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Muslim Women Navigate Life Beyond Divorce

Sabria Mills
02 February, 2020

We marry with high hopes and strong aspirations for a life filled with love, commitment, and happiness.

Muslim women are conditioned from a very young age to prepare for marriage with a belief that this marital relationship is intended to last forever.

Many of us have been told this fundamental rule continuously throughout our lives; “marriage is half of your religion.” This mantra plays continuously in our heads, as we navigate the expectations of becoming an ideal wife and living happily ever after.

At the ripe young age of nineteen-years-old, Saudia Shabazz began her marriage journey. She had found her prince charming and hoped to embark on a life of marital bliss.

Saudia was born and raised Muslim in the Philadelphia area and tried her best to navigate her young teenage years focused on living as an upright Muslim woman. This wasn’t easy, as there were challenges and distractions that approached Saudia on a daily basis, from the opposite gender.

When she met her future husband, she knew she wanted to do it the proper way. She involved her family and within a few short months, wedding plans were underway.

Muslim Women Navigate Life Beyond Divorce - About Islam

Life Changes

After years of marriage, Saudia Shabazz began to adapt to a life of being unseen, unheard, and deeply depressed. This had a deep impact on her ability to be the best mother and Muslim she could be. Her marriage had a direct impact on her mental, emotional, and physical well-being. 

“My husband would leave for work and I would bury myself under the covers for hours. I had no motivation to brush my teeth, shower, or do anything except lay in my bed. It was at this point that I realized I was in trouble. Something was very wrong in my marriage and I had a hard time facing this reality,” Saudia Shabazz shared with AboutIslam.net.

As Saudia’s marriage came to a halting end, she was faced with the daunting task of ending her union, co-parenting, and starting over. Although this wasn’t easy for her, there were many factors that helped her navigate the pain of divorce and create a new life.

Muslim Women Navigate Life Beyond Divorce - About Islam

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About Sabria Mills
Sabria Mills is the Co-founder and Executive Director of MACE - Muslims Advocates of Children with Exceptionalities. She is an Educational Leader and Social Advocate, who partners with educators, community leaders, and activists to advocate for inclusive spaces for people of all abilities. After spending nearly a decade working in education and addressing the needs of non-profit organizations, Sabria knows what truly drives social reform, equality, and education—and it’s not mastering the social advocacy flavor of the week. It’s how well you connect with the heart-beating people you’re trying to help and communicate your understanding back to them.