Na'ima B. Robert > Quotes

“It is not Islam that oppresses Muslim women, it is the lack of knowledge or the lack of application of that knowledge that oppresses.”
― Na'ima B. Robert, From My Sisters' Lips

“That's what I've learned over the years. We always think someone else has it easier than us but, when you pull back the layers, you see that they are struggling too, just in their own, unique way.”
― Na'ima B. Robert, She Wore Red Trainers

“It was then that I came to an important realization:as long as someone is beautiful,thin,wealthy,fun-loving or talented,we are happy to accept him or her at face value.We are not ever taught to look for-or care about-what lies beneath the surface.”
― Na'ima B. Robert, From My Sisters' Lips

“Islam isn't like that - something you can use just to get what you want. It's a genuine spiritual commitment, a way of life...”
― Na'ima B. Robert, She Wore Red Trainers

“What is it about Islam, I thought, that can make a woman so strong that she no longer strives to be noticed by men, no longer needs the admiring gaze to feel attractive, no longer puts herself on display when the rest of the world is doing just that?”
― Na'ima B. Robert, From My Sisters' Lips

“But human beings are amazing like that. We're resilient. And Allah tests us with the things we love so that we can return to Him and long for His love, not the love of His creation. That was when I realized that this life isn't meant to be perfect. It's a place for test and examination. The true happiness, the true bliss, will be in the afterlife, Akhirah. That's when I hope to taste pure happiness, with no loss, no tears, ever.”
― Na'ima B. Robert, She Wore Red Trainers

“Just be sincere, work hard and Allah will take care of the rest.”
― Na'ima B. Robert, She Wore Red Trainers

“When I was at my lowest point, your Word brought me comfort. Your Word guided me. Guide me önce more.
Guide me”
― Na'ima B. Robert, She Wore Red Trainers

“It was a girl, but not like any I had ever seen. Her black hijab and abaya were stark against the sun-drenched colours of the bleachers. A fresh breeze came and whipped her long hijab up and it swirled around her like a cloud, like a dream, like a spell.”
― Na'ima B. Robert, She Wore Red Trainers

“... Don't get married weak and needy, looking to your husband to make your world the one you dream of. What a burden for him! What high expectations. How on earth will he ever be able to fulfill all your needs? He's still learning himself. And what happens when he fails this huge task you've set him without his knowledge? You become bitter and disappointed. And that's no way to be, trust me.”
― Na'ima B. Robert

“When I walked out of the house with hijab on, i felt beautiful in the eyes of Allah. I felt protected, shielded - i just felt somebody was watching over me'
- Nadia, a reverted Muslim”
― Na'ima B. Robert, From My Sisters' Lips

“What it is about Islam, I thought, that can make a woman so strong that she no longer strives to be noticed by men, no longer needs the admiring gaze to feel attractive, no longer puts herself on display when the rest of the world is doing just that?”
― Na'ima B. Robert, From My Sisters' Lips

“Too many young girls in this community are dying to get married to get away from their problems at home, or to get a bit of freedom. But let me tell you something: if you rush into marriage to escape your problems, you may find that they follow you anyway.”
― Na'ima B. Robert, She Wore Red Trainers

“1. I realised how short this life is, how something you think belongs to you can be snatched away at a moment’s notice. ( Pg. 8)

2. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about life, it’s this: when you are not supposed to do something, you will find it near impossible to resist and when you have to do something, you’ll find any number of excuses to avoid doing it. ( Pg. 44)

3. I guess that is a mercy for the dead: they don’t have to watch the living falling apart as they grieve.( Pg 92)

4. someone can’t hear you doesn’t mean that they can’t understand you, that they can’t be your friend.
( Pg 95)

5. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt in my short time on earth, it is that you don’t have to look, behave or think like everyone else to achieve. Just be sincere, work hard and Allah will take care of the rest.
( Pg 112)

6. I was a boy with a Muslim name, lost in the world. ( Pg 154)”
― Na'ima B. Robert, She Wore Red Trainers

“What's all this talk about marriage anyway? It's so sad:once Muslim girls reach a certain age, it's like that's all we can talk about, like now we have finished school, that's the next logic step”
― Na'ima B. Robert, She Wore Red Trainers

“Change must come, sister. That is the way of the world. And sometimes, tears must be shed for the change to occur. Indeed, sometimes, life must be lost for new life to begin.”
― Na'ima B. Robert, Far from Home

“Patience is indispensable in the life of the Muslim.”
― Na'ima B. Robert, From My Sisters' Lips

“الصبر أحد أصعب الخصائص التي يمكن أن يتمتع بها المرء لكنها الأكثر نبلاً.”
― Na'ima B. Robert, ‫نساء اعتنقن الإسلام‬

“Patience is our safeguard against doubt and despair and is the key to our serenity.”
― Na'ima B. Robert, From My Sisters' Lips

“This was the essence of working for the sake of Allah: giving of yourself for others, for the greater good, not looking for personal gratification or worldly reward.”
― Na'ima B. Robert, She Wore Red Trainers

“كانت تؤمن بوعد الله، وأنه لن يحمّلها ما لا طاقة لها به، وأن مع العسر يسراً، وأن ما من مؤمنة تعمل عملاً صالحاً لا ترى ثوابه، في هذه الحياة أو الحياة الآخرة.”
― Na'ima B. Robert, ‫نساء اعتنقن الإسلام‬