Mohammed VI Foundation holds third national hadith competition, selects Ghana's representatives for continental contest

The Ghana Branch of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Oulema has held the third edition of its Annual Hadith Competition in Accra, with participants encouraged to deepen their understanding of the teachings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad.

The competition, held on Saturday, June 27, brought together 27 contestants from the Northern, Ashanti, and Greater Accra regions, who competed in various categories of Hadith memorisation.

The annual event seeks to promote Islamic scholarship, preserve the Prophetic traditions (Hadith), and encourage young Muslims to strengthen their knowledge of Islam and apply its teachings in their daily lives.

Speaking to journalists after the competition, the President of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Oulema, Ghana Branch, Sheikh Mustapha Ibrahim, expressed appreciation to King Mohammed VI of Morocco for supporting initiatives that promote the study of Hadith across Africa.

He said the Foundation's programmes have inspired many young Muslims to gain a deeper understanding of Islam through the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and urged parents and guardians to encourage their children to study both the Holy Qur'an and the Hadith.

Sheikh Ibrahim, who also serves as Chairman of the Islamic Council for Development and Humanitarian Services (ICODEHS), cautioned against views that promote adherence to only the Qur'an while disregarding the Hadith.

According to him, the Hadith provides practical explanations of the Qur'an and serves as an indispensable guide for Muslims in understanding and practising their faith.

He stressed that the Qur'an and the Hadith complement each other and together form the foundation of Islamic teachings.

Competition Results

Contestants competed in three categories.
In Category One, which focused on the memorisation of 40 selected Hadiths together with their chains of transmission, Abdul Salam Ibrahim emerged as the winner. Ayisha Ilyas Ali Mushkar placed second, while Abass Iddris finished third.

Category Two required participants to memorise 30 selected Hadiths on the noble character, manners, and physical qualities of Prophet Muhammad. Abdallah Alhassan won the category, with Abdul Muhsin Murtada placing second and Mohammed Dawud taking third position.

In Category Three, contestants memorised 30 Hadiths highlighting the unique virtues and special characteristics of Prophet Muhammad. Bashir Edris Suleiman secured first place, Ahmed Tijani Al-Awal came second, and Abbass Alhassan finished third.

The winners of the three categories, Abdul Salam Ibrahim, Abdallah Alhassan, and Bashir Edris Suleiman, will represent Ghana at the upcoming All Africa Hadith Competition.

The Mohammed VI Foundation for African Oulema continues to advance Islamic education, peaceful coexistence, and interfaith dialogue across the continent through a range of educational and religious initiatives, including its annual Hadith competition.