Who are the biggest influences in your life?
Sayidah Fatima Az Zahra
The greatest influence in my life is Lady Fatima Az-Zahra رضي الله عنها, the finest woman to ever walk this earth. She lived a life that mirrored that of her father, the Beloved of Allah, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. She is the gift Allah gave to women as a living example to emulate, the one who paved the path of piety, dignity, and devotion. Though she lived privately, her legacy became known to all Muslims. She walked humbly upon this earth, yet became the vessel through which the Prophet’s ﷺ blessed lineage continues until the end of time. Her progeny spread across the world, now present in every nation.
She was illuminated with such light that when she stood in prayer, her radiance was seen by the inhabitants of the heavens just as stars are seen by those on earth. She was the beloved of her parents and later became known as ‘The Mother of her Father’ when her mother passed away. She did not chase trends, nor seek recognition, but lived a life filled with purpose, peace, love, sacrifice, modesty, and nobility. She is known by many beautiful names, each one a reflection of her impeccable character. I could speak endlessly about this remarkable woman, whom I pray to follow with sincerity and love, along with my family and loved ones.
My Beloved Mother
After her comes the most important woman in my life: My Mother.
My mother lives a humble, quiet life, much like Lady Fatima Az-Zahra رضي الله عنها. She never sought praise nor recognition for the sacrifices she made or the patience she carried throughout her life. She served quietly, yet her impact reached many hearts. She raised us upon devotion to Allah, choosing a path of knowledge, steadfastness, and hard work for our sake. She gave without being asked and supported us without ever needing explanation. She knew when to be a shoulder to cry on before words were ever spoken.
She nurtured both my body and my soul. She did not only teach me how to live well in this world, but more importantly, she taught me how to connect my heart to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. She was present for me in moments when no one else knew I needed support. Her love runs so deep that I pray I am able to return even a fraction of it. Today, she showers my children with the same boundless love and gentle wisdom.
She taught me to honour and respect my father; not only as my biological parent, but as my spiritual guide. The love and reverence I carry for him is rooted in her teachings, and from that flows my respect for all my spiritual teachers, living and deceased, leading ultimately to the Beloved of Allah ﷺ and to then to my creator Allah ﷻ. We cannot reach Allah without learning to love and honour those who connect us to Him, and she laid that foundation with such beauty. She accompanied me on both of my journeys to Tarim, and for that, I remain eternally grateful. I pray Allah envelops her in His mercy and admits her into Jannatul Firdaus without reckoning.
Hababah Maryam Al Mashhur
Then comes a teacher whom I met and sat with only a handful of times, yet she left a mark on my heart unlike many I have known for decades. She drew me in with a pull that can only be described as divine. She lived a life fully devoted to Allah, spending her waking hours calling people to Him from east to west. She is the founder of Dar Al Faqih- a centre of knowledge for women.
To those who claim that Muslim women are oppressed or confined, let me tell you about this extraordinary woman one whom I have dedicated an entire post (I’ll link it below). She was immensely educated and did not wait for students to come to her. Her love for da‘wah compelled her to travel across lands, teaching women who their Lord is and how to become the best versions of themselves. She empowered women to become independent seekers of knowledge and embodied everything she taught.
She lived simply, yet her impact reached millions. She gave freely of herself, accepted invitations despite her demanding schedule, and served wherever she could. She was a true vessel of knowledge. I speak of her in the past tense because she returned to Allah two weeks ago here in Tarim Allah Yarhamha. She was a Tarimi and embodied the life of Lady Fatima Az-Zahra رضي الله عنها in our time. She leaves behind a legacy that cannot be replaced. This was Hababah Maryam Mashhur—niece of Habib Omar bin Hafidh.
This was the last thing she said in a class she taught a day before her passing:
“Whomsoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him.”
I am also deeply shaped by my female spiritual teachers, women who taught me my deen with gentleness, wisdom, and prophetic character. Many of them are wives and mothers, yet they never allowed these roles to limit their service to Allah. They carry oceans of knowledge and devotion that the intellect alone cannot grasp. Their days are filled with teaching, nurturing, and traveling, all while honouring their families. Their households stand as proof of their sincerity.
Some of these women are visible to the world, while others remain hidden gems yet impacting hearts wherever they are.
Dr Tamara Gray
Among them is Dr. Tamara Gray, who made me fall in love with Tahajjud and made herself available to me in moments of deep vulnerability, including my postpartum journey. She stands as a pillar for women in the West, calling us to rise not only as wives and mothers, but as women of Allah with a mission on this earth. She inspired me to create a Tahajjud Journal (available on Amazon, linked down below), and her impact on my life is beyond words.
Anse Shehnaz
Then there is Anse Shehnaz, to whom my heart became instantly attached. She taught with gentleness, firmness, and deep concern, carrying immense knowledge with humility. Though I have never met her in person, she connected with me personally, advised me, and generously gave her time. Her influence remains profound.
Um Mohammad (Ust Fadwa)
Then there is Um Mohammad, whom Allah allowed me to meet at a pivotal time. Sheikh Babikir connected me to her when I sought female scholars to study under. Though I came to know of her over a decade ago, my family and I were later blessed to grow deeply connected to her. We remain among her students and are honoured to be working alongside her on a significant project she is leading. She is from the blessed lineage of Lady Fatima Az-Zahra رضي الله عنها and thus from the lineage of the Prophet ﷺ, who said:
“Whoever angers Fatima angers me, and whoever pleases her pleases me.”
We hope to draw closer to Allah by serving the progeny of Lady Fatima رضي الله عنها.
There are many others; known and unknown, titled and untitled yet ignited within me a love for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ and deep love for seeking and spreading knowledge. I am deeply grateful to Allah for allowing my path to cross with theirs, and with those I have not named they remain in my heart and prayers. I pray that I take from each of them what Allah intends for me, and that I become the person Allah created me to be. I pray my teachers all attain their utmost desire which is the pleasure of Allah and I pray their service to this religion continues and we learn from them in the best way possible. I pray Allah fulfils their dreams in both worlds and he takes special care of them and their loved ones and followers.
Ameeen.
Until next time..
Peace be with you.
Hababa Maryam Al Mashhur ⬇️
My Tahajud journal ⬇️
https://www.amazon.com/Tahajud-Journal-Farhiya-Sheikh/dp/B0FZ9NVT9L
Um Mohammad’s website (still under construction) ⬇️
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