Late Safiat Yahya Salaam was born on 1st October 1960 a devoted worshiper of God whose passion for humanity is worthy of emulation. She has no bank account and whatever she has, she gives it out for those around her until her demise. Even when she was in the Hospital, she was still giving and commanding us to help those in need at the Hospital.
She learned the Holy Quran through my dad, Alhaji Yahya Salam, and she in turn, taught all of us (her Children), the recitation of the Holy Book. For her unwavering support, My brother became a Missionary and I was able to gain admission into Tahfeez school at Ilaro to memorize the entire Qur’an, a blessing that also spread across two of my younger siblings including grandchildren. With the support of my dad, she made me a true lover of the Qur’an which thus nurtured my passion for it.
For the majority of the time, I attained the position of royalty in the house in the sense that no one dared disturb me or send me on an errand whenever it was time for me to recite the Quran.
In fact, despite being my mother, she would make sure she had exhausted every means available to her before she could send me on an errand whenever I was in recitation mode, assuring me she wouldn’t take much of my time to return to it. Every day, she would make me recite for her, and review my mistakes before going on to recite for the tutor assigned to me during the holidays. That singular act boosted my confidence in the recitation, memorization, and revision of the Glorious Quran.
Mrs. Safiyat Yahya Salaam was a courageous woman and a risk-taker in anything good, one of the qualities she inherited from her father, the late Alhaji Dawodu. If there was someone who was ever ready to support any good cause, no matter how impossible it might seem to be, it was my mother. She would support it, give her input to the best of her abilities, and continue with her words of encouragement. No wonder she was revered by every aspiring youth who crossed her path while she was alive.
Much of my exploits across the Northern part of Nigeria through several Quranic competitions and drills were credited to her and my father. Whenever there was any journey or camp to be embarked on by me in any part of the country for Quran competitions, she’d be the first to be put in the know, and then, Dad. With her consent, it automatically becomes a yes from my father. Such is her passion for the Quran.
The Rifatpasha Quranic Memorization School, an initiative by my humble self, which had gone on to produce many complete memorizers of the Holy Quran (Hufaaz), came into existence through her constant encouragement and prayers until she breathed her last. Brethren, if I have the opportunity to turn all the oceans of the world into ink and the trees into pen, it will still not be enough to write about the goodness and sacrifices of our dear Mother.
Although painful, we are thankful for a life well lived in the service of her creator. May Almighty Allah forgive her shortcomings, grant her Jannat-ul-Firdaus, and grant us and her loved ones the patience to bear this unimaginable loss, Aammeen.
Hafiz Rifat Pasha AbdusSalam
