KUALA LUMPUR – Unlike most of her peers, Siti Aishah Ho Abdullah did not have the privilege of sight when she was growing up.
A rare form of eye cancer robbed her of vision when she was just 2 years old, before she could even utter her first full sentence or learn how to pedal a bicycle.
Aishah would live most of her life in total darkness but, in embracing it, she was determined to search for light.
Born in Taiping, Perak, into a Chinese family that practises Buddhism, Aishah received her calling at the age of 19, when she made the decision to embrace Islam.
No more than three years following her conversion, she successfully memorised the Quran, an amazing feat by any standard, what more with her blindness.
Now 39, the mother of two finds joy in reciting the holy book on a daily basis and teaching other children mengaji (reading the sacred Islamic scripture) in her roughly 60 sq m apartment in Bayan Lepas, Penang.
A tough start to life
Sharing her journey with The Vibes, Aishah recalled how she went through her toughest period during her primary education in a special school for children with visual disabilities.
“Without the support of my family for the first time, only then could I truly understand the challenge of being blind,” she told The Vibes in a phone interview.
“Neighbours in my home town of Taiping, Perak, also did not help. They were unsupportive when I was growing up. They saw me as a burden and bearer of bad luck.
“When I joined a normal, mixed-type secondary school, it was also challenging, as I had to adapt to classes with other children who have sight. But my intention was pure; it was only to study.”
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It was later on after joining a boarding school that her interest in Islam piqued, and she quickly fell in love with the religion.
According to Aishah, she learned a lot about Islam from her Muslim friends in school, including through tazkirah (sermons) she listened to during the daily morning assemblies and the Islamic-related subjects she took.
“I knew immediately I wanted to learn more about the religion and in 2001, at 19, I decided to embrace Islam,” she said, adding that an ustazah she knew from school guided her throughout the process.
In pursuit of happiness through the Quran
Aishah’s conversion was not without test – her parents never truly blessed her decision to this day, while others questioned her intention and whether she was serious about learning the religion.
But this did not dampen her spirit.
When Penang’s Islamic authorities housed her in a transit home, she began picking up the Quran.
“I was only beginning to learn ‘Alif, Ba, Ta’. But I made it clear to myself when I embraced Islam that I want to complete the Quran before I move on with anything else in life.”
About a year later, after learning the basics, Aishah joined the Islamic Development Department’s Darul Quran in Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor, where, within three years, she had memorised the book.
This did not come easy – Aishah still had to go the extra mile, considering her visual disability.
“I had to learn the Quran in Braille. It was quite difficult for me, so I bought this cassette of the Quran’s recital, and I would listen to it while sifting through the Braille writing.”
During her time at Darul Quran, Aishah had also compiled her own translation of the holy book into the Malay language in Braille and has kept the folio with her to this day.
Finding joy in sharing knowledge
More affectionately known as ustazah Aishah now, the eldest of three siblings currently makes ends meet by teaching children to mengaji – she charges a meagre RM30 a month for daily weekday lessons.
She is also supported by her husband of 13 years, who offers reflexology services.
“I feel at peace now, because my intention is sincere; I just want to teach as many people as possible to recite the Quran.”
Her journey and struggle did not go unnoticed. In 2010, she was awarded the Anugerah Tokoh Khas Al-Hafiz by the Penang government, accorded to one inspirational individual with visual disabilities who has memorised the Quran.
Aishah said she hopes her story will inspire even more Muslims in the country to learn the holy book, saying no disability should hold anyone back.
“There can be no excuse for someone not to look for the Quran. There are plenty of learning centres around, while many Qurans have been endowed for use.
“So, there should not be any problem learning it. To me, this should be compulsory for all Muslims.” – The Vibes, May 14, 2021
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