Ep. 53: Unconventional Decisions I Made as a Desi Muslim Bride

My sister Sara and I reflect on Muslim girl influencer culture, all the good and bad! Social media has expanded our ability to showcase who we are as Muslim women, but it has also caused a “brain rot”, causing us to lose parts of our individuality and uniqueness as Muslim women. We reflect on some personal examples of this “Muslim girl brain rot” and how we can actively try not to fall for the over-glamorization of clean girl vibes and the soft girl aesthetic, and embrace our own tastes and interests without feeling pressure to conform. In addition to social media, we should be enriching our lives and hearts with hobbies and in person sisterhood. Constantly scrolling on a perfect looking feed and comparing ourselves to others can be harmful for our mental health and our spirituality! Sara and I also chat about the recent TikTok ban, the romanticization of marriage on Muslim social media, preparing for Ramadan, and how to actively not compare ourselves to others while we are on social media.This is a very relevant chat, and Sara and I call ourselves out many times for being chronically online :)

Dr. Rahman and I talk about the importance of being proactive about our mental health as Muslim women and how to tackle all of the cultural hurdles and stigmas we face in our community. We also discuss family relationships between spouses, parents and children, and community relationships, and how these impact the way we view ourselves and our self esteem. Lastly, we talk about the anxiety and depression epidemic within the Muslim community and how we can prevent ourselves from being prone to anxious thoughts and depressive feelings.TW: Contains mention of mental health issues and suicide. Disclaimer: This episode is not medical advice. If you need help, please contact a crisis line or reach out to your therapist or psychiatrist.

The political scene in America has been disturbing, distressing, and disheartening, and a lot of us don’t even feel the energy to vote. Mehak Jamil, a local activist and attorney from my hometown, talks about how important it is to vote in the upcoming election despite how hopeless it feels. She also talks about her efforts to found a political organization to advocate for Muslims, and how vital it is for Muslim communities to mobilize politically in the next few years so that our voices are heard in future elections. Do you have a comment, question, or topic suggestion for the podcast? Fill out our inquiry form! https://linktr.ee/muslimah.podcastFollow Mehak’s local organization on Instagram! @albanymac

Being a desi bride is a full time job!! On this solo episode I reflect on decisions I had to make such as how to wear my hijab for my wedding day, social media presence, gender separation, cultural expectations, and more! I also offer some tips and tricks for navigating this crazy time. Whether you’re going to be a bride soon or just want the tea, this is a great episode to tune into! 🫶🏼

Being a single muslim woman looking for spouse is no easy task! Lama talks about navigating all the emotions of trying to find your other half, maintaining boundaries, trusting your gut, avoiding dangerous mental blocks, not letting past experiences get in the way, and changing your mindset to truly trust Allah (swt). Check out Lama’s content and coaching services on Instagram @lamaaboubakr !

I can’t believe I’m finishing up my second year of law school! I talk about the highs and lows of the year, bad and good habits, why I’m so glad I didn’t get into a top 30 law school, advice for incoming law students, and more!

In this episode, Mariam and I talk about our Costa Rica sisters trip we took this past month and reflect on the nature we saw, the adventures we had, and most of all, the beautiful friendships and sisterhood we created! We also talk about feminine energy and how hard it is to be feminine when working in a corporate, male-dominated environment. We discuss strategies on how to balance being feminine while also establishing financial stability and a career we are proud of. Make sure to follow Mariam’s podcast on Youtube & Instagram! Youtube: @ResilientMuslimah Instagram: @mariamaslamofficial

Have you felt disconnected from the Quran lately, or want to develop a closer relationship with the text? Dr. Zainab Alwani is an expert on tadabbur, or contemplation, and she tells us how to open our locked hearts and let the Quran change our lives. Once a relationship with the Quran is created, you will never want to let go, and the way you see the world and treat others around you will change significantly. Dr. Zainab provides some practical tips for us to reach this type of relationship while also having a busy life with many distractions. Note: The four ayahs about tadabbur in the Quran that Dr. Zainab mentions are (4:82), (47:24), (23:68), & (38:29).

Want to know what law school is *really* like?? In this solo episode I talk about the reflections of my first year—the classes, the friends, the stress :) I’ve learned a lot through this first year and I hope you can benefit from my lessons and advice! This episode is a MUST LISTEN if you’re thinking about going to law school or going in the near future! I’m sharing so many things I wish I knew before going in.

In the second part of our conversation, Aisha and I talk about “If he wanted to, he would” and what questions to ask when you are first talking to someone for marriage. We also talk about Muslim dating apps and how to use them!! You don’t want to miss out on this episode :)