I was lucky by the age of 13, I managed to complete reading the Quran (khatam) despite all difficulties to identify each alphabet, the sound projection and what not. I remember doing it because in 1998, we were about to leave for Newcastle Upon Tyne to join my mother’s mission in starting her Ph.D journey. So, apart of the most important things we, children had to do was to get our Quranic lessons done. So, there I was – everywhere I go was with Quran. The force was strong.

Unfortunately, the economic downturn stroke Malaysia. My mom received a letter from JPA telling her that students were not going to be sent off, instead were asked to come home. I, on the other hand, had a great shame at school because “Syeri tak jadi pergi oversea” gossip was widespread. I remember my class teacher whose husband went on his own expenses proceeded with their plans and Teacher Ramlah, who was my class teacher, took a 3-year leave. Off she went and here I was. Fortunately, my mom was promoted in the same year. But out of glam, this KL girl was soon to go with her family to SARAWAK!

“So, you’ll end up in Sarawak!” I still remember my history teacher, Mr Kamaludin exclaimed that in front of the class. I was seated at the front row. I nodded with sour face. I felt ashamed. So, since then, I did not read the Quran anymore because I thought when you are done with it means you are done for life that is why, you never see adults reading the Quran.

In Sarawak, I was lucky. A KL-girl who came into kampung is not always a cheerful event. Just on my second day at school, my mother and father were called to go back to KL by my Mak Long (eldest sister of my mother) because there was a letter from Tabung Haji telling them that they are chosen to perform hajj that year. All of that you have been reading this far happened in 1998. I was the one overjoyed.

Then, going for hajj meant a long holiday. Since my name has been registered to SMK Sungai Maong, Kuching and my brother at SK Combined whom until today I never knew whether it belongs to Kampung Kudei or Sunrise Park where we were living, going back to KL did not entitle us to go back to our old schools although we were just on our second day in the schools in Sarawak. So, my parents decided that we won’t be going to school during their absence. I was overjoyed. It’s Smash Hits magazines reading time! Back then, Smash Hits magazines were British (I supposed!) produced magazines which were very costly sold in 7-Eleven. Somehow, thanks to The New Straits Times’ SWAP column, we made pen-pals to exchange the magazines.

It is always challenging when your parents are away from home – even for the good reasons.

During that, I remember my mother reminded us to continue reading the Quran although we had done our Majlis Khatam Quran.I was so upset for many reasons when it came about the Quran. First, I could not really read them because I did not know the alphabets. Secondly, I was forced to finish it instead of being taught to master the alphabets. This was made worse when my brother, who is academically ahead of me, was also ahead of me when it came to reading the Quran. To top all that, during my Majlis Khatam Quran, my late grandmother made a silly act by changing the Quran I was reading when the crowd was all-eye on me. It was not Resam Uthmani, so it worsened my reading. My dad who spotted the change was angry but had no chance of helping me because there was no extra Quran to pass to me. It was an event I never forget. For that matter, I had put my Quran off my life.

Allah love me (insyaAllah). The following year, while we were still in Kuching, Sarawak, I had the same ustaz who also was from the Peninsula to teach Agama Islam (Islamic Studies). It was PMR year, so he gave us a study tip, that was to frequent surah Ar-Rahman before studying. I am a KL-girl. I wanted the KL-girl effect to reflect on my results (in fact, it did) so I read the Ar-Rahman every night religiously. That was my come-back to the Holy Al-Quran, thanks to the ustaz whom by now I have forgotten his name. His lessons had impacted my life up till today. He taught us sujud sahwi, solat hajat and particularly this Surah Ar-Rahman. May Allah reward my ustaz accordingly for making me back to the Quran.

Hence, now, I would like to share with you some of the surahs that I learn from many other ustazs that are worth practicing in our daily lives. I just read that the best time to read the Quran was before the subuh prayer, wallahualam, you may want to check it for yourselves whether it is sahih or not.

1. I start my day reading the remaining surah I read in the previous day. If I have the chance to wake up early, usually I will add with Al-Fatihah & Al-Baqarah (1-5, 102, Qursi & the last 3).
2. If it is a Friday, I will read the Kahfi (1-10, 100-110). Reading it on Fridays safeguard you from the Dajjal from the Friday to the next.
3. During Asar, sometimes I read the Waqiah, sometimes Yaseen, sometimes just Manzil, but most often, Waqiah.
4. After maghrib is prime time. On lazy days, it will be just the Mulk, but on other days, Ar-Rahman, Sajadah & al-Mulk just before bed.
5. The Prophet Muhammad PBUH told her daughter that she should not be sleeping before finishing the Quran. The daughter sighed saying that will take her the entire night to complete the entire Holy Quran. Rasulullah s.a.w. just smiled before continue to say, “Al-Ikhlas, Al-FAlaq & An-Naas each 3 times. So I do the same and are still working hard to stick to this final routine.

What are your favourite surahs from the Holy Quran? Or is there any funny stories you can share with other readers about your journey with the Holy Al-Quran? Feel free to write back.

To that particular ustaz, thank you for making sure I remain a Muslim I should really be. Tabarakallah to you.