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Not every timeline you planned was the one Allah wrote for you. One sister shared, "Every year I waited, I became more of who my future husband needed." Not every timeline you planned was the one Allah wrote for you. And I had to learn that the hard way. I used to think the waiting meant something was wrong with me. That I was being overlooked. That everyone else had figured something out that I hadn't. But slowly, through the quiet nights, the duas, the tears I didn't show anyone.. I started to see it differently. The waiting wasn't punishment. It was preparation. Every year I waited, I became more of who my future husband needed. More grounded. More healed. More rooted in Allah than I ever would have been if things had come easily. Waiting is not a sign you've been forgotten. It's a sign that what Allah is building for you is worth the time He's taking to prepare you for it. What is written for you cannot be rushed, cannot be taken, and will not arrive a single moment late. So if you're in that season right now.. hold on. Not just with patience, but with purpose. What has kept you patient during the waiting?

Sallams, my name is Gwen, I’m 28 from the United States. My parents are reverts who converted when I was a toddler, so I consider myself basically born Muslim as it is all I have ever known. I would consider myself a practicing Muslim. Keep my obligations and Sunnah fasts and prayers on a weekly/daily basis. Keep a relationship with the Quran, etc. For the last few years, I have been teaching at an Islamic school and really am either home or at the Masjid. I come from a very small community and have never even had a potential until two months ago. He was introduced to my dad by a family friend. I have had one video call and two regular calls through my father’s phone. We seem to be very similar in terms of superficial things. Hobbies, interests, dispositions, etc. and though I was nervous on the first video call, the two subsequent calls I have felt pretty comfortable, considering I am not really a phone call person and do not have conversations with random men it seemed like a positive thing. The biggest “issue” I see is that I am someone who considers themselves simply Muslim. I try to follow the tenets of the religion and follow the Quran and the Sunnah to the best of my ability. He, on the other hand, is very much a Salafi and I am second-guessing whether this can even work. I have made istikhara since day one and one of the biggest reasons I have continued to move forward is that, exactly a week before my dad presented this potential, I have started reciting istighfar 1000 times a day. I had been scrolling on YouTube and kept seeing videos of how istighfar changed people’s life. Wanting a positive change in my left, I thought why not. When my dad introduced this man a week to the day later, it definitely felt in some ways like fate, but the difference is ideologies is what’s giving me pause. I feel like if I go through with it I might lose of part of myself religiously, despite seeming to really connect in other ways.

Assalamualaikum warahmatullah, my dear sisters. I hope you are all doing well. I missed Wednesday's Q&A, and I haven't been able to share anything lately because my health has been declining for the past two weeks. It hasn't been easy at all, but Alhamdulillah, I have been discharged from the hospital and am now focusing on my recovery. I kindly ask for your Duas during this time. Please remember me in your prayers. Jazakallahu khair. I love you all for the sake of Allah. 😘

It's been really quiet here lately. I miss the sisterhood we had going during the 5 day challenge. How are you all doing? what have you been working on this month? What is something you could use some encouragement or advice around? For me, I've suddenly been struggling to wake up for Fajr (a few days in the last 2 weeks)- I think a combination of shifting sleep schedules, shorter summer nights, and general tiredness. I pray that I am able to get back on track after my period this week 💗 Bi-ithnillah. Sending you all duas ❤️ May Allah swt protect each and every one of you and ease your tests for you, ameen.