Salaam,

In college I used to write for AL Talib (UCLA's Muslim Newsletter), and I recently launched my own website to spread the beauty of Islam! It would be great if you can visit and subscribe my site. 😊 If you feel it is beneficial, please share!

https://muslimgap.kit.com/3d91648575

Please subscribe and support!

Assalam o Alaikum!
I (26F) moved to Dallas about a year ago and would love to make some female friends!

I live in Little Elm with my husband and in-laws.
Looking to connect with girls

If you're also looking for a friend, feel free to comment or message me!

Hey everyone,

I'm a married Hindu woman who has spent the last couple of years critically unlearning mainstream cultural narratives and really observing the lived beauty, community solidarity, and profound discipline of the Muslim community around me. In a world full of manufactured polarization, I find myself increasingly drawn to the spiritual clarity, social justice ethos, and quiet dignity that Islam embodies.

I am already familiar with foundational Quranic concepts, but I want to take a deliberate step further into the rich intellectual, ethical, and spiritual dimensions of the tradition.

Specifically, I would love recommendations for works exploring the lived character and ethics of the Prophet (pbuh) through immersive Seerah or Hadith commentaries that capture the depth of his compassion rather than just dry historical timelines. I am also deeply interested in classical writings on spiritual purification (Tazkiyah), Tasawwuf, and the philosophical frameworks of divine oneness, as well as contemporary texts on Islamic social justice, human rights, and solidarity.

I come to this with humility, active curiosity, and an open heart. If there are particular authors, texts, recorded lectures, or personal study paths that transformed your understanding, please share your thoughts or feel free to reach out directly to connect and guide me toward solid material.

Peace and warmth to you all.

“Invite to the way of your lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.” (Qur’an, an-Nahl:125)

One day, my friend and I decided to attend a Christian event on campus. I am not going to lie. I was a bit nervous because we did stand out from the crowd. Were we going to be judged? Will they ask us a lot of questions? These were the thoughts racing in my head. Click the link below to read more:

https://muslimgap.com/stories/muslim-attending-church/

Celebrating Diwali as a Muslim?

See my answer to this question here...

https://muslimgap.com/qa

If you want to submit a question anonymously, please ask it here! https://muslimgap.com/qa

Salaam,

In college I used to write for AL Talib (UCLA's Muslim Newsletter), and I recently launched my own website to spread the beauty of Islam! It would be great if you can visit and subscribe my site. 😊 If you feel it is beneficial, please share!

muslimgap.com

Please subscribe and support!

As Salam Alaikum.

Sharing this as a reminder and discussion for brothers and sisters who may sometimes find themselves struggling with doubts or needing to renew their iman.

Perhaps something that strengthened you may become a means of strength for someone else, too, إن شاء الله.

As Salam Alaikum.

Could you all please keep my mum in your prayers. She is battling retinal detachment, and we are praying that Allah grants her complete healing and restores her vision. There is a huge risk that she will go blind. Astaghfirullah. May Allah forbid.

She has been struggling with depression due to this, neuropathy, anxiety and OCD and other issues and it breaks my heart to see her go through this. She is not only my mother but also my best friend. I truly have no one in this world as close to me as she is.

Please remember her in your duas. May Allah grant her shifa, ease her pain, strengthen her heart, and protect her eyesight. Aameen.

Not AI | GoodCharacter

*CONTROLLING ANGER *

*• Isti'adha (Seeking Refuge With Allah)*

Narrated Sulaiman bin Surad (رضى الله عنه): Two men abused each other in front of the Prophet (ﷺ) while we were sitting with him. One of the two abused his companion furiously and his face became red.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "I know a word (sentence) the saying of which will cause him to relax (i.e., he will calm down). Only if he says:

« أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ »

(A'udhu Billahi Minash Shaitanir Rajeem — I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the outcast)."

📚: Sahih Bukhari 6115

*• Avoid Anger*

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to us (his companions):

"If one of you becomes angry when he is standing, let him sit down, and if the anger goes away (all well and good), otherwise let him lie down."

📚: Sunan Abi Dawud 4782 | Sahih

*• Seek Solace In Silence*

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

"Teach and make things easy and not difficult. When one of you is angry, he should be silent."

📚: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 245 | Sahih (Shaykh Albani رحمة الله)

*• Remember That Repressing Anger Is One of The Qualities of Muslims*

"Those who spend (in Allah’s Cause) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers)."

📚: Qur'an (al-Imran 3:134)

*• The True Strength*

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said:

"The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger."

📚: Sahih Bukhari 6114

*• Acting On RasulAllah (ﷺ)'s Advice*

A man said to the Prophet (ﷺ): "Advise me!"

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Do not become angry and furious."

The man asked (the same) again and again, and the Prophet (ﷺ) said in each case: "Do not become angry and furious."

📚: Sahih Bukhari 6116

https://youtu.be/t7ygefn5KrI

I am single, 29F, and have never been married. I’ve been struggling with romantic fantasies and p***n addiction. I don’t insert anything, but I do have the urge to mast***. Sometimes I’m able to control myself, but other times I give in.
I feel so sick of myself afterward. In that moment, the lust takes over, and afterward I feel like I’ve drifted so far away from Allah. I know this is something I need to work on, and I genuinely want to change. I don’t want to keep giving myself over to temporary worldly pleasure when I know it’s destroying my peace.
Whenever I try to get closer to Allah, I somehow end up watching again. It feels like a cycle: I repent, feel motivated, then eventually fall back into it. The guilt afterward is exhausting.
I do feel that I lack a partner, companionship, and emotional comfort. I want to believe that if marriage is meant for me, it will happen at the right time. But I don’t want to constantly think about romance, marriage, or sex. I also feel like my career and other areas of my life are already uncertain, and this is making me feel even more disconnected from Allah and from myself.
I know people may judge me, I genuinely want to be helped and would really appreciate advice from people who have been through something similar.
What actually helped you break this cycle? How did you deal with the fantasies, urges, loneliness, and guilt? I’d especially appreciate advice from a Muslim perspective, but I’m open to hearing what has genuinely helped others.
I just want my peace back and to feel close to Allah again.

Sharing a poem from Calming Echoes. I love this book because it helps me reflect on my hardships through the Names and qualities of Allah. Each poem reminds me to find comfort in Him, even through difficult experiences.

View the full image to read towards the end

Disrespectful Wife?!!! What should I do to solve this issue?

"And We have enjoined on man [to be good] to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command), 'Show gratitude to Me and to your parents: to Me is (your final) goal'." [Quran 31:14]

Read my answer below!

https://muslimgap.com/disrespectful-wife

Salam alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, I hope I’m writing in the right sub. I need to talk to someone about this thing. I am a 29-year-old revert, I returned to Islam 13 years ago (when I was 16).

For a while now, and in the last few days, I feel my heart getting heavy both because of the talk and the behavior of men.

I noticed that when a friend talked to me about Salafis and the absurd things they were saying, I felt drained of energy. Absurd things like a woman can't be on top because otherwise the man becomes gay. Then I stopped opening the posts she sent me because just the thought of dealing with a man like that makes me want to get it sewn shut.

In these days then, I had the chance to see some married sisters. They talked to me about how they can't stand their husband, that they love him to death but sometimes they would like to strangle him (metaphorically speaking). This thing makes me freeze up. The problem is that they have very strong cultural baggage. For example, the belief that the man has to be in charge, have the final say, and impose things.

I am an independent girl, I studied and I travel. I would like to get married because marriage is half of the religion (looking at the deen) and then for the dunya I would like to have a halal sexual relationship, dress up for my man, be seen by someone without hijab, I am not interested in having children in the short term right now.

This continuous talking bad about men. This behavior with all this desire to command and have an obedient woman makes me retreat into my shell even more. In practice I don't stop searching, when I meet a man I immediately do istikhara and ask him the right questions, but inside my heart, something dies.

A gentle reminder: Please be kind and respectful in the comments. Let us remember that our hasanat are not infinite, and harsh words or insults can unintentionally hurt me and others who might be going through the same thing. I am simply looking for a constructive, empathetic, and respectful conversation.

Salam Alaikum. Not AI. Pls keep me in your duas if such reminders benefit you.

🌷*How to Increase Rizq according to the Sharee’ah*🌷

by Asma bint Shameem

There are many causes proven in our deen  to increase your rizq, some of which are:

1️⃣ *Keeping up ties of kinship*

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever would like his rizq (provision) to be increased and his life to be extended, should uphold the ties of kinship.” (Bukhaari, Muslim)

2️⃣ *Spending for the sake of Allaah*

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Allaah said: ‘Spend, O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.’”

al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

3️⃣ *Making a lot of istighfaar*

🍃 Allaah quotes Nooh Alayhis Salaam:

“I said (to them): ‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord, verily, He is Oft‑Forgiving;

He will send rain to you in abundance,

And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.’”

(Surah Nooh:10-12)

4️⃣ *Being grateful to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala*

🍃Allaah says:

“And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: ‘If you give thanks, I will give you more (of My Blessings); but if you are thankless, verily, My punishment is indeed severe.’”

(Surah Ibraheem:7)

5️⃣ *Obeying and fearing Allaah*

🍃 Allaah says:

“And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).

And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine.”

(Surah at-Talaaq:2-3)

6️⃣ *Repeating hajj and umrah*

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Perform Hajj and Umrah consecutively.

Verily, the succession between the two  removes away poverty and removes away sins just as the bellows removes away the dross of iron and gold and silver."

(Ahmad, Tirmidhi, others--Saheeh by al-Albaani)

7️⃣ *Making lots of dua and asking Allaah to increase your rizq*

One such duaa is the following:

‎اللَّهُمَّ أَكْثِرُ مَا لِي وَوَلَدِي وَبَارِكْ لِي

‎فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَنِي

Allaahumma akthir maalee wa-waladee wa-baarik li feema a'taytanee

O Allaah, increase my wealth and offspring and bless me in what what you have given me.

🍃 Um Sulaim said to the Prophet ﷺ "Anas is your servant."

The Prophet ﷺ said:

"‏ اللَّهُمَّ أَكْثِرْ مَالَهُ وَوَلَدَهُ، وَبَارِكْ لَهُ فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَهُ ‏"‏‏.

"O Allaah! increase his wealth and offspring, and bless (for him) what ever you give him."

(Saheeh al-Bukhari 6334)

🍃 Another duaa is what we read as part of our morning adhkaar.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

الَّلهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسأَلُكَ رِزقًا طَيِّبًا ، وَعِلمًا نَافِعًا ، وَعَمَلاً مُتَقَبَّلاً

“Allaahumma inni as’aluka rizqan tayyiban, wa `ilman nafi`an, wa `amalan mutaqabbalan

“O Allaah, I ask you for good (lawful) provision, beneficial knowledge and accepted good deeds.” 

(Ahmad in Al-Musnad, 6/294 and Ibn Maajah 66; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah)

🍃 Yahya ibn Mu`adh Ar-Razi said:

“Obedience will be stored in the stores of Allaah, and the key (to obedience) is Duaa, and it becomes effective by means of lawful earnings.”

8️⃣ *Marriage increases rizq*

🍃 Allaah says:

“And marry those among you who are single (i.e. a man who has no wife and the woman who has no husband) and (also marry) the Saalihoon (pious, fit and capable ones) of your (male) slaves and maid-servants (female slaves). If they be poor, Allaah will enrich them out of His Bounty. And Allaah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knowing (about the state of the people)” [al-Noor 24:32]

🍃Abu Bakr Radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“Obey Allaah in what He has commanded you to do by getting married;

He will then fulfill His promise to you to make you rich.” 

He then recited the above Aayah.

🍃 Umar Ibn Khattab Radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“Seek richness through marriage!”

🍃 Abdullah ibn Mas’ood Radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“Find richness by getting married.”

(Al-Durr Al-Manthur, v.5, pps. 80-81)

These are some of the reasons. And there are others.

And Allaah knows best.

🌷*Duaas to fight anxiety and depression*🌷

by Asma bint Shameem 

We all go through difficult times one time or another. 

Here are some duaas proven from the authentic sources that we can read at such times. 

1️⃣ The Prophet ﷺ said:

There is no-one who is afflicted by distress and grief, and says:

‎اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي عَبْدُكَ ، وَابْنُ عَبْدِكَ ، وَابْنُ أَمَتِكَ ، نَاصِيَتِي بِيَدِكَ ، مَاضٍ فِيَّ حُكْمُكَ ، عَدْلٌ فِيَّ قَضَاؤُكَ ، أَسْأَلُكَ بِكُلِّ اسْمٍ هُوَ لَكَ سَمَّيْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ ، أَوْ عَلَّمْتَهُ أَحَدًا مِنْ خَلْقِكَ ، أَوْ أَنْزَلْتَهُ فِي كِتَابِكَ ، أَوْ اسْتَأْثَرْتَ بِهِ فِي عِلْمِ الْغَيْبِ عِنْدَكَ ، أَنْ تَجْعَلَ الْقُرْآنَ رَبِيعَ قَلْبِي ، وَنُورَ صَدْرِي ، وَجِلاءَ حُزْنِي ، وَذَهَابَ هَمِّي

 ‘Allaahumma inni ‘abduka ibn ‘abdika ibn amatika naasyati bi yadika, maadin fiyya hukmuka, ‘adlun fiyya qadaa’uka. 

As’aluka bi kulli ismin huwa laka sammayta bihi nafsaka aw anzaltahu fi kitaabika aw ‘allamtahu ahadan min khalqika awista’tharta bihi fi ‘ilm il-ghaybi ‘indaka an taj’al al-Qur’aana al-adheema rabee’a qalbi wa noora sadri wa jalaa’a huzni wa dhihaaba hammi 

“O Allaah, I am Your slave, son of Your slave, son of Your maidservant; my forelock is in Your hand, Your command over me is forever executed and Your decree over me is just. I ask You by every name belonging to You which You have named Yourself with, or revealed in Your Book, or You taught to any of Your creation, or You have preserved in the knowledge of the Unseen with You, that You make the Qur’aan the life of my heart and the light of my breast, and a departure for my sorrow and a release for my anxiety),’ 

but Allaah will take away his distress and grief, and replace it with joy.” 

He was asked: “O Messenger of Allaah, should we learn this?” He said: “Of course; everyone who hears it should learn it.” ( Ahmad- saheeh by al-Albaani) 

2️⃣ The Prophet ﷺ said:

“There is no Muslim who is afflicted with a calamity and says that which Allaah has enjoined, 

‎إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ اللَّهُمَّ أْجُرْنِي فِي مُصِيبَتِي وَأَخْلِفْ لِي خَيْرًا مِنْهَا

Innaa lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’oon. Allaahumma ajurni fi museebati wa akhlif li khayran minha 

“Verily to Allaah we belong and unto Him is our return. O Allaah, reward me for my calamity and compensated me with something better than it,

but Allaah will compensate him with something better than it.”(Muslim)

3️⃣ Ibn ‘Abbaas said that the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ used to say at times of distress:

‎لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْعَظِيمُ الْحَلِيمُ ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَرَبُّ الْأَرْضِ وَرَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْكَرِيمِ

“Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah al-‘Azeem al-Haleem, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah Rabb al-‘Arsh al-‘azeem, la ilaaha ill-Allaah Rabb ul-samawaati wa Rabb ul-ard wa Rabb ul-‘Arsh il-kareem 

“There is no god but Allaah, the All-Powerful, the Forbearing; there is no god but Allaah, Lord of the mighty Throne; there is no god but Allaah, Lord of heaven, Lord of earth, and Lord of the noble Throne.” 

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

4️⃣ The Prophet ﷺ said: 

“Shall I not tell you of something that, if any worldly calamity or disaster befalls any man among you and he says these words, he will be relieved of it. (It is) the du’aa’ of Dhu’l-Noon: 

‎لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

“Laa ilaaha illa anta subhaanaka inni kuntu min al-zaalimeen

“None has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allaah), Glorified (and Exalted) be You [above all that (evil) they associate with You]! Truly, I have been of the wrongdoers).”

And in another narration he said:

“No Muslim man says this duaa’ concerning anything but Allaah will answer his prayer.” (at-Tirmidhi -Saheeh by al-Albaani)

5️⃣ The Prophet ﷺ  said: 

“The du’aa’ of the person who is in distress is: 

‎اللَّهُمَّ رَحْمَتَكَ أَرْجُو فَلا تَكِلْنِي   إِلَى نَفْسِي    طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ وَأَصْلِحْ لِي شَأْنِي كُلَّهُ لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنْتَ

‘Allaahumma rahmataka arjoo fa laa takilni ilaa nafsi tarfat ‘ayn wa aslih li sha’ni kullahu laa ilaaha illa anta 

“O Allaah, for Your mercy I hope, so do not leave me in charge of my affairs even for the blink of an eye; rectify all my affairs. There is no god except You” 

(Abu Dawood -hasan by al-Albaani)

6️⃣ If some matter was troubling him, the Prophet ﷺ  would say:

‎يا حيُ يا قَيوم بِرَحمَتِكَ أسْتَغِيث

Yaa Hayyu yaa Qayyoom bi rahmatika astagheeth 

“O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, by Your mercy I seek Your help” 

(at-Tirmidhi - hasan by al-Albaani)

7️⃣ The Prophet ﷺ  said to Asma’ bint ‘Umays:

“Shall I not teach you some words which you can say at times of distress and hardship? 

‎اللَّهُ اللَّهُ رَبِّي لا أُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا

‘Allaahu Allaahu rabbee laa ushriku bihi shay’an 

“Allaah is my Lord, I do not associate anything with Him).’”(Abu Dawood- saheeh by al-Albaani)

8️⃣ The Prophet ﷺ said:

‎اللَّهُمَّ لَا سَهْلَ إِلَّا مَا جَعَلْتَهُ سَهْلًا، وَأَنْتَ تَجْعَلُ الْحَزْنَ سَهْلًا إِذَا شِئْتَ

“O Allaah, nothing is easy but that which You make easy and You can make hardship easy if You will.” 

(Ibn Hibbaan - saheeh by al-Albaani)

And Allaah knows best.

-

Please keep me and my loved ones in your duas.

Hi I would like to connect with someone whom I can chat with a situation and get some advice. Thank you

"Surely Allah does not guide him aright who is a liar, ungrateful." [Quran 39:3]

Lying To My Parents About How I Met a Guy?

Read my answer below!

https://muslimgap.com/lying-to-my-parents-about-how-i-met-a-guy/

Assalama alaykum sisters! And Jumma Mubarak!

I am here to seek help, guidance and experience from other sisters. This is a long story but i will try to explain it as shortly as possible.
I am a revert (Alhamdulillah), but before reverting i had a relationship with a muslim man. After our first separation I’ve found Allah, and reverted to Islam.
We have been on and off for a bit. We both know our wrong doings, but since i reverted i have sincere, serious intentions to make the relationship halal. We both repented about our sins and i understand what we did was wrong, please don’t come after me.
We were planning to take the step and do the Nikkah, but he stepped back, and we did this multiple times.
Now he was finally able to try to explain his side, saying i am a test from Allah, and staying away from me is the only way he can pass.
I kept praying for the love to fade if he is not meant for me, but despite everything that has happened and the distance we share, i got blessed with patience, strength and more love towards him.
I still have clean intentions and wish to continue the relationship in halal way. But honestly i am not sure how to handle this right now, not sure what to say or what this could actually mean….
What could i say to him? What questions could i ask?
I don’t want to try to force this on him, because his feelings/ thoughts are completely valid. But i am struggling with understanding and how i should handle this…
Thanks for everyone for reading this and thanks for the answers in regards!
May Allah have mercy on us all

Since this happens only in salah, and in the beginning first rakah only because of which I can't keep khushu in my salah , do I fall under the category of ma'dhur?

I was just curious, I understand that there is a requirement to pray at certain times of day. My question is, is there any significance to the prayer mat? Does it have to be blessed, is it for comfort or are you supposed to be off the ground when praying? I worked with a guy who used a folded down cardboard box (large one) when at work praying when he had to.

Assalamualaikum sisters,

I've been wanting to post this for a while but felt embarrassed honestly. I deal with excessive sweating, on my face, neck, back like almost all my body esspiacially feet and hands and wearing hijab makes it so much harder to manage. Even in air-conditioned places I still sweat and it genuinely affects my confidence, like I'm always worried people notice.

I feel like nobody talks about this openly, and I always thought it was just me being "too sensitive" about it but I looked it up and it's actually a medical condition called hyperhidrosis.

For sisters who deal with this, how do you manage it day to day? Have you found anything that actually works? Fabrics, products, anything really. And do you feel like this is something people in our community are too shy to talk about?

Would love to hear I'm not alone in this 🤍

The constant fear of losing wudu during wudu and salah , a different kind of (kaifiyat)a person feels right before the time of salah and not out of it . And knows how to cure it?