“O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah's trust & with His permission. If they abide by your right…
“… then to them belongs the right to be fed & clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well & be kind to them for they are your partners & committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve as well never to be unchaste.”
Sep 10, 2021 • 10 tweets • 3 min read
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “I have not left a trial after me more harmful to men than women.” (Bukhārī 4808, Muslim 2740)
It is nuts to me how much popular discourse about this trial (fitnah) reduces it to just lustful desire and not to the injustice toward and oppression of women.
I am not saying that the hadith is not talking about lustful desire - that’s the meaning that is focused on by many of our scholars. However, lustful desire can contribute to the dehumanization of women and the desire for power that leads to injustice and oppression.
Apr 12, 2020 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
I'm willing to die on the hill of insisting that Muslims who are serious about their religious values should not have to present themselves as having a constantly serious personality, trying to fit into some false conception of what a "practicing Muslim" is supposed to look like.
I think some Muslims have this conception because of their interactions with religious authority figures, like teachers and scholars, who choose to present themselves more seriously in public settings. This isn't to say that they're right or wrong, but to point out a byproduct.
Apr 3, 2020 • 6 tweets • 2 min read
"Why would God give me a desire & tell me not to act on it?"
It's similar to why some people are born with chronic diseases or disabilities, or into poverty or abusive homes, or given wealth or popularity. Allah tests us all in different ways, and these tests can become mercies.
Allah's tests can come in the form of things being given or taken away; being told what to do or what to abstain from. There's a difference.
Sometimes we see only see tests from our biased perspective, so we fail to recognize them. We see them only as blessings or punishments.
Mar 31, 2020 • 9 tweets • 2 min read
Don't fool yourself into believing that you're "working on yourself" if you're still waiting for change to happen *to* you. Self-improvement doesn't come passively. It's the result of active effort: setting actionable goals, measuring progress, and holding yourself accountable.
You don't always have to be "working on yourself." Sometimes you need a break. That's fine, but call it what it is: a break. That makes it easier to both embrace the break (ie. reduce stress) and to set limits that will help you get back into an active state when you're ready.
Aug 19, 2018 • 8 tweets • 2 min read
Disappointed in the responses from some brothers to this thread. You should be able to read my perspective & have a respectful disagreement. It seems like modesty as a concept is dead to some of you beyond the rulings of halal & haram.
People talk about hijab & modesty like they're synonymous bc hijab is a clear ruling that promotes modesty. But modesty is more than fiqh, and a big part of it is having wisdom & good judgement of context. Things can be permissible but not the most modest. Context matters.
Aug 14, 2018 • 7 tweets • 3 min read
I'm not comfortable with Muslim men posting pics & videos of their workouts to a mixed-gender audience. I'm not accusing intentions, but it simply falls short of the level of hayaa'/modesty we should aim for, especially when women have much more difficult standards to adhere to.
Modesty (hayaa') & faith (imaan) are directly correlated. Correcting modesty isn't like telling someone their wudu is wrong. It's like saying there's a flaw in their heart. We have to be cautious about how we discuss such a sensitive but critical topic.
The romanticization of mental illness on social media is encouraging people to form an identity based on their misdiagnosed illnesses.
If you think you have depression/anxiety, check your relationship with Allah first. Speak to an imam. Then see a health professional.
