Growing up in Malaysia, I always carried a deep sense of shame and guilt because I didn’t know how to recite the Quran.
Although my parents sent us to a Quran teacher when we were young, the lessons stopped because of school.
I even intentionally avoided taking Islamic studies in my final year of high school.
In college, this became my biggest struggle.
I would constantly try to hide my lack of knowledge.
In our apartment every Thursday, we would gather in a circle to read Surah Yaseen.
I remember being so embarrassed that I recited using transliteration. I basically faked it.
I still cringe when I think about those moments.
The fear continued when I had to attend the pre-marriage course required in Malaysia (luckily, my husband was in Los Angeles and didn’t have to go through it).
We would get into study groups where everyone had to recite to correct each other.
I prayed so hard not to be picked, otherwise, they would have known the truth.
Everything changed about two years after I moved to the United States.
We sent our eldest son to Sunday school at the mosque.
My husband asked me to take on the responsibility of teaching our eldest son the Quran.
Though I desperately needed to relearn the basics myself, that simple request changed everything.
Now, I not only recite the Quran and have taught my children when they were young, but I truly love reciting it.
It has become a source of peace and tranquility in my life.
What is the one thing you know you need to learn or do that would bring the most peace to your life right now?
Stay kreatif,
Siti
