MELAKA - Young Hafizah Rabiatul Adawiyah Rohizal, 22, has proven that a background in tahfiz education need not be a barrier to pursuing a career in medicine.
The eldest of three siblings, Rabiatul dreamed of becoming a specialist doctor from a young age but took a different path, leaving formal schooling at eight to focus on tahfiz studies.
She said completing her tahfiz education and memorising all 30 juz of the Quran, achieving the ‘syahadah’ (completion of memorisation) in 2021 with only one error, was a source of pride.
"For me, even though one needs to focus on religious studies, academics should not be neglected if we want to achieve our ambitions.
"I also believe that mastery of the Quran helps improve our ability to understand other subjects better, making it easier to learn and memorise,” she told reporters here.
Rabiatul began her tahfiz journey at age eight at a madrasah in Batu Berendam before continuing at Madrasah Rabiatul Adawiyah in Taman RKSK, Bukit Katil, which further deepened her love for the Quran.
She said she had planned to pursue medical studies in Egypt in 2022, but her plans were delayed due to a health condition, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a blood disorder affecting platelet count.
"Although I had to temporarily put aside that aspiration, it never dampened my determination to continue, and I enrolled in a Foundation Science programme at a private institution.
"I am grateful to have received an offer to study medicine for seven years at a university in Kursk, Russia. Initially, I wanted to become an obstetrician, but due to my illness, I resolved to specialise in a related field and conduct research on the condition,” she said.
In preparation for studying abroad, Rabiatul self-studied the Russian language over several months until she could communicate effectively, while also mastering Latin and Korean.
"I am very grateful that everything has been facilitated for me, and I thank my parents, family and teachers who have always provided support and encouragement.
"For those interested in studying the Quran, I suggest focusing on completing your memorisation first before pursuing other studies, as memorisation usually makes learning other subjects easier,” she said. - BERNAMA