The Submissions Podcast

Allah SWT mentions in Surah Luqman, Verse 27: "And if whatever trees upon the earth were pens and the sea [was ink], replenished thereafter by seven [more] seas, the words of Allah would not be exhausted. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise."

Our lives are filled with stories - some short, some long. Some of them are ongoing while other smaller stories take centre-stage. But all of our stories are part of the bigger web of the story of life, which is beautifully and perfectly written for us by the Best of Authors: Allah SWT.

In this episode, we hear from 3 storytellers who share experiences where they learned about Allah SWT and His most beautiful plans. Indeed, as each story is different from the last, so too do the stories share threads of realisation and learning: that Allah SWT authors our stories in the most beautiful ways, and in submission to Him we are able to gain the most. Insha'Allah.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit submissionspodcast.substack.com

Our hearts seek comfort and sanctuary to feel safe. These sanctuaries can be found in a range of places: at home, in a person or community, a best friend or your local Masjid. Wherever or whoever this connection is with, having our hearts rooted is a powerful motivator to get through life and navigate to the ultimate sanctuary with Allah SWT.

In this episode, we hear about the deeper meanings behind where our hearts can be. Our three storytellers navigate through them and we hear about the range of places and spaces that occur. Most importantly, we learn how our hearts are dynamic, attuned to the experiences that show us: home is where the heart is.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit submissionspodcast.substack.com

Allah SWT created humans in the ‘best of stature’ [95:4]. But sometimes - due to the way we are treated and the experiences we have - others may make us feel far from the best. There is no shortage to adversity, discrimination and demeaning behaviour, words or comments from others, and it is in these times we can feel the most voiceless of all. 

But Allah SWT also tells us to strive for justice - to amplify the voices of those who are marginalised and make way for the stories that go unheard. To raise our voice can be physical, enacting justice in a palpable way. It can be verbal, through speaking out against injustice or it can be internal - striving to correct the parts of ourselves that act unjustly. 

In today’s episode, our three storytellers describe personal situations where they have faced hardships because of their outward characteristics. Have a listen as we explore the need for kindness and speaking out against injustice, in finding our own voices and finding voices for others.  
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TW: This episode contains references to bullying, disability and discrimination which some listeners may find distressing.
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Marya’s social media handles: Twitter - @Maryaaaa_b
Tiktok - @itsmaryaaaaaa
Instagram - @mar.yaa.b

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit submissionspodcast.substack.com

In this special episode of The Submissions Podcast, take a listen to the team talking about the work that goes on behind the stories, their favourite moments, and their favourite parts of the journey of putting together a podcast!

Have a listen to Mahnur, Inayah, Umayr, Ayne & Ryhana talking about what goes on behind the scenes of Submissions - what drives them to work on it (with the rest of the team!), and what they hope for going forward insha’Allah!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit submissionspodcast.substack.com

We experience life in the vast and yet limited ways in which we have been blessed. We see to the extent our eyes allow us to see - we imagine to the extent we are able to imagine. 

Allah SWT is beyond all of this, limitless in knowledge, mercy and power. It is sometimes within our everyday realms that we forget this, and if we look a bit harder we find that Allah’s mercy can be found in places that we didn’t think to look in the first place. Limited by our own faculties, we often need to be reminded that Allah SWT has no limits at all.

The 3 storytellers in this episode tell us about a time when they experienced Allah SWTs blessings in places that weren’t expected, hidden from plain sight, but just as magnificent and spectacular as all of The Almighty’s blessings.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit submissionspodcast.substack.com

Have you ever experienced a situation that made you feel impatient, anxious and uneasy - but later on you realised the beauty of Allah’s timing?

In our first episode ‘The Best of Planners’ we explored stories that reminded us and the storytellers of Allah SWT’s greater wisdoms in planning, and how these far supersede our wisdom, comprehension and understanding. As human beings, we face challenges in all aspects of our lives. Some of these are shared challenges that are experienced with other people, but some challenges are deeper and make us feel alone. It is important to recognise that not one struggle overweighs another as Allah swt is with us all in every moment we face.

In episode six, our storytellers share a time where they each felt particularly vulnerable in the situations they faced. These three stories may all be separate, but they reveal emotions and moments that are shared by other Muslims in our individual journeys. Through these experiences, they are able to learn and reflect that in our greatest vulnerabilities, Allah SWT is always with us, and He will deliver us ease, all in good time.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit submissionspodcast.substack.com

What does it mean to be unapologetically Muslim?

Being confident in our Muslim identity can be anything from defiantly keeping our feet in sinks for wudu when people walk in, to speaking up to ask for somewhere to pray. Being comfortable living by our faith in every environment can be a challenge, but is beautifully rewarding when we see how Allah opens doors for us when we live for His Sake.

In this episode, join us as we hear 3 stories from 3 Muslims learning how to be confidently and unapologetically Muslim in different spaces, and the lessons they gain from these seemingly small encounters with beautifully blessed results.

Check out our website for accompanying photos! www.submissionspodcast.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit submissionspodcast.substack.com

Have you ever seen the Ka'abah up close? How did you feel when you first caught a glimpse? Maybe you haven’t but it’s a dream to Insha’Allah - how does thinking about journeying there make you feel? 

Engaging in the 5 pillars of Islam form the core of our practice. We pray, we fast, we give to charity, all for the sake of God. The 5th pillar: Hajj, is one that some are blessed to be invited to - and for those of us who have that opportunity, it is fulfilling and challenging in equal parts, a divine journey bringing us closer to Our Creator. For those of who have not, we find ourselves craving those moments of sweetness in the company of our Ummah, and our beloved Creator.

Join us in our fourth episode: Divine Journeys, where we explore 3 stories from Hajj and Umrah, from 3 individuals with different experiences all united in their pursuit of the divine journey to where it all began.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit submissionspodcast.substack.com

If there's anything the pandemic has taught us, it's that light can be found in times of darkness. Whether it's been more family time, saving that daily latte money, sleeping in or even starting a podcast (!), finding silver linings in these times has become a purposeful and important part of life.

And so, in our third episode we bring you a selection of stories surrounding the theme of ‘Silver Linings.’ 

We hear from Nahjan, Fazheelah and Moin as they recount different stories of finding silver linings in places they may not have expected, illustrating the famous principle of our faith: that with every hardship, Allah SWT also sends ease.

(For more information about the book mentioned by our host, Mahnur:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/contemplation-in-islam/id421349613)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit submissionspodcast.substack.com

We can all relate to the feelings surrounding ‘A New Start’ - be that starting at a new school, a new workplace or moving to a new city.
In this episode, join us as we bring you a selection of stories surrounding one of the biggest and most memorable new starts in our lives: birth.

We hear from Mahnur, Shanza and Sheroze as they all recount the story of the birth of one baby from different perspectives that share the common thread of excitement, anticipation and uncertainty that all new starts bring.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit submissionspodcast.substack.com