By Nurul Arifah Hameed
GOMBAK, 7 December 2022: Maryam Shariffah believed that marriage and pregnancy should not be a reason for one to not get an education as she emphasised the importance of patience and remembrance of Allah.
Graduating from the Kulliyyah of Economics and Management Sciences (KENMS) at the sixth session of the 38th IIUM Convocation on Tuesday (6 December), Maryam was a testimony that the quest for education while being pregnant is not impossible.
œI always hold onto the fact that Allah is always with me, said Maryam emphasising the importance to remember the presence of Allah in times of struggle and loneliness.
“I was very nervous at first thinking about juggling my studies and duties as a wife, but I still managed with the help of my husband and family,” she continued.
Her husband, Muhammad Nasir, an alumnus of IIUM, stated that Maryam struggled with her studies at times and that he acted as a supportive partner to encourage her.
Being eight months pregnant at her graduation made her realise that things can change in the blink of an eye and Maryam said how she never expected to graduate as a wife and a mother-to-be.
She mentioned that knowing she was graduating with a child on the way, made everything seems less daunting and more special.
In addition to this, Maryam advised students who plan to get married and start a family to do so if they are confident that they will be supported by a supportive partner and family.
œMarriage and pregnancy should not hinder your education, she said quoting the Prophet Muhammad SAW’s hadith where marriage helps a person achieve one-half of one’s religion.
She then explained that seeking an education while married would allow a person to gain more blessings from Allah.
œIf I can go through my degree in the pandemic, as a wife and mother-to-be, I can go through any other challenges as long as I believe in Allah and have my family by my side, said Maryam as a message to her future self.
She concluded with a heartfelt wish of luck to all IIUM graduates in their future endeavours.***