When my husband reverted to Islam from Judaism in late 2000, he was given a copy of the English Translation of the Quran.
As for me, growing up in Malaysia, I never took the initiative to read the meaning of the Quran in depth.
In my first year in Los Angeles, my mother in law gave me a ton of romance novels as she didn’t want them anymore. Mind you, these types of books have never interested me since I was young. In college, I dived into motivational books like Dale Carnegie, and the like.
So I decided to read one of them. I was so into the book that when I finally finished reading it cover to cover (Astagfirullah), I felt a sense of accomplishment. I finished reading the book that was 300-400 pages long.
I looked around the room and my eyes locked on the English Translation of the Quran. I felt a rush of shame because, despite being a Muslim all my life, I never took seriously what Allah said in the Quran because I’d never really fully read the translation.
I decided to give away the books my mother in law gave me. I then made the intention to read the English Translation of the Quran that belonged to my husband from cover to cover.
Voiceover and the English Quran Translation
I’m constantly searching for something that I can contribute to the ummah at large even if it is small. Allah gave unique talents to each and everyone of us.
I was so blessed to be able to land a side gig doing Malay voice over two years after I moved to LA. I loved doing it. I loved to read out loud to my children and when I do this it felt natural to me.
Past Ramadan 2024, the thought of, “Wouldn’t it be a great idea to just listen to the translation of the Quran so I could understand the meaning after my recitation in Arabic?”
That idea became what I’m doing now; recording my voice reading the meaning of the Quran in English. I’ve found my purpose in using the talent Allah gave me; first to help myself and my family, and eventually to benefit the ummah.
Why I Chose This Translation
Firstly, it has sentimental value for me because it’s a gift for my husband’s conversion to Islam from the masjid. It’s not easy for someone to convert from Judaism to Islam and for that I’m so grateful that Allah guided my husband to Islam.
My husband took his shahadah (conversion) in November 2000, while I was still in Malaysia preparing for our Nikah and wedding.
Secondly, I love this translation of the Quran as I find it easy to understand and suitable for children to understand. I used it a lot when I first taught my eldest son the Quran.
We’d read the Quran together as part of our homeschool curriculum. I would go over his Arabic Quran recitation and then he had to read the translation out loud to me.
I wanted to normalize reading the Quran and its translation with my children when they were young.
I pray that Allah accepts me and my husband’s efforts for trying our best to raise our children as Muslims and living an Islamic lifestyle.
I also pray for the translator and the institute for publishing this book. May Allah reward and accept their efforts and good deeds for their efforts for the deen. Ameen.
Stay kreatif,
Siti
