Islamic Scholar

What's your normal day like?

Those who know me know that there are few things more precious to me in life than routine. My normal day often begins early in the morning. My favorite time of day is drinking my coffee after Fajr while reflecting on my day to come. It gives me the energy and motivation to get through the day. The first thing on my agenda is always to review my Quran. When you do it the first thing in the morning, you not only get the blessings of Fajr time, but doing so also prevents you from finding excuses later in the day to make time to read. The rest of the day is spent working, with a mid-day workout for a boost in energy. Regardless of how you spend your day, my advice is always to create routine and schedule properly so you don’t waste time.

Who is your biggest inspiration?

My grandfather has always been one of my biggest inspirations. I could speak endlessly about the habits and values he instilled in me, but suffice it to say that he taught me to be confident in my identity. He exemplified to me what it means to be a complete Muslim—one who is not only proud about and educated in their religion, but is competent in their career and gives back to their community. He taught us how to strike the perfect balance between school, work, family, and all other aspects of our lives in which religion was not simply an add-on, but part and parcel of everything we do.

How was your path becoming an Islamic Studies Scholar?

When I initially considered pursuing Islamic studies academically, I imagined countless hurdles along the way constantly obstructing me from my goals. Yet, I can’t help but always reflect on how, time and time again, experiences I could not have even predicated came my way. I think this path requires you to keep your eyes peeled for any potential opportunities, and to take advantage of any moment to further your knowledge.

Did you face any struggles being a Muslim woman in this field?

I think the struggles I have faced are similar to what most Muslim women face in any pursuit. Rather than elaborate on these struggles, I have to openly admit that I have received enormous support from the Muslim community. I am indebted to a number of scholars, male and female alike, who have so generously offered me their time and knowledge. If there is anything I have learned from the lack of resources openly available to myself as a woman, it’s that there are a multitude more of individuals you never thought you’d even encounter who will fill those voids.

What’s your favorite thing about being Muslim?

I think the most incredible thing about Islam is the fact that everything we do as Muslims only benefits us in this world and in the next. That is to say, if someone were to insist that there was no hereafter or accountability before God, I would regret nothing in my life. Prayer has taught me discipline in my daily schedule and offers me a break to collect my thoughts and reorient myself. Fasting has taught me self-control and to value my blessings. Prophetic character has taught me to treat everyone with the best manners. And so on and so forth. I think that this is something that is often neglected by Muslims who feel burdened by our responsibilities in Islam, whereas a shift in perspective demonstrates that even our obligations only bring us so much good.

If somebody wants to be an Islamic Studies Scholar when they grow up, what should they do?

One of the best pieces of advice I was given when I decided to pursue Islamic studies full-time was to build and maintain a relationship with the Quran. I cannot even begin to express how that relationship serves to ground you in the weakest of moments. So if you are serious about pursuing Islamic studies, no matter where you are at in your journey, you need to prioritize studying Arabic and reading/memorizing the Quran. This doesn’t mean you have to become a hafidha next year. In fact, I’d even say that the point is not necessarily to finish memorizing the Quran. The process alone of memorizing and learning Arabic strengthens your relationship with the Quran in a way like no other. You’ll have to experience it to know what I’m talking about ;)

If you can give any advice to young Muslim girls/teens, what would you tell them?

I think one common mistake that I remain susceptible to is neglecting the little things. Often times when we talk about scholarship, we see ourselves immersed in thick books and debating intense questions. But scholarship is all about the little moments—the time you spend to review what you’ve studied and to implement the lessons you learned. It’s also about appreciating knowledge from anywhere you can get it. Fancy seminaries and famous scholars offer immense benefits, but they should never be at the expense of neglecting your local scholars and opportunities. Those “little” experiences opened doors for me that I could never have imagined! Start small, constantly renew your sincerity, and take advantage of anything you can get your hands on.