Curb Your Currency

Since I started wearing the niqab, following Allah’s guidance with this curriculum has added more life to my belief than I’ve ever known. It has been the transition of a lifetime— but I learned it has always been apart of Allah’s plan. Each phase of wearing it was a new layer of learning—not just about Islam, but about learning to learn. Because I was already used to unlearning what wasn't needed and He kept guiding me through the steps understanding why.

In the depth of practicing Islam, we learn it isn't about surrendering for nothing. It’s about surrendering for reasons that will come into your life—sometimes only when you're ready to see them. His guidance isn't weak or vague like people make it seem. To the outsider, it may look like just rules or restrictions. But to the one who sincerely follows, the depth is in the eye of the beholder.

I’ve always had a different perspective that society seems to define it as something that is forged by having financial stability. Yes, I grew up not needing to worry about money, but I was raised to have a high regard for it and I still had limits. My dad made sure I understood what money can buy, what it shouldn’t buy, and what it can’t. That mindset created a moral foundation I didn’t fully understand until later in life. It taught me self-respect, dignity, and never to sell myself short—even if that wasn’t how it was explained at the time.

I’ve always had a strong personality, and for some reason, that’s made people assume I’m trying to assert control. My keen observation and willingness were quietly dismissed, simply because I didn’t have a job that paid. But what they didn’t see was that I developed financial confidence naturally—because I genuinely worked, contributed, and earned my credit in life without needing to showcase it. My recommendations and preferences weren’t about status; they were precise, direct, and centered on the essence of a solution.

That’s something I carried with me into both marriage and motherhood. I never withheld resources based on someone’s perceived worthiness. I didn’t discriminate or limit the quality of action. I’ve always sought to do what’s right. That principle runs deeply through my life. It’s what has kept me grounded during the hardest times—because at the center of it all is trust in Allah.

And this brings me to the concept of guarding chastity. Allah elaborates in the Qur’an to “guard your chastity.” People read that and think it’s just a rule meant to suppress or control. But that’s such a shallow way to see it. If we slow down and reflect, there’s so much wisdom in why Allah says that. It’s not to deprive us of love or connection. It’s to protect us from the kind of spiritual and emotional vulnerability that Shaytan wants to expose.

Look at the story of Adam and Hawa. Shaytan influenced them to eat from the tree, and what happened? Allah tells us their private parts were exposed. That’s not just about physical nudity—it’s about spiritual exposure. Shaytan went for their vulnerability. Because if he get's them to disobey Allah's orders, then that exposure causes them to be unheavenly impure. That’s why guarding our chastity—physically, mentally, emotionally—is so deeply tied to protection. Because if we settle for temptation and desire, then that becomes the currency we use to make deals for it. “Making a deal” in today’s world is portrayed as happiness but more often, it’s about transactions controlled by money—the one thing that seems to seal the deal.

So when money becomes the deciding factor in our choices, it doesn’t just encourage incentive; it suppresses the real solution. The wrong questions get answered the right way, and we end up drifting from that sincerity found in solutions that put the dollar sign aside. That’s exactly why Adam and Hawa gave in to Shaytan’s whisper. Allah had already given them secure direction. But Shaytan didn’t use logic—he used greed. He tempted them with the illusion of a tree that would take them to a place of endless bounty. He sold them a lie. 

That’s why I don’t take these commands lightly and why I teach my children—not just to follow rules, but to understand what those rules are meant to protect. Because once you understand the why, it becomes second nature to defend it. So when Allah calls us to fight in His cause, it is a spiritual fight—one rooted in reflecting our belief in Him, even though He is unseen. It’s about honoring the reality He describes, with due process and sincerity.

He calls us to recognize that the angels advocate for our purification. So when He instructs us to stay aware, it is a call to honor our God-given intelligence—to detect and resist Shaytan’s quiet influence: the subtle temptations and normalized behaviors that strip away our dignity before we even realize it.

For me, wearing the niqab wasn’t just a change of clothes or a statement for show. It was a layer that Allah inspired me to wear—covering the thick skin I had developed over the years by holding firmly, and unconditionally, to principles that others may have avoided or compromised. Because when we get passed the fabric, we will realize the niqab is not a symbol of weakness,  but a symbol of resourcefulness, resilience, and pure intentions.

Surah An-Najm
By the star when it goes down,
Your companion (Muhammad) has neither gone astray nor has erred.
Nor does he speak of (his own) desire.
It is only a Revelation revealed.
He has been taught (this Qur’an) by one mighty in power,
Dhu Mirrah (free from any defect in body and mind), then he rose and became stable.
While he was in the highest part of the horizon,
Then he approached and came closer,
And was at a distance of two bows’ length or (even) nearer.
So did (Allah) convey the Inspiration to His slave (Muhammad).
The (Prophet’s) heart lied not (in seeing) what he saw.
Will you then dispute with him (Muhammad) about what he saw (during the Mi‘raj)?
And indeed he (Muhammad) saw him [Jibrael (Gabriel)] at a second descent (i.e. another time).
Near Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (a lote tree of the utmost boundary beyond which none can pass),
Near it is the Paradise of Abode.
When that covered the lote tree which did cover it!
The sight (of Prophet Muhammad) turned not aside (right or left), nor it transgressed beyond (the) limit (ordained for it).
Indeed he (Muhammad) did see, of the Greatest Signs, of his Lord (Allah).
Have you then considered Al-Lat, and Al-‘Uzza,
And Manat, the other third?
Is it for you the males and for Him the females?
That indeed is a division most unfair!
They are but names which you have named - you and your fathers - for which Allah has sent down no authority. They follow but a guess and that which they themselves desire, whereas there has surely come to them the guidance from their Lord!
Or shall man have what he wishes?
But to Allah belongs the last (Hereafter) and the first (the world).
And there are many angels in the heavens, whose intercession will avail nothing except after Allah has given leave for whom He wills and is pleased with.
Verily, those who believe not in the Hereafter, name the angels with female names.
While they have no knowledge thereof. They follow nothing but conjecture. And verily, conjecture is no substitute for the truth.
Therefore withdraw (O Muhammad) from him who turns away from Our Reminder (this Qur’an) and desires nothing but the life of this world.
That is what they could reach of knowledge. Verily, your Lord is the Best Knower of him who goes astray from His Path, and He is the Best Knower of him who receives guidance.
And to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, that He may recompense those who do evil with that which they have done, and reward those who do good, with what is best.
Those who avoid great sins and Al-Fawahish (illegal sexual intercourse), except the small faults - verily, your Lord is of vast forgiveness. He knows you well when He created you from the earth, and when you were fetuses in your mothers’ wombs. So ascribe not purity to yourselves. He knows best him who fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him.
Did you (O Muhammad) observe him who turned away (from Islam)?
And gave a little, then stopped (giving)?
Is with him the knowledge of the unseen so that he sees?
Or is he not informed with what is in the Pages (Scripture) of Musa (Moses),
And of Ibrahim (Abraham) who fulfilled (or conveyed) all that (Allah ordered him to do)?
That no burdened person (with sins) shall bear the burden (sins) of another.
And that man can have nothing but what he does (good or bad),
And that his deeds will be seen,
Then he will be recompensed with a full and the best recompense,
And that to your Lord (Allah) is the End (Return of everything).
And that it is He (Allah) Who makes (whom He wills) laugh, and makes (whom He wills) weep;
And that it is He (Allah) Who causes death and gives life;
And that He (Allah) creates the pairs, male and female,
From Nutfah (drops of semen male and female discharges) when it is emitted;
And that upon Him (Allah) is another bringing forth (Resurrection);
And that it is He (Allah) Who gives much or a little (or gives wealth and contentment),
And that He (Allah) is the Lord of Sirius (the star);
And that it is He (Allah) Who destroyed the former ‘Ad (people),
And Thamud (people). He spared none of them.
And the people of Nuh (Noah) aforetime. Verily, they were more unjust and more rebellious and transgressing [in disobeying Allah and His Messenger Nuh (Noah)].
And He destroyed the overthrown cities [of Sodom to which Prophet Lut (Lot) was sent].
So there covered them that which did cover (i.e. torment with stones).
Then which of the Graces of your Lord (O man!) will you doubt?
This (Muhammad) is a warner (Messenger) of the (series of) warners (Messengers) of old.
The Day of Resurrection draws near,
None besides Allah can avert it, (or advance it, or delay it).
Do you then wonder at this recital (the Qur’an)?
And you laugh at it and weep not,
Wasting your (precious) lifetime in pastime and amusements (singing, etc.).
So fall you down in prostration to Allah and worship Him (Alone).

Surah Al Qamar
The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder.
And if they see a sign, they turn away, and say: "This is continuous magic."
They belied (the Verses of Allah — this Qur’an), and followed their own lusts. And every matter will be settled.
And indeed, there has come to them news (in this Qur’an) wherein there is (enough warning) to check (them from evil),
Perfect wisdom (this Qur’an), but (the preaching of) warners benefit them not,
So (O Muhammad), withdraw from them. The Day that the caller will call (them) to a terrible thing.
They will come forth, with humbled eyes from (their) graves as if they were locusts spread abroad,
Hastening towards the caller. The disbelievers will say: "This is a hard Day."
The people of Nuh (Noah) belied before them. They rejected Our slave (Noah), and said: "A madman!" and he was insolently rebuked and threatened.
Then he invoked his Lord (saying): "I have been overcome, so help (me)!"
So We opened the gates of the heaven with water pouring forth.
And We caused springs to gush forth from the earth. So the waters met for a matter predestined.
And We carried him on a (ship) made of planks and nails,
Floating under Our Eyes, a reward for him who had been rejected!
And indeed, We have left this as a sign, then is there any that will remember (or receive admonition)?
Then see how (terrible) was My Torment and My Warnings!
And indeed, We have made the Qur’an easy to understand and remember, then is there any that will remember?
‘Ad belied (the truth). Then how (terrible) was My Torment and My Warnings?
Verily, We sent against them a furious wind of harsh voice on a day of evil omen and continuous calamity.
Plucking out men as if they were uprooted stems of date palms.
Then see how (terrible) was My Torment and My Warnings?
And indeed, We have made the Qur’an easy to understand and remember, then is there any that will remember?
Thamud belied the warnings.
And they said: "A man, alone among us — shall we follow him? Truly then we should be in error and distress or madness!"
"Is it that the Reminder is sent to him alone from among us? Nay, he is an insolent liar!"
Tomorrow they will know who is the liar, the insolent one!
Verily, We are sending the she-camel as a test for them. So watch them, and be patient!
And inform them that the water is to be shared between her and them. Every drinking will be attended (by turns).
But they called their comrade and he took (a sword) and killed (her).
Then how (terrible) was My Torment and My Warnings?
Verily, We sent against them a single Saihah (blast), and they became like the dry stubble of a fold-builder.
And indeed, We have made the Qur’an easy to understand and remember, then is there any that will remember?
The people of Lut (Lot) belied the warnings.
Verily, We sent against them a storm of stones (which destroyed them all), except the family of Lut, them We saved in the last hour of the night,
As a Favour from Us. Thus do We reward him who gives thanks (by obeying Us).
And he indeed had warned them of Our punishment, but they did doubt the warnings.
And they indeed sought to shame his guests, so We blinded their eyes (saying): "Then taste you My Torment and My Warnings."
And verily, an abiding punishment seized them early in the morning.
Then taste you My Torment and My Warnings.
And indeed, We have made the Qur’an easy to understand and remember, then is there any that will remember?
And indeed, warnings came to the people of Fir‘awn (Pharaoh).
They belied all Our Signs, so We seized them with a Seizure of the All-Mighty, All-Capable.
Are your disbelievers (O Quraish!) better than these [nations of Nuh, Lût, Sâlih, and the people of Fir‘awn] or have you immunity (against Our Torment) in the Divine Scriptures?
Or do they say: "We are a great multitude and we shall be victorious?"
Their multitude will be put to flight, and they will show their backs.
Nay, but the Hour is their appointed time (for their full recompense), and the Hour will be more grievous and more bitter.
Verily, the Mujrimûn (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) are in error and will burn.
The Day they will be dragged in the Fire on their faces (it will be said to them): "Taste you the touch of Hell!"
Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine Preordainment of all things before their creation as written in the Book of Decrees — Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz).
And Our Commandment is but one as the twinkling of an eye.
And indeed, We have destroyed your likes, then is there any that will remember?
And everything they have done is noted in (their) Records (of deeds).
And everything, small and big, is written down.
Verily, the Muttaqûn (the pious and righteous) will be in the midst of Gardens and Rivers,
In a seat of truth (Paradise), near the Omnipotent King (Allah, the One, the Blessed, the Most High, the Owner of Majesty and Honour).