Hifdh Journeys: The best day of my life

04 May Hifdh Journeys: The best day of my life

:::Guest Blog Post:::

I walked through the streets of the Old City as I made my way to Masjidal Aqsa to perform the dawn prayer. Despite the cold breeze and stony glares from the Israeli soldiers, the atmosphere was quite serene. After the prayer, I commenced with the memorisation of my last few pages of sabaq (lesson).

 A wave of lethargy washed over me as I struggled to retain the one page which I had memorised just minutes ago. After fighting back the urge to take a short nap, I eventually took the bait.

 I awoke to the sound of elated Palestinians scurrying through the lively streets of Jerusalem, determined to reach the Haram before Jumu’ah.

 I sat in Al-Aqsa after Jumu’ah and continued learning my sabaq. Fortunately, I succeeded in retaining the previous sabaq as well as learning a new page. I took a break and went for a walk with my mum. As I walked through the gullies, I felt my heart swell with love for this blessed land. I yearned for the day that this land would be liberated and returned to its rightful owners, Inshaa-Allah.

 The aroma of freshly prepared falafel sandwiches made it difficult for us to resist. We munched on our sandwiches as we walked through the city, foraging for sweet and date shops. We purchased dates and traditional Palestinian sweets to take to the Haram and distribute after my completion.

I returned to the Haram and learnt the remaining ayaat of my sabaq. My eyes swelled with tears as memories filled my mind. I clearly recalled the first day I commenced my journey of hifdh. I realised that in a short period of time I will be a “Haafidha”, and the thought struck me: “Was I ready to live up to this honourable title of a ‘Haafidha’?”

 My family and I, together with the Palestinian sisters, formed a circle in the Haram. I tried to calm the butterflies in my stomach as everyone settled down.

 The tears cascaded uncontrollably as I recited my last sabaq to my father: Tears of sorrow because I was leaving this beautiful land the next day and did not know if I would ever come back again; Tears of joy as I realised how fortunate I was and how much of gratitude I owe to Allah.

 For the past ten years of my life, I have yearned and prayed for the day in which I am able to recite from any chapter in the Qur’aan from memory. Alhamdulillah, today I have reached this milestone.

Guest blog by: Aaisha Vawda

Aaisha is a hafidha of al Qur’aan al Kareem. She is currently in secondary school & blogs at: SHABAAB LIL FILASTEEN.

Jazaakillahu Khayran, haafidha Aaisha.             

If you wish to feature as a guest blogger or contribute research material on tahfeedhul Qur’aan, I’d love to hear from you! Please email: rayhaanah@gmail.com so that we can feature your writings & reflections in upcoming blog posts.