An Inspired Chat with Maryam Marhumah

We recently had the chance to connect with Maryam Marhumah and have shared our conversation below.

Maryam, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
First, thank you so much for this opportunity–it’s always a pleasure working with Bold Journey Magazine. The first 90 minutes of my day start between 3AM-4AM, when I wake up to perform a spiritual bath and prepare for Tahajjud prayer (the last third of the night prayer). Practicing Muslims are familiar with this prayer–it’s considered the prayer of miracles. After praying, I recite the Quran for a while before feeding my cat, Ibraheem. I just love him! Then I make myself a cup of coffee and do some reading until it’s time for Fajr prayer.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am now known as Maryam Marhumah. I changed my name as I deepened my practice in Islam. My brand and business is Islamic mentoring for Muslim women and aspiring Muslim women—igniting faith and devotion. My mentorship program, Marhumah Mentorship, is faith based mentoring. Striving to lead
the hearts of women to a purposeful and peaceful life. We sell Islamic eBooks as well as courses from my professional barber stylist brand. My mentorship is dedicated to helping women stay on the righteous path and inviting others to it as well. I offer virtual sessions, so my products and services are available to women nationwide.

When I entered into Islam, I didn’t have a mentor—I had to learn everything on my own through trial and error. But my Lord has guided me and showed me mercy. He placed it in my heart to become a force in the religion for women just like me, and for women who may be waiting for a Sister like me to help guide them. I never knew how I would put my education to use after returning to college and running my former salon. Alhamdulillah (praise be to God) that I get to utilize it in my service to my Lord.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
That’s easy—the One who created me. Allah ﷻ (God, exalted be His Majesty) saw me, created me, and ordained me. He ﷻ has been with me even as that little girl in bible study after school, Saturday school and He ﷻ is closer to me than my jugular vein when I walk to the mosque as a grown woman. Everyone on this earth is a divine decree, and we were all placed here for a reason. We were all created to serve our Master—many people don’t realize that. But that’s part of the Almighty’s plan.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Success can never teach anyone how to worship, repent, and pray. Success before submitting to God’s will will destroy a person—whether in this life or the next. Hardship has brought me closer to my Rabb than material gain ever could. Without hardship and fitna (tests and trials), I would have never drawn close to the Quran (Holy Book). I would have never teared up at a certain verse in the scripture. My eyes wouldn’t have opened to see how corrupt the world really is. I’d still be standing there in Salah (obligatory prayer), completely confused. Subhanallah (Glory be to God).

I understand what it means to experience worldly success, wealth, a thriving business, a new car, suburban life, luxury hotels, and fancy dinners, but despite having all that, I failed to appreciate the blessings that the Almighty has given me. None of those things ever made me feel the way reflecting on Allah ﷻ makes me feel. I discovered completeness and emotional balance. I appreciate comfort; but I know what it is like to have nothing. Islam transformed my life, and I’m certain that if I hadn’t been blessed with it almost two years ago, I would have been crushed. Islam is where true success exists; no matter what happens, I still have my religion.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My relationship with the Almighty—nothing else matters more. Without that relationship and obedience, your heart is dead. When someone experiences that spiritual emptiness, they often seek alternative methods to occupy that gap. Similar to substance abuse, sex addiction involves maintaining relationships with those who hinder your personal development.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Paying attention to anything other than the Quran and my duties as a Muslim woman feels unsettling. The world becomes a scary place once your spiritual lenses have been cleansed. Surrounding myself with my religion is what calms me. I begged Allah ﷻ to give me a career where I could worship and praise Him ﷻ. A religious scholar once said, “If I could do life over again, I would spend it with the Quran.” I believe that!

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Image Credits
Maryam Marhumah & Canva.

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