To be clear, no matter how righteous a woman may be, the natural reality is that very few women find it easy to share their husbands with another woman. It is one of the most difficult trials a wife may face when the question or reality of polygyny arises in her marriage.

This humble servant of Allah expressed her fears and emotions, as many women would in her position. Yet, through reliance upon Allah, patience, and the gentleness and perseverance of her husband, she found solace and chose to entrust her affairs to her Lord.

Then, in ways she did not expect, Allah softened her heart and honored her with something that brought ease and joy to her spirit. Allah granted her something beautiful and meaningful. Indeed, Allah does not forsake a sincere servant who turns to Him with submission and trust. He honors sincerity, humility, patience, and perseverance in ways beyond human expectation.

May Allah elevate your rank in this dunya and akhirah, grant you steadfastness, and fill your life with tranquility and barakah.

BarakAllahu feek.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

This Dhul Hijjah is another opportunity to turn back to your Lord with the prayers your heart has carried for so long — the prayers that have yet to be answered.

It is an opportunity to seek the Face of Allah with sincerity, hope, and humility. Never grow tired of repenting, and never give up on your duʿā. You are not alone in your waiting.

There are many among us whose prayers have still not been granted. We are still waiting, still hoping, and still calling upon Allah with certainty that He hears us. And we will never give up.

Part of what makes us conscious believers is knowing that Allah sees every tear, hears every whispered supplication, and understands every silent pain. He guides whom He wills, and He tests us in different ways — sometimes to bring us closer to Him, sometimes to purify our hearts, and sometimes to raise our ranks and reveal who among us is truly sincere, devoted, and submissive to Him.

So ask Allah during these blessed days, and do not lose hope in His mercy. Take hold of this Friday and seek His Face with a heart full of trust.
May Allah grant all of our righteous requests, forgive our shortcomings, ease our hardships, and answer the duʿā we have carried for years. Amiin.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

It is easy to say, “I’m done, goodbye,” to a partner when frustration, pain, and the pressures of life begin to weigh heavily on the heart. Sometimes those words are spoken not because love is completely gone, but because the soul feels exhausted, unheard, and emotionally distant.

Before you let go of the man or woman in your life, reflect carefully. Before you conclude, seek sincere advice, communicate honestly, and see whether things can still be repaired.

If there is still room for understanding, patience, growth, and healing, then try. Make the effort to sort things out with wisdom and compassion. No relationship is perfect, and no place is completely free from challenges. Every bond will face seasons of difficulty, misunderstandings, and emotional strain.

A lonely heart does not only need companionship; it needs reassurance, mercy, kindness, and emotional safety. Sometimes the strongest relationships are not the ones without problems, but the ones where both people choose to remain gentle with each other during difficult times.

Before saying, “I’m done,” ask yourself:
Is leaving truly the solution, or is the heart simply tired and overwhelmed?

Healing often begins with sincere conversation, listening with empathy, du’a, patience, and the willingness to understand one another again.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

We live in a world where going to bed feels like a struggle.

We live in a world where waking up in the morning feels frightening.

We live in a dangerous world where the killing of human beings is seen by some as enjoyable and even heroic.

We live in a world where teenagers become brainwashed by what they consume through the media.

We live in a world where hatred spreads like wildfire.

We live in a world where practicing your religion feels like a crime.

We live in a world filled with terror, confusion, hatred, and Islamophobia.

This world is losing mercy, empathy, and compassion because of the actions of many devilish individuals.

O Allah, we ask for Your protection over ourselves, our children, and our communities.

Protect us from the hidden evils of those who view us as their enemies. O Allah, protect our children, siblings, families, friends, and neighbors. Amyin.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

Listening to the tafsir and deep explanation of the Qur’an is something of great importance and enlightenment. Aside from the fact that you gain enormous knowledge by doing so, you also attain immense reward from the Rabb who sent His Prophet ﷺ with the Noble Book, the Qur’an.

The more a believer reflects upon the meanings of the Qur’an, the more guidance, tranquility, wisdom, and humility he or she gains. Tafsir helps one understand the commands of Allah correctly, avoid misunderstandings, and appreciate the beauty and depth of His words.

When you sit and listen attentively to the explanation of the Qur’an, you begin to realize how every verse speaks to the condition of the believer — his struggles, hopes, fears, sins, repentance, patience, and ultimate return to Allah. You begin to understand the Names and Attributes of Allah more deeply, the stories of the Prophets more clearly, and the reality of this dunya more truthfully.

The Qur’an was not revealed merely to be recited melodiously, but to be understood, reflected upon, and implemented in our lives. Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said: “If people knew what there is in recitation of the Qur’an with reflection, they would busy themselves with it over everything else.”

The gatherings of tafsir are among the most beneficial gatherings because they connect the servant to the speech of His Lord. They increase īmān, soften the heart, revive the soul, and strengthen certainty in Allah.

May Allah make us among the people of the Qur’an — those who recite it, understand it, reflect upon it, teach it, and act upon it sincerely. May He make the Qur’an the spring of our hearts, the light of our chests, and a proof for us on the Day we return to Him. Amyin, Yah Rabbal Ala’aameen.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

I am not bragging, but if I happened to be the bedside nurse caring for you, by Allah, when you leave the hospital, you will remember me.
This is not self-praise; it is based on the reviews of those I have cared for — both the highly educated citizens of America and those who are not educated.

I wear a crown of empathy, sympathy, and mercy every single day I walk into the hospital. I am there to serve submissively because I know I will be held accountable. Even if no one is watching me, Allah is. So, I always give my best.

I am a queen, and I wear the veil proudly as a representative of my religion, without fear of anyone.

It is an identity I carry carefully and with commitment.

That does not mean I am perfect.

It does not mean I do not get angry.

It does not mean that some people do not ask mean questions or behave terribly.

But trust me when I tell you that I am fearless and always ready.

In fact, even with your criticism, you will still want me to care for you the following day.

O youngsters, do not be afraid of your identity.

Wear your niqab with proper knowledge and conviction, and do not disgrace yourself or Islam in public spaces. Do not be like “Adeola,” who removed her niqab publicly, forgetting the questioning of the Day of Judgment.

Do not listen to those who ignorantly preach against the niqab without knowledge.

May Allah grant us a good ending

Umm Sumayyah Mai

My manager at work once asked one of our sisters in hijab this question during a job interview:

“Majeedah, if your assigned patient is coding and your attention is urgently needed as the primary nurse, would you be able to answer the Code Blue call if you happened to be praying?”

My response was:

In Islam, while people are praying and someone suddenly becomes unconscious, it is permissible for at least two people to break their prayer and attend to the unconscious person while the others continue praying. So yes, for this reason, I would.

At this point, I am not entirely sure whether the answer I gave was completely correct, but I answered based on the knowledge I had.

Apparently, they asked her some additional questions as well. Since she was a new graduate leaving her previous job, I think she was not given much of a chance because perhaps she did not answer those questions well.

Now, to follow up on Dr. Khadijah’s post about the questions people get during interviews, I have also been asked similar questions such as, “Would you be willing to take off the niqab?” I was even asked the same question during my clinical days.

However, throughout the four months I spent during my clinicals across about four hospitals as a student nurse, I wore my niqab.

Now, back to the question: Would you be able to allow your patients to see you?
Of course, I would if necessary.

I have had challenges where I was not able to wear the niqab in some hospitals and only had the option of wearing a mask instead.

But as Allah would have it, I eventually found two hospitals that allowed me to wear it without any issues. In fact, at the first hospital, my manager was a White woman. She told me she had hired people with hijabs before and that I am free to observe my prayers because she already knew I would pray.

In that hospital, there was even a section assigned for salah, like a mini masjid.

In all, may Allah crown our efforts and ease our paths. While some good sisters are reluctant to remove their veil (niqab) because of financial struggles, others are removing it publicly and in broad daylight.

May Allah rectify us and grant us a good ending.

May Allah reward you beautifully.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

One of our good sisters on this app asked, “What is the one thing you fear most in this life?”

For me, it is losing my Deen.

Not because I do not fear other things like debt, sickness, hardship, or pain, but because once a person loses their faith, everything else begins to lose meaning. The greatest loss is not poverty or illness — it is losing one’s connection with Allah and dying without true faith.

If we are in debt, we still raise our hands to Allah, asking Him to relieve us of it and not to take our souls before we fulfill our responsibilities.

If we are sick, we remind ourselves that perhaps Allah is using that hardship as a means of expiation for our sins and purification for our souls. Yet even in sickness, we still know we have Allah to call upon.

This is why the hadith about asking Allah even for something as small as a shoelace is so profound. It teaches us to turn to Allah for everything — our struggles, fears, needs, trials, and hopes. Nothing is too small or too great for Him.

But once a person loses their faith or abandons their Deen, they stop turning back to Allah. Their heart slowly hardens. They no longer care about pleasing their Lord, and arrogance can begin to consume them, just as pride destroyed Shaytan.

With Imaan, a believer knows who to call upon in times of difficulty. With faith, there is always hope, patience, repentance, and reliance upon Allah. Even during trials, the believer remains optimistic because they know that one day, they will return to their Lord and, by His mercy, meet Him in peace.

May Allah protect our Imaan, keep our hearts firm upon His religion, and never allow this dunya to pull us away from Him. Amyin Yah Rabbal Ala’aameen.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

We can’t rule out the fact that some people who claim to be Muslims are not. What if such an act was done to mock the Deen? How would someone come publicly to display what people neither needed nor wanted to see?

It is truly disheartening and deeply troubling to witness such things. While it is not within our power to label, judge, or declare anyone’s faith, it is still important that harmful and shameless actions are discouraged and not normalized among the believers.

Sadly, we live in a time where modesty is being stripped away little by little, and many things that once brought shame are now displayed proudly before the public. Some people seek attention at the expense of dignity, while others use religion as a means to gain popularity, influence, or validation.
Yet, Allah sees what is hidden in the hearts and what is openly displayed.

As Muslims, we must protect our hearts from becoming desensitized to evil. Not every trend deserves support, and not every public display deserves applause. We should fear a time when wrong becomes accepted simply because it is widespread.

The believer advises with wisdom, lowers their gaze from evil, and strives to protect their own soul before criticizing others. At the same time, silence toward open indecency should never become a sign of approval.

May Allah protect our hearts from fitnah, protect our eyes and minds from harmful influences, and keep us firm upon modesty, sincerity, and righteousness. May He guide those who have gone astray and conceal our faults in this life and the Hereafter.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

To many non-believers and some ignorant Muslims, those who put on the niqab (face veil) are seen as the ugliest people in the world. Some people, even among Muslims, believe niqab wearers are the most backward people of all ages.

Some even think they are unable to construct or speak simple English, let alone read a poet’s book.
The niqab is not a symbol of oppression. I am a munaqabbah (wearer of the face veil). I have never, not even once, been forced into it. I have never been threatened to wear it. No one among my family or friends has ever denied me my rights — not even my husband.

It baffles me that some people in the world we live in truly believe they have the right to dictate the kind of shoes I put on, the type of clothes I choose to wear, and how I am supposed to wear them. I believe common sense, along with the privilege Allah has given me to know right from wrong, should be enough. The fact that I can choose Aakhirah (Paradise) over Dunya is something I am grateful for. The fact that I am an adult with the same rights as everyone else should be enough. The fact that I am a woman raised with dignity and honor should be enough for anyone who sees me as a stranger among others.

My father taught us many things while we were growing up. He raised us to always respect others and never deprive anyone of their rights. I recall those days when he used to place me on his lap and ask me to read books aloud to him. He told me many things that I have never forgotten:
“You are a brave girl, and Allah has given you wisdom. You must never let anyone take your rights away from you. You are precious, and you must never give up on what belongs to you. Keep doing what you are doing; it will eventually pay off.”

There is something we must get right in our thoughts: a woman who chooses to maintain her faith and beliefs deserves respect and honor. I strongly believe it is her right to do what she likes with her body, just as it is the right of other women who dress as they please. It is her right to go around with her body covered based on her beliefs and religious convictions. I am sure none of us would want someone to take away our pride and honor.

The niqab is not a symbol of oppression because we are not restricted in what we can do as women in veils. Many of us are doctors; the writer herself is a Registered Nurse. Among us are teachers, lawyers, economists, engineers, and many others, perhaps unknown to you. Wearing a face veil has not restricted us from entering these admirable professions. We are still at the top of our game, and we will not give up — not even for a second.

Consequently, our contributions to the growth of society should not be overlooked. We are indeed among those who are selfless when it comes to assisting society at large. Do not interfere with our faith and beliefs. It is our right and our pride.

So, I advise you to ask questions if you are confused. Let us respect others’ rights and religions. I am not sure an adult woman needs to be taught how to dress, especially when she chooses to cover her beautiful body from every Jack and Harry.

The hate speech needs to stop. The frustration and molestation of our sisters in niqab need to stop. Women who choose to wear the veil should be given their due rights. Let there be justice in all that we do, and allow us to practise our faith as enshrined in the Shari’ah.

Umm Sumayyah Mai
17th Dhul-Qadah 1439AH
July 30th, 2018