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Marriage Is Deeper Than What the Eyes Can See

Marriage Is Deeper Than What the Eyes Can See

What people choose to share with the world is often only a carefully selected moment—not the complete story. Behind the beautiful family photographs, matching outfits, luxurious vacations, sparkling wedding rings, designer handbags, expensive cars, and perfectly decorated homes may be silent tears, difficult conversations, unanswered prayers, loneliness, financial struggles, emotional pain, or battles that no camera will ever capture.

The danger begins when we compare our reality with someone else’s highlights.

We start believing that appearances measure happiness. We become dissatisfied with the blessings Allah has already placed in our own homes because we assume someone else’s life is free of hardship. In chasing an image, we neglect the beauty that already exists within our own marriage.

Comparison is one of the quickest ways to rob the heart of gratitude.

Allah never asked us to live another family’s story. He asked us to be grateful for His favors and to strive for excellence within the home He has entrusted to us.

Perhaps your spouse does not buy extravagant gifts, but they pray for you.

Perhaps your home is not the most luxurious, but it is filled with peace and tranquility.

Perhaps your marriage is not perfect, but it is built on sincerity, mercy, forgiveness, and a shared desire to please Allah.

These are treasures that cannot be displayed on social media.

Before admiring what appears beautiful from a distance, remember that every marriage carries its own tests. Instead of longing for another person’s life, nurture your own. Water your own garden. Speak kindly to your spouse. Overlook their shortcomings. Celebrate the countless blessings that have become so familiar that you barely notice them anymore.

A grateful heart sees what comparison cannot.

Today, thank Allah for your spouse—their strengths, their efforts, their presence, and even the lessons learned through your differences. Perfection belongs only to Allah. But with gratitude, patience, mercy, and sincere effort, an ordinary marriage can become one of life’s greatest blessings.

“If you are grateful, I will surely increase you.” (Qur’an 14:7)

May Allah fill our homes with sakīnah (tranquility), mawaddah (love), and raḥmah (mercy), make us grateful for the blessings He has bestowed upon us, and help us appreciate the good we see in our spouses before longing for what we see in others. Āmīn.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

What people choose to share with the world is often only a carefully selected moment—not the complete story. Behind the beautiful family photographs, matching outfits, luxurious vacations, sparkling wedding rings, designer handbags, expensive cars, and perfectly decorated homes may be silent tears, difficult conversations, unanswered prayers, loneliness, financial struggles, emotional pain, or battles that no camera will ever capture.

The danger begins when we compare our reality with someone else’s highlights.

We start believing that appearances measure happiness. We become dissatisfied with the blessings Allah has already placed in our own homes because we assume someone else’s life is free of hardship. In chasing an image, we neglect the beauty that already exists within our own marriage.

Comparison is one of the quickest ways to rob the heart of gratitude.

Allah never asked us to live another family’s story. He asked us to be grateful for His favors and to strive for excellence within the home He has entrusted to us.

Perhaps your spouse does not buy extravagant gifts, but they pray for you.

Perhaps your home is not the most luxurious, but it is filled with peace and tranquility.

Perhaps your marriage is not perfect, but it is built on sincerity, mercy, forgiveness, and a shared desire to please Allah.

These are treasures that cannot be displayed on social media.

Before admiring what appears beautiful from a distance, remember that every marriage carries its own tests. Instead of longing for another person’s life, nurture your own. Water your own garden. Speak kindly to your spouse. Overlook their shortcomings. Celebrate the countless blessings that have become so familiar that you barely notice them anymore.

A grateful heart sees what comparison cannot.

Today, thank Allah for your spouse—their strengths, their efforts, their presence, and even the lessons learned through your differences. Perfection belongs only to Allah. But with gratitude, patience, mercy, and sincere effort, an ordinary marriage can become one of life’s greatest blessings.

“If you are grateful, I will surely increase you.” (Qur’an 14:7)

May Allah fill our homes with sakīnah (tranquility), mawaddah (love), and raḥmah (mercy), make us grateful for the blessings He has bestowed upon us, and help us appreciate the good we see in our spouses before longing for what we see in others. Āmīn.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

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The Waiting Period

The Waiting Period

One of the most difficult tests of faith is not making du‘ā—it is waiting for its answer. As you turn to Allah in prayer, remember that every du‘ā has its appointed time. Some prayers are answered immediately. Others take weeks, months, or even years. But no sincere supplication is ever lost with Allah.

ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (رضي الله عنه) beautifully said:
“I am not concerned about whether my supplication will be answered. Rather, I am concerned about making supplication itself. For when Allah inspires me to make du‘ā, the answer accompanies it.”

So while you wait, keep your heart attached to Allah.
Do not stop making du‘ā.
Do not stop hoping.
Do not stop trusting.

Allah has heard every word you have uttered. He has seen every tear you have shed. He knows every pain you have hidden from the world. Nothing about your situation is unknown to Him.

Perhaps you are:
A married couple yearning for the blessing of a child.
Searching for employment and wondering when your opportunity will come.
Struggling to put food on your family’s table.
Trying to pay your children’s school fees.
Carrying a burden that no one else knows about.

Do not let your delay make you doubt Allah’s mercy. Allah is still above the Throne. His power has not diminished. His mercy has not ceased. His promise has never failed. Your Lord says:

“And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the call of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.” (Qur’an 2:186)

If the answer is delayed, it is not because Allah has forgotten you. Rather, He is preparing what is best for you, at the best time, according to His perfect wisdom. So continue knocking on the door of Ar-Raḥmān. One day, by His permission, that door will open in a way that will make every moment of waiting worthwhile.

Your du‘ā has been heard.
Your Lord is the Best of Planners.

Keep waiting with patience. Keep asking with certainty. Keep trusting with unwavering tawakkul.
Indeed, with hardship comes ease. (Qur’an 94:5–6)
May Allah answer every sincere du‘ā, replace every hardship with relief, and grant us what is best in this world and the Hereafter. Āmīn.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

One of the most difficult tests of faith is not making du‘ā—it is waiting for its answer. As you turn to Allah in prayer, remember that every du‘ā has its appointed time. Some prayers are answered immediately. Others take weeks, months, or even years. But no sincere supplication is ever lost with Allah.

ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (رضي الله عنه) beautifully said:
“I am not concerned about whether my supplication will be answered. Rather, I am concerned about making supplication itself. For when Allah inspires me to make du‘ā, the answer accompanies it.”

So while you wait, keep your heart attached to Allah.
Do not stop making du‘ā.
Do not stop hoping.
Do not stop trusting.

Allah has heard every word you have uttered. He has seen every tear you have shed. He knows every pain you have hidden from the world. Nothing about your situation is unknown to Him.

Perhaps you are:
A married couple yearning for the blessing of a child.
Searching for employment and wondering when your opportunity will come.
Struggling to put food on your family’s table.
Trying to pay your children’s school fees.
Carrying a burden that no one else knows about.

Do not let your delay make you doubt Allah’s mercy. Allah is still above the Throne. His power has not diminished. His mercy has not ceased. His promise has never failed. Your Lord says:

“And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the call of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.” (Qur’an 2:186)

If the answer is delayed, it is not because Allah has forgotten you. Rather, He is preparing what is best for you, at the best time, according to His perfect wisdom. So continue knocking on the door of Ar-Raḥmān. One day, by His permission, that door will open in a way that will make every moment of waiting worthwhile.

Your du‘ā has been heard.
Your Lord is the Best of Planners.

Keep waiting with patience. Keep asking with certainty. Keep trusting with unwavering tawakkul.
Indeed, with hardship comes ease. (Qur’an 94:5–6)
May Allah answer every sincere du‘ā, replace every hardship with relief, and grant us what is best in this world and the Hereafter. Āmīn.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

maj

WE ARE SUPER PROUD OF YOU, MARYAM YUSUF!

WE ARE SUPER PROUD OF YOU, MARYAM YUSUF!

I am a proud mother of two children who attended Ar-Raheem International College, Ilorin, Kwara State, where they each became a Hafidh and Hafidhah, respectively, after three years. It is deeply disheartening that some people still assume that students—or women who wear the niqab (face veil)—are unintelligent.

I was saddened to see some ignorant individuals attempt to diminish Maryam’s remarkable achievement for reasons best known to them. How can anyone claim to have “removed” her niqab by circulating a random photograph of someone else that clearly does not match hers? Even more disappointing is that such misinformation came from a well-known media outlet.

Maryam Yusuf, Allah has honored you with a success you truly deserve. He has caused your name to be recognized across the world, and we are grateful to Him for this blessing. No one can take away the honor Allah has bestowed upon you. No one can diminish what He has elevated.

As a proud mother, I stand with you, your parents, and the entire Ar-Raheem International School family. You are loved, respected, and cherished.

Thank you for making Islam, the Ummah, and Nigeria proud. May Allah increase you in beneficial knowledge, protect you from every evil, and grant you even greater success in this world and the Hereafter. Āmīn.

— Umm Sumayyah Mai

I am a proud mother of two children who attended Ar-Raheem International College, Ilorin, Kwara State, where they each became a Hafidh and Hafidhah, respectively, after three years. It is deeply disheartening that some people still assume that students—or women who wear the niqab (face veil)—are unintelligent.

I was saddened to see some ignorant individuals attempt to diminish Maryam’s remarkable achievement for reasons best known to them. How can anyone claim to have “removed” her niqab by circulating a random photograph of someone else that clearly does not match hers? Even more disappointing is that such misinformation came from a well-known media outlet.

Maryam Yusuf, Allah has honored you with a success you truly deserve. He has caused your name to be recognized across the world, and we are grateful to Him for this blessing. No one can take away the honor Allah has bestowed upon you. No one can diminish what He has elevated.

As a proud mother, I stand with you, your parents, and the entire Ar-Raheem International School family. You are loved, respected, and cherished.

Thank you for making Islam, the Ummah, and Nigeria proud. May Allah increase you in beneficial knowledge, protect you from every evil, and grant you even greater success in this world and the Hereafter. Āmīn.

— Umm Sumayyah Mai

maj

Raising Children for Jannah

Raising Children for Jannah

YOUR CHILDREN ARE AN AMĀNAH, NOT A COMPETITION

One of the greatest mistakes parents make is focusing more on raising successful children than righteous children. We celebrate high grades, prestigious careers, and worldly achievements. While these are blessings from Allah, they should never come at the expense of our children’s relationship with Him.

The greatest success is not hearing, “My child became a doctor, engineer, or lawyer.” Rather, it is hearing that your child established the prayer, honored their parents, spoke the truth, feared Allah in public and in private, and lived a life that pleased Him.

Allah says: “O you who believe! Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones…” (Qur’an 66:6). The Prophet ﷺ said: “Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock.”(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī).

Our children are not entrusted to us merely to prepare them for university, marriage, or a successful career; they are entrusted to us to nurture their growth and development. They are entrusted to us to prepare them for the meeting with Allah.

Teach them to love the Qur’an before they love the world. Teach them to pray before you pressure them to perform. Teach them sincerity before popularity, and good character before recognition.
If they earn this world but lose their faith, we have not truly succeeded. But if they hold firmly to Islam, even through life’s challenges, they have attained the greatest success.

May Allah make our children among the righteous, keep them steadfast upon Islam, protect them from trials, and reunite us with them in Jannatul-Firdaws. Āmīn.

What do you think is the most important quality to nurture in a child today? Share your thoughts in the comments.

#RaisingChildrenForJannah #IslamicParenting #TheMuslimFamilySeries #Quran #Sunnah #ParentingWithPurpose #MuslimParents #FamilyInIslam #Jannah #MajeedahAshimiIdris #MajmolQueenFoundation

YOUR CHILDREN ARE AN AMĀNAH, NOT A COMPETITION

One of the greatest mistakes parents make is focusing more on raising successful children than righteous children. We celebrate high grades, prestigious careers, and worldly achievements. While these are blessings from Allah, they should never come at the expense of our children’s relationship with Him.

The greatest success is not hearing, “My child became a doctor, engineer, or lawyer.” Rather, it is hearing that your child established the prayer, honored their parents, spoke the truth, feared Allah in public and in private, and lived a life that pleased Him.

Allah says: “O you who believe! Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones…” (Qur’an 66:6). The Prophet ﷺ said: “Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock.”(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī).

Our children are not entrusted to us merely to prepare them for university, marriage, or a successful career; they are entrusted to us to nurture their growth and development. They are entrusted to us to prepare them for the meeting with Allah.

Teach them to love the Qur’an before they love the world. Teach them to pray before you pressure them to perform. Teach them sincerity before popularity, and good character before recognition.
If they earn this world but lose their faith, we have not truly succeeded. But if they hold firmly to Islam, even through life’s challenges, they have attained the greatest success.

May Allah make our children among the righteous, keep them steadfast upon Islam, protect them from trials, and reunite us with them in Jannatul-Firdaws. Āmīn.

What do you think is the most important quality to nurture in a child today? Share your thoughts in the comments.

#RaisingChildrenForJannah #IslamicParenting #TheMuslimFamilySeries #Quran #Sunnah #ParentingWithPurpose #MuslimParents #FamilyInIslam #Jannah #MajeedahAshimiIdris #MajmolQueenFoundation

Believe

Leave What You Can’t Control to Allah

Leave What You Can’t Control to Allah

I’ve worked with people who constantly fear becoming sick, falling into poverty, or dying. Yet they fail to realize that there are countless things beyond our control, regardless of our health, wealth, or status.

Among my Muslim brothers and sisters are those who struggle in a similar way. They have yet to experience the sweetness of īmān and the true meaning of placing their trust in Allah. They have yet to fully understand that many of the challenges, trials, and tribulations we face are simply beyond our control.

Some people assume that once they pray, give charity, and help those in need, they are guaranteed success and an easy life. They forget that Allah may still test them despite their righteous deeds. When hardship comes, some become frustrated and begin to question why they are facing difficulties after striving to do good.

This is where tawakkul becomes essential.

Tawakkul is to sincerely strive in obedience to Allah, make use of the lawful means available, and then place complete trust in Him without reservation, knowing that whatever He decrees is best. A believer understands that success is not measured only by worldly outcomes but by Allah’s pleasure and the reward that awaits in the Hereafter.

When tawakkul fills the heart, anxiety gives way to contentment, fear is replaced with hope, and hardship becomes easier to bear. May Allah grant us true tawakkul, strengthen our faith, and make us among those who rely upon Him completely. Āmīn.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

I’ve worked with people who constantly fear becoming sick, falling into poverty, or dying. Yet they fail to realize that there are countless things beyond our control, regardless of our health, wealth, or status.

Among my Muslim brothers and sisters are those who struggle in a similar way. They have yet to experience the sweetness of īmān and the true meaning of placing their trust in Allah. They have yet to fully understand that many of the challenges, trials, and tribulations we face are simply beyond our control.

Some people assume that once they pray, give charity, and help those in need, they are guaranteed success and an easy life. They forget that Allah may still test them despite their righteous deeds. When hardship comes, some become frustrated and begin to question why they are facing difficulties after striving to do good.

This is where tawakkul becomes essential.

Tawakkul is to sincerely strive in obedience to Allah, make use of the lawful means available, and then place complete trust in Him without reservation, knowing that whatever He decrees is best. A believer understands that success is not measured only by worldly outcomes but by Allah’s pleasure and the reward that awaits in the Hereafter.

When tawakkul fills the heart, anxiety gives way to contentment, fear is replaced with hope, and hardship becomes easier to bear. May Allah grant us true tawakkul, strengthen our faith, and make us among those who rely upon Him completely. Āmīn.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

Towards a sucessful Marriage

When Couples Have a Misunderstanding

It’s funny how, after a misunderstanding, both spouses often pretend they don’t miss each other. You’ll see Mr. A sleeping without cuddling his wife as he usually does, while Mrs. A turns her back on the love of her life.

Although those little disagreements can help address underlying issues, they can also strengthen the bond between couples who genuinely love one another.

I’ve experienced this in my own marriage, and I still laugh whenever I remember the conversations that followed. Each of us would have our own complaints:

“You went to work and didn’t call me like you usually do.”

And I would reply,

“You came home without saying, ‘Go and tell your mum upstairs that I’m back,’ like you always do.”

SubḥānAllāh, those little disagreements can be amusing. They remind you how much you cherish the small gestures that make your relationship special, and sometimes they deepen your appreciation for one another.

Wallāhi, marriage can be both sweet and funny. That’s why it’

Sitting-in-silence

Feeling Empty In Your Heart?

Life will not always remain the same. Struggles and trials are an inevitable part of our journey. We were created to face tests, though each person’s test is different. What matters most is having Tawakkul—complete reliance upon Allah.

The storm may be intense. The pain may feel overwhelming. There may be seasons of heaviness and emptiness, but they will not last forever. Allah’s promise is always true, and He never wrongs anyone.

Allah tests us to prove the sincerity of our faith when we say, “We believe.” He tests us to prove the sincerity of our love when we claim to love Him. And He tests us to elevate our status and increase our ranks in this world and the Hereafter.

So, when trials come, be patient. When your heart feels heavy, remain steadfast. And when emptiness creates a void within you, return to Allah—the only One who can fill every emptiness, lift every burden, and grant lasting peace.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

you + Me = Forever_

When Love Reunites

One of the beautiful things we have witnessed over the years is that some couples who divorced eventually found their way back to one another. They chose to forgive, overlook past mistakes, and accept each other’s flaws and shortcomings. By the permission of Allah, they were given another chance to rebuild what was once broken.

Of course, not every story ends this way. In some situations—such as abuse, shirk, or other serious circumstances—remaining apart may be the safer and wiser choice. Every marriage and every divorce has its own unique realities.

However, we have also seen couples reunite after years of separation. Some even remarried other people before realizing that no marriage is perfect and that the spouse they left was, in many ways, better suited for them than the one they later married.

Every situation is different. For some, leaving the marriage is the best decision. For many others, it is worth taking the time to reflect, seek sincere counsel, make istikhārah, and exhaust every lawful means of reconciliation before saying, “I do no more.”

May Allah rectify all our affairs, guide our hearts to what is best, and bless our marriages with love, mercy, and lasting tranquility. Āmīn.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

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We Don’t Thank Them Enough

Sincerely, a great deal is expected of a man. He is expected to be a provider and a protector, carrying the weight of his responsibilities with little room for excuses.

Yes, that is true.

But let me tell you something: unless your husband is exceptionally wealthy, you should understand that he may not be able to provide every single thing you desire or meet every expectation you have.

That is the reality. I am not here to paint an unrealistic picture of marriage or pretend that every husband can fulfill everything on a wife’s wish list. So, do not enter marriage expecting a flawless man or believing that your husband will be able to provide everything exactly as you imagined.

I am not referring to men who are irresponsible, lazy, or neglectful. I am speaking about the man who wakes up every morning determined to earn a lawful living; the man who works tirelessly to pay the bills, provide food for the family, clothe his wife and children, pay school fees, and carry the burdens of his household, often without anyone noticing his silent struggles.

Indeed, there are men, and there are men.

If Allah has blessed you with a God-conscious husband—a man who sincerely strives to live according to Islam, follows the Sunnah, and provides for his family without being stingy or lazy—then appreciate his efforts. Make duʿāʾ for him. Encourage him. Stand by him.

Being a good man is not easy, and the responsibility becomes even greater when children are involved.

May Allah strengthen our husbands, bless them with halal provision, grant them sincerity and steadfastness, and make them among the righteous. May He also make us spouses who appreciate, support, and encourage one another. Āmīn.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

Majmol

The Red Flags Are Crucial

I went to bed very late last night after making some calls and conducting an in-depth investigation into a marriage proposal that was brought to my humble self. Although the process was exhausting and time-consuming, I was grateful for what I discovered. I have always been a strong advocate for thorough verification before saying, “I do.” This particular case reinforced that conviction even more clearly. What may appear promising on the surface can sometimes reveal important concerns when examined carefully.

Whether you are single, widowed, or divorced, one important piece of advice is this: do not rush into making decisions about a marriage proposal. No matter how attractive or tempting a proposal may seem, marriage should never be approached alone or based solely on emotions. Seek counsel from trusted family members, knowledgeable individuals, and people who sincerely care about your well-being. Ask questions. Verify information. Observe character. Make istikhārah. Take time to verify pretty well. A decision that can affect the rest of your life deserves careful consideration.

Many people ignore red flags because they are eager to get married, afraid of missing an opportunity, or persuaded by appearances. Unfortunately, some discover the reality only after the marriage has taken place. Protect your heart by seeking the truth before committing. It is far better to delay a decision than to regret a hasty one. For a deeper understanding of this important topic, I encourage you to get our books,

#Towards a Successful Marriage & #Heart-to-Heart with My Sister.

May Allah protect us from deception, guide us to what is best, and bless us with spouses who will be a source of peace, righteousness, and happiness in this life and the next. Āmīn.

Umm Sumayyah Mai