THE KHALIFAH DIARIES Be The Best Muslimah For Allah SWT

Bismillah بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

Yesterday, as my husband and I were about to do our daily Quran reading, he lazily lay down on the bed, still sleepy and groggy. Suddenly, Maryam came over and said, “Abi, duduk la.” It was so CLEAR, I swear she sounded like she was five years old or something. My husband and I were both gobsmacked. Our mouths were hanging open—well, at least mine was.

My Little Maryam is Growing So Fast

SubhanAllah, my baby is growing so fast. She’s saying a bunch of things now, even before turning two. She’s falling in love with the Quran more and more as my husband and I read to her daily. She even initiates reading the Quran a few times throughout the day. When everyone is about to pray salah in jama’ah, she insists on wearing the telekung (prayer clothes).

I am such a happy mother, Alhamdulillah.

Raising a Righteous Child with Love for the Quran

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 5027)

The fact that Maryam is drawn to the Quran at such a young age reminds me of the immense responsibility I have as a mother. It is my duty to cultivate this love for the Quran in her heart, to nurture her relationship with Allah, and to guide her toward becoming a righteous Muslimah.

Ya Allah, please let my little Maryam grow up to be an amazing sheikha for the next generation of this ummah. Let her guide our people to the truth of Your religion, ya Rabb. Let her be a guiding light who shows the way to the straight path when all else fails, ya Rabb. Put her among the muhsinin who sincerely love You and are eager to meet You in Jannatul Firdaus, ya Rabb.

My little girl is growing so fast—sometimes I can’t keep up. But You can, ya Rabb. Keep her close to You and hold her heart firm on Your religion for the rest of her life. Give her a righteous spouse who will be the coolness of her eyes, a great companion, and a wonderful father to raise righteous children together. Protect her from the evils of herself, shaytan, and the people of this dunya, ya Rabb. Guide her with Your hidayah to truth always.

I love my baby. Please protect her and reward her in both dunya and akhirah, ya Rabb. Ameen.

Surah Al-Ma’un and My Reflection on Sadaqah

The other day, I was teaching my students about Surah Al-Ma’un, and it made me reflect deeply on my own actions. I’m scared to think that maybe I haven’t done much for the community. I don’t really give sadaqah much, I don’t visit orphans, and I don’t spend time with the poor. If I wanted to, I could have.

On the Day of Judgment, can I tell Allah that I was too busy for these things? That would be super embarrassing. I feel so selfish now. My time is ultimately Allah’s. Why do I feel like I have to utilize it entirely for my own benefit?

The Reality of Those Who Ignore the Poor

Surah Al-Ma’un is a powerful reminder about the people who deny the Day of Judgment:

“Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense? That is the one who drives away the orphan and does not encourage the feeding of the poor.” (Quran 107:1-3)

I can argue that Allah only addresses the people who discourage others from doing these acts of kindness. I’m not discouraging anyone; I just don’t do it myself. But does that mean Allah is addressing me too?

If I’m not doing it, it means that I don’t think it’s that important—even when Allah Himself encourages us to do it.

Ya Allah, please help me obey Your commands and let me use my time wisely to do more acts of kindness that bring Your pleasure, ya Rabb.

The Danger of Ignoring Our Responsibilities

The people Allah addresses in Surah Al-Ma’un are those who deny the Day of Judgment—the disbelievers and the hypocrites. If I’m not doing a big part of these acts of kindness, does that make me one of them?

Astaghfirullah, nauzubillah.

Ya Allah, please guide me and forgive me for my ignorance. Even my front-door neighbor, Kak Ani, told me once that she goes to the PPR to teach needy kids Quran and Salah. The moment she told me, it went through one ear and out the other—like it wasn’t even a call to action for me. I feel so ashamed.

Our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“He is not a believer whose stomach is full while his neighbor goes hungry.” (Sunan al-Kubra 19049)

How can I live in comfort, knowing there are people suffering all around me?

Taking Action: What I Plan to Do Next

InsyaAllah, I’m going to approach my Murabbi and ask her what I can do. They have weekly activities like teaching kids at the PPR Quran recitation and Salah. I hope I can join them, insyaAllah.

If only I had a car, I could drive myself anywhere instead of relying on others to pick me up. But that’s not an excuse. InsyaAllah, may Allah guide us in dunya and akhirah.

Small Acts of Kindness Can Change Lives

Even if I can’t physically go, there are still ways to help:

1. Give sadaqah regularly, even if it’s a small amount.
2. Sponsor an orphan through a trustworthy Islamic charity.
3. Donate clothes and food to those in need.
4. Encourage kindness in my community.
5. Raise my daughter to be someone who cares for the ummah.

As the Prophet ﷺ said:

“The most beloved of people to Allah is the one who brings the most benefit to others.” (Al-Muʻjam al-Awsat 6192)

Conclusion: A Reminder from Surah Al-Ma’un

SubhanAllah, Maryam’s growing up so fast. She’s falling in love with the Quran, prayer, and everything about Islam. But as I watch her grow, I realize—am I growing too? Am I improving in my deen? Am I helping the ummah the way Allah expects me to?

Surah Al-Ma’un has reminded me that I need to do more for others. I can’t just focus on my own little world. Islam is about community, kindness, and action.

May Allah help me and all of us be better Muslims, better parents, and better servants to Him. Ameen.

Until next time, love and salam.