So this step is quite crucial, especially when the going gets tough and you feel you have had enough.
At this point it is necessary that you believe in seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Remember, on this journey, the positives far outweigh the negatives. And you have embarked on a journey of greatness. Not just in this world – through the contentment and rank Allah will bestow you with – but also, and in fact more so, with regards to our everlasting and eternal abode. Subhanallah!
Pro tip: Turn to Allah and then him for all the opportunities he has blessed you with. And Arabic is an extra special favour of His to you to gain closeness to Him. Insha Allah this whole process is going to bring about your highest point of gratitude. This test is only going to make you grow stronger.
‘Remember why you started’ is different to the last step. ‘Enjoy the process’ (step 3) is more general. It’s about adapting. Knowing that small changes are required to achieve greater things. It’s about preparing yourself and setting your mindset. But this step, ‘Remember why you started’, is to make your roots strong and to keep you grounded, even when it seems that all you have worked for will be uprooted. This step is crucial if you feel like quitting. Don’t! Place your trust in Allah and rest assured. Insha Allah things are just working themselves out.
In essence this step is a reflection of the previous steps. And if done correctly, insha Allah it will lead to the peak of gratitude. Remember, you started because this great system gave you a belief in yourself. A belief that you can get higher than you ever though possible. It lit up a new way for you. And it showed you that you are enough and have what it takes. You are not inferior or dispositioned to study and master this blessed language. You may have to take a few steps to figure things out, but all great things in life come with sacrifice.
Alhamdulillah I have seen so many learners at Shine turn it around after it seems to be going south. And do stay in touch. You’ll be surprised at how simple the solutions really are. Many times, we tend to overcomplicate things. And so remember, Shine is more than a start and end date. Our passion is seeing you flourish. And also make note, that when you sacrifice for the sake of Allah, Allah rewards you with so much more. Now just imagine, you are giving your time to get to know Allah through the Qur’an. Allah will not leave you alone.
Action step: Something to ponder on
Think about a baby learning to walk. Do we ever tell a baby to stop trying after they fall down a few times? No, we would never. Instead, we encourage them to keep trying, to get back up and take another step. We celebrate every small success and cheer them on as they continue to learn and grow.
As you keep studying, you may even encounter obstacles that seem insurmountable. We may face setbacks that make us question whether we can keep going. And mostly, this is simply due to the amount of other things we have going on. But we must get back up after each fall, and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Another thing to ponder on
There is nothing greater than connecting to Allah. This is the most important objective. And what better way than through the Qur’an. Allah says,
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
“I did not create the Jinns and the human beings except for the purpose that they should worship me”
And some commentators have interpreted this as ‘to recognize and be aware Allah’. And what better way than through the Qur’an.
Remember, success is not always about achieving a perfect outcome. It’s about the effort we put in, the lessons we learn along the way, and the resilience we build in the face of adversity. So don’t give up. Keep trying, keep learning, and keep growing. The journey may be challenging, but insha Allah the reward is so worth it.
What you should look out for after 3 – 4 months of starting study
Have you started to understand Qur’an yet? Whether yes or no, be sure to be in touch.
Still to come in PDF
The beauty of intention in Islam (and why intention has not been actioned from the 6 steps)
They types of ayaat in the Qur’an (those that require explanation and those that are understood from the text)
The smart choice is Shine
A Review from a Mother of Four
I have always desired to study Arabic simply because I wanted to understand what I was praying whilst reciting the Holy Qur’an and my daily du’as. I first started learning Arabic many years ago by attending a weekly course. I soon realised that this wasn’t working for me and I eventually gave up. At one point I even tried to learn by myself without a teacher, but again, I realised that this was just not feasible. In August this year I discovered the Shine Online Arabic course, after a friend recommended it to me. Since then, I have not looked back! The Shine Online course is absolutely perfect for me. Even though I have more personal responsibilities now than when I did when I first started to learn Arabic, I have managed to keep up with my work and Alhumdulillah I have made significant progress. This is due to the way the course has been structured. I pick a time during my day which suits me, to complete my work, without the pressure of having to attend classes away from home. The Friday Live sessions perfectly compliment and consolidate the lessons I have covered during the week. The daily video lessons are clear and concise and explain the text book very well, and if there’s still something I have difficulty understanding, or if I have any further questions, then I know my tutor is only a text message away. The assignment-based assessments also ensure that I know which chapters I need to brush up on, without the stress of timed examinations. I would definitely recommend this course to anyone who is passionate about learning Arabic, but is worried that their daily responsibilities might hold them back. As a mother of four young children and multiple household responsibilities, I can definitely say this course fits perfectly into my busy schedule, and gives me the opportunity to pursue something I have always been passionate about. JazakAllah to everyone at Shine for providing such a fantastic and easy gateway to the wonderful world of Arabic. Aisha Harif