Inside
The story behind Muslimah
15 July 2020
A hot summers day in London, Ilford Lane is like a glorious invasion of the senses. The excited rumble of chatter vibrating down the street, building anticipation for all the wonders that will be discovered that day; the bright and extravagant outfits in shop windows blinding you as easily as the sun’s rays in your eye; the smell of mouth-watering Indian snacks intensified by the heat making even the most satisfied of shop goers hum with hunger and finally indulge in the splendid flavours of their favourite snack.
Then suddenly you remember — you haven’t prayed! Not to worry, you know of a Mosque in this area . . . but it doesn’t have a prayer space for women. Thank God for Google! Simultaneously you’re mentally calculating how long it would take to race back home and pray. A couple of searches later and it hits you — there’s nowhere nearby you can go and if you don’t want to miss this prayer you need to go home empty handed and snappish.
Sound familiar? For Muslim women, this is a very relatable situation. Balancing day to day life with our faith is our unspoken motto as are the internal questions we ask ourselves daily. When should we do our morning prayer if we have an early start? In the middle of the night or before sunrise? Is this top too tight? Is this snack halal? Where can I pray? It’s one hell of a mental load, but one we embrace with open arms as it gives us a beautiful sense of purpose — knowing that our lives have more meaning than the materialistic things that shape them, knowing that we have an ultimate goal. This shared experience gives us a sisterhood and we wouldn’t change it for the world, but we can certainly change the world to make things easier.
In fact, we’re living in a time where women are finally starting to break the chains of the patriarchal structure that dominates our society. As ambitious and as dramatic as these last few sentences sound it is important to remember that big strides can also be taken by small steps. Before we live in a world where all prayer spaces welcome women, we can make it easier to locate female prayer spaces that already exist. This lets Muslim women know that they count. This shows them that their needs are being considered. This is empowerment.
Muslimah is designed with the Muslimah user in mind. It integrates the many aspects of faith in day to day life, making it easy for Muslim women to fit life around faith with just a tap on a smartphone. So, when you next visit Ilford Lane and you realise it’s time to pray you can happily continue in the knowledge that there is no need for you to go home empty handed, because you know exactly where the closest female prayer space is.
A month into 2025, it seems the perfect time to reflect on those goals we set out for this year, revisit the past year and set our intentions for the year ahead. Embracing a fresh and positive outlook can help us navigate the challenges and opportunities that come our way. Here are six tips to continue that momentum for the rest of the year, with some must read suggestions on making time for yourself and practicing self-care.
For the students amongst us, May usually marks the start of the exam season. Between the late-night study sessions and the pressure to perform, it's easy to forget the importance of fuelling your body with nutritious foods. Both the Quran and the Sunnah offer guidance on what to eat for optimal health – including brain health! In this blog, we'll explore these nutritious foods, to help you ace those exams and feel your best while doing it!
Alhamdulillah, we have been blessed with another Ramadan. Like many of us, you may be experiencing the post-Ramadan blues. Well, Muslimah is here to tell you how to keep the Ramadan rewards going.
Our final blog of this seven part series and we'd like to end it with the most powerful weapon of a believer, Dua along with reflections, and resources to empower individuals to stand in solidarity with Palestine and the Muslim Ummah worldwide. Through our collective supplications and efforts, we aim to spread awareness, advocate for justice, and offer spiritual support to those affected by oppression and hardship. Duas for Palestine Reliance on Allah (SWT) Hasbuna Allah wa ni'm al-wakeel Allah is sufficient for us and the best of those on whom to depend. Defeat the oppressors Allahuma munzil al-kitaab, saree' al-hisab, ihzim al-ahzaa, Allahuma ihzimhum wa zalzilhum O Allah, Revealer of the Book, Swift to account, defeat the combined forces. O Allah, defeat them and shake them. Be with the oppressed Allahumma ya Qawiyy al-akaan, ya' Adheem as-sultan, ya man qulta 'An nafsika kulla yawmin huwa fee sha'n Allahumma kun li'ikhwaninaa al-mustad'afeena fee filasteen wa ghazza wa kulli makaan. O Allah, the One with mighty Pillars, the One of Great Authority, the One who declares about Himself every day that he is engaged in a matter, O Allah, be with our brethren who are oppressed in Palestine, Gaza, and everywhere else. Bring relief Allahumma ij al limaa humfeehi farajan wa makhrajan. Allahumma innahu la hawla lahum wa la quwwata illa bika, anta ni'ma al-mawla wa ni'ma an-naseer. O Allah! Make an escape and a way out for them O Allah! There is no control or power except by You You are an excellent master and an excellent helper. Healing & mercy Allahumma dawee jarhahum, washfee mardahum, wa 'aafi mubtalahum, warham mawtahum, wa taqabbal shuhadaa'ahum O Allah! Cure their injured and heal their sick patients, and forgive their afflicted, and have mercy on their dead, and accept their martyrs. Rectify their affairs Allahuma aslih ahwaal al-muslimeen fee filasteena yaa thal jalaali wal-ikram O Allah! Rectify the affairs of the Muslims in Palestine. O Lord of Majesty and Bounty. Protect Al-Aqsa Allahuma a'id al-masjid al-aqsa ilaa rihaab il-muslimeen Oh Allah! Return Al-Aqsa mosque to the spaciousness of Muslims. Replace the fear Allahumma kun li-ahl ghazza 'awnan wa-nasseeran, wa baddil khawfahum aman O Allah, be a support and helper for the people of Gaza, and replace their fear with security. For the Ummah Allahumma aslih Ummat Muhammad, Allahumma farrij 'an Ummat Muhammad, Allahumma Irham Ummat Muhammad O Allah! Improve the state of the Ummah of Muhammad, O Allah! Grant ease to the Ummah of Muhammad, O Allah! Have mercy on the Ummah of Muhammad.
Sip with Purpose
Embark on a journey of solidarity and justice as we explore the compelling world of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement, a beacon of non-violent resistance fighting for freedom, justice, and equality for Palestine.
Discover the depth and diversity of Palestine through some captivating books, each offering a distinct perspective on its history, culture, and narratives. From intimate personal accounts to meticulous historical analyses.
Embark on a captivating journey through impactful storytelling with our curated must-watch Palestinian documentaries. Discover untold narratives of resilience and the unwavering hope that defines this historic land.
In the global storm, Palestine stands as a timeless struggle for justice. Despite dire circumstances, it sparks vital discussions and unity - We present to you the first of 6 part-series' I Stand with Palestine', providing you with resources to a full activism guide.
This year's Black History month is about 'Time For Change: Action Not Words'. We will be giving you some tangible actions you can take to be an ally to your black community, friends and colleagues later on in this blog. But, first, we will take time to acknowledge some of the most prominent black Muslim figures of the past, who have had significant impacts in history.
