Assalam walaikum loves! Whooo that's a title 😮‍💨 this episode is truly a vent to get everything that's been weighing heavy on me off my chest, and a discussion on the recent case within our Muslim community that has truly hurt so many people. I hope you can take something from it InshaAllah. Whoever you are, wherever you are - I'm so glad you're here, and I can't wait to grow with you along the way <3

REFERENCES:

1) And the next life is certainly far better for you than this one. (Quran 93:4)

2) Do people think once they say, “We believe,” that they will be left without being put to the test? (Quran 29:2)

3) And then that person from amongst the persons of the world be brought who had led the most miserable life (in the world) from amongst the inmates of Paradise, and he would be made to dip once in Paradise and it would be said to him: O, son of Adam, did you face, any hardship? Or had any distress fallen to your lot? And he would say: By Allah, no, my Lord, never did I face any hardship or experience any distress. (Sahih Muslim 2807)

4) No one who enters Paradise would like to return to the world, even if he could have everything on earth, except for the martyr. He will wish to return to the world and be killed ten more times due to the generous reward he sees. (Sahih al-Bukhari 2817)

5) O believers! Stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or close relatives... (Quran 4:135)

6) I did not create jinn and humans except to worship Me. (Quran 51:56)

Assalam walaikum!! This one is a treat 👀 I'm so excited for you all to listen because I have with me a special guest for the first time EVER. And it's not just any special guest, but my very dear friend Iman aka my torontomuslimahs co-founder and co-host. We chat all about friendships, managing expectations, how priorities shift after marriage, and of course where torontomuslimahs came from. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the feedback section below as always! Whoever you are, wherever you are - I'm so glad you're here, and I can't wait to grow with you along the way <3

REFERENCES:

1) Hadith about man who cleared his heart of grudges every night: Source: Musnad Aḥmad 12697

Assalam walaikum! Welcome back to another episode <3 In this episode, I talk about my journey with mindfulness, honouring my emotions, and the breakthroughs I've had thanks to years of therapy (and always Alhamdulillah). Whoever you are, wherever you are - I'm so glad you're here, and I can't wait to grow with you along the way <3

REFERENCES:

1) "We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure—" [Quran 2:155]

2) Opal App Blocking: https://www.opal.so/ (not sponsored)

Assalam walaikum!! It's been so long omg 😭 I am BACK though (InshaAllah) and so so excited to be posting another episode, I missed sitting in bed talking into my lil mic <3 In this episode, I talk about dealing with perfectionism, how the hater voice in my head holds me back from doing what I wanna do, and some super helpful things I've learned in therapy. Whoever you are, wherever you are - I'm so glad you're here, and I can't wait to grow with you along the way <3

REFERENCES:

1) Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) having said: By Him in Whose Hand is my life, if you were not to commit sin, Allah would sweep you out of existence and He would replace (you by) those people who would commit sin and seek forgiveness from Allah, and He would have pardoned them. [Sahih Muslim 2749]

Assalam walaikum, welcome back to another episode!! In this episode I talk about the difference between approaching Allah through shame vs. love, and how this framework changes how we judge ourselves and others around us. Let me know your thoughts!! I'd love to hear what you think and how you relate to this. Whoever you are, wherever you are - I'm so glad you're here, and I can't wait to grow with you along the way <3

REFERENCES:

1) Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) kept standing in prayer (for such long hours) that his feet were swollen. They (his Companions) said: Verily, Allah has pardoned for thee the earlier and the later of thine sins. Thereupon he said: Should I not prove myself to be a grateful servant (of Allah)? [Sahih Muslim 2819b]

Assalam walaikum my friends! Welcome back to another episode :) In this episode, I discuss the concept of finding home and belonging, my struggles with defining "home", and a nagging homesickness that won't leave my heart. I would love to hear your thoughts - please leave them in the comments box under the episode. Whoever you are, wherever you are - I'm so glad you're here, and I can't wait to grow with you along the way <3

Assalam walaikum! Welcome back to another episode <3 In this episode, I talk about how and why I (FINALLY) made the decision to delete capital D Delete my personal Instagram account, how it's liberated me, and how my brain is already healing. I hope you all enjoy and let me know what you think!! Whoever you are, wherever you are - I'm so glad you're here, and I can't wait to grow with you along the way <3

REFERENCES:

1) "He who so acts to show off, Allah will disgrace him on the Day of Resurrection, and he who does good deeds so that people (may hold him in high esteem), Allah will expose his hidden evil intentions before the people on the Day of Resurrection.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

2) They ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about intoxicants and gambling. Say, “There is great evil in both, as well as some benefit for people—but the evil outweighs the benefit."... (Quran, 2:219)

Assalam walaikum my friends!! Welcome back to another episode <3 Who doesn't love a good hijab story?? In this episode I talk about how I ended up going from a girl who had known a total of two (2) hijabis in her life to a full-time hijabi herself in the span of a month, the loneliness and challenges that came after, and where I'm at with it today. Whoever you are, wherever you are - I'm so glad you're here, and I can't wait to grow with you along the way <3

REFERENCES:

1) Abu Qatadah reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, you will never leave anything for the sake of Allah Almighty but that Allah will replace it with something better for you.” [Musnad Aḥmad 23074]

Assalam walaikum my loves!! I missed recording SO much, Ramadan is over and I'm back from my hiatus. In this episode I talk about how I made this my best Ramadan yet (Alhamdulillah), the main takeaways I took from this month, and how it helped me grow even closer to Allah SWT. Whoever you are, wherever you are - I'm so glad you're here, and I can't wait to grow with you along the way <3

REFERENCES:

1) "... Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. Recognize and acknowledge Allah in times of ease and prosperity, and He will remember you in times of adversity..." [Hadith 19, 40 Hadith an-Nawawi]

2) Dua: "O Allah, I hope for Your mercy. Do not leave me to myself even for the blinking of an eye (i.e. a moment). Correct all of my affairs for me. There is none worthy of worship but You." [Abu Dawud 4/324, Ahmad 5/42. Al-Albani graded it as good in Sahih Abu Dawud 3/959]

3) The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “There is no Muslim who calls upon Allah, without sin or cutting family ties, but that Allah will give him one of three answers: He will quickly fulfill his supplication, He will store it for him in the Hereafter, or He will divert an evil from him similar to it.” They said, “In that case we will ask for more.” The Prophet said, “Allah has even more.” [Musnad Aḥmad 11133]

Assalam walaikum loves!! Welcome back to another episode <3 This one is so EXCITING because wdym it's Ramadan already? Time is truly flying by so quick, this Ramadan crept up out of nowhere SubhanAllah. In this episode I discuss my (baby step) Ramadan goals, the results I'm hoping to achieve out of them, and the mindset I'm entering this beloved month with. Whoever you are, wherever you are - I'm so glad you're here, and I can't wait to grow with you along the way <3

REFERENCES

1) Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The angels keep on asking Allah's forgiveness for anyone of you, as long as he is at his Musalla (praying place) and he does not pass wind (Hadath). They say, 'O Allah! Forgive him, O Allah! be Merciful to him." [Sahih al-Bukhari 445]

2) We went with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (p.b.u.h) to the blacksmith Abu Saif, and he was the husband of the wet-nurse of Ibrahim (the son of the Prophet). Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) took Ibrahim and kissed him and smelled him and later we entered Abu Saif's house and at that time Ibrahim was in his last breaths, and the eyes of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (p.b.u.h) started shedding tears. `Abdur Rahman bin `Auf said, "O Allah's Apostle, even you are weeping!" He said, "O Ibn `Auf, this is mercy." Then he wept more and said, "The eyes are shedding tears and the heart is grieved, and we will not say except what pleases our Lord, O Ibrahim! Indeed we are grieved by your separation." [Sahih al-Bukhari 1303]

3) A man came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Who is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Your mother." The man said. "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man further said, "Who is next?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Your mother." The man asked for the fourth time, "Who is next?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Your father." [Sahih al-Bukhari 5971]

Assalam walaikum my friends!! Welcome back to another episode! This was definitely a bit delayed oops but I'm glad to be back <3 In this week's episode I discuss my personal thoughts and feelings around social media, how it makes my brain rot, and some goals I have to maximize my faith and growth in Ramadan (!!!! so excited). Whoever you are, wherever you are - I'm so glad you're here, and I can't wait to grow with you along the way <3

REFERENCES

1) "O children of Adam, take your adornment while praying, and eat and drink, but waste not by extravagance. Certainly, He likes not those who commit extravagance.” — (Quran; 7:31)

2) "Then on that Day you shall be asked about the delights.” — (Quran; 102:8)

3) “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” — (Quran; 51:56)

Assalam walaikum, welcome back to Along the Way! In this episode I discuss my experience witnessing the genocide in Gaza, feeling like I'm losing my mind and this world has lost the plot, and what Palestine and the resilient Gazans have taught me. Don't forget to keep Palestine and all those suffering around the world in your duas - may Allah liberate them and bring them ease, Ameen. Whoever you are, wherever you are - I'm so glad you're here, and I can't wait to grow with you along the way <3

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES:

1) Youtube: "Professor Ilan Pappé-Crisis in Zionism, Opportunity for Palestine?"

2) Youtube: "What is Religious Zionism? | Dr. Ali Ataie"

3) Educational website: decolonizepalestine.com

4) Reading: The politics of dispossession: The struggle for Palestinian self-determination by Edward Said

5) Reading: They Called Me a Lioness by Ahed Tamimi

REFERENCES:

1) "A strong believer is better and is more lovable to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone, (but) cherish that which gives you benefit (in the Hereafter) and seek help from Allah and do not lose heart, and if anything (in the form of trouble) comes to you, don't say: If I had not done that, it would not have happened so and so, but say: Allah did that what He had ordained to do and your" if" opens the (gate) for the Satan." (Sahih Muslim 2664)

2) Know that this worldly life is no more than play, amusement, luxury, mutual boasting, and competition in wealth and children. This is like rain that causes plants to grow, to the delight of the planters. But later the plants dry up and you see them wither, then they are reduced to chaff. And in the Hereafter there will be either severe punishment or forgiveness and pleasure of Allah, whereas the life of this world is no more than the delusion of enjoyment. (57:20)

3) Al-Mustawrid reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “What is the parable of this worldly life, in comparison to the Hereafter, but one of you dipping his finger in the sea? Let him see what he brings forth.” (Sahih Muslim 2858)

Assalam walaikum, welcome back! This episode covers my thoughts and opinions around beauty standards, equating our self worth and value to what we look like, and my journey trying to structure this as a Muslimah. This is something I've been thinking about for SO long, I truly hope it can bring you peace, comfort, or benefit in any way. But if you have any different thoughts or opinions around this, please leave a comment because I truly do want to hear other ideas so I can grow even more! Whoever you are, wherever you are - I'm so glad you're here, and I can't wait to grow with you along the way <3

REFERENCES:

1) ‘Abd-Allah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: “Allah has cursed the woman who does tattoos and the one who has them done, the woman who plucks eyebrows (al-namisah) and the one who has it done (al-mutanammisah), and the one who files her teeth for the purpose of beauty, altering the creation of Allah.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, 5931; Muslim, 2125)

2) ˹O Prophet!˺ Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not to reveal their adornments1 except what normally appears. (Quran, 24:30-31)

3) Asma, daughter of Abu Bakr, entered upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) wearing thin clothes. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) turned his attention from her. He said: O Asma', when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this, and he pointed to his face and hands. (Sunan Abi Dawud 4104) **This hadith is daeef - however, many scholars are of the opinion that the hands and face are the permissible areas to leave unveiled.

4) Abdullah ibn Umar (ra) narrated that he saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) making tawaf of the Ka’bah and saying, “How delightful you are, and how great is your scent! How magnificent you are, and how great is your sanctity! But by the one in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, the sanctity of a believer, his wealth and his blood, is greater in the sight of Allah than your sanctity, and we do not think of him except good.” (Sunan Ibn Mājah 3932)

Assalam walaikum! It's so lovely to see you. In this episode I introduce my story of growing up in a Muslim household, straying away from faith, and ultimately what pushed me to come back and find peace in Islam. Whoever you are, wherever you are - I'm so glad you're here, and I can't wait to grow with you along the way <3