Talha narrated a story:
"Some people dispute the habit of reciting the Qur'ān without understanding the words. They believe that it is meaningless because you do not understand what you are reading, and it yields little. I started the Qur'ānic memorization in 2010, and it has been 10 years since then.
Simply said, I am where I am now because I was given the ability to keep to the Qur'ān, even if I did not comprehend it. I still do not get it. That is not to say I will not get there eventually. Perhaps I have not been allowed that talent because I have not put in enough effort or have not yet developed the mental capacity to understand. My hope and belief is that I will if Allah will.
Around the time I decided to embark on this voyage, I was leaving behind a dark period in my life. I quit the Qur'ān recitation at 11 because I could not recite it correctly. I used to get stuck and make many mistakes, and in return, I got harsh comments instead of the encouragement I needed to succeed. This made me want to give up reading, and I started to believe that I would never be good at it. On top of that, I began to dislike my voice since people made fun of me whenever I read aloud.
Over the next four years, I began to feel as if I was living a worthless existence with no purpose. I felt like things would never improve and that I was going nowhere. At the end of this gloomy period, I decided to leave high school because the environment was not something I wanted to be a part of. I attempted to fit in, but there was a big clash between the principles I learned at home and the ideals mainstream culture expected me to adopt.
I endured taunts from individuals who said I would never succeed because I chose to abandon high school. When I started memorizing, the taunting did not stop, nor did they improve. However, I decided to stick to my decision and move forward because I knew they did not matter.
I began memorizing the Qur'an a few months after making this decision. After making this decision, I gradually noticed several changes in my life. One of the first things I noticed was that my cognitive abilities had improved in just a few weeks. Isn't it strange that I was reading and memorizing a book that I did not—and still do not—comprehend, yet it somehow improved my mental abilities? It was a Qur'anic miracle. This directly impacted my academic performance; my grades had increased dramatically.
I still struggled with my thinking since I did not understand why I was doing this. I needed to grasp the significance of my efforts. All I observed were the instant consequences on my life, which fueled my desire to work even harder toward this objective. Within a few months, I began to feel differently and changed my mindset. I was considerably happier; I became more gregarious and started to improve my relationship with my parents. My bond with the Qur'ān improved significantly. If I went a few days without reciting, I would notice myself reverting to my previous state. When this happened, I did not feel any better until I read. I realized that having the Qur'ān in my life was essential for happiness.
However, the struggle did not stop there. I subsequently encountered another challenge in the form of judgment. I was informed that finishing my high school education online would prevent me from developing social skills. People told me that memorizing the Qur'ān would undermine my confidence and hinder my progress in life. They even warned that no one would ever want to marry a religious person. As a 16-17-year-old, cutting through the din was challenging since I saw no end to my path. I had no idea where it would lead me or whether I would be successful in the end. I simply put my head down, placed my trust in Allah SWT, and continued walking.
I went behind in school, but I eventually realized, and still do now, that Allah SWT gave me all that time back and put me well ahead of everyone who thought I would never succeed. Thanks to my ability to memorize the Qur'ān, I accomplished what others claimed I could not and exceeded my expectations. I simply brought the Qur'ān into my life. Allah SWT is the ruler of time; when you give time to Him, He will return it to you!
I was warned I would flunk my education, but I graduated and began my profession earlier than most. I was told I would not acquire social skills, yet I still got into university, built many connections, and now work in a profession where I can easily connect with others. I was told I would have difficulty finding someone to share my life with, but I was blissfully married at a young age. All of this happened because I followed the Qur'ān. People will talk at every stage of your life. It is up to you whether you let it govern you.
I offer my story, hoping that people who have considered it or are going through a similar process will hear that things will improve. The trip is complex, and improvements and life changes will take time. Do not expect immediate results. It has been a ten-year process for me, and I still feel that if Allah wills, I will be in a much better place ten years from now - but only if I follow Allah SWT's teachings and make a regular effort to get closer to Him. The main thing is to have trust; you will not be disappointed.
If you are considering starting the voyage, say BismiLLAH and do it! If you fall short of your goal, get back up and go for it again. If you have concluded your voyage and lost touch with Allah SWT's book, pick it back up! Allah will make things easier. The only question is if you are willing to put in the work. Even if you do not grasp it, the Qur'ān has the potential to transform your life in unexpected ways.
Talha delivers a message of hope and inspiration. He encourages individuals on a similar path to believe that circumstances will improve with time and that the Qur'ān will guide them to a brighter future. The path may be lengthy, but faith and perseverance will not fail. Talha's narrative motivates others who want to start or continue their journey with the Qur'ān.
Talha's story highlights the transformative power of the Qur'ān, even when its meanings are not fully grasped. Dedicating time to the Qur'ān might bring unexpected rewards and take you places you never imagined imaginable. The message speaks to everyone, emphasizing the value of faith and dedication in unlocking the power to transform lives in unforeseen ways.
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