“I’d rather go broke or be on the street than lose my principles.” – Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf The bullsh!t that is the NBA needs to pay reparations. This is an absolute…

Desert-home and men in kohl, both are my birthright. For those who don’t know, it is sunnah for Muslim men to use kohl, and let me tell you, friends, it’s…

When this photo first went viral, it was assumed that her husband was safeguarding her from the sun. It’s since been confirmed that it’s her brother. Either way, it will…

“Sometimes you don’t survive whole, you just survive in part. But the grandeur of life is about that attempt. It’s not about the solution. It is about being as fearless…

Ramadan is ending. Tonight is very likely the Night of Power. Ask for His forgiveness. Make your du3as. Among the things for which I am asking are that He increase…

“He wasn’t good, he was great. It felt like I was watching a god play basketball.” -Shaquille O’Neill Are you familiar with Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf? If we’re connected on Instagram, then…

Raise girls who are deeply curious and very difficult to shame. Mark them with Warsan Shire’s: “I belong deeply to myself.” Our Prophet (sAws) made it clear during his last…

I still have the shoes and the skirt. I don’t know who took the photo. My cousin found it on some random website where someone had written nonsense accompanying the…

About two decades ago, I was visiting friends in Austin, one of whom worked at Shakespeare’s pub on 6th. There was a special filming of Girls Gone Wild. While sitting…

Solidarity work is directly linked and reflected in our most intimate relationships. This world can be a devastatingly awful place, even though it is a privilege to live in it…

This is S & A’s home, a sanctuary of rest and peace. Just sitting with S is a study in calm. Last night, we had apple strudel, cinnamon-sugar twists, and…

I tried golf for the first time and I absolutely sucked. They tried to help me with instructions, and I just couldn’t do it. Then the biggest practical joker out…

This is one of my favourite buildings in my neighborhood and I could smell the fire blocks away. Morning walk, and I stopped to watch how the firefighters worked –…

This is my favourite landscape (or is it aesthetic? I’m actually not sure). New Mexico can’t come soon enough, inshAllah. You’re getting my favourite photos from Sayulita, though I am…

I got in this morning. After traveling literally anywhere and not knowing where I might sleep next for the duration of my Sabbatical year, I was exhausted of flight. Three…

This little friend greets me daily on my walks to/from home. I think he stays inside mostly to avoid the roosters that run these streets. “And I will tell you…

Today, after watching the day break over the ocean, I’ve spent it going from cart to cart to confirm the best beef tacos. I found the stand – 20 pesos…

You’re getting all of the selfies because I rarely post them and I’ve hardly taken any since the hellscape of G@za began. I am at peace here, which is my…

What’s your favourite time of day? It’s dawn for me; watching the sun rise, more than seeing it sleep. Everything is quiet, and potential at acme. The sky is so…

Even when landlocked, I have always been an Island Girl. The ocean makes everything make sense. Salt-water is a natural state for me, and it is to such shores that…

I haven’t seen skies like this since California. This city forces you to look up, so you naturally slow. It’s an exercise in mindfulness whether you want it or not….

This is the first sunburn I’ve had since at least eight years. I love it, and I can’t wait to turn toasted almond in a couple of days. A lot…

Khruangbin was recommended to me and I haven’t shut them off since.  What is music to you? How does it shape your life, or does your life shape the music…

I think very few people know of the metaphysical side of Islam. It’s where Sufiis are rooted, and one of the most important parts of my deen, for me. I…

Season 2, episode 15. New Girl still holds as one of the best shows on television, with Nick Miller as my favourite character. Jake Johnson’s willingness to make a complete…

I play a lot. All of the time. Do you? It’s my gateway drug. I find it weird when people don’t play. My cousin’s husband got shot yesterday while he…

When was the last time you slow-danced with someone? It has been nearly 17 years since a full-song slow-dance for me, when we were engaged. More recently, this past summer,…

Remember this piece, which I wrote at the beginning of my new job with a crew of primarily men? It still holds, but let me tell you that too much…

I’ve never wanted an actual physical house, but I’ve always known that if I were to live in anything, I’d want a small little cottage like the one above. (1)…

Isn’t this absolutely it? Made better still by the promise of what’s to come for them. This is by artist Nana Bruce, whose work I return to regularly. After the…

Update: After publishing this, two Uni people on their first date came and sat next to me. Their hope in one another restored my faith in everything. Keeping this published…

I usually do this on my birthday, but missed that this year for an intersection of good reasons. This is my 49 year old face plus four months. This morning,…

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

(Reposted from 2012.) “Oracle” is what another calls me, while Blue calls me “Vivid Dreamer.” Let me start with the women in my mum’s family; we dream. I learnt very…

I promised to write this piece last time, and it’s been coming to me in waves – what it means to love with an open hand. It means to love…

There is an entire world of metaphysical magic within the realm of Islam, and it is where the hearts of Sufiis rest. We believe that energy between people links and…

It’s Puma! Peter, to some. He was my male counsel in University, and we had some wild and hilarious times. Saturday was his 50th, and his wife (on the right)…

“Are you high maintenance?,” she asked over lunch through a relatively rowdy group. It’s a question that’s sat with me for the last three weeks. I answered as honestly as…

Reemo Bobeemo. Nineteen years between us. On my way home from Uni, I’d go to my uncle’s to see her, walk in and singsong Hiii-iiii. It became her first word….

I’m on holidays as of Monday COB so hopeful I have more time to write over the coming two weeks, inshAllah. We went for a hike and a picnic, then…