The story of Ribaat women echoes in the journey of our December Student of the Month, Meherun Khanom-Noor. British-Bangladeshi, Meherun’s journey with studying Islam has transformed over the years, especially as she navigated new life changes, from university studies to, now, stay-at-home mother to three. In the midst of it all, she has always been a dedicated student of knowledge, whether it be in university classes, personal learning with podcasts and reading, or now with Ribaat.
Finding Ribaat
Meherun came to Ribaat Academic Institute classes in 2003. After seeing an Instagram story from a sister working on her Khitmah with Ribaat, Meherun’s interest was piqued. With messages exchanged and positive reviews, she learned that the Khitmah Project facilitated a path for women to read the Quran, cover to cover, with proper tajwid, under the guidance of a certified teacher. Meherun found herself reminded of her long desire to improve her tajwid and study the Quran. She decided to “take the plunge” and registered for Tajwid 201 soon after.
Now, into her third term of the Khitmah Project class, Meherun shares that the experience has been filled with immense blessings and joy. She says: “Despite having completed the Quran many times in my life thus far, since commencing on the Qur’an Khitmah Project I feel like I am reading the Quran properly for the very first time with new lenses.” While focusing on the khitmah, Meherun did not limit herself to only tajwid classes throughout. She completed the Arabic Novice level and dipped her toes into tafsir with the short course, Living Al-Baqarah: A Class on Love, Themes and Spiritual Motivation.
Finding Reassurance for the Heart
Meherun reflects on her time with Ribaat and the impact of TAJ 301: Quran Khitmah Project with Ustadha Samia Mubarak on her path. She shares: “Ustadha Samia’s genuine heart and love for Quran and Allah ﷻ and her Qur’an reflections are mind-blowing subhan’Allah. I have learnt a great deal from my classes and interactions with her. And the sheer love and concern she has for every student is beautiful. Every lesson she reminds us to ‘come as you are’ and that the Qur’an is your ‘heart reassurance’.”
It is in this gentle upbringing and encouragement that women find their reconnection to faith with Ribaat. The call to continuously return regardless of the stumbles reassures the heart, reminding Meherun and all Ribaat women that Allah is at-Tawwab, the One Who Continuously Accepts. It is in this that hearts are put at ease, and why Meherun considers her time with Ribaat to be “a transformative heart reassurance journey.”
Connection and Preparation
Ribaat offered the space for Meherun to understand and appreciate the meanings of verses and the context of revelation, and through this, she found herself drawn closer to Allah ﷻ and our Beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Motivated “to be better and do better as a Muslimah, a wife, mother, daughter and sister”, she now considers herself better equipped to do so, and feels better prepared to teach her children Islam, how to read the Quran, and to share its stories.
Ribaat opened doors for Meherun and expanded her concept of sisterhood and community. She connected with women all around the world, inspired by their shared stories and experiences, and amazed by their continuous generosity in spirit and time—Meherun found community “that transcends countries and different zones.”
A Lifetime Companionship
Thanks to the Ribaat classes and this new community, Meherun now considers the Quran her companion, calling her to open, read, and reflect on it often. With each opening, there are verses that resonate with her, and it has become a source of healing.
She hopes to continue studying tajwid and Arabic, and to one day receive her ijaza, so she can become part of the chain of teachers reassuring hearts.
We pray this is the journey of more women around the world–one in which they find connection, healing, and companionship. May Allah ﷻ bless Meherun, fill her time with blessings, and allow the Quran to continue to be her companion, and make it her intercessor. Amin.
