I first discovered Al Kawthar when my ustādh who taught me ḥifẓ encouraged me to enroll at The Academy around my mid-teens in order to be able to pursue the study of sacred knowledge in the evenings whilst still being able to pursue further and higher education in the daytime. Alḥamdulillāh, what the next 7 years had to offer to someone in my position was perfect. I was enabled to find nurture and anchorage in ʿilm and the wisdom which Shaykh and all of my dear teachers carried from the scholarly tradition, which they form my own, mean connection to. This learning, Allāh-willing, continues to be my source of guidance and inspiration in all walks of life, and I try always to look to this light wherever outside of my refuge, Al Kawthar, life takes me. Truly, I do not know where I would be without it.