How do I start a spiritual practice in Islam when I feel disconnected from faith?

That ache you're feeling—that distance between where you are and where your heart wants to be—that's actually the beginning. Rumi called it the ache of seeking, and he knew it intimately. Starting isn't about sudden certainty or perfect knowledge. It's about showing up, even small. Begin with listening: to the Quran in a language you understand, not rushing through, but letting words settle. Find a practice that speaks to your body and time—maybe morning prayers, maybe Quranic reflection, maybe sitting in a mosque just to be near others seeking the same thing. Talk to someone whose faith feels alive to you, not performative. The disconnection you feel often means you're ready for something deeper than inherited ritual. You're ready to make it personal, to find where your longing meets devotion. That's the beginning. Show up imperfectly. The path meets those who walk it.