Being a woman is a blessing from Allah, along with everything that has been bestowed upon us.
Whatever we have within our grasp is a gift, and one should always accept gifts with graciousness and contentment, focusing on what one has, not what is missing.
I understand that we are all different with unique needs, living in various surroundings.
That’s why I sought the views of friends, relatives, and co-workers from across the globe on what they thought to be ideal tips on how to enjoy life as a single Muslim woman.
1. Your Duty to Live
Whether we like it or not, we have to live our current lives. So why spend it longing for things and thinking about what is out of reach?
Trust the plan of God and appreciate that He is the Best of Planners.
2. Contentment and Acceptance
Always concentrate on what you have and make the most of it. Enjoy every aspect of your day and utilize your time as a single woman by having fulfilling goals that occupy your time productively.
Look around, count your blessings, and work on nurturing any positive aspects you find in your life.
For example, reconnect and take an interest in your friends, build your self-confidence, or simply encourage yourself to try new things. Never look at what others have, for you will not realize what they are also missing.
I once read a quote by Theodore Roosevelt that warned against looking at what others have:
“Comparison is the thief of joy.”
So never judge and just work on yourself.
3. Focus
Focus on what makes you happy and discover yourself.
Focus on your career, studies, hobbies, learning a new skill or improving an existing one, making connections with others, and trying to spread happiness everywhere.
Give your time and energy wholeheartedly to anything that provides a source of happiness and satisfaction.
4. Marriage Is Not the Final And Ultimate Destination
Marriage is a grace from Allah, just like work, health, and fortune, which are not suitable or meant for all.
So, make sure you don’t get preoccupied with getting married and leave this to God’s plan for you.
It’s important to realize that marriage is not everything.
It may not be the solution to problems, and it’s certainly not the only way to happiness.
One of the ladies that took part in my research for this article had one piece of sound advice:
Ignore the marriage police who make you paranoid about being single (everyone has those nagging female relatives and aunties who mean well but make you feel terrible!).
Remember, there is nothing you can do about it, as it is up to Allah, and the name of your partner (if it’s destined) was written long before your existence… so you cannot rush fate.
5. Love Yourself and Your Own Company
Love and trust yourself; believe that you can do everything alone easily, and always rely on God alone.
Unfortunately, the truth is that if you don’t learn to love yourself and your life while you are on your own and single, then it is unlikely that you will be happy in a relationship either.
6. Understand And Discover Who You Are
Recognizing your self-worth and understanding who you are (in the absence of everyone else) and who you aspire to be (whether that be in the form of action/career/outlook/behavior) is an important step in finding happiness.
In your journey of self-discovery, you will surprise yourself by being able to do things you never thought you could do.
This will not only empower you but also leave you with a feeling of self-satisfaction and happiness at being able to do anything on your own.
Challenge yourself and try new things; only then will you learn more about your likes and dislikes and what you are comfortable with.
7. Consistency
Once you realize what you like and enjoy doing, keep at it to see the results.
Consistency is the key. Like most things in life, you need to wait and be patient before you can reap the ‘fruit’.
Do a good activity and observe its effect on you after a few weeks or months.
Participating in some charity groups and organizations makes you feel helpful and useful to the community and gives you more energy and self-appreciation.
8. Widening Your Circle
Islam is both a singular and collectivist religion. As a Muslim, you are essentially never alone. It is vital that you keep your social circle varied.
Having a variety of friends with various backgrounds, beliefs, social classes, nationalities, etc. will always add richness to your life and help you develop a better understanding of life in general, as well as increasing your knowledge and experience.
9. Explore Your Surrounding
Muslim women are not less fortunate.
Girls travel and explore every aspect of the world. Some people believe that if you are a hijabi Muslim girl, then you are automatically limited; however, that is far from the truth.
A few girls that I interviewed went zip lining, snorkeling, hiking, and kayaking in Thailand, and two of them wore hijabs.
Another friend has so far tried sky diving, abseiling, and wall climbing and has never allowed her veil to prevent her from pursuing new and exciting activities.
There is pleasure in trying new good things, in spontaneous outings, or even in simple things such as enjoying food or observing the sunrise/sunset.
10. Stay At Peace with Your Spiritual Side
Always seek the guidance of God, and never ignore your spiritual needs. Attend Islamic talks and surround yourself with positive people and religious friends.
Having religious friends doesn’t always mean talking about Islam.
Just hang out and have fun with people that remind you of Allah, encourage you to pray on time, do ‘dthikr’ together, or memorize the Qur’an will help you purify your heart and strengthen your relationship with Allah.
The Final Result….
There is no quick guide to happiness or magical method.
Mainly because happiness is like any emotion—a temporary state that won’t last forever.
Therefore, we should strive to be content and at peace with the world.
I recently read a line in Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert that summarizes it:
“You were given life; it is your duty (and also your entitlement as a human being) to find something beautiful within life, no matter how slight.”
The article is from our archives.