Ariful Islam/Guwahati

Visually impaired Inamul Ali has become a Hafiz-e-Quran (one who memorizes the Holy book). He memorized the Quran by listening to its verses from his friends and teachers. Inamul Ali is the son of Kausar Ali and Afroza Begum, of Tulamati village of the Kamrup district in central Assam.

Inamul Ali was not born blind. He lost his eyesight after contracting a disease at the age of one and a half years. Today he has brought glory to his village and community.

Speaking with Awaz-the voice, Hafiz Inamul Ali said: "The Holy Quran is the Word of Allah. It is a book presented to us through our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). When I first went to the madrasa, my teachers said that you can do it, there is nothing in this world that you can't do. I must give credit to my teachers, or else I will be doing injustice to them. They have helped me a lot."

Inamul Ali at his home

Inamul Ali faced many challenges in his self-assigned mission. However, his strong self-confidence and perseverance helped Imran Ali become a good hafiz. Inamul would listen to each verse (line) of the Quran from his teachers and classmates and memorize it by repeating it.

"I memorized it in parts and recited it before the teachers. Thus, with the blessings of the people and the help of the respected teachers, Allah made me a Hafiz-e-Quran. Initially, I used to recite 4-5 lines a day. Later on, I would recite 7-8 lines at a time. The maximum number of lines I could recite before my teachers at a time was 75 lines. My friends also helped me a lot. My friends spent much of their time teaching me even at the cost of their own study time,” said Hafiz Inamul Ali.

During his madrassa days, Inamul's classmates helped him in other activities. Imran's teachers used to depute a classmate to help him in everything he did. However, Imran could manage after being helped in a new place for two days.

Inamul Ali with his teachers at Madrasa

Inamul Ali pursued his Hifz courses in several madrassas. He first studied at the Bairaha Shaulmari Hafizia Madrassa near his home.

Imran remembers his first teacher Hafiz Qari Aftabuddin Ahmed. "He introduced me to the Holy Quran. Then I studied at Katahi Gangapukhuri Hafizia Madrassa in Darang district, and Marai Hafizia Madrassa. A friend enrolled me in Darul Uloom Ashrafiya Madrassa in Rangia. I got a lot of support from my teachers and friends there. I recited my portion of the Quran that I had memorized to Hafiz Khairul Islam. He was my mentor and helped me a lot. Samnur Hafiz Saheb helped me and the Principal Nazrul Huzur also took good care of me," said Inamul Ali.

Inamul Ali's mother Afroza Begum said: "My son lost his sight due to an illness at the age of 1.5 years. We initially got him admitted to a school, but I always wanted him to make him a Hafiz-e-Quran. Now, I am grateful to Allah for making him a Hafiz. The people of our village, the teachers, his classmates, and friends have all helped my son. People have also helped us financially. We got him admitted to the madrasa at the age of 12. At first, I was worried, but now I am extremely grateful to Allah. I have got what I wanted from Allah."

Inamul Ali with fellow students at Madrasa

"I would be relieved of all worries when he gets married. I only know how I felt to see him struggle with chores including eating his food. I broke down at times. As he grew up, my son learned everything on his own. Even managed everything alone even when we were not around," said his mother, Afroza Begum.

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Inamul Ali also wanted to become a Hafiz since childhood. He leads Taraweeh prayers during Ramazan every year and is involved in Dini Tabligh (religious preaching). He told Awaz-The Voice that he wanted to become a good Qari (one who is good at the