Let’s be real—crafting the perfect online dating profile can feel like preparing for a photoshoot in a high-pressure movie set. With all the angles, lighting, and what-to-wear decisions swirling in your head, how can you possibly capture your fabulous self in just a few pics? Fear not! Here’s a playful guide to help you snap photos that showcase the real you.

A common mistake when approaching marriage is assuming that things will “sort themselves out” with minimal planning, especially in finances. While some couples may get lucky, it's not a practical approach. Discussing finances with your future spouse is about more than just income and lifestyle. It’s crucial to cover topics like debt, dependents, division of finances, financial habits, and long-term goals. Being honest about these aspects helps ensure that you and your partner are on the same page, reducing potential conflicts down the road.

As Muslim parents, our number one concern when raising our children should always be “How can I ensure I raise good Muslims?”

“As a community united by faith, we have repeatedly risen to the challenge of oppression and being outnumbered by our reliance on Allah, and our cohesion as a community. But it is when we turn against ourselves and each other that our strength dissipates and we are overcome by weakness. “

“In today’s fast-paced world, the rise of dating apps has revolutionized the way people connect. However, many of these platforms promote a "swipe culture," where the focus is often on casual encounters rather than meaningful relationships. This phenomenon has led to a surge in superficial interactions and fleeting connections, leaving many individuals feeling unfulfilled and still searching for genuine love.”

“When getting to know someone, it can be difficult to know what steps to take, and more importantly, when.”

“Finding a compatible partner isn’t a science, the short answer to the above: Allah swt has already decreed when each person will get married and whom they will marry- it’s something that goes beyond tick boxes and filtering-by-distance.”

“In Islam, marriage is described as a “firm commitment” made between the husband and wife, so that they may find comfort in each other. It is important to set the right intentions when starting to think about marriage: to raise a good family, protecting oneself from haram [Bukhari and Muslim], and providing mutual support and protection.”

When I asked my husband what positivity in a relationship, and particularly our relationship, means to him, he shrugged and said, "we're just happy, aren't we?"

“We’ve all been there. We check our phones multiple times a day, for a number of reasons. Some are more important than others. Sometimes, we’re blowing off steam from a heated argument. Other times, we’re simply bored.”

“How many times have we heard that this magical word is the key to any successful relationship? From YouTube couples to Islamic scholars, I can’t even count how many times this has been mentioned as a fundamental building block for marriage and relationships in general.”

“It’s an hour before Fajr and you gently nudge your spouse awake. It’s time for Tahajjud, you whisper. You spring out of bed, there's no time to scroll through Instagram first, you have to start your morning off just right.”