you have already achieved much good. I pray to Allah, the Almighty, to enroll you among the nobles of the Ummah of Muhammad, peace be upon him. Strive to always be successful, but do not forget that success comes from the Lord of the worlds," said Dr. Malkić. 

Support for Hafiz from the Bejtul-mal Fund

The Islamic Community actively contributes to the promotion and affirmation of hifz through the Bejtul-mal Fund, providing financial support to candidates preparing to obtain the hafiz diploma.

This fund covers expenses during the exam process, including accommodation in Sarajevo, meals, and the costs of the Commission. In addition, as a sign of recognition and support, awards are provided both for hafiz who successfully complete hifz and for their muhaffiz, who guide them through this demanding process.

The Word of a Hafiz - Honor and Responsibility

Among the promoted hafiz is Midhat-ef. Begić, imam of the Sarajevo congregation of Briješće, who recited the last Qur'anic verses before the Hifz Commission on January 17. 

"No one can speak better about the Qur'an than the Qur'an itself. When we look at how Allah names the Qur'an, we will find 56 different names and epithets. When we read those epithets, we will see that these are exactly what we lack in life. We should bring these values closer to our future reciters of the Qur'an," said hafiz Begić during an interview with the media of the Islamic Community.

It is worth reflecting on, reminds hafiz Begić, how to apply Qur'anic descriptions in everyday life.

"Allah calls the Qur'an Guidance, so is there a living person who does not need guidance? Allah called the Qur'an a Signpost, and how many people are there who do not know where they are going? Today we see that many people cannot distinguish truth from falsehood in various aspects of life, and Allah says about the Qur'an that it separates truth from falsehood. So, we should turn to what we lack," explained hafiz Begić.

Among the presented hafiz is also Ervin Šorlija, a student at the Faculty of Islamic Studies in Sarajevo, who also spoke with the Media Center team.

"Learning the Qur'an by heart brings moments in which, in a way, certain Qur'anic verses are relived. I am especially glad for that feeling, which, besides during learning, can be experienced at programs like this," said hafiz Šorlija.

Along with them, today were promoted Samir Mehić, Enis Mehić, Eldin Čolić, Salih Bešo, Kenan Mulović, Muhamed Kanurić, Mudžahid Smajlović, Emina Joldić, Safeta Ujkanović, Džana Imamović, Enis Bašić, Fahrudin Žbanić, Muhamed Mahmutović, Ahmed Softić, Dijana Fejzić, Ajla Spahić, Ahmed Živčić, Lejla Sinanović, Hasan Pajić, Orhan Omerhodžić, Zahida Begović, Hamid Mahmutović, Nejra Hrustanović, Hadidža Husejn, Faruk Ćiber, Zehra Gül
Cusan, Aisa Pačariz, Fatma Pačariz, Idriz Omerović, Muhamed Mešić i Abdulmelik
Tričić.

The ceremony ended with the presentation of certificates of appreciation to the male and female muhafiz, presented by the Deputy Reis-ul-ulema Dr. Enes-ef. Ljevaković, as well as hafiz diplomas presented by Reis-ul-ulema Husein-ef. Kavazović.

This is the first time that a joint promotion has been organized for all hafiz who completed hifz in one calendar year. The previous practice was to award the hafiz diploma at their hafiz prayer ceremony.