Salam alaikum, I really enjoyed listening to your episode- especially the part where you mentioned tranquility (sakinah) when you and your husband would sit outside and drink chai. It immediately reminded me of the verse in Surah Ar-Rum about spouses - that Allah created them in order that we find tranquility in them. I also appreciate the message about not letting fear prevail. Allahuma Barik - May Allah reward you both for your sacrifices and bless you from his bounty. Aameen ❤️
That was one emotional podcast! And felt so relieved when your husband came back to you safely! That's not a modern love story; that's a modern hero's story. I'm speechless in front of your courage, new mum with a 5-month-olaby, supporting her husband to go and save lives. Well done, both of you, showing the world that humanity is still alive. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I finally got to listen to this and it was worth making time for. It was incredibly resonant and moving. I loved the way you spoke about the Deen still being absolutely central to what you were looking for in a partner. Its rare, or at least it has been rare, to see mainstream publications allowing this kind of depth and nuance to stories of Muslim woman. The "Muslim woman gets free from oppressive man and oppressive religion" narrative is always welcome but yours is not that and I was so appreciative of that. You represented for real! Thank you ❤️
Loved listening to the podcast! May Allah bless your marriage and family. Your description of the lack of a true emotional connection resonated deeply. I think you described it perfectly as ‘death by a thousand paper cuts’ and it can be hard for someone who has not lived such a relationship to understand but for those of us who have, it could not have been described more aptly. I think it’s unfortunately increasingly common for women (who are become more educated and financially independent) to find themselves with men who lack drive, are content with the bare minimum effort in the relationship and are just unable to really have more than a superficial conversation with you, instead spending hours on their phone or video games. And it is truly heartbreaking when your efforts towards the relationship are not reciprocated and when you find yourself just closing off and not sharing with your partner because all previous attempts have led to negative scenarios . I am so happy I found you on Substack, looking forward to your future reads!
Ameen! And thank you. I think you’re right that for those who have it, it’s difficult to really know the pain of its absence. I am sorry that it resonated with you personally and wish you the best!
Samaiya this is so cool! I like to listen to podcasts when I go for a walk in the woods so I will save it for then. I didn't know you had submitted to ML earlier, good job being patient and persistent. I share the same sentiment, when Daniel Jones emailed me, I started thinking of myself as a writer too - incredible what he does for other writers!
Listened to it while preparing for Iftar tonight. A few moments had me pausing to reflect: when you talk about how lonely you felt while sitting on the couch telling your family you were going to proceed with the divorce, how you were anticipating grief and shame. I felt for you, those low moments can feel so incredibly lonely and insurmountable. Thank you for describing that feeling.
The other times I paused were hearing the recordings between you and your husband. It felt very scary. I don’t recall if I know if your husband ever returned from Rafah?
I love how service-oriented you both are. Great qualities to instill to your next generation InshaAllah
Thanks for listening and sharing your thoughts with me! Anna did a great job of drawing out some of those elements, as well as the producers that cut the episode and the voice notes. Alhamdulillah he and the rest of the team got out after the State Dept got involved, through a different crossing
Incredible (Alhamdulillah). I can’t imagine what it must have felt like being home with the littles. I have separation anxiety when I’m away from my kids so when I see other people doing that, I’m impressed. People are wired differently!
I remember your piece on MuslimMatters! I enjoyed reading it then, as a married woman wishing I could be divorced, and reading it now - as a divorced woman wishing I could be happily married this time. Keep writing. Your words have more power & impact than you know.
Thank you so much for listening and sharing!
Salam alaikum, I really enjoyed listening to your episode- especially the part where you mentioned tranquility (sakinah) when you and your husband would sit outside and drink chai. It immediately reminded me of the verse in Surah Ar-Rum about spouses - that Allah created them in order that we find tranquility in them. I also appreciate the message about not letting fear prevail. Allahuma Barik - May Allah reward you both for your sacrifices and bless you from his bounty. Aameen ❤️
Ws, thank you so much for listening, sharing your reaction, and most of all, your duas!
That was one emotional podcast! And felt so relieved when your husband came back to you safely! That's not a modern love story; that's a modern hero's story. I'm speechless in front of your courage, new mum with a 5-month-olaby, supporting her husband to go and save lives. Well done, both of you, showing the world that humanity is still alive. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for listening and the kind words ❤️ I’m grateful we had the opportunity to help in whatever way we could.
I finally got to listen to this and it was worth making time for. It was incredibly resonant and moving. I loved the way you spoke about the Deen still being absolutely central to what you were looking for in a partner. Its rare, or at least it has been rare, to see mainstream publications allowing this kind of depth and nuance to stories of Muslim woman. The "Muslim woman gets free from oppressive man and oppressive religion" narrative is always welcome but yours is not that and I was so appreciative of that. You represented for real! Thank you ❤️
Thank you so much for taking the time to listen! I think you’re so right about that trope being more adopted by mainstream pubs
Loved listening to the podcast! May Allah bless your marriage and family. Your description of the lack of a true emotional connection resonated deeply. I think you described it perfectly as ‘death by a thousand paper cuts’ and it can be hard for someone who has not lived such a relationship to understand but for those of us who have, it could not have been described more aptly. I think it’s unfortunately increasingly common for women (who are become more educated and financially independent) to find themselves with men who lack drive, are content with the bare minimum effort in the relationship and are just unable to really have more than a superficial conversation with you, instead spending hours on their phone or video games. And it is truly heartbreaking when your efforts towards the relationship are not reciprocated and when you find yourself just closing off and not sharing with your partner because all previous attempts have led to negative scenarios . I am so happy I found you on Substack, looking forward to your future reads!
Ameen! And thank you. I think you’re right that for those who have it, it’s difficult to really know the pain of its absence. I am sorry that it resonated with you personally and wish you the best!
What a beautiful essay 😍 very worthy of Modern Love
Samaiya this is so cool! I like to listen to podcasts when I go for a walk in the woods so I will save it for then. I didn't know you had submitted to ML earlier, good job being patient and persistent. I share the same sentiment, when Daniel Jones emailed me, I started thinking of myself as a writer too - incredible what he does for other writers!
Thank you! Look forward to hearing your thoughts about the episode
Listened to it while preparing for Iftar tonight. A few moments had me pausing to reflect: when you talk about how lonely you felt while sitting on the couch telling your family you were going to proceed with the divorce, how you were anticipating grief and shame. I felt for you, those low moments can feel so incredibly lonely and insurmountable. Thank you for describing that feeling.
The other times I paused were hearing the recordings between you and your husband. It felt very scary. I don’t recall if I know if your husband ever returned from Rafah?
I love how service-oriented you both are. Great qualities to instill to your next generation InshaAllah
Thanks for listening and sharing your thoughts with me! Anna did a great job of drawing out some of those elements, as well as the producers that cut the episode and the voice notes. Alhamdulillah he and the rest of the team got out after the State Dept got involved, through a different crossing
Incredible (Alhamdulillah). I can’t imagine what it must have felt like being home with the littles. I have separation anxiety when I’m away from my kids so when I see other people doing that, I’m impressed. People are wired differently!
I really enjoyed your episode, especially with its connection to Gaza and your vulnerability. Thank you for sharing 🧡
I remember your piece on MuslimMatters! I enjoyed reading it then, as a married woman wishing I could be divorced, and reading it now - as a divorced woman wishing I could be happily married this time. Keep writing. Your words have more power & impact than you know.