Sometimes in marriage, we reach a point where everything feels a little too heavy and a little too tense. You love your husband, but the frustrations, the rushed days, the juggling of kids’ schedules and family and home responsibilities, the economical climate, and the unspoken emotions start piling up until you feel more disconnected than…
When I recently renewed my ID, something strange happened. After 18 years of marriage, I’ve always kept my maiden surname—but on the new card, my surname had been changed to my husband’s. I laughed it off at first, but when I mentioned it to a couple of people, both of them asked me the same…
In part three of the Mahram Series, let’s talk about modern mahrams — a topic that I think many of us need to revisit in light of how much our world has changed. Gone are the days when the traditional family setup looked the same for everyone. Today, women are studying more, running home businesses,…
In many cultures, including ours, living with in-laws is often a reality. While Islam gives a wife the right to her own space, sometimes life makes it more practical, or even more beautiful, to share a home with extended family. For some, it is about convenience. For others, it’s about companionship, pooling resources, or simply…
Marriage is a journey of ups and downs, filled with moments of joy, love, and peace – but also moments of challenge, uncertainty, and growth. Yet, one mistake many couples make is judging the health of their relationship during some of the most intense, stressful periods of their lives. The honeymoon phase, the first year…
A while back, I planned a series of posts about mahram relationships. The idea came from my deep belief that living according to the Islamic way of life offers real solutions to many of the problems we see in society today. Think about it: so many of the debates around gender roles, the struggles Western…
When I got married, it was through an arranged marriage. The date was set just seven weeks after we first met, and before I knew it, life was spinning in a blur of preparations, family gatherings, and emotions I could barely process. I took three weeks off work: one before the wedding, and two after….
Sometimes life really does feel like a series of chance encounters, all stitched together by circumstance — the people we meet, the places we pass through, and the memories that quietly shape who we are. Some people bring joy, others teach lessons that offer pain. And somewhere along the way, we start to realise that…
Long overdue is this review which I have been meaning to share for a while. I am grateful to have received an advanced copy of Springrolls and Saturdays by Bilqees Hassen. My review follows… and with it, a fun way to get back into blogging mode. Springrolls and Saturdays is a light and entertaining romcom…
A while back, I was invited to chat to the lovely Jamila Parker on Radio 786. We chatted about books, teaching, and life in general. Here’s the podcast, in case you missed it.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted here, and I’m glad to finally be back. Life has been beautifully busy with AMWASA work – helping authors find their direction (while trying not to lose mine in the process!) I first came across the author, Maariyah Mathir, in the most unexpected way – as a judge…
I had the pleasure of meeting Veena Pillay at the Durban International Book Fair last November. The way she spoke about A Bend in the Road, with such heart and quiet conviction, left an impression on me. I knew then that this wasn’t just a book I wanted to read, but one I needed to…
Marriage is more than a union between two people; it is an ongoing journey that requires emotional investment, patience, and growth. One of the critical ingredients for a long-lasting, stable marriage is emotional maturity. This maturity allows both partners to navigate the highs and lows of married life with resilience, empathy, and understanding. When both…
Reading aloud is a powerful way to bring stories to life, spark imaginations, and connect with young minds. While many focus on little ones for World Read Aloud Day, I wanted to shine a light on a group that often gets overlooked – our tweens and teens! Today, I’m sharing an exclusive read-aloud from Maaf…
As parents, we often focus on our children’s physical health, academic achievements, and social skills. But what about their spiritual development? And by that I don’t mean the afternoon or weekly madrasah class to learn Surahs, Du’as and Quran. I mean the meaningful day to day lessons in spirituality that they can only learn from…
