The Journey of the quran

The Journey of Sumaya"

Sumaya, a 19-year-old Muslim girl, had always been a beacon of light in her small town. Born into a family that treasured their faith, she grew up with stories of the Quran, of its wisdom and guidance, passed down by her parents and elders. But as she entered her teenage years, Sumaya found herself distracted by the noise of the outside world – school, friends, social media, and the hustle and bustle of daily life.

It wasn’t until the beginning of her 19th year that Sumaya felt an inner calling. She wanted to reconnect with her faith in a deeper, more meaningful way. She remembered the words her mother had said to her as a child, "The Quran is not just a book; it is a guide to life, a map that leads us through every challenge and every joy."

Sumaya had always admired those who could memorize the Quran, people like her grandfather, who had memorized it at a young age and often shared its teachings with others. She had seen him in prayer, his voice trembling with emotion as he recited verses. That image stuck with her, and she knew that it was time for her to begin her own journey of memorization.

However, it wasn’t going to be easy. Sumaya had to balance her desire to memorize the Quran with the responsibilities of her everyday life. She had school assignments to complete, family events to attend, and friends to catch up with. But she was determined. She set a goal for herself: to memorize at least one page a week.

Every morning after Fajr prayer, before the world woke up, Sumaya would sit in the quiet corner of her room, a small Quran in front of her. With a pen and notebook beside her, she began her journey. She would recite the verses over and over, jotting down any words she struggled with, and using her phone to listen to recitations from famous Qaris to help her with pronunciation.

The first few weeks were tough. There were moments when Sumaya felt frustrated. She would often think to herself, Why is this so hard? The Arabic letters seemed to jumble together, and some verses were harder to remember than others. But she refused to give up. She sought the support of her mother, who would encourage her with gentle words of wisdom: "Take it step by step, my dear. Allah’s mercy is always with you, and He will make the path easier for you if you trust in Him."

One evening, after struggling with a difficult surah, Sumaya sat down and made a heartfelt du'a (prayer). "Ya Allah, make this journey easier for me. Help me to understand Your words and make them a source of peace in my heart."

That night, she fell asleep with the Quran beside her, a sense of calm washing over her. The next day, she opened the Quran to the same surah and, to her surprise, the words began to flow more easily. It was as if her heart had been opened to the meanings of the verses. She realized that memorizing the Quran was not just about repetition; it was about reflecting on its teachings, understanding the message, and allowing it to resonate within her soul.

As the weeks passed, Sumaya’s connection to the Quran deepened. She noticed changes within herself – she became more patient, more understanding of others, and more grateful for the blessings in her life. Her relationship with Allah strengthened as she continued her memorization journey, and she began to see the world through the lens of faith, using the Quran’s guidance to navigate her daily challenges.

By the end of the year, Sumaya had memorized several surahs and was well on her way to completing the Quran. But more importantly, she had found a deeper connection to her faith than she had ever known. The Quran was no longer just a book to her; it had become a companion, a constant source of strength and comfort.

Sumaya knew that her journey wasn’t over. There would always be more to learn, more to reflect on, and more to share with others. But as she stood on the doorstep of adulthood, she felt confident in her path. With the Quran in her heart and Allah’s guidance in her soul, Sumaya knew that anything was possible.

And with that, she whispered a quiet prayer: "O Allah, make me one of those who carries Your words in their hearts, and may I live my life in accordance with them."

From that day on, Sumaya knew that no matter where life took her, the Quran would always be her guiding light.

As the years went by, Sumaya's journey with the Quran continued to evolve, and her commitment to memorization grew even stronger. She had faced countless challenges—personal struggles, moments of doubt, and the inevitable distractions of life. Yet, through it all, her love for the Quran never wavered.

One evening, as she stood in prayer, reciting the verses she had memorized, Sumaya felt a profound peace that settled deep in her heart. It wasn’t just the words of the Quran that she had internalized; it was the understanding, the wisdom, and the guidance they had provided her. She realized that the Quran had not only shaped her spiritually but had helped her grow into a woman of strength, resilience, and compassion.

Sumaya had now memorized almost the entire Quran. But it wasn’t about completing a task—it was about the transformation that had taken place within her. She had learned to trust in Allah’s plan, to find patience in moments of hardship, and to embrace the beauty of His creation. With each verse, she had come closer to understanding her purpose in this life, and the Quran had become her closest companion.

One day, while sitting with her mother, Sumaya reflected on her journey.

“Mom,” she said softly, “I never imagined it would be like this. The Quran... it’s become my guide in every part of my life. Even when I’m not reciting it, its wisdom is always in my heart.”

Her mother smiled warmly, her eyes full of pride. “Sumaya, my dear, you’ve done something extraordinary. You’ve allowed the Quran to shape who you are, and in doing so, you’ve become a light for others. You have found peace and purpose through it. This is the beauty of memorizing the Quran—not just in the words, but in the way it transforms your heart.”

With a heart full of gratitude, Sumaya knew that her journey was far from over. The Quran was not just something to memorize—it was a lifelong companion that would guide her through every phase of her life, from challenges to triumphs, from joy to sorrow.

As she stood before the mirror that night, a quiet smile on her face, Sumaya whispered her final prayer for the evening: “O Allah, grant me the strength to always hold Your words close to my heart, and may I continue to grow in Your light, now and forever.”

In that moment, Sumaya knew that the Quran had not only guided her through her youth, but it would continue to guide her for the rest of her life. With every step she took, she was surrounded by the love, wisdom, and mercy of Allah. And as she ventured into the future, Sumaya knew that her journey, and the path of faith, would never truly end—it would simply continue to unfold, bringing her closer to her Creator with each new day.

And so, Sumaya’s story was not just about memorizing the Quran; it was about living it. Every verse, every chapter, was not just etched into her mind, but engraved into her soul, lighting her way for the rest of her life.

is it the ending or just the starting.