“An invitation I couldn’t refuse” – Student Testimonial
Assalaamu Alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatu,
I am Rifqah Omar and let me take you through my journey to Zahraa Institute…
2017 was an extremely challenging year in my life, finding myself very depressed and anxious. A year which greatly challenged me in my job, my marriage, my family and my personal capacity, leaving me far away from Allah (swt), Astagfirullah! I tried everything that I thought would help me with my depression and anxiety, everything the Western world teaches you will work, but it did not! I made du’a and called out to Allah (swt) to save me; however it was, and whatever needed to happen. I just needed to be saved as I felt my life spiralling out of control.
A Du’a Answered
Alhamdullilah, Allah (swt) answered my du’a! He presented me with ultimatums and led me to make some difficult choices; it led me to resign in October 2017 without having another job and barely a plan. I took a risk that I was not sure would work, I started to take up my late mother-in-law’s profession, Zaiboeniesa Van Reenen, – May Allah (swt) grant her Jannatul Firdous Insha’Allah Ameen. The profession was designing and making clothing. Without any prior know-how or training, I took this risk.
Starting up a new business that kept me busy, but my life still felt depressing and I felt there was something greater missing that I was not seeing. I looked towards Allah (swt) for help during my difficult times however, I wasn’t maintaining contact with my Creator as I should have.
In January 2018, I offered to take my sister in-law to Zahraa Institute’s Orientation Day as she had registered for classes at Taronga Road Masjid; I found this totally unexpected as I registered for classes at the Masjid before, but had never gone. I was unsure of what to expect and afraid of being judged for not knowing much, being unworthy or too sinful, Astagfirullah! But it was only Orientation so I went, shukr to the Almighty for this invitation.
The sisters of Zahraa, Alhamdullilah for each and every sister, Alhamdullilah! They made it impossible for me to decline this invitation that was granted to me personally from my Rabb, SubhanAllah! Despite all the fears I had, despite my disability to the Arabic language, and despite my sin, these sisters showed me in Orientation alone that every son of Adam is a sinner, but the best of sinners are those who repent and you do not have to be pious to make du’a – you make du’a to become pious.
It felt as if each Mu’alima left a piece of their heart in the Masjid with us that day and Alhamdullilah the love for all these sisters have grown each day! They are so humble, down to earth and pure examples of what our entire Ummah should strive to be like. They show everyone the love, compassion and understanding that sisters would show towards one another.
They teach you how to live the Sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad (saw), how to not carry pride during this journey of Qur’an and how to help your community by not judging the next person, but instead making du’a for them and that our actions should move people more than our words.
I love that we are reminded in the most beautiful way about our intentions, the importance of our intentions and that it always needs to be renewed and rectified.
Journey to Allah
The Rahmah of Allah (swt) is so great SubhanAllah that despite all the sin I had for the last 25 years, despite the fact that I was so unmindful of Him in my life, He invited me into His home to be taught by the most beautiful and humble of teachers, Alhamdullilah! How much more amazing can our Rabb be? He didn’t have to give me this opportunity, ungrateful me, unmindful me … but this is our Rabb, He is most Merciful, turn to Him and repent to Him only and He will grant for you what your heart can contain Alhamdullilah.
Read: “What truly broke my heart” – Student Testimonial
It has only been one term and I am so blessed to have my Rabb extend His invitation to learn The Holy Qur’an, I make du’a that he continues to extend His invitation to me and all my sisters until the day we close our eyes with Laa Ilaaha Illallahu Muhammadur-Rasullu Llah. It is such a beautiful feeling to be a student of the Deen and we can never be done with learning the Sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad (saw).
JazakAllahu Khayran for reading and May Allah (swt) reward you abundantly.
