“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

When I was little, I used to think that if others could do something, I could learn how to do it too. I can’t remember giving a consistent answer when asked the question. There were so many things you could be.

As I grew older, like many of us, I started to struggle with self-doubt, fear of failure, procrastination, perfection (to name a few).

“What are they going to say?”

“What if I fail?”

“I’m just not good enough.”

“I can’t because I don’t have time.”

Islam gave me confidence and clarity.

Although I had always been Muslim, my university years were my first introduction to the concepts of tazkiyah in purifying the heart and akhlaq in refining the Muslim character. Gradually, I found that Islam gave me the confidence to be myself in a world of fitting-in and made clear to me what was actually important.

Now, that isn’t to say I still didn’t struggle.

I decided to go down the “safe route” — the community’s coveted trilogy of professions: engineer/doctor/lawyer. And don’t get me wrong, I believe these professions are important. But for ME, I had only gone into it because it was the “safe” thing to do.

I survived by the grace of God and entered the corporate workforce. I worked for a Norwegian company that taught me the values of trust, respect, and work-life balance, but it became clear to me that I was working under the wrong job title.

I loved connecting with others and bringing people together, but when we would get back to our desks, I often felt drained and numb. I found myself constantly waiting for the weekends or evenings because I knew how to fill those times with what I valued, but the one area I spent a majority of my time throughout the week felt purposeless.

“Was I just being ungrateful?”

I began to accept that perhaps my job served to finance all my other activities… and it’s true, there was so much good that came out of it alhamdulillah. I have no regrets, but what would happen if I stayed like this to the end of my life? I explored different career paths and found door after door closed. In hindsight, I’m grateful they did.

Gaza served as a wake-up call.

It wasn’t until the recent incidents within the ummah that really forced me to reflect. Many halaqas started to speak on the power of the Muslim and highlighted the sickness we have within the ummah.

I realized that I was taking the gifts that Allah had given me for granted. I was so busy thinking about whether or not I was good enough, but shouldn’t I be using these gifts? It became clear to me that every single one of us have been chosen to have the set of gifts. But why aren’t we using it?

Why are there so many people in the ummah, but we’re unable to stop the destruction that we see?

“What can we do?”

Before I made the jump to choose a different life for myself, I first had to believe it was possible despite all the what ifs. I needed to re-learn that shukr is using the gifts you have in the obedience of Allah. If you are reading this, there is a chance you are in this position. I invite you to expand what you currently believe is possible. Give yourself permission to widen the scope of “reality.” After all, we have a Lord who says “kun“ and the law of physics bends and seas split in ways we cannot imagine.

All it takes, when He wills something ˹to be˺, is simply to say to it: “Be!”

And it is!

SURAH YA-SIN AYAT 82

So here I am, after a series of closed doors and now an opened one.

I’m Navira, and I’m building the muslim potential as a mindset coach to help purpose-driven Muslims gain clarity and confidence in their own path towards their potential.

I believe that we can live our life to the fullest as Muslims so long as we build an intentional life towards Allah. May we find that individually, and may He grant us the ability to find strength again as an ummah.

Stay connected.

I share thoughts and ideas of my own journey here: