Patching the Holes in My Own Salat

Using my own shortcomings to teach the next generation how to navigate theirs.

Photo by Masjid Pogung Dalangan on Unsplash

Many people see someone writing Islamic advice or creating educational resources and assume it comes from a place of spiritual superiority. They might think, “She must think very highly of herself and her knowledge.”

If I can be completely honest with you? It is actually the exact opposite.

I don’t write because I have arrived. I write because I am still traveling, and sometimes I stumble. I am acutely aware of the gaps in my own knowledge and the shortcomings in my practice. I write not to lecture from a pedestal, but to help fill the holes in my own soul.

When I put pen to paper, my deepest, most quiet hope is that Allah looks at my efforts and has mercy on me, despite all of my glaring imperfections.

1. The Duty to Convey, Even in Our Weakness

There is a common misconception that we must be flawless models of virtue before we can share a beneficial reminder. If that were the case, no one would speak.

We don’t share because we are the example; we share because we are trying to point back to the only flawless example we have. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ gave us a clear, accessible mandate:

“Convey from me, even if it is a single verse.” — Sahih al-Bukhari

This hadith does not demand absolute mastery or spiritual perfection before we speak. It demands sincerity. My work is not a declaration of my own righteousness; it is a humble attempt to relay the truth of the Prophet ﷺ, his companions, and the generations that beautifully followed them.

2. Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

I do not write from my own whims. I follow and rely on the Prophet ﷺ, his companions (Sahabah), and the subsequent two generations of Muslims (the Salaf).

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The best of people are those of my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them.” — Sahih al-Bukhari & Muslim

I rely on their stories to inspire because their lives were the ultimate translation of the Quran into lived reality. By centering my work on their legacy, I hope my own shortcomings will be excused. This is a tribute to them, a way to keep their light burning in a modern world that so desperately needs it.

When people praise my work, I find comfort in the profound prayer of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), who, despite being one of the greatest of this Ummah after the Prophet ﷺ, used to supplicate when praised:

“O Allah, You know me better than I know myself, and I know myself better than they know me. Make me better than what they think of me, forgive me for what they do not know, and do not hold me accountable for what they say.”

3. Designing for the Next Generation

Because I understand how easily we can get lost in the gaps of our knowledge, my focus is on creating sound, researched, and highly practical resources for youth. They don’t need rigid lecturing; they need tools to navigate their faith with confidence and clarity.

This philosophy is the heartbeat of my workbook, Oops! I Made a Mistake in Salah.

Instead of overwhelming young minds with abstract rules, I wanted to create a self-exploratory, self-motivating roadmap. The workbook:

• Breaks down Salah into clear, digestible categories: Pillars, Obligations, and Sunnah.
• Provides real-life examples to demystify what to do when things go wrong.
• Integrates assessment and reflective activities that make the mechanics of prayer personally relevant to their daily lives.

I created this because I know how intimidating it is to feel like you are doing things wrong. I want the youth to know that mistakes are a part of learning, even in prayer, and that our faith provides a beautiful framework for repair.

4. The Hope for Ceaseless Charity

Every word I research, every layout I format, and every activity I draft is a plea for Allah’s mercy. I share in the hope of securing a legacy of beneficial knowledge. The Prophet ﷺ reminded us:

“When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: a continuous charity, or knowledge from which benefit is derived, or a righteous child who prays for him.” — Sahih Muslim

And in another beautiful narration:

“Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a reward like one who did it.” — Sahih Muslim

If a single child corrects their prayer, feels closer to Allah, or finds ease in their worship because of a resource I compiled, I pray that Allah accepts that small good deed to outweigh my heavy mountain of shortcomings.

I am not the example. I am simply a traveler who found a map, trying to copy it as clearly as possible for those walking behind me. May Allah accept our imperfect efforts, forgive our hidden mistakes, and allow our work to be a witness for us, not against us.

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