But day two, day two has been a beautiful, cooling breeze for Maryam. Flowing with the day, being present with her daughter, exploring Allah’s beautiful creation and relaxing near waterfalls, Maryam finds herSelf knee deep in gratitude, reverence and one of her three words, JOY. Unplugging from her phone to plug in to her holy trinity, Allah, her daughter and herSelf, the vision continues getting clearer and clearer along with the focus and drive she needs to deepen her deen, secure her jannah and finally realize the missing piece that she’s been needing all along to mend her Heart. This is a must listen for all navigating heartache, heartbreak and new love.
Ramadan has come and the first day has said it’s goodbyes. Maryam takes some time to share her reflections on the first day of her third Ramadan. While intense with hunger and thirst, alhamdulillah, Allah, swt, provided pockets of ease, clarity and gratitude (perhaps she should have also prepared physically as well ;-). The vision in front of her for her life is becoming clearer and she starting to pick up even more the little ways that Allah, swt, is guiding her through her daughter, motherhood and more. Maryam’s Ramadan is just getting started and it’s already providing deep insight. Continue listening to see how she progresses and grows 29 days later.
Maryam tries a different approach to Ramadan. Instead of taking the time to physically prepare meals, she focuses on preparing emotionally and mentally instead. After spending time immersed in Allah’s beautifully healing seas, she reflects on her past year of life as Ramadan comes and ends right before her birthday. She discusses with Allah, swt, how she wants to feel, what she wants to carry with her and what she hopes to gain from this Ramadan. Deeply reflective, intimate and vulnerable, Maryam settles on three words that come to her Heart to carry with her not only through Ramadan but this next chapter of her life, inshallah.
Consequently, the things we dislike and sometimes even have the deepest aversion to, almost like an allergic reaction are the very things that we need; are the very things that may bring us into alignment. Much like bitter medicine is the most powerful, the most potent, the most healing medicine there is, we have to acquire a taste for them. The same should be applied to our everyday interactions within and outside of ourSelves and with others.
A continuation from episode twelve, a two-part recording where Maryam reflects on Surah Baqarah 2:216 and how it has been a recurring theme, message and guidance towards clarity in her relationships, friendships, family relations and her deen. She shares how she has been questioning her deen and the Islamic path that she's currently on for months. What she desires instead, what has been resonating instead and her last-ditch effort to remain faithful to Islam. Deeply vulnerable and transparent, Maryam explores heartache and questions her own faith, getting to the core of what it really means to be spiritual and faithful. While trying to make sense of her inner world, she gains clarity on the direction she needs to take, when not only navigating the matters of her heart, but her interactions with the community at large.
Surah Al Baqarah 216 states that,
وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تُحِبُّوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَهُوَ شَرٌّۭ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
“But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not." This aya has been toying around in Maryam’s mind for the past month and some change and has been having her wondering, if the very things and people she loves are truly good for her, have they been ordained by Allah, swt or has she trauma bonded with them and is afraid to release them; allowing space for those that have been decreed. Sit back and listen as Maryam attempts to make sense of her world and the connections she’s formed to come into alignment with Allah’s qadr over her life.
There’s this beautiful verse in the Hadith Qudsi narrated by Sahih al-Bukhari that recalls our beloved Prophet Muhammad, saw, telling us that Allah, swt, says, “Whomever comes to Me walking, I will come to them running.” This verse demonstrates Allah’s eagerness and desire to be close to you and I and how beautifully humbling and inspiring that is to know that your creator, the Most High, the One above all others, the One from which all power emanates wants you and specifically you near to them. It makes everyone and everything else fail in comparison. As if there is never a reason to pout or be sad if no one else wants you, because Allah, swt, WANTS you! In this episode, Maryam touches on how this hadith has and is impacting her as she navigates disappointments and heartaches in her own life.
In this episode, Maryam dives into the true meaning and implications of worship of ibadah. What it actually is and how it plays out in our everyday lives. She shares her struggles at realizing that her worship hasn't solely been focused on Allah, swt, and how she has been unknowingly worshipping others instead. Tap in to connect and share space with a fellow Muslimah attempting to evolve in her deen.
In this episode, Maryam presents yet another profound moment in her journey through Islam. She relates how Allah, swt, has used one of his most favored creations, the Bee, in order to connect with her, guide her and assuage her that everything that has happened, everything she's lost was actually a gain, a means of protection and elevation. Weaving together, personal experience, divine revelation, Qur'anic study, science and again, Instagram, she tells a story that will be sure to have you paying more attention to the natural world around you for Allah's comfort!
Article Link Mentioned:
https://themuslimvibe.com/faith-islam/science/animals-in-the-holy-quran-the-bee#:~:text=The%20Quran%20says%20God%20inspired,communication%20with%20holy%2Fchosen%20people
In this episode, Maryam attempts to the various modes in which Allah, swt, chooses to direct and guide her, weaving together personal interactions, salat and Instagram! She knows it sounds crazy but here her out. She describes her most recent encounter of wisdom with Allah, swt, as a result of salat and a recent Instagram post. In the midst of this recollection, she has one of the most revelatory and closest interactions to Allah, swt, that she’s ever had, bringing her to uncontrollable tears on her rug and while recording. An interesting weaving of connection and communication. You’ll want to tune in.
In this episode, Maryam tries to break down her why, why she chose Islam. There’s an emphasis on try as it’s hard to describe. Despite practicing, studying and learning about many other religions, many of which would be more appealing to those around her. Despite it being the only religion, out of all the ones she’s practiced, her family takes issue with. She still chose it and continues to do so, even in the face of adversity. Tap and tune in to here why she chose Islam. Why it is the only path for her and why, inshallah, she will do everything in her power to keep choosing it for every day of her life.
In this episode, Maryam presents her journey to Islam. How despite walking many different spiritual and religious paths, none seem to quite fulfill the calling of her Spirit. From Hinduism to Christianity to Jainism, Maryam has walked many paths but along the way, Allah, swt, was planting seeds of Islam unbeknownst to her. All of which leading her to take her last and final initiation, her shahada. This episode will be filled with laughter and tears of joy. Listen in.
In this episode, Maryam discusses how Allah, swt, has shown up in her life over the last year of being a muslimah. She talks about her misconceptions on how she thought Allah, swt, would guide her and how she is reminded of His actual guidance during a heavy transitionary time in her life. She explains the small, beautiful ways in which Allah, swt, has shown up and continues to show up for her and her daughter. An insightful episode meant to inspire reflection, contemplation and a deep reverence for our Rabb. Be sure to tune in.
In this episode, Maryam discusses how vital Islam is to the liberation + protection of women in this day and age. As a once very staunch feminist, she provides a very unique perspective of Islam and it’s high reverence for women. As a woman, who once viewed her now deen as one of the most oppressive religious systems on the planet. She presents how she couldn’t have been more wrong. This is the longest episode to date as it’s filled with passion, intensity, raw emotions and a lot of vulnerable moments. You’ll want to tune in for this!
In this episode, Maryam presents the powerful du’a of the Istikhara prayer. She discusses what it is, how powerful it is and the details surrounding offering it to Allah, swt. Her experience with Istikhara has been a rollercoaster of a ride, but a beautiful requiring her to remember Allah, swt, even more and cultivate a deeper relationship with them. Make sure to tune in to receive the nuggets of this powerful, transformative prayer.
In this episode, Maryam shares a seemingly random message that she receives in the middle of her remembrance of Allah, swt. She witnesses the surrendering dance of incense smoke and draws parallels to the dance of life that we all attempt to do. The parallels she draws reminds us of the “lack of control” that we have in our everyday lives, especially as Muslims, and the beauty that is found there. She weaves together personal wisdom, experiential downloads and entertainment with Islamic wisdom. You’ll want to tune in for sure!
In this episode, Maryam shares a deeply vulnerable experience navigating her own trials and tribulations. She shares what it felt like, how she even had moments of questioning Allah, swt, questioning herSelf and so much more. And how ultimately, she has come to develop a profound and deep appreciation for the current trial that she’s in and even deeper love for Allah. A knowing of divine support, protection and guidance from her Creator, her Provider, her Guardian, her Rabb. Listen in for a deeply raw, heartfelt episode.
In this very first episode of Muslimah in Paraiso, we jump right into one of the most important concepts in Islam, tawakkul, complete reliance on Allah, swt, and how it has manifested itself in my own life.
