On to the Why of it all

I started this 30 before 30 journey when I was 13. My mother sent me and I obliged as not only was I interested in memorising, I too wanted to make my parents happy.

Since then…I’ve lost count the number of times I stopped, realigned my intentions, renewed my spirits and, started again.

Till I felt defeated and thought that hey, this isn’t for me. Why am I forcing it? Why am I forcing such a dirty soul like myself to memorise the words of The Most High?

But a wise friend reminded me that the effort is what matters. The fact that I revisited each surah again and again, only Allah can reward that journey (may He reward it aameen). The very action to repeat, occupies my time with goodness and hopefully to also cleanse this old, wary soul of mine. Make it shine with the light of The Quran ya Rabb and adorn it with beautiful verses so that it may reflect in good mannerisms – which I really need to work on.

Now with 2 young children, alhamdulillah, I find it hard to travel across the island to continue my hifz classes. Thankfully, another good friend recommended an online tahfiz class (message me to find out more!) which costs the same as the local one (about $20 per session).

What motivated me is the refreshing curriculum, definitely different from how it is here at our local tahfiz centres. Namely:

• the whole concept is online,
• flexible timing (you can choose 1 timing and be consistent with it)
• 5 days a week
• prerecorded weekend online lessons
• photographic memorisation technique (you need to be able to recall the number of the verses, able to recite the verses in ascending and descending order, mashaAllah! Interesting hafazan concept. Really hope my brain can take it hehe)

Alhamdulillah, after the interview which consists of an introduction of myself and some recitation of the Quran, I am officially enrolled in this program. I quickly messaged my good friend who introduced me to this hifz class. To which she replied that she just woke up from a dream about my successful enrollment into the program. Mimpi si soleheh ku ini. I feel so so happy.

I am fairly nervous to commit to this daily but I feel that after more than 10 years of weekly classes, it is time for me to have daily touchpoints with an Ustazah – to guide me, motivate me and correct me.

May I keep my intentions true and be steadfast aameen.

Bismillah to this familiar but new journey of falling in love with Allah’s words again and again ❤