A sister recently confided in me about her personal journey with the Qur'an, graciously granting permission to share her story while maintaining anonymity.

She expressed:

"I used to believe that performing my five daily prayers and observing Ramadan were sufficient. Abstaining from alcohol and avoiding forbidden relationships further convinced me that I was a decent Muslim, shielded from the perils of hell. Living under this illusion, I neglected the Qur'an, unable to read Arabic and never considering reading its English translations. My daily prayers were limited to a handful of short surahs I had memorised.

This pattern persisted for the first 30 years of my life until it abruptly collided with a metaphorical brick wall. Everything I thought was solid and comforting crumbled, leaving me grasping at the shattered fragments of my existence.

The loss was profound—my marriage, my livelihood, and the luxuries I had taken for granted all vanished. Amid this darkness, unsure if I would emerge unscathed, I felt compelled to turn to the Qur'an. Determined, I started to listen to its Arabic recitation while following along with the English translation.

A Journey of Rediscovery

As the verses flowed over me, the profound meaning began to unveil itself, providing clarity like water to a parched desert. I marveled at how I had navigated life's decisions without the wisdom and mercy encapsulated in this glorious book. The Qur'an became a guiding light, resurrecting my spirit during a time when everything else seemed to have perished.

From that moment on, I became concerned with losing this light from my life and committed to the dua immortalised in the Qur’an.

رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْوَهَّابُ ٨

˹They say,˺ “Our Lord! Do not let our hearts deviate after you have guided us. Grant us Your mercy. You are indeed the Giver ˹of all bounties˺. (Ali Imran, 8)

Navigating In Darkness

Reflecting on my past, I recognise that the flawed decisions I made were a direct consequence of my failure to comprehend the words of my Creator. His instructions, guidance, and warnings were unequivocal, yet my negligence and failure to accord the Qur'an its rightful place in my heart led me astray into transgression, falsehood, and oppression against my own self.

However, amidst this transformation, a profound shift occurred within me. I now perceive the world as desperately in need of a connection to the Qur'an. During my own period of deafness, ignorance, and blindness to the truth, I yearned for someone to inspire in me a love for the Qur'an simply by exemplifying its beauty, justice, and mercy. So the question is:  How can we instill this love in the hearts of our children, ensuring they gain clarity and enlightenment from a young age so that the Qur'an becomes the guiding light for their life decisions?

This is precisely why I see you,  Ustadha Rahmah Salako's, as a beacon of light for our ummah. Your efforts as invaluable and your dedication to fostering a connection between youths and teens and the Qur'an addresses a critical need. The challenges faced during this period of life are formidable, with numerous children undergoing identity crises that often lead to a loss of faith.”

Reviving the Heart

I was extremely touched to hear her story, and wanted to share it with you all, however, as the words of Abu Bakr, radiAllahu ‘anhu, were (and I say them for myself as well):

 اللهم لا تؤاخذني بما يقولون، واجعلني خيرًا مما يظنون، واغفر لي ما لا يعلمون، 

O Allah do not take me to task with what they say, and make me better than what they presume and forgive me for what they do not know.

Brothers and sisters, it is our collective duty to learn the Qur’an for ourselves, share this with our children and spread it to others.

I’m committed to doing my part to help our youth and teens to connect to the Qur’an. Alhamdulilah, I have been teaching Juzz Amma, Tafsir and Taddabbur, workshop with immense success (and all success is from Allah SWT).

This is why I have made it my life mission to focus on nurturing young ladies and men with the Qur’an and Me Workshop meant to engage the mind, enlighten the heart and forge a unbreakable bond with their Creator, bi’ithnilLah.

Nurturing Youth with Divine Wisdom

The Qur’an and Me Workshop is unique because it’s taught in a way that is interactive, practical and relevant to the youth, the 'Generation Z'. The goal is:

• To address internal struggles and modern-day challenges that teens face in their lives through reflecting and connecting hearts to the Qur’an
• To explore techniques and tips on how to reflect on the Qur’an
• To develop a good understanding of the Qur’an as a means of empowering against ideas outside the fold of Islam
• To develop a steady and balanced routine with the Qur’an
• To lay a solid foundation for personal development, self-exploration and innovative skills through the lens of the Qur’an
• To explore the endless divine treasures of actionable strategies, life skills and Islamic values embedded in Juzz ‘Amma.

Learn more about this life-changing workshop at https://www.paradisepearls.co.uk/teens 

I ask Allah SWT to make the Qur'an the spring of our heart, and the light of our chests, the banisher of our sadness, and the reliever of our distress.