The Mohammed VI Foundation for African Oulema (scholars) has called for the institutionalisation of the memorisation of the Hadith, the documented sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad, as part of measures to enhance morality and preserve the teachings for future generations.
The Director of the Institute, Dr. Abdulganiyu Adetunji, made the call on Thursday night at the Abuja National Mosque, during the third National Hadith Memorisation Competition.
According to him, the competition of the Hadith Memorisation would encourage young students to be outstanding members of their society.
He described the annual competition as timely, especially at a time when the teachings and traditions of the Prophet are increasingly being challenged.
“This is the third edition of the competition, and we pray it will continue for many years. It is very significant for our community because it helps preserve the authentic teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. A Muslim cannot fully understand the religion without understanding the Sunnah of the Prophet,” Adetunji said.
He also explained that this year’s competition focused on the Prophet’s character, personality, and noble qualities.
He also said that contestants competed in three categories covering the memorisation of 100 Hadiths.
According to him, the first category required participants to memorise 40 Hadiths together with their chains of narration (Isnad), which establish the authenticity of the Prophet’s sayings.
He said that the second category involved memorising 30 Hadiths alongside explanations of key terms, while the final category required contestants to memorise another 30 Hadiths and demonstrate knowledge of Hadith sciences, including methods for verifying authentic narrations.
He said that the competition attracted over 500 applicants from across Nigeria through an open online registration process.
“After a month-long screening exercise, 15 finalists from states including Kwara, Kogi, Katsina, Kaduna, and Borno qualified for the national finals,” he added.
Officials said that the top three winners in each category would represent Nigeria at the continental competition alongside participants from other African countries before advancing to the final stage in Morocco.
In addition to certificates and plaques, the winners also received cash prizes, while all finalists were provided with transportation, accommodation and feeding throughout the competition.
Dr. Adetunji, however, stressed that the primary objective of the competition goes beyond prizes.
He said, “Our main goal is not merely the competition itself but ensuring that the Hadiths these young people memorise shape their character, strengthen their faith, and positively influence their daily lives.”
Also speaking, the Secretary General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, represented by the Imam of the Abuja National Mosque and Deputy Legal Adviser of NSCIA, Barrister Haroun Muhammad Eze, said the competition demonstrates the commitment of young Muslims to preserving the teachings of Islam.
He stressed that the Hadith, alongside the Glorious Qur’an, forms the foundation of Islamic knowledge and has traditionally been preserved through memorisation and proper documentation by generations of scholars.
“Today’s event celebrates young Muslims who have devoted themselves to memorising the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. It is also meant to encourage others to preserve not only the Qur’an but also the Hadith, which remains an essential source of Islamic guidance,” he said.
Barrister Eze noted that true knowledge extends beyond memorisation, emphasising that understanding and practising the teachings of the Qur’an and Hadith are essential for building moral character and promoting peaceful coexistence.
He said that individuals who combine knowledge with practice become better members of society and contribute positively to national development.
He commended the organisers of the event for their efforts in preserving the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad through encouraging the memorisation of Hadiths.
He urged the participants to view their participation as a victory irrespective of whether they won a prize or not.
He also prayed that Allah should bless the organisers and the participants with goodness in this world and the hereafter.
The Mohammed VI Foundation for African Oulema, established by King Mohammed VI of Morocco, operates across several African countries to promote authentic Islamic scholarship, religious education, peaceful coexistence, and intellectual exchange among Muslim scholars.
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