In search of peace and tranquility, we fed our lips with Malboro, Lucky Strike, Salem and even Gudang Garam hoping that the smoke would reach the core of our souls which we believe is somewhere in our lungs triggering peace and happiness. Via this route some went deeper into drugs. We fed our throats with coke and expensive coffee and some went deeper into beer. We fed our ears with musics. From one genre to another. Memorising every lyrics composed by men. When that didn't help some went deeper into playing the musical instruments or even writing their own song and into singing and deeper into pubs and clubs. We fed our eyes with movies and what we are not supposed to see. We fed our minds with just about anything from the internet. When all this still did not help, some went into travelling. Looking at nature, breathing fresh air, climb mountains etc. We went here and there searching for peace and happiness.

Last, after a long tiring journey, we were given the "directory": How are we able to find peace without seeking it from the Creator of peace Himself? And when peace is in the heart, not other places. And how do we ever enjoy true peace when we do things merely for the sake of seeking the pleasure of the human eyes, our eyes, and not for the sake of Allah. We got so blinded that even though we witness His creations around us and surrounded by the countless blessings from Him, we are not able to see. And then we were introduced to this saying of our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.: "No people gather together... reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, except that tranquility descends upon them, mercy covers them, the angels surround them and Allah makes mention of them to those in His presence.”(Recorded in Muslim).

So we tried. And it was Ramadhan. And there is just something about Ramadhan that it makes the sittings sooooo "less restless". Most of the brothers were beginners. It took us about 2 hours to complete one Juz of the Quran per night. And we would ponder over as little as only one verse per page - those which translation is general to us. And alhamdulillah. We won't claim we found peace. But we found that we are less restless. We found that we enjoy sitting with good company and that we can live without smoking and spending hours facing the tv and spending thousands travelling. The vibe in Ramadhan was just unforgettable. And what the Prophet s.a.w. said regarding beginners who are slow in reciting the Quran really got us going: "Verily the one who recites the Qur’an beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, he will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. And as for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have TWICE that reward.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] So we joked, those who are fluent will get 2 points and those who are slow will get 2 points. And some cute brothers who were the slow ones will "debate" saying they will get double not equal. And the faster ones will answer no coz we will get extra points for sitting here patiently checking and motivating the slower ones.

Let's strive to be this people in the Prophetic saying mentioned and may Allah grant us peace and tranquility, and classify us among those whose names will be mentioned by Him in His assembly. Amin.

So to all brothers and sisters out there who are not able to read the Quran yet, do join us. Allah says He only accepts those who return to Him with Qalbin Slim, a pure heart (Chapter 26: Verse 89). We know the conditions of our heart. At least try do something about it. Not ignore it. We might not master it. But at least we can tell Allah, we tried.