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With their offices destroyed and their colleagues targeted, reporters must create new paths to continue their work.

Previously (in Part I), I discussed some of the rationale behind the pressing need for Muslims to pursue law and emerge as excellent, well-rounded practitioners grounded in the Islamic worldview. The following turns to the practical, drawn from my own experience, mistakes, and the mentorship I received.

How Do You Know You’re Ready for Law School?

There is no single moment of readiness; however, what you should have is clarity of purpose and a realistic picture of what the next three years (and further study) will cost, financially and spiritually. If you cannot articulate why you want to practice beyond a blasé desire “to help people”, that is a sign to spend more time researching and speaking with lawyers in the field.

The day-to-day of legal practice is unglamorous, and law school is a sustained exercise in pressure. Solely wanting to do good, inshaAllah, is not enough of an anchor when it is difficult, and it will get difficult.

Relatedly, another signal of readiness is reading seriously and widely. Law is a discipline built on close, critical reading and writing. You should already be someone who reads deeply: history, philosophy, journalism, Islamic texts, etc. If sustained reading feels like a burden now, law school will not fix that. The students who thrive are not necessarily the most credentialed; rather, they are ones who have trained themselves to sit with difficult material and write clearly. Start there.

A word on finances: law school is expensive. High debt constraints choices and naturally push people towards higher-paying work and away from precisely the paths – public interest, solo practice, nonprofit, etc – most likely to serve everyday Muslim legal needs. Before committing to any school, do the math honestly. Look at average starting salaries in the field you want to enter and run numbers against your projected debt. Note that scholarship negotiation is normal, expected, and unlikely to jeopardize your admission. If you have a stronger financial offer from a comparable or better institution, say so professionally and leverage it. Often, students leave significant money on the table simply because they feel it was presumptuous to ask. 

Getting In and Getting Through: Practical Advice

1. Map Out the Next Few Years

Before starting the law school application process, take time to map out where you want to be in the next 3-5 years. Think carefully about your ‘ilm goals, family goals, areas of interest, finances, and potential challenges, then speak to professionals in the field you aspire to enter. 

These conversations offer invaluable insights into the realities of the field, the steps you need to take, the timeline for achieving your goals, and what mistakes to avoid. Aiming for, say, expertise in tax law or the big-law route will look and make different demands on time, region, and (sometimes) tier of school, more than pursuing a judicial clerkship or becoming a solo practitioner.

I found it especially helpful to receive candid advice from other Muslimahs. All of them echoed that familial responsibilities should not be underestimated, but require diligent planning. A common concern is that being a Muslim woman in law will be impossibly difficult or require sacrificing marriage and family, but that is shaped by an outdated view of the profession, often modeled on the high-pressure, high-hour lifestyle of big law firms. In reality, the field is far more diverse. There’s a world of difference between litigating at a top defense firm and working remotely as corporate counsel, or building a public interest career. Government roles, nonprofit advocacy, academia, transactional versus litigation work, these all carry different demands, and many offered far more flexibility than I realized going in. The legal profession is vast, and with good guidance and planning, it can accommodate a wide range of life goals.

2. Pursue ‘Ilm Early and Consistently

I spent my summer before and during law school in Cairo with my husband, studying with different teachers, and now have returned for (inshaAllah) a year of studies. I recognize that this is not feasible for everyone. However, there are excellent programs in the U.S. that make it possible to gain exposure to ‘ilm, whether online or in-person, part-time or full-time. The point is, any engagement with good teachers is invaluable. Begin with foundational works that cover ‘ibadat (worship), then exposure to issues of mu’amalat (transactions and relationships).

Prior to making the decision to move abroad, I spoke with a few mentors, including the Assistant Dean at my school. She noted that while it is not uncommon for law graduates to immediately start pursuing advanced degrees like an MBA or a PhD, delaying entry into the workforce results in falling behind peers financially and career-wise. That was her only point of caution when I mentioned my goals, but otherwise, she was supportive. 

If I could do it over, however, I would have pursued ‘ilm earlier, and not just for spiritual reasons. It simply is harder when career considerations and familial obligations grow. Learning Arabic, for example, opens access to legal texts and compendia that are indispensable for anyone interested in Islamic jurisprudence. Doing so would’ve been easier for me to engage in and relate to my classes and research papers by bringing that depth of research.

3. Seek Mentorship and Good Suhbah (Company)

The legal field is already competitive, and depending on the school, it can be cutthroat. Law school is an isolating experience in many ways due to the demands on one’s time and relentless focus on performance. It builds discipline and good work ethics, but can quickly devolve into dreaded burnout and spiritual sickness.

During my first year of law school, I joined online legal ethics classes with Shaykh Amin Kholwadia of Al-Amin Ethics. Shaykh Amin’s focus on training Muslim professionals “to understand, present, represent, and re-present Islamic Civilizational values in their respective professions” bridged the gap between theory and practice I was looking for. It offered rigorous knowledge through an established methodology, tying back to the pursuit of ‘ilm point above, but also a space for mentorship and community, a rare combination that sustained me throughout my legal education.

Beyond the ethics classes, annual conferences and regular meetings became a crucial part of my suhbah and growth. They provided an opportunity to discuss challenges we were facing in our schools, receive guidance on applications and assignments, and engage with experienced legal practitioners and mentors with a similar mindset.

Good suhbah also provided a critical spiritual component. In the midst of demanding schedules and a hyper-competitive environment, being connected with individuals who prioritized faith and reminded me of my higher purpose kept me grounded. These were people who understood the unique challenges of weighing professional ambitions and religious obligations, and could reinforce the importance of maintaining integrity in both.

Conversations often extended beyond academic or career advice to reflections on how to approach legal practice as a form of service and accountability to Allah . This spiritual companionship was essential in navigating moments of doubt or moral compromise. Finding a support system that can do this, whether at your university, local mosque, or similar online classes, will be invaluable.

4. Engage with Your School and Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities provide opportunities to polish critical skills. Joining a law journal allowed me to engage in editorial decisions and contribute my own writing, offering a place to bring nuanced perspectives relating to issues like the niqab. The next year, we held a symposium on the topic “Emerging Issues in International Humanitarian Law,” wherein many speakers discussed war crimes in Gaza.

Involvement in student leadership or organizations that represent the broader student body is another meaningful way to engage and have our positions heard. Like with many fields, one of the challenges was the dismissive or anthropological treatment of religion, which was particularly intriguing at an institution that prided itself on serving minority communities, many of whom are deeply religious. But, constructive discussions with school leadership can make a difference. Our Muslim Law Student Association was able to provide feedback that led to reasonable accommodations for religious holidays, including Ramadan, which started with building a good relationship with the administration and being active on the campus, and then substantive discussions on bringing in guest lecturers and possibly even classes on religion and the law in the future. In another example, our Law Students’ Association signed onto a letter to affirm its commitment to protecting students who were being doxxed or threatened for their views in support of Gaza. The same association also held an open forum to gather perspectives for its statement addressing the violence in the Middle East. 

While graduate school is a different environment from the undergraduate level, where most are more occupied with full-time responsibilities, that doesn’t mean meaningful campus engagement should be left behind. Advocacy at this stage also builds real-world skills (coalition-building, strategic communication, institutional negotiation) that translate directly into legal and policy work. Additionally, the relationships forged at this time with faculty, admin, or fellow students become the ones that open doors down the line, which leads me to my last point.

5. Network Widely

Networking is essential, and limiting oneself to only Muslim circles can lead to an insular view of the legal system. While connecting with other Muslims, as noted above, is vital, engaging with non-Muslims is also critical for professional growth. Many areas of law (estate planning, corporate law, or even niche fields like arbitration) require collaboration with attorneys who have specialized experience. The opposite is also true; a non-Muslim attorney with Muslim clients in a region with little to no Muslim attorneys may often consult a Muslim attorney for guidance on certain issues. Attending webinars, conferences, or specialized training programs exposes you to a broader range of expertise and resources.

Every Muslim who enters the field with sincere intentions and a desire to seek sacred knowledge is, in some way, closing a gap that has had real consequences. The advice above is tailored towards providing a framework for entering the legal profession as a well-rounded individual, whose worldview informs the substance and direction of their work. The community’s legal needs run deeper than surface-level representation. Muslims dealing with issues of marriage, divorce, contracts, estates, disputes, etc., deserve attorneys who understand U.S. law and the moral and jurisprudential tradition that has shaped how Muslims understand their obligations. 

The work is long, the preparation longer, but as the community grows, its needs deepen, so too must the ranks of those equipped to serve it. Those who enter this field grounded in ‘ilm (sacred knowledge), supported by strong mentorship, and connected to a broader purpose, will be best positioned to practice law as a form of service and accountability to Allah , inshaAllah.

 

Related:

– The Limits Of Obedience In Marriage: A Hanafi Legal Perspective

The post So You Want To Become A Lawyer? [Part II] – How To Ready Yourself For A Career In Law appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

Israel’s destruction in Gaza has not spared vital documents which are impossible to renew under current conditions.

Despite securing scholarships abroad, students from Gaza are unable to travel to further their education.

Before applying to law school, I spoke to Muslim lawyers for advice and mentorship. One lawyer I connected with was based in the U.K. and worked in human rights, advocating for Muslims impacted by the War on Terror. 

At this point in my life, I was interested in either immigration law or international humanitarian law. During the call, he explained that while many Muslims seek a path in the legal field for similar reasons, many Muslims’ legal needs in the West actually lie in the day-to-day. Marriages, divorces, disputes, business contracts, estate planning – these are areas where the average Muslim regularly finds themselves at odds with the law of the land or unsure of how to reconcile their faith’s obligations as U.S. residents or citizens. You may be able to avoid it, but if you intend to live out the rest of your days in the U.S., then you must know that even you cannot outrun probate courts, and preferably thought about it beforehand rather than after the death of a loved one.

This idea was reinforced during an internship at a Muslim boutique law firm where the supervising attorney stressed the importance of “bread and butter” legal work: drafting contracts and settling disputes. These are, in the language of jurists, matters of mu’amalat: the domain of the Shari’a that governs our transactions and relationships with one another. This is not to diminish the significance of civil rights advocacy, humanitarian law, or immigration law. These fields are undoubtedly critical, especially in light of the genocide in Gaza, arbitrary detentions of student protestors and advocates, and deteriorating civil rights. However, we also cannot overlook the need for legal expertise in the domains that shape our everyday lives, particularly where our fard al-ayn is concerned. Ensuring that our daily interactions – contracts, marriages, business dealings, and how we resolve disputes with others both on an individual and institutional level – are shari’a-compliant (as best we can) is an obligation, not a personal preference or last-minute add-on. It is a fard (obligation) to know the ruling (hukm) of an act before engaging in it, yet we routinely do so.

A Case Study: Islamic Marriage Contracts in the U.S.

I’ll give readers a case study that is perhaps unusual when we think of Islam and U.S. law, nonetheless salient for the point I am trying to make. In 2001, the following case was presented to the Court of Appeals of California, Fourth District1: a Muslim couple married decades ago in Egypt filed for divorce. California, like other community property states, has a presumption that acquisitions during a marriage (barring exceptions like inheritance) belong equally to each spouse, thus are to be divided equally upon divorce – unless the presumption can be overcome. The husband presented their Egyptian nikah contract, claiming it was a prenuptial agreement stipulating that marital issues were to be governed under “Islamic law”, but nothing more. If the nikah contract was upheld as an enforceable prenuptial agreement under U.S. law, his medical practice and retirement accounts would be considered his separate property and not community property, thus would not have to be divided with his ex-wife.

And therein lies the problem: the Court here was not looking at the substance of Islamic law on marital assets, per se. In one footnote, they even comment, “There are at least four schools of interpretation of Islamic law…The legal system in various Islamic countries will often be influenced by one school or the other. Egypt, for example, has been influenced by both the Hanafi and Maliki schools.” Instead, the Court focused on whether the document contained sufficiently clear and enforceable terms to function as a pre-nup. They found that it did not. So, the presumption of splitting everything equally held.

When my marital property professor, herself a family law practitioner, taught this case, she mentioned the lack of adequate legal help for Muslims in the local area. Because when Muslims, like others, marry and divorce, and like others, who generally want to proceed in a manner most aligned with their values, they want to seek attorneys who understand their needs and know not only U.S. law, but are competent in Islamic law. In her experience, she’d seen clients with disputes over unpaid mahr, oral agreements, and the like, with little precedent on the best way to proceed.

This is not an article on how enforceable contracts among Muslims should be in U.S. courts and what the jurisdictional implications are for Islamic public law in America, nor am I the first to articulate this. Rather, it’s a point on how thin calls for diverse legal representation and Muslim representation are if it does not go beyond being a particular type of face among the same types of faces. It is far deeper and urgent. There is an immediate need for Muslim professionals who can articulate the Islamic worldview in their research and work.

The above case is just one of many growing numbers of cases dealing with the intersection of Islam and U.S. law, but the number of legal practitioners who have a basic grounding and connection to the Islamic sciences, equipped to think about these issues a step further than the status quo, is fewer than desired. And conversely, it is not within the realm of work, nor is the faqih/mufti equipped to navigate U.S. legal realities. 

The disconnect between ‘secular law’ and ‘shari’a’ (though the distinction is not so discreet as we would think) is one of the enduring consequences of secularism. The systematic marginalization of Islamic legal principles in favor of Western legal frameworks has left a void in which Muslims are forced to compartmentalize their lives: ‘ibadat in one corner, everything else in another. Obviously, this is due to living in the U.S. in the first place (and on a higher level, the structure of nations/states). By residing in a non-Muslim jurisdiction, one implicitly and explicitly affirms certain obligations to its system. But this overlooks and oversimplifies, for example, the freedom to contract, which allows individuals to determine many terms of their relationships and transactions, provided they do not contradict public policy or statutory law. This creates some space, however imperfect, for communities to govern their affairs in alignment with their values, even within a secular system. For example, multiple scholars and writers have drawn comparisons between the American Jewish experience with beth dins – Jewish religious courts – and Islamic councils or tribunals.

This sort of interplay of religious and secular legal systems, therefore, has precedents, despite what bills attempting to ban ‘shari’a law’ would have one think. Critics – both within and outside the community – might argue that such a ‘coexistence’ is ultimately contradictory and makes Islamic principles subordinate. Yet the alternative is a community left to navigate a legal framework that often fails to account for their religious needs, leading to compromises that undermine both their legal rights and their spiritual commitments. 

This challenge must shift from theoretical discussions to actionable strategies. Muslim lawyers have a significant opportunity to collaborate with ‘ulema and other relevant experts, leveraging their knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence while refining their own expertise in legal research and practice. Even those engaged in civil rights, humanitarian law, and other legal fields remain deeply connected to Islamic principles and jurisprudence; their work is inseparable from questions of right and wrong, justice and ethics, with accountability shaped by the moral and legal foundations of shari’a. Muslim lawyers must recognize that what we do is not value-neutral, and the community must recognize and support the need for competent Muslim lawyers. Work devoid of an Islamic objective and actualization is a failure of purpose.

[Look out for Part II next week inshaAllah]

 

Related:

– Age of Consent in Classical Islamic Law

– Why Studying And Teaching Aqidah is Necessary for the Ulama And Students of Knowledge

1    105 Cal. Rptr. 2d 863, 88 Cal. App. 4th 398.

The post So You Want To Become A Lawyer? [Part I] – On Faith, Duty, And The Legal Profession appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

Lawmaker for New Jersey threatens Dublin with investment losses.

Dear Struggling and Distressed Muslim,

This letter was meant for you. Yes, you specifically. The one who has been struggling and not understanding why it’s not working out. The one who has seen countless members of your family and friends “getting ahead” and sailing through this stage of life. The one whose suffering is not as visible or discussed in our communities, despite the pain striking and settling at the core of your heart, as you feel you have been left behind. This is regarding your pain from infertility and the struggle of not being able to have a child.

Know that you are not alone. There are millions across the world who are dealing with the same exact problem. But you have something that many do not: the Ultimate Supporter and Creator of the Universe is with you.

Infertility is not a sign of Allah’s Displeasure, but rather a test. As with every test, everyone advises patience; yet, sincerely practicing patience is difficult. It is, however, a choice and an action. How we actively practice patience will inshaAllah bring peace and blessings to our hearts and lives. While I cannot take away your pain and struggles, what I can offer is advice to remind you of some actions that can be taken to strengthen your relationship with Our Creator, and find ease through this difficult time. 

Advice #1: Elevate Your Du’a and Fully Trust Allah

Du’a is not simply asking from Allah . It’s the essence of worship and a way to rewrite our destiny. Du’a is, without a doubt, the most powerful tool we have at our disposal, but there are ways to make it more effective and meaningful. I will focus on these 3 points:

1. Etiquettes of Du’a
2. Focus on Forgiveness 
3. Practical Game Plan

The Etiquettes of Du’a

The first etiquette is regarding what we should say before we even start making dua to Allah . Specifically, praising Him and sending durood (peace and blessings) upon the Prophet . Sending durood on the Prophet is so powerful that even if we were to not ask anything and just spend our entire time sending durood on the Prophet , our worries would disappear and our sins would be forgiven. 

This isn’t to say we shouldn’t ask and make du’a for what we want, but it’s just a point of how many blessings there are in just sending peace and blessings on the Prophet . It could be that Allah appreciates so much that you send peace and blessings on the Prophet -the most beloved creation to Allah – instead of asking for your own needs, that He solves your problems and rewards you for it too. Do we really think that any problem in the world can withstand so many blessings coming from Allah ?

The second etiquette I want to mention is calling on Allah by His many blessed Names and Attributes. 

Specifically, some names that come to mind are:

• Al-Kareem and Al-Wahab – the One who is the Most Generous and Gives the best of gifts
• Al-Qadeer and Al-Azeez – there is absolutely no problem we can ever have that will be more powerful or unable to be solved by the Almighty and All-Powerful
• Al-Jabbar – the One who can mend your broken heart while you suffer through the pain

The third etiquette is to mention your weaknesses to Allah and never be disappointed in making du’a. When Zakaria made du’a to Allah for a child, he knew that his state of being old didn’t matter – the Lord of the Worlds could change anything and everything if He willed it. He went decades without children but remained optimistic.

Do not focus on what you can realistically do, but focus on what the Lord and Creator of the Worlds can do. Allah made the rules of the world we live in, including our own medical states, and He [wt] can do whatever He wills. 

The fourth etiquette is to have full trust in Allah’s Plan for you. This leads to consistency and surrendering yourself to Allah – you cannot lose hope. Even if you do not receive what you asked for, remember that Allah gave or will give you something equivalent or better; but it will be on Allah’s timeline, not ours. Our task is to be patient in making du’a. 

“Every one of you will have his supplications answered, as long as he is not impatient and he says: I have supplicated, but I was not answered.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

I’ve been guilty of this, where I make du’a and expect that my problem will be immediately solved. But du’a doesn’t always work like Amazon Prime. I personally know a couple who had multiple miscarriages, and it took almost 10 years for them to have their first child. We have to remember and trust that Allah knows and decides when the best time is for everything. He knows what is good for us and when it is good for us, and we do not. 

This is part of the perfection of our faith: to be content with what Allah has ordained after we have done everything we possibly can. This sentiment is perfectly encapsulated by the beautiful du’a of the righteous caliph Omar ibn Abdul Aziz : 

“O Allah, make me pleased with Your decree and bless me in Your providence, such that I would not like to hasten anything You delay, nor delay anything You hasten.”

The fifth and last etiquette I will mention is to take advantage of the times when du’a is accepted. These include:

• The last third of the night
• Between the adhan and iqaamah
• When it is raining
• When in sujud
• When traveling
• A fasting person as they break their fast

Focus on Forgiveness

We all fall short of our duty to Allah , and we all make mistakes. Even if we fulfill the obligations, did we fulfill them to a level that is befitting the Lord of the Universe? But, by the Mercy of Allah , He still may accept our broken actions. 

Allah created us so that we would turn back to Him after we slip. What’s also interesting is that asking forgiveness from Allah for those same mistakes is directly linked to certain blessings.

A man once came to al-Hasan al-Basri and complained to him: “The sky does not shower us with rain.” He replied: “Seek Allah’s forgiveness (i.e. say أستغفر ألله).”

Then another person came to him and said, “I complain of poverty.” He replied: “Seek Allah’s forgiveness.”

Then another person came to him and complained, “My wife is barren; she cannot bear children.” He replied: “Seek Allah’s forgiveness.”

The people who were present said to al-Hasan: “Every time a person came to you complaining, you instructed them to seek Allah’s forgiveness?”

Al-Hasan al-Basri said, “Have you not read the statement of Allah? ‘saying, ‘Seek your Lord’s forgiveness, ˹for˺ He is truly Most Forgiving. He will shower you with abundant rain, supply you with wealth and children, and give you gardens as well as rivers.’”[Surah Nuh:10-12]

So, given that asking for forgiveness is one of the best ways to have a child, what is one of the best ways to ask for forgiveness?

The Prophet taught us Sayyid al-Istighfar – the master du’a for forgiveness. I would highly recommend memorizing it and repeating it often.

Finally, an important part of seeking forgiveness is to leave the sins that we are knowingly committing. While we cannot eliminate every mistake, we can at least do our best to leave the things we know we are doing that are crossing the boundaries of Allah . 

Practical Game Plan

Now, what is a practical way to implement some of these etiquettes of du’a? Here is a game plan inspired by the dua of the mother of Imam Bukhari and of the legendary hero Salahuddin when he defended Jerusalem from the Crusaders. While you may not be able to do all of this, the goal is to try to do the best of your ability and at least do part of it. 

1. Wake up during the last 1/3 of the night, especially on Friday night, about 30-45 minutes before Fajr, and pray 2 rakaats and make a long dua during sajdah (remember that in the Islamic calendar, Friday night starts on Thursday after maghrib)
2. Go to the masjid, especially on Friday morning, right before fajr adhaan
3. Combine the intention to pray 2 rakaats sunnah of fajr, sunnah of entering masjid, and sunnah in between adhaan and iqaamah, and make dua during sajdah
4. Make dua right after fajr salah, after you’ve done the adhkaar after salah
5. Consistently repeat this at least once a week, if not daily

During your du’a, complain of your own poverty to Allah and how you have done everything you possibly can, but there is nothing else you can do. Keep knocking on Allah’s door, just like Imam Bukhari’s mother. Imam Bukhari was born almost blind, and his mother would spend her nights making du’a for her son’s eyesight to be restored.

For 2-3 years, she she didn’t lose hope or give up. Just kept knocking and asking for a medical miracle from Al-Shafi.

Then one night, she saw Prophet Ibrahim in a dream, who told her that because of her persistent du’a, her son’s eyesight had been restored. Imam Bukhari would go on to author the most authentic book ever written by man, leaving behind a legacy of scholarship that still endures over 1,000 years later. 

This is the power of du’a. Not because of what you can do. But because of what Allah can. 

There are many other things that can be done to elevate one’s du’a, but the crux of du’a is recognizing that Allah is in control and we need Him . When we show and verbalize our need to Allah and show that we are not self-sufficient but rather completely reliant on Him , we hope He will shower His Mercy and Bounties upon us. And just like anything in life, if we continue to do the same thing over and over again the exact same way, du’a can start feeling mundane and even empty, so I hope implementing some of these points can revitalize and reenergize our du’a again.

Advice #2: Internalize the Quran

The Quran was sent as a mercy to mankind and the way to expel darkness from our hearts and lives as we go through the trials of life. But when we only focus on reading it without reflection, especially as non-Arab speakers, we miss many subtleties and messages. 

Do these 2 things, and you will see how your perception of the Quran will change and how peace will enter your heart:

1. Make yourself the audience of the verses you are reading. Do not just read the story of Musa and think of it as a nice history lesson. Internalize the message as if the Quran is speaking to you and that the verses were revealed specifically for you. If there are verses about arrogance, ask yourself – am I arrogant? If there are verses about patience, ask yourself – am I patient? And so on and so forth.
2. Pay attention to the Names of Allah that are used in the verses. Allah is the Greatest Writer, and every word and Name He places is placed in a very specific location for a reason. Reflect on what the verse is saying to YOU and why that specific name of Allah is being used. 

Advice #3: Practice Gratitude

Often, when we are struggling with something difficult, patience is what is recommended. But the fact of the matter is, sincere patience requires something even before that: gratitude. 

Allah told us in the Quran:

˹Consider˺ when Moses said to his people, “Remember Allah’s favour upon you when He rescued you from the people of Pharaoh, who afflicted you with dreadful torment—slaughtering your sons and keeping your women. That was a severe test from your Lord.

And ˹remember˺ when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more. But if you are ungrateful, surely My punishment is severe.’” [Surah Ibrahim; 14:6-7]

The Bani Isra’eel, after being tested with hundreds of their babies being murdered by Firawn, are not being told to be patient. They are being advised to be grateful. Ponder this profound point. Why would Allah and Musa advise them on gratitude and remembering the blessings they have? Does not patience in this scenario make more sense?

The only way to practice sincere patience is to first appreciate all the blessings Allah has already given us. Only then will we find the strength to sincerely endure the hardships we are facing for the sake of Allah . 

And for those who think, “What blessings do I even have to be grateful for?”, consider these questions:

• Would we trade even one of our eyes for Elon Musk’s trillion-dollar pay package?
• Would we trade our warm beds for living in makeshift tents during the freezing, wet winter of Gaza while consistently being threatened by bombs and airstrikes? Or for a place in a Rohingya refugee camp?
• Would we trade the security of our lives for the constant violence, hunger, and humanitarian crises happening in Sudan and Lebanon? 
• Would we trade our freedom to practice our religion and beliefs for the religious and political persecution happening to Uyghurs in China or Muslims in Kashmir and India? 

None of this is to say that we don’t have problems or tests in life. But when we consider the enormous blessings Allah has bestowed upon us, we would not trade our problems for anyone else’s across the world. 

Furthermore, not having a child does not mean you don’t already have a loving, supportive spouse – do we appreciate him/her as we should? Or do we wonder if things would have been better if we had married someone we could have children with? If so, we are failing at understanding that while children can be a beautiful part of marriage, not having children does not mean a marriage is any less successful or less full of love. The Prophet loved Aisha more than anyone else, and their marriage serves as a role model for all of us. This is despite them not having any children together.

Another point that I want to mention is that if we are given children and one of them causes us to lose our faith, was that child really a blessing? This point is emphasized during the story of Musa and Khidr in Surah Al-Kahf. Khidr kills a child and later explains to Musa that Allah wanted to replace that child with another one for the parents, as the first child could have caused them to become kuffar and destroy their relationship with Allah . Who is to say that if we are given a child, that would not happen to us, and Allah is in fact protecting us from a greater evil?

The final point I will mention is that there will always be blessings given to others that we may never receive. At the same time, we have been given blessings in our lives that others can only dream of. This is by the decree of Allah . So our focus should be on the blessings we have and how we can maximize them in pursuit of pleasing Allah . 

As Prophet told us, “Know that whatever happens to you could never miss you, and whatever misses you could never reach you.” [al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr]

Advice #4: Increase in Good Deeds

Part of showing and practicing gratitude to Allah is to obey Him and fulfill the obligations He ordained on us. But, if you only fulfill the obligations, that alone will not necessarily get you special treatment from Allah . If you think about our careers – how do we get ahead? We have to work harder than our coworkers, contribute extra on projects, serve on committees, etc., to get promoted. Those who barely do their job, under fair circumstances, would not be the ones who would get promoted and benefit from a bump in salary, benefits, perks, etc. 

In a hadith qudsi, Allah said:

“Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant it to him. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about [seizing] the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death, and I hate hurting him.” [Bukhari]

There are so many good deeds that can be discussed, including qiyam al-layl (which is the best prayer after the fardh salah), dhuha salah, various adhkaar, praying in the masjid, fasting, etc., but the one I want to emphasize is sadaqah. It’s an absolutely amazing, widely encompassing, and easy deed if we have the right mindset. Moreover, in the current state of the world where everyone is talking about investing and making money, the fact of the matter is, whatever money we spend in charity is our real investment because that is what we will see on our scale of good deeds in the Hereafter.

“Envy consumes good deeds just as fire burns wood. Charity extinguishes sinful deeds just as water extinguishes fire. Prayer is the light of the believer, and fasting is his shield from the Hellfire.” [Ibn Majah]

Advice #5: Seek Professional Help

The problem with this step is that we often either prioritize this step over fixing our relationship with Allah , or neglect this step completely. Take advice from qualified medical professionals, talk with your family and elders, pray istikharah, and make a decision regarding next steps in your journey. We will never know what will or will not work unless we try, but we should be informed about the risks and benefits of each avenue available to us so we can make an educated decision.

I would also mention that infertility can come with a whole set of emotions, including depression, anger, despair, hopelessness, etc., so a qualified therapist, especially one with an Islamic background, could be beneficial in understanding how to process and manage our emotional state from both an Islamic and psychological perspective. I have included a list of resources for mental health at the end of this letter.

A man said, “O Messenger of Allah! Shall I tie it and rely (upon Allah), or leave it loose and rely (upon Allah)?” The Prophet SAWS said: “Tie it and rely (upon Allah).” [Tirmidhi]

Final Thoughts

The Prophet frequently made a du’a asking Allah to make him firm in his religion.

It’s so hard to be consistent, and it’s even harder at times to be consistent and trusting when you don’t have physical proof in your hand of what you’re aiming for. There’s a reason why Muslims are called believers – one of them is that we believe in the Unseen. And can you imagine that the greatest of all creation, the Prophet , is making du’a to be steadfast on Islam? It’s surreal to me because he had the Quran revealed to him by Jibreel . But while we’ll never have the same level of iman as the Prophet , that doesn’t mean we don’t try. It’s up to us to remember that Allah is writing our story in the best way possible. 

Don’t be displeased with Allah . You are where you are, and I am where I am, and every person is where they are exactly as the Greatest Story Writer has written. While we don’t know how things will go in the future, our job is just to do our best with what we know now. And part of this journey for you involves your family, so encourage them to do the things you all find beneficial – inshaAllah you all will grow closer together as you continue to support each other.

At the end of the day, it very well could be you’re never gifted a child. That doesn’t mean that all your efforts and du’as went to waste. We don’t know what Allah protected us from and what reward Allah has prepared for us in the Hereafter. 

I want to end with this advice a friend pnce gave to me:

“One of Allah’s Mercies towards you is that He continually creates needs for you to Him. Whenever He fulfills one of your needs, He creates another for you, so that you do not become detached from Him. Indeed, souls are inclined to detach from those they feel self-sufficient without.  Whoever becomes self-sufficient from Allah and detaches from Him will perish. Therefore, some scholars have said: ‘that Allah creates needs for you so that your servitude to Him may grow.’”

May Allah always guide and bless our families and us to what is best for us in this life and the next, relieve our struggles, anxieties, and fears, and always keep us hopeful in His Mercy and Plan. 

 

List of Mental Health Resources:

• Muslim therapists in various localities in the USA: https://www.mapsnetwork.org/ 
• For a local Muslim mental health professional: Please take a look at the resources here to find a local Muslim therapist: 
  • https://muslimpsychologycenter.com/directories/
  • https://muslimmentalhealth.com/getsupport/
  • https://www.muslimtherapist.directory/
• If you are looking for assistance regarding spiritually-related concerns: Please consider Khalil Center: https://khalilcenter.com/. They are able to provide many psychospiritual resources, including therapy and religious consultations.
• For general options: Please try www.psychologytoday.com. This website can narrow searches down by religion, therapy type, insurance, and zip code.

The post On Infertility And Not Having A Child: A Letter To Couples Going Through The Silent Struggle appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

Sun’s out, and while some people are ready for (halal) pool parties, some of us just want to pick up a good book or ten. And with Muharram having just begun, it’s important for us not to get caught up in the ghaflah (heedlessness) of summer holidays and to maintain a sense of intentionality in how we spend our time off.

As always, the MuslimMatters Bookshelf has you covered! No need to hunt around for interesting books when we’ve got a list ready to go right here.

A Beautiful Patience by Samaiyah Mushtaq [Non-Fiction]

Dr. Samaiya Mushtaq writes about her husband, Dr. Mahmoud Sabha, and his journey into Gaza on medical mission – not just once, but twice. But this book isn’t just about him, or about what he witnessed in Gaza; it’s also about her own raw experience being the wife who stayed home with two young children, who wrestled with her own emotions… with guilt, fear, shame, anxiety, and more.

This unique memoir is so beautifully written that I was on the verge of tears almost every time I opened it. The author touches on her own background, her first marriage and divorce, her second – happy – marriage, motherhood and post-partum… and how all the blessings in her life competed with her husband’s decision to serve the people of Gaza.

There’s so much I want to say about the book, but really there’s nothing more to be said other than that everyone should read it immediately. It’s a book for us all – not the heroes of Gaza, but those of us left behind, those of us who open our newsfeeds every day to read about massacres upon massacres and then swipe to pictures of restaurant meals and think about buying a sweet treat on our next outing and then wonder what we’re doing for Palestine.

Dr. Samaiya’s vulnerability and honesty pulls the reader in, holds up a mirror to our own selves, and then shines a light on how – even as we grapple with our guilty consciences – the people of Gaza and the medical heroes of Gaza push through daily horrors with a quiet strength and beautiful patience that comes from complete and utter trust in Allah alone.

This book is truly incredible, especially as more and more news from Gaza is throttled by the zyeo entity and the genocide escalates daily. It is a primer on sabr and tawakkul, and challenging ourselves in our positions of privilege.

Hope and Despair: My Struggle to Free My Husband by Monia Mazigh [Non-Fiction]

Most young Canadians today don’t recognize the name of Maher Arar, but as part of the 9/11 generation, I grew up reading the news about Arar’s illegal abduction by the FBI and his deportation to and torturing in Syria at the behest of the RCMP.

Hope & Despair was written by Arar’s wife, Monia Mazigh, whose unyielding pursuit of justice for her husband is what finally resulted in his release – and the exposure of the Canadian government’s responsibility in the entire affair.

While this book is about Monia and what she experienced from the day of her husband’s disappearance, to the day that a public inquiry finally vindicated him, this book serves as a stark reminder of the reality we live in: our governments are corrupt to the core, intelligence and security agencies are evil in their very essence, and both have no inclination to change their ways.

Yet rather than languish in silence, it is our responsibility to do as Monia did: to never give up, to pursue justice, to fight against the powers that be, no matter the discomfort or risks it carries. Given that the Canadian government continues to target Muslims, this book is necessary reading for us all – that we too do not give into learned helplessness, but know that Allah does not help a people until they help themselves.
It’s also a reminder that anyone who blindly trusts in the government as an agency of truth or justice is an absolute idiot.

That’s not to say that there aren’t occasionally good people out there. Mazigh writes of individuals who listened to her, who campaigned with her, who did their best to subvert the machinations of injustice from within. Allah brings forth help from where we do not expect… but we must demonstrate our own commitment first and foremost.

The Arar case isn’t just an aberration in the fading annals of Canadian history. It is just the tip of the iceberg of the Canadian government’s entrenched Islamophobia, and just a glimpse of what they have done and continue to do to Muslims across the country.

Some Justice: A Ghazi Ammar Medieval Mystery by Laury Silvers [Adult Historical Fiction]

Laury Silvers’ medieval Muslim mystery novels are a force of creativity and thoughtfulness that make the reader overlook the lack of professional editing and the rough-around-the-edges craft.

This newest book, the first of a new series connected to her original series (The Sufi Mysteries), follows former Ghazi Ammar at-Tabbani as he tries to solve the first big case to come to his investigation agency… a case that seems doomed from the very beginning. Zaytuna, the original heroine of the original series, has her own mystery to solve, of course – one that will teach her yet another lesson in trusting God. Ammar has his own lessons to learn, and readers will be enthralled by the introduction to medieval Baghdad’s more unsavory elements.

Note: This book explores very heavy, very dark themes of suicide (and worse), and is absolutely a very adult murder mystery.

The Ocean Would Paint Me Blue by Zoulfa Katouh [Young Adult Fiction]

The author of the legendary “As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow” is back with a new novel! This one is solidly young adult, and definitely targeted at Muslim teen girls.

Jihad is a Syrian American Muslim girl, whose grief over her mother’s death has leached away her ability to see the world in colour. When she’s enrolled at a bougie private school to improve her chances of getting into an exclusive arts university, Jihad has to contend with elitism, Islamophobia, and a sketchbook with the mysterious power to magically paint her murals across the city.

In all honesty, this is in many ways a Muslim teen girl fantasy: from Jihad’s unique talents as an artist to the smart, attractive teen boy who’s interested in Islam and becomes Jihad’s loyal friend/ protector, there’s a lot of angst and just-under-the-surface romance (nothing explicitly haram, as there’s a lot of care to avoid this, but there is a fair bit of Jihad and Jamie talking alone together). This is also a magical realism book, which might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I know my teenage self would have been all over this book! Fans of SK Ali’s Misfits series will adore this book as well.

Amina Banana and the Formula for Fairness by Shifa Saltagi Safadi [Chapter Book]

The Amina Banana series never fails to serve up an excellent story that’ll keep kids hooked!

In book 4, Amina is struggling with how unfair life can be, AND with the school science fair. As always, the author manages to weave together a rich, layered story that covers themes that all kids will relate to: unfairness, jealousy, making some (big) mistakes… but also faith, forgiveness, and understanding.

I ADORE that there’s a scene where Amina wakes up to her grandmother praying tahajjud, proving once again that it is absolutely possible to include powerful Islamic representation in a kids’ story in a way that is organic and adds to the story without being preachy or annoying. There’s also a science activity included, as well as a recipe, and an explanation of the Islamic lunar calendar!

The Amina Banana series needs to be a staple for all chapter book readers – filled with heart, STEM, and most importantly, Islamic values that are never compromised.

Papa and the Missing Something by Shieda Majeed

“Papa and the Missing Something” by Shieda Majeed is a unique, incredibly sweet story about a man whose life is perfect… almost. Something inside him is missing, and he’s not quite sure what it is. This adorably illustrated picture book follows Papa and his family as they search for the “missing something.”

This is the first time I’ve ever come across a kid’s book specifically about parents coming to Islam, and this book is beautifully done! I did find it a titch long, but it should keep the attention of kids 7+ for sure. This is such a beautiful concept to see in Muslim kidlit, and it’s wonderful to see the spectrum of authentic Muslim representation mashaAllah.

…

What books have you added to your summer reading list?

Related:

From The MuslimMatters Bookshelf: Summer Reads For All Ages

From The MuslimMatters Bookshelf: Your Go-To Summer Reading List

The post From The MuslimMatters Bookshelf: Your Summer 2026 TBR appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

Tehran threatens “serious and immediate” consequences after massacres in Lebanon.

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I expect Swiss authorities to fully respect my rights and to adhere strictly to the rule of law.

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“This is the tragedy of Karbala, O Imam Hussein, look. This is the tragedy of Karbala,” the crowd cried in the opening procession of Ashura, in the city of Nabatieh, southern Lebanon.

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Far-right extremism and the conflation of Jewish identity with Israel are the main drivers of antisemitism in Australia, the Jewish Council of Australia (JCA) says.

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Scholar Robin Andersen explores how Israeli propaganda is reproduced – and rarely questioned – in corporate news.

One Nation leader uses the platform to rail against multiculturalism, the climate change “hoax” and the media

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A nationally televised address to the National Press Club was perhaps the clearest proof yet of Pauline Hanson’s arrival in the mainstream of Australian politics.

The One Nation leader used the platform to rail against multiculturalism, the climate change “hoax” and the media in a speech that was interrupted by a protest highlighting her opposition to wage rises for the lowest-paid workers.

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