In a truly remarkable display of intellect and devotion, a 10-year-old Malaysian boy, Ahmad Ziyyad Mohd Zahir, has captured national and international attention after successfully memorising the entire Qur’an in a record time of just four months and ten days. Hailing from Terengganu, Ahmad Ziyyad, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of seven, completed this extraordinary feat on the 23rd of March through an intensive memorisation programme run by Akademi al-Quran Amalillah located in Marang.
The boy’s journey towards becoming a hafiz began at a tender age, as his mother, Nurul Shahida Lukman, observed an unusual affinity for Qur’anic recitations during his infancy. She revealed that he would respond emotionally and attentively to the sounds of verses being recited, something she interpreted as a divine sign early on. Driven by his deep connection with the Holy Book, the family made a bold move last year, temporarily relocating from their home in Kota Bharu to Marang to enable him to participate in the academy’s rigorous and specialised learning programme.
According to his teacher, Nurfatihar Riduan, Ahmad Ziyyad demonstrated an exceptional capacity to retain and reproduce Quranic verses. On average, he could memorise a full page in just 15 to 30 minutes. There were even days when he managed to commit entire chapters to memory with remarkable accuracy—an ability attributed to his rare cognitive profile. Experts have noted that the young boy exhibits traits of hyperlexia and hypernumeracy, often seen in individuals on the autism spectrum. These traits—characterised by an advanced ability to decode written language and exceptional numerical comprehension—have played a critical role in his rapid memorisation skills.
However, Ziyyad’s success extends far beyond the intellectual. His parents have testified to profound emotional and behavioural development as well. What began as a spiritual journey has evolved into a transformative experience for the entire family, reshaping their understanding of both neurodiversity and faith.
Now back in his Islamic integrated school, Ahmad Ziyyad continues to thrive, inspiring both his peers and educators. His story has resonated widely across Malaysia and beyond, serving as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary capabilities that children with autism can possess when supported in the right environment. As calls for inclusive education grow stronger across many parts of the world, young Ahmad Ziyyad’s story offers a vivid and timely example of how tailored educational approaches can unlock truly exceptional potential.
KIIN360 celebrates this young prodigy’s achievement, a testament not only to individual brilliance but also to the power of parental dedication, community support, and faith-led perseverance.