By Irfana Fatimah Binte Mahmood

The Quran was introduced to me from a young age. I attended Iqra and Quran classes every weekend from the time I started primary school.

Alhamdulillah for that opportunity as it allowed me to learn the basics early, a time when the mind is the most absorbent.

Despite this early exposure, my journey with the Quran was not spiritual or eye opening. The classes felt more like an obligation, something my parents wanted me to attend.

Beyond learning how to read, I did not understand why I was reading the Quran or why it mattered. I knew it was from Allah, but to me, it was just a collection of Arabic words.

Eventually, I stopped attending classes, and with that, the tiny connection I had with the Quran faded away.

I did not feel a sense of loss at the time because I had not truly connected with it to begin with. It was something I did because I was told to, not because I understood its value.

Fast forward a few years, I began a personal journey of rediscovering Islam. I started to understand the purpose of our existence and the significance of the Quran.

When I internalised that the Quran is the direct speech of Allah, I visualised it as Allah speaking to us through His Holy Book. SubhanAllah, that realisation was transformative.

I began yearning to read the Quran and its translation, not out of obligation, but out of love and curiosity.

I wanted to know what Allah was telling us. I wanted to become a better Muslim, and what better way to begin than by understanding the words of our Creator?

During the weekdays, my total commute to and from work can add up to about four hours.

That is a significant chunk of time, often spent mindlessly scrolling or watching shows.

One day, a random thought popped into my head: “I have the Quran app in my phone. Why not read the translation like it is a story?” I acted on that thought. I opened the app and began reading, slowly processing each word.

SOON, I WAS IMMERSED. THE SOUNDS OF THE MRT, THE ANNOUNCEMENTS, THE CHATTER AROUND ME ALL FADED. IT WAS JUST ME AND THE QURAN. IT FELT AS THOUGH ALLAH WAS SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO ME, KNOWING THE EXACT STRUGGLES I WAS FACING.

These were burdens I had carried for years, and simply reading the translation brought me comfort and hope.

The first verse I saved on my phone touched me deeply:

“Do you think you will be admitted into Paradise without being tested like those before you?”

Surah Al-Baqarah : 214

They were afflicted with suffering and adversity and were so ˹violently˺ shaken that ˹even˺ the Messenger and the believers with him cried out, “When will Allah’s help come?”

Indeed, Allah’s help is ˹always˺ near.

This verse brought peace to my heart. I had always had a nagging thought at the back of my mind, which intensified as I got deeper into rediscovering Islam.

Why is life so difficult sometimes? Why is it so challenging to be a perfect Muslim? I was to be a good Muslim but fighting my nafs is so hard.

At the peak of these thoughts, I read Verse 214 in Surah Al-Baqarah and it shifted my perspective. These Prophets endured immense hardship, far
beyond anything I have faced.

Yet they did not complain and turned to Allah for help. So, who am I to complain? Why was I not turning to Him for help?

The final part of the verse felt like a divine promise: “Indeed, Allah’s helps is near.” It reminded me that I must do my part, seek His help and wait patiently.

Whenever I feel overwhelmed by the trials of this dunya, I return to this verse. It grounds me. It reminds me that these struggles are tests from Allah, and that I must strive to overcome them in order to earn a place in Paradise. I am reminded to practice sabr and trust in Allah’s perfect plan and timing.

Reading the Quran’s translation during my commute has now become a cherished routine.

I have discovered many verses that bring peace and hope. Understanding the Quran does not have to be daunting. I see it as a collection of beautiful stories told by Allah, guiding us, comforting us and calling us back to him.

Of course, it is an obligation upon us to seek knowledge and deepen our understanding of the Quran, but why not start small?

Why not begin by discovering verses that speak directly to our hearts?

Do You Believe in One God
& Ready to [Re]start your Journey of Faith & Gratitude as a Muslim?