Unswtnd + Unfltrd

*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 of a puzzle that is larger than us and every hardship and life experience we go through connects each and every single one of us to one another. 

Today’s special guest is Shakirah Sabira, founder of Barakah's Doula, and someone who wears many hats which includes being a midwife, womb healer, and meditation teacher to name a few. 

Through this conversation with Shakirah she takes us on a very intimate journey recalling a moment in her life that had changed her forever, that while a baby was growing inside of her, little did she know what she was truly preparing for. 

Shakira's story reminds us of our own moments in life where we had asked ourselves...is Allah angry with  me, am I not good enough and what did I do to deserve this?

Subhnallah, how every woman carries with her a story that has changed her forever, and even though Shakira and I may have each been tested differently by our Creator, we have found commonalities in the process of surrendering and understanding that the pain we may be experiencing does not mean that Allah intends to hurt us.

We are reminded not only that everything in this dunya is temporary, but that nothing is truly ours to keep - for even our own bodies are a loan from Allah. 

To every woman out there who has experienced a loss in the form of a  miscarriage, I am deeply sorry and I know that grief knows no timeline, and I pray that you are surrounded by loved ones who remind you to be gentle with yourself and that you are not alone. 

Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram:
@unsweetenedandunfiltered

Follow Shakirah Sabira on Instagram:
@shakirahsabira

Check out Shakirah's services and workshops:
Click here

Follow Barakah's Doula here:
@barakahsdoula

"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 rebirth all in one.

How does one prepare for such a reckoning in life where you also find yourself questioning everything, such as your career, love life, and at times your spirituality!

In this episode we also discuss the tug of war we have within ourselves when it comes to being the strong one and how it affects our relationships and even our love life!

I can't help but wonder how our past lessons in life play a role in all of this?

Tune in to find out!

Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram:
@unsweetenedandunfiltered

Follow Tahmina Begum on Instagram:
@tahminaxbegum

Subscribe to Aram Newsletter:
Click here

Second Puberty Article:
Read it Here

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 answers we were longing for, and on this spiritual journey we have found one another, a sisterhood like no other. But it’s also ok if some of us still feel lost but if by chance this podcast has provided you a sense of clarity or community - then I am forever indebted to God for this simple reason.

Today’s special guest is a dear friend of mine - someone whom you have all met before - Sara Luchetti. She was this season’s opener and it only felt right to have her close out the season, too. Subhanallah, how life always comes full circle.

I simultaneously have all the words and no words to describe who Sara is - and if you ask her, she’ll simply say, I'm human. But if i were to describe how she makes me feel - that’s a whole other story. She is a sister for life, a kind and genuine soul and someone who has embraced me with the love that I needed. 

In today’s episode we discuss how our heart feels these days  and what is it trying to tell us, especially since our emotions are the language and messengers of our hearts.

Sara guides us through the concept of letting go of expectations and instead of drowning in what ifs, we instead swim in what is. How do we live a life of accepting instead of a life with balled up fists ready to fight any change or hardship  that comes our way. 

Recently I’ve shared how I’ve transitioned from traditional therapy to seeking Sara’s services - which specifically focuses on heart work. I want to take a moment to say thank  you to our teachers, our therapists, our loved ones who have helped us on this journey, who have stood by our side through the most difficult of times and who have shown us how strong we truly are. 

This past week I had a very emotional and heart awakening session with Sara and it felt as if she was holding a mirror up to me - allowing me to face myself and see how much I have overcome and what is truly tugging at my heart.

Lastly, thank you to every guest and every listener, every kind word and every piece of advice that was gifted to me. Like I said, words don't do our feelings any justice sometimes, so for now all I can say is - I will forever keep you all in my duas!

Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram:
@unsweetenedandunfiltered

Follow Sara Luchetti on Instagram:
@saraluchetti

Book a session w/ Sara:
www.saraluchetti.com

Disclaimer:  We are not scholars and the information provided may come from the guest’s own personal practices - all healing methods/rituals center the important belief that everything comes from Allah and Allah alone. 

Listen, I’m not fully blaming evil eye here but how coincidental is it that anytime I post a selfie, the very next day I’m breaking out...so was it evil eye energy or was cleansing my face three times in a row not enough? We may never know…

We have all most likely lost count of how many times we have heard these words being uttered - 'SAY MASHALLAH'. And so we quickly say it because it feels as though there is this five second rule that exists after complimenting someone and having to follow it up with saying “mashallah”  to avoid something bad from happening. 

I think we can all agree that this episode is long overdue but good things come to those who wait and for us it came in human form and her name is Jehan Mansy, today’s special guest!

Jehan is a spiritualist, a writer, healer and founder of the Ruqaya Box  and Ascension deck. 

In today’s episode she is extending her expertise in regards to the unseen world. Call it divine timing but I was fortunate enough to have crossed paths with Jehan’s work and without hesitation I reached out to her and let her know that this is a topic that is in dire need of attention and possible  myth busting.

But before we dive head first, Jehan takes us on a journey of how and when she first discovered her healing abilities and how she came to terms with her purpose even though all of our lives we were told this was haram and to avoid talking about the unseen world. 

You may have at one point or another wondered if the hardships you’re facing are a test from Allah or if it’s from evil eye? So how does one tell the difference between the two and how can we protect ourselves if it is due to hassad or nazar being placed upon us?

And what exactly is sleep paralysis and how do we navigate this dunya when we are sharing it with the unseen world. There is no denying that bad spirits exist which also means that curses are a real thing - and if you’re like me you may be wondering how to avoid this at all costs.

Like Jehan says:  you don’t know who is rooting for your downfall or who is hiring someone to send you magic  and so in the episode notes I have included Jehan’s online site that is filled with protection prayers and resources if you are in need of immediate relief and release from the harm you may be facing.

Did I mention that we close this episode with Jehan letting me know if I do have a curse on me...

Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram:
@unsweetenedandunfiltered

Follow Jehan Mansy on Instagram:
@jehan.mansy

Protection Prayers and Resources:
www.jmansy.com

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 relationship, or possibly getting engaged tomorrow night - who knows!

Well, when recording this episode, Mai was as single as can be, or so I thought - this past week we found out Mai got engaged and the internet erupted with joy.

A huge congrats to one of my favorite people and I am truly wishing Mai and her fiancé endless love and happiness inshallah! 

As for today’s episode, we have a lot of important topics to  cover such as who is more famous, Mai or Mama Wafaa - who we have all come to know and love!

And in this conversation, Mai takes us through her journey of becoming a viral sensation and how she continues to come up with relatable content that sends us all laughing. It’s true when they say that laughter is the best form of medicine and I’m not alone when it comes to appreciating Mai for creating such hilarious skits that truly take a lot of effort behind the scenes.

In this episode I may have flipped the script on Mai and asked her very juicy relationship questions from deal breakers to turn offs and what would she do if her date asked her to split the bill…

Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram:
@unsweetenedandunfiltered

Follow Mai on Instagram:
@maisvault

'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 mornings where I wake up feeling a bit more lighter knowing that my Creator is the only Being that understands the wishes that lie beneath my tongue and the wounds my tears may still carry. 

In this timely episode, I had a very personal and intimate conversation with Asmaa regarding her most recent post that had gone viral where she had shared her relationship with her hijab. 

Asmaa is an author, blogger and  mother - just to name  a few of her successful endeavors. If you take one look at her writing, from her books to her online  posts, your heart would have no choice but to be enveloped with words that will deeply move you.

I wanted to explore the notion of doing things for the sake of Allah and what that means to Asmaa in regards to her personal choice of wearing the hijab.

We both discuss our experiences with making dua and the beauty that lies behind what Allah has planned for us even if at times we may not understand how or why certain things unfold. Asmaa shares with us the wisdom she has gathered from her experiences dealing with motherhood and widowhood.

This conversation led us to the topic of the Hereafter and how we can navigate this dunya with this on our minds - knowing that one day we will exist in another realm.

And so, Asmaa left me with these words that sent a chill down my spine:

Imagine your voice being known in the heavens.

Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram:
@unsweetenedandunfiltered

Follow Asmaa Hussein on Instagram:
@ruqayas.bookshelf

Check out Asmaa's bookstore  here:
www.ruqayasbookshelf.com

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 you know she brings a comedic twist to any conversation..

Salma takes us back to her earlier childhood days which were void of music, going to the mall and basically anything a normal teenager was allowed to experience.

If you grew up in a household with strict and conservative parents then you will most likely relate to Salma’s crazy childhood stories.

By default she also found herself as one of the elite members of the Haram Police. We talk about how her high school friendships were difficult to navigate because of her past judgmental ways. 

Fast forward to today - and the script has been flipped. Meaning that Salma is now facing scrutiny from this same group of people for her most recent personal choices. What does one do when your high school peers come out of the woodworks to give you a taste of your own medicine?

I genuinely applaud Salma for her authenticity and her ability to not shy away from difficult conversations by being transparent about her experience with relationships, halal dating and how therapy has truly impacted her. 

Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram:
@unsweetenedandunfiltered

Follow Salma Hindy on Instagram:
@salma.hindy

Learn more about Salma here:
www.salmahindy.com

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 every one of His creations.

Today’s special guest, Melanie Elturk, CEO of Haute Hijab, said something that resonated deep within my heart, she said, just because you’re far from Allah, does not mean that Allah is far from you.

How often do we feel distant from God, reluctant to make dua, and the desire to be in the driver’s seat of our life even in moments where we feel like we are being tested beyond belief?

And so, I had the honor to sit down with Melanie to discuss how to better understand the concept of trusting God - like really trusting God.

She is someone who hasn't had a shortage of hardships herself, from dealing with grief, loss and recently opening up about going through a divorce, I wanted to gain a better insight into how one can truly let go, and let God.

In this episode we discuss why we are so keen on carrying the deep and emotional pain we have gone through rather than unpacking it once and for all, we talk about the stories our wounds carry and how therapy has been both eye and heart opening for the both of us. 

You know in life, we go through multiple rebirths, and more often than not our rebirth happens when we hit rock bottom and not because there is nowhere to go, but because we don’t want to feel this way again.

So how does one prepare for radical change? How do we learn to accept not only God’s plans but also God’s pace?

Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram:
@unsweetenedandunfiltered

Follow Melanie Elturk/Haute Hijab on Instagram:
@hautehijab

Check out Haute Hijab's site:
Shop Here

*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 also happens to be today’s special guest. 

Asma’s poems are known for their rawness and their unfiltered truth when it comes to covering subjects such as mental health, racism and many other personal life struggles. 

On this podcast we have covered ED before in our first season, but in sharing Asma’s story today - you will realize that when it comes to being Muslim and having this specific struggle, there is no one experience. Adding the layer of being Muslim can make ED that much more difficult to face due to how little this is talked about in our community at times, how it can impact an individual’s ability to practice their faith and how they can feel overwhelmed when Ramadan approaches. 

To express my deepest gratitude in having Asma share her story would truly be an understatement. This conversation can be difficult to have due to the fact that this is an ongoing fight for Asma and many others who are going through this. 

In this conversation - Asma discusses how society has played a role in how she views herself physically and how these feelings were internalized ever since she was a little girl. It’s no surprise that society is obsessed with a woman’s body image - but it’s the harmful ways that some of us choose to cope with not feeling good enough that happens behind closed doors.

Asma also shares that the idea of control or lack thereof  is another component as to why she experiences bouts with ED. And so she also shares with us her relationship with her faith, her family and herself through this process and how we can do better as a community when it comes to being there for our loved ones who may be struggling with ED as well.

Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram:
@unsweetenedandunfiltered

Follow Asma Elbadawi on Instagram:
@asmaelbadawi

Purchase Asma's poetry book here:
Belongings

Resource for ED Helpline:
NEDA

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 tiny - but what if this hadith wasn't just emphasizing its size, but also highlighting a specific characteristic?

Did you know that one mustard seed can produce a tree-like plant that is a little over 6 feet tall. Imagine that - a tiny seed that has the ability to grow into something larger than life. What if this hadith used the seed as an example to show how having a tiny bit of faith can transform into complete reliance on Allah. 

After all, a grain of sand could have been used as an example, but sand doesn’t have the ability to grow.  

This seed reflects how faith can grow and become strong enough to overcome the most difficult of hardships. 

In today’s episode, I sat down with Huda Alvi, founder of The Girls Trip, to discuss her journey of self discovery. 

Recently, Huda returned to social media after a year or so long hiatus - with her return came an update, one filled with affliction, tears, hope and an emphasis on extending compassion to others and sharing our truth. 

Within this conversation we touched upon how as women we sometimes fear what’s on the other side of friendships + relationships - which is a journey of solitude that no one has truly prepared us for. Huda shares intimate details of her marriage falling apart and her road to self growth and acceptance of Allah’s plans no matter how much we tend to resist them at first.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude for Huda for being so vulnerable and sharing her story - her words and her journey have helped me immensely in terms of my own healing - and I hope the same for you, too. 

Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram:
@unsweetenedandunfiltered

Follow Huda Alvi on Instagram:
@hudaalvi