A few months ago, I felt stuck. My mind was tired, my days were messy, and my heart felt heavy. I didn't know how to fix my life, so I decided to try something different.
I wasn't even expecting a miracle. I was just tired. Tired of the heavy chest. The unanswered du'as. The constant feeling that maybe... Allah was upset with me.
I read about how Tahajjud is the prayer of the broken-hearted.
I saw a post that said:
"If things feel stuck, try Baqarah. Try istighfar." And something in me whispered, "You have nothing to lose."
So l began.
I started three simple habits every day:
1. Tahajjud: Waking up early in the quiet hours before dawn to pray.
2. Istighfar: Saying "Astaghfirullah" (I ask God for forgiveness) 1,000 times a day.
3. Surah Al-Baqarah: Reading from the Quran daily.
The first night I prayed Tahajjud, my heart was racing. I didn't even know what to say.
I just cried. Whispered my Du’a . Sat in sujood for what felt like forever.
And then, every day -
1000x: Astaghfirullah. Astaghfirullah. Astaghfirullah.
Sometimes with tears. Sometimes numb.
But I said it anyway.
I opened Surah Al-Baqarah. Some days I only managed 10 ayahs.
Some days I read pages.
But I held on - because l'd heard this Surah changes lives.
And slowly... something began to shift.
Not in the world around me. But in me. My chest felt lighter. A strange peace settled over me.
The things I used to cry about... didn't grip me the same way anymore.
Du'as I made months ago started coming true.
Not all of them - but enough to make me stop and say: Ya Allah... You really heard me?
People came back with apologies I never expected.
Doors opened that I had stopped knocking on.
Saying "Astaghfirullah" all day felt like washing dirty windows. The more I said it, the kinder I became. I stopped complaining about small things and felt happier with what I had.
The Qur’an repeatedly links seeking forgiveness with Allah’s mercy and provision.
Prophet Nuh (Noah) عليه السلام told his people:
“Seek forgiveness from your Lord. Indeed, He is Ever-Forgiving. He will send rain upon you in abundance, increase you in wealth and children, and provide for you gardens and rivers.” (Qur’an 71:10–12)
Then Came Surah Al-Baqarah
Many Muslims know it’s the longest chapter in the Qur’an.
Far fewer appreciate what living with it can do.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Recite Surah Al-Baqarah, for taking it is a blessing and abandoning it is a cause of regret…” (Sahih Muslim)
Another authentic narration tells us that Shaytan flees from a house in which Surah Al-Baqarah is recited.
But Al-Baqarah offers more than protection. It is a complete education for the soul. It teaches patience through the story of Adam.
Gratitude through the Children of Israel.
Trust through Ibrahim.
Sacrifice through Talut.
Generosity through verses on charity.
Justice through laws.
Hope through its ending.
Every page seemed to answer a question I hadn’t even asked yet.
Big Problems Solved Themselves
I started recognizing myself again - the version of me that believed, that hoped, that felt close to Allah.
And that's when I knew:
It wasn't just the Tahajjud.
It wasn't just the Baqarah.
It wasn't just the istighfar.
It was the turning back. The softness in my voice when I said Ya Rabb. The moment I stopped chasing the dunya for healing, and ran back to the One who controls it all.
If you're reading this and you feel far...
Try it.
Even if your voice shakes. Even if you miss some days. Even if you feel unworthy.
Just begin.
Because when Allah opens a door for you - It won't just change your situation. It'll change you.
And it might leave you speechless, too.
Aiisha Dahir
If you enjoyed this article, you’ll love my book, where I explore the Qur’an in far greater depth uncovering its literary brilliance, psychology, timeless wisdom, and the hidden patterns that transformed the way I read it.
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The Quran Speaks; Physical copy
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