The death of 11-year-old Mohd Thaqif Amin Mohd Gaddafi has put the spotlight on tahfiz schools - Islamic religious schools also known as ‘sekolah pondok’ - which have been common in the countryside but are gaining popularity in urban centres as well.

Mohd Thaqif Amin, who studied at Madrasah Tahfiz Al-Jauhar in Kota Tinggi, Johor, had both his legs amputated due to bacteria infection following beatings on his leg by the school's warden, who was an ex-convict. The boy died on Wednesday.

Malaysiakini spoke to parents who send their children to tahfiz schools, which among others train students to memorise the Quran, to find out why these schools are becoming an increasingly popular choice.

For Shida Salim, who sent her only son to a tahfiz school in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan, it was because of the promise of paradise.

"Surely that (a place in paradise for children) is something that every parent would want," Shida said.

Muslim scholars believe that those who have memorised all 114 chapters of the Quran would receive divine blessing and their parents too would be rewarded in the hereafter.

Shida, a boutique owner, said she and her husband made the decision as it was something that responsible parents would do.

"When we chose a tahfiz school, it showed that we have thought about our responsibilities as parents who want the best for their children, be in in the present or afterlife," she said.

The mother of five said she had also sought her now 16-year-old son's feedback before sending him to a tahfiz school.

Shida said she favoured the teaching style in tahfiz schools.

"The teaching style is different. My child does not need to be reminded about matters of faith as it is already at his fingertips.

"The tahfiz school I sent my son to also teaches an academic syllabus. It helps to shape their personality," she said.

The incident involving Thaqif's death did not dilute Shida's confidence in tahfiz schools.

Shida said parents must conduct thorough research before deciding which tahfiz school to send their children to, and they should maintain a good relationship with the school's management.

She added that parents have a "Whatsapp" group to discuss with the school's management about their children.

‘Tahfiz schools are for the hereafter’

There are an estimated 1,000 tahfiz schools nationwide, but only slightly more than half of them are registered with the government.

Some of the schools are government-sponsored, while others are run by private institutions or are small-scale village-style classes, owing to its traditional roots.

Salleh Siden, a former assistant editor, also sent his sons to a tahfiz school on religious grounds.

"Government schools are for the worldly, tahfiz schools are for the hereafter," Salleh said.

Two out of five of his children went to a tahfiz school in Balik Pulau, Penang. One is now 20 years old and the other, 16 years old.

Salleh said he was not disturbed by the reports of Thaqif's death after being allegedly being severely abused by a tahfiz school warden.

"Allah protects all; if it happens, what can be done? We can only accept Allah's will.

"But in Thaqif's case, it could be that he had other sickness as caning would not lead to such a situation (amputation).

"My child is normally canned too, but nothing (serious) happened," he said.

As for Md Nizam, who works as a photographer, he wants his children to understand Islam from a young age.

He sent both his son and daughter to a tahfiz school in Banting, Selangor.