Archive for 2020

blooming letters of love: Episode 29- Sabr

December 25, 2020

Bismillah! Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!) Hey Camellias! It's Friday! Today will be another 'blooming letters of love' episode! This is an intermittent 'series' intertwined with the sit-down interviews. Today I narrate the story of sister 'Sabra for episode 29! Come join me...

Episode 28: Andrea- The Foster Carer

December 18, 2020

Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!) Hey Camellias! Today's Episode 28 is with Andrea from the UK. She is a foster carer and by far this is one of the most touching stories I have ever heard, masha'Allah! Grab your cup of halal goodness...

Episode 27: Muna- The Harvard Grad!

December 11, 2020

Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!) Hey Camellias! Today's Episode 27 is with Muna from Philly. She found Islam while she was studying in Harvard, subhana'allah! Make sure you grab your cup of 'halal goodness' and tune in for this episode, you don't want...

Episode 26: Samar from The Niqabi Diaries!

December 04, 2020

Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!)Hey Camellias!Today's Episode 26 is with Samar from The Niqabi Diaries! We sit down and chat about her life before Islam and how she converted back when the only resources were no smartphones and only cassette tapes!Please don't forget...

Episode 25- Valentina From Sweden!

November 27, 2020

Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!) Hey Camellias! Today's Episode 25 is with Valentina from Sweden! She shares her story about how she converted when she didn't even know she wanted to become a Muslim, Subhana'Allah! Please don't forget to like, subscribe & share...

Episode 24 - Nur from Tokyo

November 20, 2020

Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!) Hey Camellias! Today's Episode 24 is with Nur from Tokyo! Another Japanese convert, masha'Allah! She shares her story about how found Islam after getting married! Please don't forget to like, subscribe & share your thoughts and comments with...

Episode 23: Dani - The New Muslimah!

November 13, 2020

Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!) Hey Camellias! Today's Episode 23 is with Dani from Step by Step Podcast. She shares her story about how she was a devout Christian and felt lost when she started having doubts. She is a new Muslimah, masha'Allah!...

My Niqab Journey on The Niqabi Diaries

November 08, 2020

So a break here in between my own podcast. I had a lovely time chatting with the sister from The Niqabie Diaries podcast. I actually really cringe at hearing myself but thought I'd share with you ladies my interview as I chat about...

blooming letters of love : Episode 22- 'amira'

November 06, 2020

*Please kindly grab your headphones/earphones for this one!*Bismillah!Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!)Hey Camellias! It's Friday! Today will be another 'blooming letters of love' episode!This is an intermittent 'series' intertwined with the sit-down interviews. Today I narrate the story of sister 'amira' for episode 22! Come...

Episode 21: The Indian Revert Muslimah- from Hinduism to Islam!

October 30, 2020

Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!) Hey Camellias! Today's Episode 21 is with the Indian Revert Muslimah! We met a while back and I didn't even know it! She takes us on her journey to Islam and shares her experience of how it was...

Episode 20 : Mariya, The Japanese, Converts With Her Husband!

October 23, 2020

Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!) Hey Camellias! Today's Episode 20 is with the lovely Mariya from Japan! Another Japanese convert, masha'Allah! She shares her story about how she and her husband converted to Islam! Please don't forget to like, subscribe & share your...

Episode 19: Aysha from Seventh-Day Adventist to Islam !

October 16, 2020

Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!) Hey Camellias! Today's Episode 19 is with Aysha from Toronto. She shares her story about how she was a devout Seventh-Day Adventist who tried to convert Muslims to Christianity but the tables turned and she ended up becoming...

Episode 18 : Danni in the Desert

October 09, 2020

Hey Camellias!Today's Episode 18 is with Danni from Danni in the Desert. A British Blogger who converted in Dubai and loves to change the misconceptions about Muslims and the Middle East. Today she shares her story and it is a very interesting journey!Please...

Episode 17 : Susian another Vietnamese Convert !

October 02, 2020

Bismillah!Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!)Hey Camellias!Today's Episode 17 is with Susian. She is a Vietnamese convert and she actually stumbled upon my blog way back when! We finally connected and had a good chat. She talks about sisterhood and some of her struggles!Please...

Episode 16: Amanda - The Sensei!

September 25, 2020

*Please kindly grab your headphones/earphones for this one!*Bismillah!Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!)Hey Camellias! It's Friday! Today's Episode 16 is with Amanda, a new friend from Instagram. Her story is quite similar to Tash from Episode 6.Amanda found Islam in Japan! She shares her stories...

Episode 14: Iris from Hong Kong~

September 11, 2020

*Please kindly grab your headphones/earphones for this one!* Bismillah! Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!) Hey Camellias! Today's Episode 15 is with Iris, from Hong Kong! She is a Chinese convert and we have a nice lighthearted chat. Iris shares her experiences growing up...

Episode 13: Aisha Davies

September 04, 2020

*Please kindly grab your headphones/earphones for this one!* Bismillah! Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!) Hey Camellias! Today's Episode 13 is with Aisha Davies. It is one of the most personal and vulnerable episodes aired to date! Please show your support to our sister and all sisters...

Episode 12: A New Dawn, A New Day - The Vietnamese Convert

August 28, 2020

*Please kindly grab your headphones/earphones for this one!* Bismillah! Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!) Hey Camellias! Today's Episode 12 is with Dawn. She is a Vietnamese convert and we have a really reflective chat about the blessing of being guided to Islam. She...

the blooming letters of love : Episode 11 - Sabira!

August 21, 2020

*Please kindly grab your headphones/earphones for this one!* Bismillah! Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!) Hey Camellias! It's Friday! Today I wanted to introduce to you all, 'the blooming letters of love' ! This is an intermittent 'series' intertwined with the sit-down interviews....

Abu Musa reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, the believers are like a structure, each part strengthening the other,” and the Prophet clasped his fingers together.

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 467, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2585

Bismillah!

Upon me starting this new podcast project, I am reminded about how much I hate social media yet how much I am thankful for it. As much as it is annoying, it really can be beneficial if you know how to use it properly. I've also found that these days, it really filters out and reveals the truth of the human being much quicker than say, ten plus years ago when I first started using social media.

The power of duaa is a mighty, mighty thing which day in and day out I have been reminded to keep making.

Recently,

I've realized just how selfish some people truly are and while we have to make excuses for our sisters, there comes a time when you just need to realize their lack of effort isn't working for you and you need to move on. If someone really is valuable to you, there really is NO excuse to not keep the relationship going. There are sisters who are way busier and have way more priorities than others yet they still can find a quick minute to reach other and fulfil the duties of a Muslim.

Like, honestly, we live in the digital era where everything is practically done by texting anyway...how hard is it to just send a quick "Assalamualaikum" and check up on someone you consider as a "friend".

I've noticed a lot of self-centred, oblivious behaviour from the youth are now flooding everywhere like never before deeming themselves to be self-entitled, it's all about me, it's all about my mental health, it's all about my privileges!

Yes, take care of your mental health, I definitely don't deny that. We all must. If taking care of your mental health means to cut people off, then ok, that's fine. But do it in a classy way. No need to get defensive, ghost people or make up some lousy excuses.

Busy?

Going through something?

We all are!

That's life, life goes on and if we can't even be a friend or show up for someone during the busy days of our lives or the hard times in our lives, it really shows a lot about our characters and what type of person we are.

We shouldn't have double standards and expect others to give when we can't even give back anything valuable, not even a simple "hey sis, how's it going, let's schedule a time to chat."

I get it, some people go into hiding when things get tough, I did that myself for a while but you know what? Those that I gave the deserving title of "friend", I actually reached out to them still and showed them where they stood in my life. I showed up for them.

Well, needless to say, those people are out of my life now because they can't show up for me or maybe they just don't want to and that's fine.

People change and people grow...apart.

I've always believed truly in, actions speak louder than words, I don't care what excuses anybody ever tells you.

"Busy" is not an excuse especially when these very same people say they are busy yet they have time to post on Instagram and even take the time to write a caption! A caption! It takes more time to think of a caption to write under a picture than it does to just go and message a sister who you consider a "friend" and say hi! Subhana'Allah, lol.

Also, aside from those who "can't give you more than you need" there are those who get defensive when they are in the wrong and they are the ones who did something wrong yet they blame you! lol!

Sisters, if you wronged a sister or you did something wrong, own up to your mistake and just apologize! It doesn't take much to do that, a sincere apology. Remember you are a Muslim and you get rewarded from Allah for being humble and putting aside your ego and arrogance.

Subhana'allah. I've noticed those who are a decade younger than us, their mentality and attitudes are much more different than say, those who are the same age. Don't get me wrong, some sisters are very mature for their age, Allahumma barik!

But others, well, it shows.

I never thought age would even be a reason as to why such behaviour exists...but now that I take a look at it from another perspective, it makes total sense. Especially a lot of the youth these days are in their own self-entitled super privileged bubble forgetting their manners with how to talk to their elders. Like, who do we think we are? Did our parents teach us and raise us to talk down to those older than us? Nevermind our parents, does Islam teach this?

What is friendship?

These days I'm not sure I know anymore, lol.

I think I can tell you more about what friendship is NOT, though.

and that is :

All the countless excuses from sisters deeming that they can only give what they can (which to a certain degree is understandable and by all means acceptable) but when it comes to a certain point where their actions just don't match up to their words, this is not a friendship.

Constant excuses, selfishness, reaching out for your own personal gain only, this is not friendship.

When times get tough and we go through things and take our frustration and anger out on others around us, this is not friendship.

When we take but can't give, this is not friendship.

When it is all about ourselves and we don't have it in us to reciprocate and give our sisters their due rights as a Muslim, this is not friendship.

When we tell someone something and said specifically, THIS IS A SECRET, DO NOT TELL ANYONE, yet they go and tell your secrets and get upset at YOU for calling them out, THIS. IS. NOT. FRIENDSHIP.

When we can't even take a quick minute to check up on our "friends" and say "hey, how are you sis!" yet we can spend time on social media platforms, this is not friendship.

Never reaching out to someone but they are the ones reaching out to you, this is not friendship.

You go above and beyond for a "friend" yet they are ungrateful, unappreciative and feeling entitled to your kind treatment, this is not friendship.

Blocking you because they know they are not doing their job as a friend and they get defensive at YOU, this is not friendship.

Anything else I am missing? Please feel free to comment below.

Since I started this new community project, I am reminded again at how important it is to maintain and build and cherish the sisterhood in Islam. I really feel a big difference from when I first started online. People have changed a lot and things are a lot different yet still the same.

I hope with The Camellias Bloom, I can find the authentic and genuine sisters who truly care about their shade on the Day of Judgement and who don't live in their own self-entitled oblivious bubbles.

I understand everyone is different and handles hardships and struggles differently. I also understand that people grow apart from each other due to personal differences, and that's ok...but do it with class and don't be a double standard hypocrite, may Allah protect me. Just because you get married or have children, doesn't mean you abandon your friends who were there for you once before. You might end up needing a strong support system in the end when things don't work out in the end, and maybe by then you would have pushed everyone away and left all alone for the wrong and harm you did to others.

Let us reflect, a reminder to myself and foremost.

If we want others to show up for us, show up for them first.

Relationships goes both ways, who are we to expect that we deserve to be given without us giving first?

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Do not hate each other, do not envy each other, do not turn away from each other, but rather be servants of Allah as brothers. It is not lawful for a Muslim to boycott his brother for more than three days.”

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5718, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2559

Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim

Episode 10: Yuka from Japan, to France!

August 14, 2020

*Please kindly grab your headphones/earphones for this one!*Bismillah!Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!)Hey Camellias! It's Friday!Today's Episode 10 is with another new Japanese friend from Instagram!She is a Japanese convert currently living in France! Join us today as she shares her struggles and interesting...

Allah

Episode 9 : Helen, The Portuguese Convert!

August 07, 2020

*Please kindly grab your headphones/earphones for this one!* Bismillah! Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!) Hey Camellias! It's Friday! Today's Episode 9 is with my awesome friend, Helen! She is a Portuguese convert and she has such a lively personality and a beautiful soul....

Episode 8: Eid Mubarak! Eid Special with The Japanese Muslimah

July 30, 2020

*Please kindly grab your headphones/earphones for this one!* Bismillah! Eid Mubarak! Assalamualaikum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatu! I wanted to publish this a little early so you all will be able to enjoy it a little earlier since it is an Eid Special...

The Camellias Bloom: Episode 7 - The Japanese Muslimah!

July 24, 2020

*Please kindly grab your headphones/earphones for this one!* Bismillah! Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!) Hey Camellias! It is the first week of Dhul Hijjah! Let's try our best to work on ourselves and increase in all the good deeds we can sincerely for...

The Camellias Bloom : Episode 6 - Tash Finds Islam in Japan!

July 17, 2020

*Please kindly grab your headphones/earphones for this one!* Bismillah! Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!) Hey Camellias! It's Friday! Today's Episode 5 is with Tash, a new friend I recently met on Instagram! I had a lot of fun with her talking about her...

The Camellias Bloom : Episode 5 - A Taiwanese Convert

July 10, 2020

*Please kindly grab your headphones/earphones for this one!* Bismillah! Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!) Hey Camellias! It's Friday, woohoo!!! Welcome Back! Today's Episode 5 is with Eva! A Tawainese Convert sister who shares her story on how her interest in Islam started in...

The Camellias Bloom: Episode 4 - The Italian Convert (TCB Now on Google Podcasts!)

July 03, 2020

*Please kindly grab your headphones/earphones for this one!* Bismillah! Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you!) Hey Camellias! It's Friday! Today's Episode 4 is with Leandra (Khadija). She is an Italian convert and she shares her beautiful story about how she navigates through life as...

The Camellias Bloom : Episode 3 - Sharrell. (now on Spotify!)

June 26, 2020

Assalamualaikum! It's Friday! This week I sit down with my friend Sharrell. We go way back and she was the first sister I met in the USA...actually, she was the first sister I met when I first converted back in twenty-eleven. It has...

The Camellias Bloom - EPISODE 2 ! (now on Apple!)

June 19, 2020

Assalamualaikum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatu ! Hope you ladies had a chance to check out my very first episode where I launched my new project! Here is this week's episode where I get into more detail and get more personal about how I...

PODCAST LAUNCHES!!!!!

June 12, 2020

Assalamualaikum Ladies! So this is what I've been working on! Please listen, support, follow and share! Your support is actually supporting all of us convert/revert/new muslimah sisters! May Allah put blessings and success with this project so we can come together and build...

COVID-19: NEW PROJECT

May 27, 2020

Eid Mubarak, ladies. May Allah accept our fasts and bless us with many blessings this year and more to come ameen! I hope you're all well. I decided to start a new project, insha'Allah specifically for Convert/Revert sisters. I will be hosting my...

COVID-19: OH NO! RAMADAN AT HOME?

April 27, 2020

So, I've been browsing through Facebook because it helps me keep up with worldly events and to also see what kind of nonsense is spreading during this time. A consistent theme I have been seeing is that just how many cultural and born...

COVID-19: I'm wasting time.

April 27, 2020

These quarantine days haven't necessarily been any different than my usual regular routine outside of this whole COVID-19 situation. I usually spend time alone most of the day and stay at home as much as possible. I actually have to force myself to...

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