Fig & Olive

In some ways, the housewife of today continues the tradition of the housewives of yesteryear. Cooking, cleaning, attending to her husband’s needs, and depending on him to foot the bill for their living expenses. Yet there is something fundamentally different; the social, cultural, and economic environment has had drastic changes. In some ways, the housewife […]

وَذَكِّرْ فَإِنَّ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰ تَنفَعُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٥٥ And remind (by preaching the Qur’ân, O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), for verily, the reminding profits the believers. 51:55 Translation: Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali & Muhammad Muhsin Khan The clouds to the right of my house look like mountains. At least they have for the past week that I’ve […]

 يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍۢ وَٰحِدَةٍۢ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًۭا كَثِيرًۭا وَنِسَآءًۭ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى تَسَآءَلُونَ بِهِۦ وَٱلْأَرْحَامَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًۭا ١ O humanity! Be mindful of your Lord Who created you from a single soul, and from it He created its mate, and through both […]

We were supposed to find meaning in true love, but love fades and divorce is abundant. And we were supposed to find meaning in our jobs, but entire fields become obsolete and we become discarded. It’s been long since we were supposed to find meaning in patriotism, too painful to dedicate one’s self to an […]

Sometimes I have to realize that being a black women privies me to different conversations and a different reality from fellow Muslim women (at least the dominant voices). While they find their footing in Feminism, question obeying their husbands, desire easier access to divorce, and assert their independence (But Khadijah Worked). In the black community, […]

The computer sat atop a desk, the TV stood in the center of the living room upheld by a TV stand, the phone was hooked up against the wall. Each in its place, never to be moved; available to all, no mobility, no privacy. Each device had its own exclusive use; the phone was for […]

Years ago, I polled 30 women on their experiences as non-working wives (also referred to as housewives, homemakers, and —when applicable, stay-at-home moms). 23/30 women said they experienced a sense of worthlessness. Some attributed that sense of worthlessness to society, some to their spouse/spouse’s family, some to their family of origin (parents, etc.), and others […]

As I geared up to watch a commentary on the latest female rappers’ music video I could not shake the feeling that it was a waste of time. It may sound strange that I would even watch such a thing but I *love* social commentary. I love to hear smart people analyze society including media. […]

In verse 4:34 God tells men to use physical discipline as a last resort in dealing with marital conflict, “…advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them [lightly]. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them”. In verse 4:3 God tells men to only marry […]

Men don’t have a special hotline through which they exclusively get to speak to God and for God. Women too often live in fear that men will wield religious rhetoric to force certain behavior on them —you must do x lest God is displeased with you. But when did we as women begin to believe […]