Norhafizah says family is the reason why she has been able to achieve so much in life
The ever soft-spoken, adaptable and never rigid personality has made the iconic, Norhafizah Musa, better known as “Kak Cik”, an approachable person and definitely well-liked by many.
A more accurate description of her personality would be ‘motherly’.
Datuk Norhafizah is a preacher of Islamic teachings and a senior lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. She has seven children. She also holds a doctorate from the Department of Da’wah and Human Development.
Her numerous contributions to Muslim society marked herself as a salt of the earth in the field of Da’wah. People always look forward to her appearance on talk shows and even live streamings on social media.
Norhafizah has 808K followers on Twitter, and she also earned herself the title “UTM Influencer”.
@Halal got the opportunity to speak with Ustazah Norhafizah and what she shares makes her a wonderful personality.
“Kak Cik” with her husband, Dr Azhar Yaakub.
Do share with us a bit about yourself.
I come from Kampung Kuala Jempol, Bahau in Negeri Sembilan. I am fifth among six siblings. My parents are teachers of the Islamic religion. So, we were all raised by an Ustaz and an Ustazah.
As for my educational background, I went to SK Kampung Kuala Jempol, from Standard One until Standard Six. I continued my Form One and Form Two at Sek Men Agama Persekutuan, Labu, Negeri Sembilan. Afterwards, I moved to SM Agama Serting Ulu to complete my Form Three. For Form Four and Five, I entered Maahad Ahmadi Negeri Sembilan (MANS), Gemencheh.
I received a scholarship from the Ministry of Education Malaysia to pursue my bachelor’s degree at the University of Yarmouk, Jordan. In 1998, I graduated, returned to Malaysia and got married to a Senior Lecturer from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Dr Azhar Yaakub. Two years later, I furthered my Master studies on ‘Usuluddin’ under the Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Malaya. And in 2017, I completed my PhD.
In the same year, while I was doing my Master, I was offered a position as a lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Alhamdulillah, I have been working as a lecturer for almost 20 years now.
What do you do during your free hours?
When I do get some spare time, I prefer to spend my hours with my beloved family. I really love to spend as much time with my children by either going out shopping or any family-related activities. I will do my activities as long as I get to be with my family.
Family is the reason why she has been able to achieve so much in life.
What are your career involvements, and are there any plans to expand your career?
Currently, I am still a senior lecturer at the faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities in UTM. I am now working towards familiarising myself with conducting research papers for the university. This is a critical aspect to expand my contribution to the university.
Besides teaching, I also conduct online sessions called “Mihrab Coachings” and “Jom to Jannah”. “Jom to Jannah” online session mostly aims to encourage Muslims to perform acceptable Islamic practices that help to bring themselves and their family closer to Jannah.
As for my latest involvement in “Mihrab Coaching”, the session is actively conducted online through my Facebook page, Instagram live and on my own YouTube channel. To be honest, I am so happy to see many Malaysians going online to view the sessions.
“Mihrab Coaching“ has been going on for a year and is now in its 6th session – Mihrab Coaching 6.0. “Talaqqi Berkitab” is another online session that has been going on live on my Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
The same goes for my writings and publications. I am part of a writing team under PTS Media Group Sdn Bhd.
In addition to that, I am also a Mursyidah at Akademi Pendakwah Muda. I help to teach the knowledge of Islam and methods of Dakwah to the young people – be it through writings and public speaking.
What is the biggest project you are working on at the moment?
I am working on a project with Maahad Tahfiz Integrasi Madinatul Huffaza. The school has been operating for five years. We are developing a second Maidatul Huffaz complex, which is expected to be opened next year due to the extended pandemic.
This project is a part of my dream – to create more centres for the teachings of Islam. Even the side businesses I did, such as selling publication and selling products were all intended to contribute to Maidatul Huffaz.
I am working on a project with Maahad Tahfiz Integrasi Madinatul Huffaza. The school has been operating for five years. We are developing a second Maidatul Huffaz complex, which is expected to be opened next year due to the extended pandemic.
– Norhafizah Musa
Every effort made by myself and my husband – the expansion of Maidatul Huffaz, the online talks and even publishing books – are made in the hope it will be taken over by our children and further educate the next generation.
Being a mother of seven and at the same time, juggling tasks as a lecturer, a speaker, and a writer would be unimaginable. How did you make it possible?
I believe I am a person who hates to be in a hectic situation. So, in dealing with this, I usually will make early preparation and plan out my time. I would rather be busy planning out my time early, rather than catching myself to be in a hectic situation. Being organised is part of my personality. I prepare one week earlier.
But one thing for sure, the unconditional support I have from my family is why I can achieve this much in life. Alhamdulillah, I am grateful. My father and my husband are definitely my idols.
