From Spirituality to Software: My Journey of Passion and Perseverance

Introduction

I’m Ahammad Kabeer Hadi, and yes, the "Hadi" in my name carries deep meaning—it signifies my Islamic degree and my role as a Muslim priest. I am a distant disciple of Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, and for over a decade, I dedicated myself to learning and serving my community from my teenage years. This wasn’t just a career—it was my quest to deeply understand what I believe and why I believe it, forming the foundation of my values to this day.

A Dual Passion

But alongside this spiritual journey, there was another passion igniting within me: technology. From a young age, even as I immersed myself in religious studies, I was deeply curious about the world of tech. The way computers worked, how software powered our lives—it fascinated me. At first, it was just a hobby, something I explored to satisfy my curiosity. But over time, that curiosity became a passion, and that passion evolved into a fire that drove me forward.

A Pivotal Incident

I still remember a funny—and pivotal—incident from my early teenage years, back when feature phones like the Nokia 110 were at their peak. I was probably in 7th or 8th standard, and I was obsessed with trying to understand how the legendary Snake game worked. Without fully understanding the difference between hardware and software, I decided the best way to figure it out was to break open an old phone to see what was inside! Of course, I didn’t find the game hiding in the circuits, as I had imagined. Instead, I earned myself a scolding—and yes, a beating—from my father for destroying a perfectly working phone. But when I explained why I did it, something remarkable happened. Rather than shutting down my curiosity, my father encouraged it. He went out of his way to bring me a few old and broken computers from his office. “Play with these and learn,” he said. That moment was transformative.

Support and Exploration

Unlike many Indian dads who might try to set a rigid path for their children, my father allowed me to explore, make mistakes, and discover my way. He didn’t lead me step by step; he stood by my side, guiding me only when I faltered. He remains a constant pillar of support and the catalyst for who I am today.

Self-Learning in Technology

Learning tech on my own wasn’t easy. I grew up in a time when access to technology in rural Kerala wasn’t what it is today, and being a hostel student added its own restrictions. There was no one to guide me, and resources were limited. But I didn’t let that stop me. Armed with nothing but determination, I taught myself HTML in high school and started building websites. At first, it was just for practice—fun projects for local shops and institutions to improve my skills.

Facing Bias and Overcoming Challenges

But one day, I needed to build a website for our student union. When I approached a developer for help, I was met with judgment. Dressed in my traditional white qamees and robes, I was dismissed outright. He asked me, “Why are you here?” It was clear—he didn’t think someone like me belonged in tech. That moment was both humiliating and empowering. I was hurt, but I channeled that pain into determination. In one week, I taught myself WordPress and built that website on my own. That experience became the turning point in my journey.

Building a Career

Over the next few years, I built more than 30 websites, learning and improving with every project. I earned enough to pay for my education and research for seven years. But there’s one thing I regret to this day: I didn’t keep those projects in my portfolio. At the time, I didn’t understand the importance of showcasing my work. It’s a lesson I now emphasize to everyone I mentor. By 2019, I had become a full-stack developer.

Resilience and Growth

But my journey wasn’t just about mastering technical skills—it was about resilience. Throughout my career, I faced countless challenges. As a self-taught engineer without a formal CS degree, I often felt like I had to prove myself twice as hard. And as a Muslim priest in a traditional outfit, I faced bias and judgment. In job interviews, I was met with irritated questions about my background or dismissed for not “fitting the mold.” It stung every time, but it also fueled my determination to succeed. I adapted when I had to, even changing my outfit for corporate roles. But I never compromised on my values or my vision.

A Breakthrough Role

Yet, there were breakthroughs.My first corporate role at CyberSquare, For the first time, I was hired for my skills and potential rather than my credentials or appearance. I thrived in a supportive environment, became a key part of thier expanding development team, leading projects, teaching programming, and contributing to the company’s growth.This experience gave me the confidence to take bigger risks and dream bigger.

Helping Others

But as I climbed the corporate ladder, I couldn’t ignore the struggles of others who, like me, had big dreams but lacked the technical expertise or guidance to bring them to life. I saw young entrepreneurs with brilliant ideas stumble because they didn’t know where to start or whom to turn to.

So I made a decision. I left the safety of my job and stepped fully into my purpose. Now, I help young entrepreneurs and non-technical founders bring their ideas to life through mentorship, hands-on guidance, and my decade of self-taught expertise.My goal is simple: to be the guide I wish I had when I was starting out.This led me to create Mirrorfolio, my personal brand and consulting venture, where I assist in turning ideas into impactful MVPs.

A Unique Perspective

My journey—from a self-taught software engineer to an idea execution expert—gives me a unique perspective. I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed and uncertain, and I’m passionate about guiding others through those challenges. Over the years, I’ve worked with startups like Ntouch, Menteor, Fozato, and Talentify, helping them bootstrap businesses and build scalable solutions. My experience spans building over 30 websites, mentoring aspiring developers, and leading projects that matter.

Conclusion

But more than anything, my story is about perseverance and purpose. For a long time, I stayed in the shadows, afraid to step into the public eye. I doubted myself, thinking I couldn’t communicate well enough or that my knowledge wouldn’t resonate with a wider audience. Despite knowing there were people out there who needed my help, I hesitated. But then I realized: staying in the dark wasn’t an option. If I truly wanted to serve others and make an impact, I had to confront my fears. Over the past few months, I’ve stepped forward, sharing my story and my expertise with the world. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. This isn’t just a career for me—it’s my calling. And every entrepreneur I help, every idea I bring to life, is a reflection of the journey that brought me here.