Unswtnd + Unfltrd

We have all heard the phrase : follow your passion and everything will fall into place. But I also can't help but to think of another very popular phrase which is : some things are much easier said than done.I find it funny that when I was younger and I was asked 'what do you want to be when you grow up', my response was one that was very confident and it came with no hesitation…mind you I was also five years old at the time.But if you were to ask me this same question today,...

Transcribed - Published: 21 June 2022

What do you do when the things you want most are happening for everyone but you?Who do you become when your plans don't fall through? When you are in the waiting period of your life? When I look back on my own life journey thus far, I realize that if everything had gone according to my plans and not God’s Plan, I don't think I would have been as intentional or filled with all of the gratitude I have for all that I was blessed with today. Maybe my relationship with Allah wouldn...

Transcribed - Published: 7 June 2022

Going after what makes you happy as an Arab Muslim woman doesn’t always come with instant gratification. There is pain and guilt involved when finally making a decision for yourself.I often wonder to myself, will I ever experience happiness without allowing myself to poison the moment by the idea that I’m making others unhappy in return.Grief is interesting when it shows up in moments where you are welcoming a new chapter in your life - a chapter you have been making dua for for the longest. ...

Transcribed - Published: 24 May 2022

Each of us are on our own unique life journey and for some of us we have yet to find the one to start a family with, so what do we do when society is constantly reminding us of our ticking biological clock and how do we approach the conversation of having kids when we are truly ready? For the past year, I have been a bit anxious when I think about my future and having children of my own inshallah. This anxiety stemmed from realizing that marriage may not be written for me at ...

Transcribed - Published: 10 May 2022

Death isn’t the greatest loss in life, it’s the spiritual death of our hearts while we are still living.I once heard that we treat death like a mystery, when in fact, it’s the one experience all of us are guaranteed to share.As human beings living in this dunya, we tend to not see the shape of the life we’ve lived until we have reached the end of it. Subhanallah how death is the one thing that simultaneously kills us but also motivates us to live a very fulfilled life, a life that Allah is pl...

Transcribed - Published: 26 April 2022

I once heard that if the battle is bigger than you, than it’s not only your battle to fight, God is reminding you to seek His help in these moments, too.I believe that sometimes we tend to focus more so on the state that we’re in when entering Ramadan instead of shifting our focus to our potential in this month. We can be discouraged in where our hearts may be when approaching Ramadan, not realizing that the purpose of this month is for us to seek the healing we desperately need. I truly beli...

Transcribed - Published: 12 April 2022

If you find darkness in your heart after you’ve sinned, know that in your heart there is light, and only because of this light you felt the darkness. Ramadan Kareem everyone, subhanallah, what a beautiful gift we have received from Allah to witness another Ramadan. Take a moment to soak this in. May this month soften our hearts to allow the blessings of Allah to make their way in. May we find the ease we have been desperately seeking and the guidance we have been praying for. May every o...

Transcribed - Published: 5 April 2022

What does it truly mean when we say closure comes from us and what if we feel like the relationship isn’t really over?When you really think about it - no one ever really goes away completely. They either live in our minds, our hearts or both. From time to time we may find ourselves in a chapter in our lives where we may be dealing with a generous amount of unanswered questions and the lingering feeling of not knowing if we made the right choice. From dealing with a relationship ending, t...

Transcribed - Published: 29 March 2022

You know for the most part I’m a pretty laid back person. I only care about two things: the well being and the opinions of every single person on this earth, literally everyone, even strangers.If you ever found yourself in battle with literally yourself on a daily basis, then this conversation is just for you. It will shed light on the possible culprit which is the trait better known as Highly Sensitive Person or HSP for short.For thirty years of my life I have struggled with being, quot...

Transcribed - Published: 15 March 2022

How do you handle being pressured into a relationship you don’t want and why does society stigmatize women who choose to be single?At times society tends to be outspoken when it comes to seeing people engaging in different life choices and that includes being single. It seems as though, whatever cultural background you come from, being divorced and choosing single-hood can make those around you scratch their heads a bit.In this episode, I sit down with Mai Abdeljaber, a first gene...

Transcribed - Published: 2 March 2022

*Content Warning: this episode discusses topics such as pregnancy loss and miscarriage*How does one come to terms with any hardship in their life where you have to accept what is happening to you while it’s happening to you?From time to time I am hit with the realization that sends a chill down my spine, that everything that has happened to me, not only affects me, but also affects so many others, even strangers whom i’ll never meet. Every single thing that is written for us is just a piece o...

Transcribed - Published: 16 February 2022

"It's about time we address the 'second puberty' nobody warns us about."We are opening Season 4 with the founder of Aram Newsletter, Tahmina Begum!Tahmina is a brilliant journalist, writer and editor - alongside her newsletter she has written many articles and one of them discussing the second puberty.She defines this as the necessary shedding of old skin. Not only are you now making choices for yourself but you are also redefining who you are. It’s like a spiritual awakening and a rebi...

Transcribed - Published: 2 February 2022

Pablo Picasso once said that the first half of life is learning to be an adult, and the second half is learning to be a child.We can all agree that life has been an interesting ride these past few years. It has been extremely rough for some of us and for others it has given us the opportunity to finally come face to face with our fears, our worries and most importantly ourselves.Through our struggles, we found the love and support that we needed, through our darkest moments we have found the ...

Transcribed - Published: 22 December 2021

Who would have known that one of the worst things about adulting, would be relationship struggles?!As they say, first comes the butterflies, then comes the emotional trauma.Since, we are in the midst of dealing with seasonal depression, I had to bring on my girl Mai, from MaisVault, to cheer us up a bit!Before I give you the scoop on today’s episode, Mai pulled the oldest Arab girl trick in the book - you know the one where people can’t tell if we're single, or if we’re in a 7-year relationsh...

Transcribed - Published: 24 November 2021

'Islam is meant to be practiced by human beings who are flawed and in pain, who struggle to succeed but sometimes fail, and who return to God after those failures.'These words were birthed from pain, on a journey of healing and understanding, words spoken by today’s special guest, Asmaa Hussein.Lately, my duas have been accompanied by a tear soaked prayer mat. Moments of reflection where I unload every burden weighing heavy on my heart. Nights where I allow my heart to speak on my behalf and ...

Transcribed - Published: 10 November 2021

When it comes to relationships, are we entitled to the "carfax" of this potential partner? And if so, where can we get the honesty is the best policy when it comes to relationship warranties?Dear listeners, you’re in for a treat because this episode is nothing short of hilarious even though we are unpacking loads of trauma.In today’s episode, I sit down with Salma Hindy, a biomedical engineer by day and accomplished comedian by night. And if you are familiar with who Salma is, then...

Transcribed - Published: 26 October 2021

God’s timing is never rushed by our impatience in this Dunya, for He is always in control of all plans and we are in control of the steps we take toward His plans.One quote that always lingers in my mind is:If your heart became closer to Allah as a result of something that has happened to you, it was the biggest blessing.You know, sometimes in moments of hardship we tend to feel as if God has forgotten us, but it’s in these moments when we are truly reminded of Allah’s mercy and His love for ...

Transcribed - Published: 12 October 2021

*Trigger warning - this episode primarily focuses on eating disorders. If you feel the content discussed could be triggering, please either proceed with caution, or feel free to listen to any one of our previous episodes.*“My journey towards self love has always been a difficult one. Just when I think I have conquered it, years, sometimes months later, new cracks begin to show.” If these words sound a bit familiar to you that is because they were written by the poet Asma Elbadawi who als...

Transcribed - Published: 28 September 2021

It’s understood that Allah’s plans are always greater than ours, but how strong is your trust in Him if after making dua, everything in your life begins to fall apart?Growing up you have probably heard the hadith which stated that “none shall enter the fire of Hell who has in his heart the weight of a mustard seed of Iman”, as well as, “none shall enter Paradise who has in his heart the weight of a mustard seed of pride.”And so you think to yourself, the size of a mustard seed is incredibly t...

Transcribed - Published: 14 September 2021

In the words of bell hooks: We cannot dismantle a system as long as we engage in the collective denial about its impact on our lives.Protecting the vulnerable and the oppressed is a duty of ours in Islam, yet we have failed to stand firmly in the face of injustice, specifically abuse and the many forms that it comes in.In today's episode, special guest Eman Bare is choosing to courageously share her story by speaking up about the various accounts of abuse, harm and hyper sexualized rumors tha...

Transcribed - Published: 31 August 2021

What exactly is a spiritual awakening and why is it so painful?Have you ever found yourself wanting to take a break and crawl into a hole all by yourself but not knowing the reason why? Could it be that almost everything feels forced lately? Forced interactions, forced relationships and even forced conversations?I tend to believe that our mental breakdowns are truly spiritual breakthroughs. Someone once told me that if you're not speaking it, you're storing it and that can get pretty heavy.In...

Transcribed - Published: 17 August 2021

I'm not sure what's worse : a rejection letter from the company I had just applied for or no reply at all.Did you know that job search depression is actually a thing? I was reading an article that mentioned how looking for a new job but having zero luck can truly be a bit demoralizing.I wonder if I can highlight my ability to stay standing after receiving 'x' amount of rejection letters as one of my skill sets on my resume - kidding of course.But on a serious note, we fail to realize that our...

Transcribed - Published: 3 August 2021

Why is it that we stay put in positions that our minds and even our hearts want a way out of?It's no secret or miraculous discovery to know that we all have a purpose, but the most difficult part is finding out what our purpose is and how to better align it with our passions.Recently, I have found myself at a crossroads - one that many others have discovered along their own life's journey. The intersection of fulfilling our life's purpose and choosing the path that best fits with our intentio...

Transcribed - Published: 27 July 2021

Raise your hand if you grew up believing that you wanted to be Jasmine from Aladdin only to realize that this movie was perpetuating orientalist stereotypes of the Middle East and Asia.Keep your hand raised if you are exhausted with the idea that being Muslim and being accepted by society are mutually exclusive.Don't you think it's time that we deserve more accurate portrayals of Muslims in media?If you've caught yourself holding your breath when you've seen a Muslim cross your television scr...

Transcribed - Published: 6 July 2021

Growing up, I can't tell you how many times I used to hear the words 3aib, haram or the most triggering of all: "What will people say." But in today's episode you're going to hear what Alya Mooro, my special guest, has to say about navigating the many facets of her identity as an Arab woman.It was just last year when I had picked up Alya's book, 'The Greater Freedom: Life as a Middle Eastern Woman Outside the Stereotypes', and I found myself devouring every word of hers. In her book, I had se...

Transcribed - Published: 29 June 2021

The unconditional support that the U.S. has for 'Israel' is unmatched but will we ever witness a breakup when it comes to this toxic relationship?Recently, the Palestinian Prisoners Affairs Commission has reported that since 1967, there have been approximately one million arrests of Palestinians by the IOF. More than 50,000 of these arrests are children. I would like to also add that a generous amount of these Palestinian prisoners died as a result of torture, medical negligence, and the...

Transcribed - Published: 8 June 2021

How does one lose their job for reporting the truth, yet their job description is to report the truth? Now that's a riddle that I can't seem to solve.By now, you may have heard of the open letter that was drafted by journalists urging Canadian newsrooms and editors to provide more nuanced coverage on Palestine and to also include Palestinian voices in regards to the recent attacks that have happened on Gaza, as well as the forced expulsion of the residents of Sheikh Jarrah and the ongoing eth...

Transcribed - Published: 1 June 2021

In today’s episode, I sit down with Alana Hadid, one of the many gems of our Palestinian community and her family is just as admirable as her. Recently, we have seen Alana and her sisters, including Bella come out full force and show their love for their people and their identity, from raising awareness to attending protests.In today’s discussion, Alana and I had sat down to discuss our Palestinian identity and what role it has played in who we have become today. We also discussed her bu...

Transcribed - Published: 19 May 2021

Sometimes Allah (swt) wants a certain level of Jannah for someone and when their good deeds alone can't get them there, He gives them hardship.These are such powerful words that I was fortunate enough to come across in a moment of need. In today's episode, I sit down with Halima Jama to discuss how we can better focus our lens on the blessings threaded within our hardships, how we can include Allah in every aspect of our lives and how to trust the next chapter we are embarking on becaus...

Transcribed - Published: 4 May 2021

We say that if we knew our expiration dates, we would live life differently. Yet, it's written that tomorrow is not guaranteed and we still go on living our lives no differently.In today's episode, I sit down with Sondos Kholaki, who is a Muslim Chaplain and author, to discuss a topic most of us intentionally avoid and that is Death. But, what if we chose to view death as a gift? What if we realized that there is so much more to learn from loss and grief?In this discussion we come face to fac...

Transcribed - Published: 27 April 2021

No gift is greater than having a Creator who listens to you even when you don't speak. Who forgives your sins even when you don't feel worthy of His mercy. And who always guides us back no matter how far we have been led astray.In today's episode, you'll be listening to a recording of a Clubhouse Chatroom that Alex Fox and I had hosted back in March with our special guest, A. Helwa, the author of 'Secrets of Divine Love'.We were all enveloped by the poetic words of Helwa and the room was fill...

Transcribed - Published: 20 April 2021

Is it possible that we can be doing something to block or delay our blessings in this world?In today's episode, I am grateful for the chance to re-introduce you to one of my absolute favorite spiritual counselors and that is Sister Hosai Mojaddidi! She is a public speaker, teacher, writer, mentor and mental health advocate, too!Do you ever find yourself questioning if your hardships are a result of the sins you may be committing? If these hardships are a punishment that we have to face becaus...

Transcribed - Published: 13 April 2021

If I had asked you to name three female companions of the Prophet (pbuh) on the spot, would you be able to?This is a question that I had struggled with answering before having this discussion, yet ironically there isn't a shortage of female companions from our Prophet's (pbuh) time, nor a shortage in female scholars in today's society. But why is it that I am struggling with naming these powerful and admirable women?In today's episode, I sit down with Ustadha Maryam Amir, an illuminating ligh...

Transcribed - Published: 6 April 2021

The topic of Mahr at times can be so nerve racking when discussed between potential spouses. Questions such as 'how much one should ask for' and 'if there's a limit for the amount requested' are at the top of everyone's list. Often times, we can be so quick in discussing the details of the wedding hall and guest list, but do we also make it a priority to reserve the time for serious discussions such as financial compatibility, especially when it comes to Mahr?Western media likes to portr...

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2021

Have you ever played a game of tug of war, but with your parents, and it wasn't a game, but actually with your life?The tug of war I'm talking about is the one where what your parents want for you doesn't necessarily align with what you want for yourself. We've all been there, the shouting matches that end up with you and your parents not agreeing on certain life choices of yours.In today's episode I had the pleasure and honor of sitting down with Dr. Rania Awaad, someone who is truly a...

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2021

"These mountains that you are carrying, you were only supposed to climb."Beautiful words from one of my absolute favorite poems written by Najwa Zebian who is today's special guest on the pod. Heartbreak and pain are sometimes inevitable, so how do we grieve relationships that end, how do we process loss that comes with a broken heart and most importantly how do learn to trust ourselves again?Najwa Zebian, a Lebanese-Canadian activist, poet, educator and speaker is the author of three po...

Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2021

If you're single, it shouldn't only mean that you're not dating. There's more to you than your relationship status.Often times we witness a woman's value being tied to her relationship status. So what message are we sending to those who are single or unmarried? What happened to the belief of trusting in God's timing?In this episode I sit down with Hafsa Hassan, a transformational coach with a holistic approach, to discuss the stigma surrounding single women, the difference between settling an...

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2021

In the words of Lydia Elle: You have to be heard to heal.Trigger Warning: When discussing narcissists, it tends to go hand in hand with the topic of abuse. Within this discussion we cover traits of a narcissistic partner while also touching upon the various forms of abuse.In today's episode, I sit down with Doctor Nahla, where we both share our personal experiences with abusive relationships, what reactive abuse entails and the burden survivors carry with them long after they have left their ...

Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2021

The topic of intimacy in Islam is a conversation that may at times come laced with shame and stigma. In today's episode, I sit down with Noha Alshugairi, to dismantle the misinformation surrounding this while also educating women about their rights, the power of no in a marriage and diving deeper into what is haram vs halal.I often wonder how we deviated so much from the days of our Prophet (pbuh) when it comes to seeking knowledge and empowering ourselves in terms of intimacy in Islam. How h...

Transcribed - Published: 3 February 2021

Have you ever loved and resented someone at the same time and is it healthy? In Episode 3 of Season 3, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Yasmine Cheyenne, a self healing expert, teacher and speaker, to discuss how to set boundaries rather than having uncommunicated expectations, how to navigate past trauma that has transformed itself into present resentment and knowing the difference of what is and what isn't meant to be yours.Some of us struggle with the act of setting and enforcing bo...

Transcribed - Published: 27 January 2021

"We do not worship God because God needs it, we worship God because we need it. Prayer is not you reaching out for God, it is you responding to God, Who first reached out to you."In Episode 2 of Season 3, I have the pleasure and honor of sitting down with A. Helwa, the award winning author of Secrets of Divine Love. It's not everyday that you come across a book, other than the Quran itself, that can speak to you in such a profound manner. Her novel is filled with insightful gems and metaphors...

Transcribed - Published: 12 January 2021

Have you ever taken an honest moment to look at the life you have created only to realize it wasn’t your own?I am opening the new season as well as the New Year with Sara Luchetti, an intuitive healer and spiritual guide. The above question is one that Sara has posed and I couldn't help but to really dig deep into my own heart and soul to fully understand, who am I really?In Episode 1 of Season 3, Sara takes us on her personal journey of her transformational process, or as she would like to c...

Transcribed - Published: 6 January 2021

Pinch us...no really, please do, because we can't believe we are closing out another season of this podcast.In our Season 2 finale, we can't help but to tear up and laugh simultaneously at the year we have just had. 2020 was a year of reckoning but it was the year that pushed us beyond what we could have ever imagined for ourselves and for this platform.This podcast was birthed via a DM thread between Zaina and Dounya, both sharing their desire to create a platform for the stories that needed...

Transcribed - Published: 23 December 2020

How do we go from relationship struggles to relationship goals?In Episode 37 of Season 2, we sit down with Zahra Aljabri to discuss what it means to marry our unfinished business, how we can overcome the pain points of our current relationship and how to deal with insecurities from our past. Zahra is a spiritual coach who will help guide us when it comes to the obstacles we face in our relationships. She breaks it down for us when it comes to dealing with past issues manifesting themselves in...

Transcribed - Published: 16 December 2020

Most of us have a story or two....ok maybe a whole book series...about how we grew up sheltered. In Episode 36 of Season 2, we sit down with Zaynab Bajwa to discuss the topic of growing up sheltered and if it leads to codependency. For some of us this could be a triggering topic, seeing that it brings back memories of every time our parents basically said no to anything without a valid explanation.We've all done it - where we found ourselves standing in front of a mirror prac...

Transcribed - Published: 9 December 2020

If I asked you, do you love yourself, what would you say?In Episode 35 of Season 2, we sit down with Alia Taha, who isn't a stranger to our podcast (she was a guest on Season 1), to discuss the root of self love and the resilient act of choosing to love ourselves despite our flaws, traumas and lived experiences.When you sit across from Alia, you know you will always leave the conversation feeling empowered, motivated and loved. Alia is the type of friend who beautifully reminds you of Allah a...

Transcribed - Published: 25 November 2020

If you've ever experienced anxiety walking down the skincare aisle of your local drugstore, trust me when we say this, you're not alone!In Ep 34 of Season 2, we sit down with Dr. Fatima Fahs, aka Dermy Doctor, to discuss all things related to skincare. Most of us may have a love/hate relationship with our skincare routine and in this episode we dive deep into the do's and dont's when it comes to how to take care of our skin!Did you know that acne is the most common skin issue in the U.S.?If y...

Transcribed - Published: 18 November 2020

Our votes have been cast, our ballots have been counted, the new President-elect and VP have been announced and the world can finally let out a collective sigh...temporarily.On this week's Unfltrd Thoughts, we sit down with Arij Mikati, an activist and anti-racism educator, to discuss where do we go from here post election.A projected 161 million Americans voted in the 2020 elections - a nail biting, stress induced presidential race that resulted in Biden becoming President-elect and Kamala H...

Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2020

Why is God angry with me?In Ep. 33 of Season 2, we sit down with Sarah Sultan to discuss those shameful but pressing questions we have about Allah and His presence during tough times, the impact trauma can have on our relationship with our faith and what to do when we're too depressed to even pray. We’ve talked about how trauma can have an ever-lasting effect on how we see ourselves, but it can also have an impact on how we perceive our connection to and our relationship with God. Although so...

Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2020

On this week’s “Unfltrd Thoughts”, we discuss silly, but still kind of important deal breakers. Whether it’s the type of shoes that they wear (yes, this is a big concern to one of us, apparently) or what reality shows they’re into, we all have those little pet peeves that’ll send us packing. In this light-hearted conversation, we talk about some of the obvious and not so obvious things we can’t put up with. Head to our Instagram page @unsweetenedandunfiltered and join the conversation. Do you...

Transcribed - Published: 28 October 2020