By Syazana Abdul Malik

Being born into a Muslim family, you’d think the Quran would be a natural part of my daily life.

But I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve fallen short in giving the Quran its due rights, especially during the early years of my adulthood.

The reality is, despite growing up surrounded by its presence, I struggled to make it a consistent and meaningful part of my routine.

I’m grateful to my parents for sending me to classes when I was younger, learning proper recitation and articulation gave me a foundation. So when I eventually tried to reconnect with the Quran, Alhamdulillah, the muscle memory was still there. But I still struggled and that struggle became the push I needed to actively seek out guidance.

Alhamdulillah, Allah SWT answered that quiet du’a. Ustaz Sameer generously dedicated his Saturdays to patiently teach us Iqra and Qur’an from the basics once again.

His circles, though, are not just about perfecting your recitation. They are all-encompassing. He doesn’t merely correct our recitation but he brings the verses to life, making each session a deeply reflective experience.

When we read together, we often pause at certain ayahs to reflect and truly ponder what Allah SWT is trying to communicate to us. It becomes more than just reading as it becomes a sacred conversation with the Divine.

This approach made me realise that the Quran is not just a book we read, it is a living, breathing source of guidance and mercy. He also takes time to cover aspects of Ulum al-Quran (sciences of the Quran), and SubhanAllah, it adds such depth and richness to our understanding.

It’s not just a circle, it’s a space for the heart to come alive. Looking back, one of the biggest challenges I faced in returning to the Qur’an was simply not knowing where to begin. I had the guilt, the desire, and the longing but I lacked structure.

If you’re anything like me, overwhelmed or unsure, I’d love to share three things that really helped me through attending Ustaz Sameer’s circles.

Start small.

I used to think I had to finish a surah or read a certain number of pages for it to “count.” But I realised that even one verse a day, done with sincerity, has immense weight.

The Prophet ﷺ taught us “The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if small.” (Bukhari & Muslim).

That reminder softened the pressure I had placed on myself.

Learn with someone.

Finding a teacher or even just one person to walk the journey with made all the difference. Ustaz Sameer’s Saturday circle became a space of accountability, but also gentleness and support.

I no longer felt alone in my struggle, and I had guidance when I stumbled or felt discouraged. Sometimes, just knowing someone else understands your challenges is enough to keep you going.

Go beyond just recitation.

The Quran is not just a book. It is the divine words of Allah SWT, sent down to guide, heal, and uplift the hearts of those who seek Him. When I began to pause and reflect on what I was reading, even just the translation, something shifted. It stopped feeling like a duty and started feeling like a conversation. A place of mercy.

A return home.

There’s still so much for me to work on, but I’ve come to realise that it’s not about how much you’ve memorised or how perfectly you can recite. It’s about the sincerity of your return, and your willingness to keep coming back. Every small step counts, every sincere effort is accepted, and every moment spent with the Quran is a blessing.

May Allah SWT bless our teacher, Ustaz Sameer, for all his efforts. May He preserve him, reward him abundantly, and multiply the rewards for every single word we read that he taught us. Ameen.