How my Istigfar opened door for TEDx in my own backyard

By: Fouzia Usman

Sometimes the most profound changes begin with the smallest observations.

A Simple Observation That Changed Everything

Last year at The Prophetic Summit (TPSS), I found myself sitting behind Sr. Ismaha, and something caught my attention immediately—she always had a dhikr counter in her hand. SubhanAllah, it was such a simple thing, yet it struck me deeply. You see, conferences like TPSS aren't just about learning from renowned scholars or networking with like-minded individuals. Sometimes the most valuable lessons come from simply observing the quiet habits of those around us.

That small observation would change the entire trajectory of my year.

The Beginning of a Daily Practice

After returning home from TPSS, something stirred within me. In September, I began what I now call my "dhikr walks." Every morning from 7-8 AM, I had work meetings scheduled, and I would usually spend this time in the local park while attending these calls. But instead of just walking aimlessly, I decided to incorporate dhikr and increased istighfar into this routine.

Little did I know that this small habit change would open doors I never imagined possible.

The Question That Started It All

That same September, my husband and I attended a TEDx event in Huntington Beach, California. As we sat in the audience, listening to speaker after speaker share their stories and insights, my husband turned to me and asked a question that would echo in my mind for months:

"Fouzia, why are you here among the audience? Why aren't you on that stage as a speaker?"

I immediately came up with a hundred excuses. But he wasn't satisfied with my deflections. He looked at me seriously and said, "Fouzia, you are TED material. You should be there on the stage, not here."

That was the beginning of my TEDx journey. The only problem? I had absolutely no idea where to start or whom to approach.

Guidance Through Dhikr

I met a TEDx curator who invited me to speak at his event on the East Coast in Ohio. I was thrilled by the opportunity, but the logistics seemed impossible—we're talking about thousands of miles away.

My daily istighfar and dhikr walks had become more than just a routine; they had transformed into my personal 1:1 time with Allah. During these walks, I would share my concerns, my dreams, and my duas. I would ask Allah to guide me on this new path. Everything seemed so far off, like uncharted territory. I knew I wanted to get there, but I simply didn't know how.

A Moment of Realization

In early November, I attended TEDx Manhattan Beach, California—one of the most viewed TEDx platforms across the globe. As I looked around the auditorium, a sobering realization hit me: I was the only Muslim sister in the entire venue.

This made me think deeply about our community. We talk so much about "Muslim voices" and how "our narratives are being taken over," but what are we actually doing about it? Shouldn't these platforms be places where we learn, bring our children, and expose them to different perspectives and opportunities?

If there's one sunnah that seems least followed and practiced by our ummah, it's the communication skills of our beloved Prophet (ﷺ). Public speaking isn't just about standing on a stage—it's about how our children interact, articulate their thoughts, and express themselves confidently, whether in school, with friends, or in their community. This is truly a game-changer.

The Door Right Next to Home

SubhanAllah, sometimes Allah's plans unfold in the most unexpected ways. I happened to stop by my daughter's school and casually mentioned TEDx in conversation. To my absolute surprise, the staff told me they had just closed applications for their 10th annual TEDx event.

My heart stopped. This school was less than two miles from my home—and even more remarkably, it was right next to the park where I took my morning dhikr walks every single day.

I had exactly two days to submit my application. I did, and by Allah's grace, I was accepted. My topic: "Seasons of Excellence."

The Connection Between Dhikr and Opportunity

Please click the image to watch my TEDx talk.

Looking back, I can see the beautiful pattern so clearly now. An increase in my dhikr and istighfar had opened doors that once seemed impossibly far away—doors that were literally right in front of my home. SubhanAllah.

The TEDx event itself was a tremendous success, and despite the incredibly short preparation time, Allah provided all the support and resources I needed to deliver my message effectively. It was a testament to how, when we align our efforts with sincere dua, Allah helps us succeed. InshaAllah. This is a small video I recorded just mins before my TEDx thanking Allah and asking His help to bring peace and confidence.  

Alhamdulillah, I've had the privilege to be trained by some of the world's top speakers and speaking coaches. But this journey isn't just about seeing myself on the TED stage—it's about something much bigger.

Yes, it's a key milestone worth celebrating, but even before the event has happened, my mind is already asking: What's next?

Creating the Change We Want to See

I believe strongly in this principle: if you desire something that doesn't already exist, take the initiative to make it happen yourself.

We have many leadership and communication programs available, but very few from our community participate in them. These crucial skills shouldn't be limited to a select few—they should be accessible to everyone.

That's why I want to create a space where young Muslims can be trained, coached, and empowered to become confident speakers and effective communicators. But here's what I've learned through this journey: before we can effectively influence others and create meaningful change in the world, we must first be grounded in our own foundation—our intention, our Islamic principles, and our pursuit of excellence in everything we do.

Only when we've built ourselves on these strong pillars can we truly reach out and make the kind of impact our community needs. That's why influence forms the fourth pillar of what I envision as a comprehensive approach to Muslim excellence.

Because if we don't teach them, who will?

Full Circle

This week at TPSS 2025, I had the joy of reconnecting with Sr. Ismaha and sharing this entire journey with her. She told me how she had missed her dhikr counter during her flight, and without hesitation, I took mine and gave it to her, mentioning that I had another one at home. She was genuinely excited, and in that moment, I felt the beautiful completion of a cycle that had started with simply observing her habit a year ago.

A Small Gift for Your Journey

I want to offer you the same gift that was offered to me through observation: the encouragement to start a small, consistent dhikr practice. Consider incorporating dhikr into your daily routine. As my story shows, it has the power to open doors that seem far off and make the impossible seem achievable.

Sometimes the most profound journeys begin with the smallest steps. Sometimes the doors we're looking for are right next to the paths we walk every day. And manytimes, all it takes is our sincere effort, dua, and istigfar to see them unfold in front of our eyes.

May Allah make all our paths easy and open doors we never imagined possible. Ameen.