10 Things I've Learned the Hard Way.

As a young Muslimah.

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In today's era, being a young muslimah isn't so easy. You are expected to focus on your studies, be ambitious about work and steadfast in religious duties. There are days when your heart feels heavy, torn between who you are and who the world wants you to be.

It's not about just balancing it all. It's a real struggle that leaves you wondering 'Am I even doing enough?'

But even in that struggle there is beauty.. In every heartfelt dua you make, in every quiet acts of resistance, in choosing Allah over people, you are watering yourself. And in that silence, you are slowly blooming into the rose you were always meant to be - soft, strong, and deeply rooted in faith.

With every challenge that I've faced so far in life, they changed me in one way or the other. Some were gentle, some were hard but they all shaped me into who I am today. So here they are! 10 things I've learned on this journey of life as a young Muslimah:

1. Never underestimate the power of a sincere dua. 'Duaa has the power to change your Qadr', it's true! It really does! I can see so many of the prayers that I had been making in my teen life come true and I can never be more grateful how He granted me the ability to make them. So don't give up you never know what's in store for you!
2. Covering yourself is freedom. Not covering isn't. People think hijab restricts or suffocates, but for us Muslimahs, it's a form of liberation. I never truly tasted its sweetness until I chose to cover my entire face along with my body. It freed my mind from the insecurities I used to carry , the constant worry of what people would think. Now, I feel the best in my own skin, with no pressure of others analysing my face. Just pleasing my Creator ❤
3. Not everything you love is good for you. Sometimes, there will be things you'll want to cling to as if you can't imagine life without them. But those very things might be what Allah takes away. Not because you didn't deserve them, but because they could have harmed you in ways your human knowledge could never comprehend. Trust in His wisdom. It's often a blessing in disguise - a protection from the One who loves you the most.
4. Good company influences your deen more than you think. Having righteous friends is truly a blessing one should always cherish. I remember a time back in school when I didn't have friends who were quite practicing and I slipped more than once because of it. But Alhumdulillah, walking away from them was one of the best decisions I made. Being alone is far better than being surrounded by people who distance you from Allah.
5. Forgive others no matter how much it hurts. There are moments when someone hurts you so deeply that your heart whispers, "I'll never forgive them." The pain lingers. The betrayal replays in your mind. But trust me forgiving them is better than holding a grudge against within your heart. It's setting yourself free. It's like saying, "I choose peace over pain". Forgiving doesn't mean forgetting or what they did was okay. It just means you've handed the matter over to the One who sees everything and is the Most Just. And in return, He softens your heart and eases your burdens.
6. Shiny things aren't always rewarding. Growing up, seeing discussions, events, and trends around us, it's easy to be influenced by what looks glamorous or popular. But not everything that sparkles brings peace to the soul even if it seems to be. Being alone is better than being part of something haram, no matter how common or accepted it is in society. If you just hold onto this one hadith: "Verily, you will never leave anything for the sake of Allah Almighty but that Allah will replace it with something better for you." and trust His plan - He will open doors you never imagined. Allah will guide you to people who will heal you, open doors to the opportunities that once felt out of reach. Do it for Him... and He'll make your soul shine brighter than anything this world can offer.
7. Cherish the time you have with your parents. Love them, take care of them, sit and listen to them. Because one day, the silence will hit harder than you ever imagined. I wish I had spent more time laughing with my father, asking him questions about his life's experiences, just being there alongside him. For you won't always have the chance you have now and once it's gone, no amount of regret can ever bring it back.
8. The Dua of Istikhara isn't just reserved for big life decisions. Whether it's friendships, a place you're planning to go or any small day to day choices including Allah in everything makes life easier to navigate. Ever since I've started reciting this Duaa after every prayer, my heart feels more at peace. The more you make a habit of seeking His guidance, the more clarity you'll find within when everything else feels uncertain.
9. Your worth is defined by Allah, not people. Many of us might have been through what is known as being the 'People Pleaser'. There were times when I used to be same for those around me, trying to please everyone so I could feel seen and accepted. But no matter how hard I tried to fit in it was never enough. I realised true worth comes from pleasing the One who I was created for. And that's when I started living for myself and not bothering about'What will people say'?
10. What's yours will always find you. Always. You never have to beg, steal, cheat or betray yourself. When Allah has written something for you, be it a goal or a person, it will cross oceans and scale through mountains until it finally rests in your hands.

All these lessons might not resonate with you all the same way. For some of you it may be a 'I've been there too' moment. And some of you might simply feel grateful that they've been spared certain experiences. And that's totally fine, since lessons often come when one goes through experiences.

We all walk different paths but the reminders reach us in their own time.

Some lessons only settle in after pain, loss or after making countless mistakes while others come through gently, in quiet moments of reflection.

But no matter how they reach you, I pray they bring you closer to Allah, instil peace in your heart, and remind you that you're never alone in this journey of life.