بسم الله الرحمن
الرحيم
It all started when I was given 3 weekly
counselling slots at Institution A2, Cluster A of the new Changi Prison Complex when it was first open
some years ago. The big turnout exceeding 60 inmates had prompted me to relook at the content of the
session in order to maximize the effect on the inmates.
I have always put Quran as the core content of
all my counseling sessions as I deeply believe the miracles that Allah has bestowed
therein could one day be realized by the inmates and steer them back into the mainstream and lead a
healthy life as a good muslim.
It is evident from the historic point of view
that the Quran has touched and mellowed the toughest of all hearts in the likes of Sayidina Umar
AlKhattab, who embraced Islam from hearing the beautiful and deep meanings of the Quran. Surely, the same
effect could touch the lives of the inmates and open a spectrum of realization in experiencing the joy of
knowing Allah and the beauty of leading an Islamic life style in todays’s challenging
world.
My experience working with inmates has shown
that a considerable segment of the muslim inmate population has basic Islamic knowledge on Islamic
jurisprudence and are able to recite the quran. Some even has the ability to recite with ‘tarannum’ and
has good command of the rules of recitation or what we call ‘Tajweed’. However, these inmates keep coming
back to the prisons after spending a short time outside upon their release from
incarceration.
So what went
wrong?
It then dawned on me that the Quran is meant
NOT to be treated like a book, lifeless and powerless as it can be. The Quran has life, body and soul and
is a living journey of the life and struggles of our beloved prophet Rasulullah SAW and as such it should
be treated more than just reciting, albeit how beautifully.
What the inmates need is something that could
penetrate deeper into their inner souls and creating rays of light in lifting the darkness of their souls
transforming the light into hope and opportunities in realizing Allah’s compassion through the
revelations in the Quran.
One way to do that is to give the teachings of
Quran a new approach to best suit the inmates in presenting the teachings of Tajweed from the “Ruh”
perspective connecting it with everyday’s life in building the inmates resilience through memorizing of
the Quran.
My journey had just
begun……
Life in the 12 months of the MIRC programme in
Institution A4, has created an impact in my convictions and commitments. Seeing how the 34 adult inmates
transform from their dark history into a life of peace and tranquility, embracing the meanings of the
verses of the Quran and manifesting it in their speech and actions has spurred me to move on with deeper
convictions.
The success of some inmates to memorise Surah
AlBaqarah and embracing the meanings of the verses have boosted the spirit of the inmates themselves in
realizing their potential and instilling confidence that Allah is ever ready to shower His blessings to
anyone who wants to open their hearts and connect himself with His
Creator.
I have benefited so much from this indulgence.
I have learned many valuable lessons from the inmates, the people whom many had despised as useless and I
have seen and live through their transformation which is very REAL an opportunity which I will cherish
for the rest of my life.
One can never embrace the true meaning of
forgiveness if one fails to dive through the souls of the wrong-doers. I thank Allah for giving
me many such opportunities which has enriched my life and commitments in understanding these segments of
our society.
Verily all praises must be to Allah and through
His compassion we are all given our respective roles in translating that compassion through our
commitments and convictions in helping those who had one way or another made a wrong decision in their
lives.
To all MIRCP graduates, I take this opportunity
to express my love to all of you and thank you for making our MIRCP journey a memorable
one.
Love yourself first if you want to love others
and learn about love from our beloved prophet Rasulullah SAW.
It was narrated that Aisyah RA, was once asked
about the conduct and akhlaq of the Rasul and she precisely replied “ KHULUQUHU ALQURAN” which means “HIS
CONDUCT IS THE QURAN”
Let us all love the Quran in its intended
purpose by understanding the meanings and putting all the commands into action in our everyday’s
life.
If the Rasul has never given up on us, his
ummah, who are we to give up on our love ones even if they have caused shame to us when they were put
behind bars.
I’m no expert, with no paper credentials like
many others, but I thank Allah for allowing me to fill the many hearts of those who were once imprisoned
and those who are now counting their days behind bars.
May Allah instill this Istiqamah. Insya
Allah.
سالم محمد يوسف
