Build This One Habit to Start Ramadan Strong

Assalaamu'alaykum, 

There are puddles and then there are oceans :) Allow me to explain… 

When I first entered into the world of coaching, I dove in deep. I studied the human mind and behaviour from every angle - positive psychology, personal development, psychotherapy - you name it. 

I took courses, diplomas, read books, watched videos... When I get into something, I can't help but absorb it from all directions. It's just how I'm wired. Like when I first got a cat, I researched so much that I even started seeing these furry little friends in my sleep! :)

I thought I had a solid understanding of human behaviour and a pretty open outlook on life. 

But honestly, nothing could've prepared me for the profound shifts I experienced when I started my tafsir journey with the Quran. 

I knew the Quran was a miracle, but I wasn’t prepared for just how deeply it would change my life. My thinking, perspectives and understanding - both in big and small ways - completely shifted. 

It helped me understand myself and people better, see the reality of this dunya more clearly and appreciate the deeper, more nuanced conversation Allah was having with us through the Quran.

As someone who’s always been a big-picture thinker, I noticed that focusing on the individual words spoken by Allah and exploring their rich meanings also started to help me pay closer attention to the smaller details in other areas of my life.

I realised that all my previous studies on life, outlook and the human psyche were like dipping into puddles compared to the vast ocean that exists within the Quran. 

SubhanAllah, I feel like I’ve only just scratched the surface in building my relationship with it. It’s a relationship that feels alive, not linear - the more you invest, the more you receive in return.

I used to hear people say that one of the miracles of the Quran is how it "reads" you and gives you exactly what you need in that moment, by Allah’s mercy. I never truly understood this until I dived into its ocean and caught glimpses of depths I had never appreciated before.

This is a lifelong pursuit, and I know I have a long way to go in building my relationship with the Quran. But after experiencing even just a few drops of the Quranic ocean, I know that a day without it feels like walking on dry, barren land - thirsty and exposed, with no protection from the harshness of the world.

Here are a few tips that helped me get started on my Quran journey:

• Find a good teacher - having someone knowledgeable to guide you makes all the difference.
• Create a daily habit of reading with tadabbur (contemplation) - even if it’s just one ayah a day, it all counts and makes a difference over time.
• Take it one word at a time - the depth of the Arabic language is incredible. I’m always amazed how one word can take several sentences in English to fully grasp it’s meaning. Give yourself time to appreciate its richness and layers.
  

With Ramadan fast approaching, it's the perfect time to nurture our love for the Quran and build a relationship that draws us to it daily, so we can’t imagine a day without diving into its wisdom.