Young Sheikh Zaria Biography, Age, Real Name, Parents & Religion

Born in the vibrant city of Zaria, Kaduna State, Muhammad Shamsudeen Aliyu Mai-Yasin, affectionately known as the “Young Sheikh,” emerged as a beacon of intellect and devotion from an early age.

His journey into the depths of Islamic knowledge began when he was merely a toddler, under the gentle guidance of his father. By the tender age of three, Mai-Yasin had already committed the entirety of the Holy Qur’an to memory, a feat that astonished many and marked the onset of his remarkable odyssey.

Despite his youthful years, Mai-Yasin’s thirst for knowledge was insatiable. While his peers reveled in childhood games, he found solace in the pages of both Western and Islamic texts. Enrolled in formal schooling at the remarkably young age of two, Mai-Yasin’s education transcended the ordinary. With a voracious appetite for learning, he absorbed teachings from not just one, but multiple tutors, nurturing his mind with a diverse array of subjects.

In his own words, Mai-Yasin reflects on his unwavering dedication to scholarship, stating, “Whenever I see a group of people reading any book, whether of western or Islamic education, I feel so happy.” His passion for learning, coupled with his profound love for the Qur’an, propelled him forward on his extraordinary path.

At the age of eight, Mai-Yasin embarked on the journey of interpreting the Qur’an, delving into the complexities of Tafseer with an eagerness matched only by his reverence for the sacred text. Undeterred by the challenges that lay ahead, he expressed his unwavering commitment to his aspirations of becoming both an Islamic scholar and a lawyer.

For Mai-Yasin, these aspirations are deeply rooted in his faith. Inspired by the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), he believes that the pursuit of knowledge is not only a noble endeavor but also a divine mandate. Quoting the Prophet’s words, he elucidates, “Deliver what I came with, even one verse,” emphasizing the profound importance of spreading the message of Islam.

Furthermore, Mai-Yasin’s desire to pursue a career in law stems from his conviction that advocating for truth is a virtuous endeavor, worthy of divine reward. Drawing from the wisdom of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), he asserts, “If a lawyer tries to justify the truth, he would be doubly rewarded by Allah.” Guided by these principles, Mai-Yasin envisions a future where his scholarly pursuits and legal advocacy converge, serving both his community and his faith.

As he continues to tread the path of knowledge, Mai-Yasin draws inspiration from the luminaries of Islamic scholarship who preceded him. Admiring figures such as Imam Shafii, who embarked on their scholarly journeys from a tender age, he remains steadfast in his resolve to follow in their footsteps.

Above all, Mai-Yasin hopes to impart a profound understanding of the Qur’an’s greatness to others. Reflecting on the significance of its teachings, he remarks, “The greatness of the Qur’an is bigger than anything else.” Through his unwavering dedication and boundless enthusiasm, he seeks to inspire others to embrace the transformative power of faith and knowledge.

In Muhammad Shamsudeen Aliyu Mai-Yasin, the world glimpses not only a prodigy in faith and law but also a shining example of unwavering determination and devotion to one’s beliefs. As he continues to chart his course through the realms of scholarship and advocacy, his journey serves as a testament to the limitless potential of the human spirit guided by faith.

How 8-yr-old, ‘Young Sheik,’ memorised Qur’an

At the tender age of eight, Muhammad Shamsudeen Aliyu Mai-Yasin, popularly known as the “Young Sheikh” has already memorised the Holy Qur’an and started to interpret it.

A primary four pupil and native of Zaria in Kaduna State, Mai-Yasin is a genius who wants to be an Islamic scholar and a lawyer.

It was learnt that the Mai-Yasin started learning Qur’an as a toddler from his father and was enrolled in school at 2.

In an interview with Daily Trust, he shared how he received special tutoring from schoolteachers, with more than a tutor teaching him a subject.

He said, “I was three years old when I memorised the Holy Quran. I’ve never played any type of game in my life. Whenever I see a group of people reading any book, whether of western or Islamic education, I feel so happy. And what makes me sad is whenever I’m ordered not to do research.

“I would like to advise young children to work hard and seek knowledge, as narrated in one hadith where the Prophet said, “The memorisation of a young child is like an inscription on the rock.”

Mai-Yasin, who began Tafseer – Quran interpretation – last year, said he was ready to go the whole hog to pursue his ambition of becoming a scholar and a lawyer.

He said, “Firstly, the scholars teach the message of Allah and also Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “Deliver what I came with, even one verse.

“Secondly, I said I want to be a lawyer because whenever a lawyer tries to justify the truth, he will be rewarded doubly, by Allah. And if he makes a decision mistakenly, he will be rewarded once. As our humble, noble, pious, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “If a lawyer tries to justify the truth, he would be doubly rewarded by Allah; and if he makes a wrong decision mistakenly, he would be rewarded once.”

Mai-Yasin said he looked up to prominent Islamic scholars such as Imam Shafii, who became a scholar right from childhood, adding that memorisation was an easy task for him.

He stated, “What I want people to know is that the greatness of the Qur’an is bigger than anything else. Sometimes we find handouts that have less than 10 pages difficult to memorise, but you memorise the Qur’an.

“Islam doesn’t specify the age you must reach before you memorise the Qur’an. Take a look at some of the prominent Islamic scholars such as Abdullahi Bn Abbas, Zayd Bn Sabit, Aisha (RA) and many more scholars like Imam Shafii, were scholars from childhood, so I want to imitate them, even though I can’t be like them, because, one scholar said, “Try to imitate the greatest people even though we can’t be like them, but trying to be like them is the best way.”