We are so honored to introduce Tawheeda, our Student of the Month for August. Tawheeda is a Palestinian American born and raised in Illinois, whose road to reading the Quran in Arabic was not a straight one. Though she grew up in an Arabic-speaking household and spent ten years in Sunday school, something essential remained just beyond her grasp. It would take a chance meeting, a patient teacher, and finally finding the right community to help her place the final pieces of the puzzle.
A Missing Piece
Back in 2022, Tawheeda still could not read Arabic. A miraculous connection brought her to a woman named Zuhoor, who, during their very first phone call, decided to teach her how to read. Zuhoor became the catalyst Tawheeda needed, helping her understand that she truly could learn. The gaps in her foundation, particularly the leen letters and the rules of shadda, were finally filled. “I did not realize,” Tawheeda reflects, “that in my whole upbringing, I was missing key pieces of information.” Once those pieces fell into place, a door opened that she had longed to walk through.
With her newfound ability to read, Tawheeda began searching for an online program that would fit her busy life as a homeschooling mother of five and allow her to continue learning within a comfortable environment. The mixed gender settings she encountered did not feel right. Then, while watching Anse Dr. Tamara’s inspiring Tahajjud series, she found her way to Rabata. Drawn in by Anse Dr. Tamara’s warmth and depth, she discovered an organization that aligned with her values and her schedule. She officially began the Tajwid track a year and a half ago, and has recently embarked on memorizing the Quran through the Crowning Venture class.
Souls Connected Through the Quran
Tawheeda describes her experience at Ribaat as life changing. Working closely with Anse Abeer, Anse Reem, and Anse Ragad has been a cornerstone of her journey. “Being able to read the Quran has been truly life giving,” she shares. Through her studies, she has drawn closer to Allah, feeling more alive and in tune with her purpose. What once felt impossible, fluidly reading the words of her faith, has become a source of daily nourishment and spiritual clarity.
Among the many blessings of her Ribaat journey, one stands out as a profound gift. Tawheeda’s one to one Quran recitation sessions with Anse Reem created a bond she never expected.
“There was a deep connection and beautiful mutual du’a that made each meeting truly special,” she recalls. “It felt like soulmates, two souls connected through the Quran.”
No matter where she was or what she was doing, if Anse Reem had time to listen, Tawheeda would gladly drop everything. Answering that call brought an immediate sense of peace and relief from the stresses of life. “Those moments became a refuge for my heart,” she says. “I will always be grateful to Allah for blessing me with that experience.”
A Lifelong Journey
When asked about her hopes for the future, Tawheeda’s answer is simple and sincere: to never stop learning with Ribat and to continue her journey with the Quran for the rest of her life.
May Allah bless Tawheeda’s path of memorization, deepen her connection to His Book, and make her and her family a light for the ummah. Ameen.