Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatu My Fellow Brothers and Sisters in Islam,
There isn't a day that goes by when someone doesn't reach out to me for advice on self-improvement, coping in marriage and motherhood, finding balance, and seeking less overwhelm in their busy life. It's one of the reasons I became a writer and started mentoring Muslim women and parents.
About My Efforts
Since 2011, I've been running the website zakeeyaali.com in between my responsibilities as a wife, mother, and homeschooler. I've written over 250 articles and 30+ publications, designed 20+ spiritual journals, sent hundreds of newsletters to over 10,000 subscribers, and coached a vast number of women from all over the world.
Currently, I am writing and publishing books, hosting a podcast, running a social media, and offering weekly workshops and mentoring sessions for women. I also co-run islamichomeeducation.com, which is an initiative aimed at offering parents and educators valuable resources to educate their children with Islamic knowledge, life skills, and Arabic.
My efforts were never motivated by monetary gain but by a desire to improve the ummah, starting with the family, the base of society. For the past decade, I primarily volunteered any spare time I had to support Muslim women in finding tranquility in their lives and relationships and assist parents with educating their children with beneficial knowledge.
The Road Is Extremely Bumpy
At times, my work can get brutal because I'm constantly at odds with what liberalism and feminism promote. Too often, I receive nasty comments and emails from people who’ve been brainwashed by the lies society tells them. It’s unfair, but it's a sad reality when a person is ostracized simply for choosing to lead a more wholesome lifestyle.
The mainstream media is not kind to those who go against the grain because it has never been about women's and children's rights, but about power and control over families. When you promote Islamic values, tell wives to be grateful and respectful to their husbands, praise stay-at-home moms, and suggest to women that college or a career alone will not bring them contentment - you become unpopular and receive a lot of criticism.
Why do I do it?
I noticed how Muslim women are not thriving but instead becoming victims of their circumstances and are in desperate need of proper guidance, advice, and support. Too often, I hear of families breaking apart because of misguided liberal and feminist ideas and influences. This has deeply impacted our roles as wives and mothers, and our children are bearing the brunt.
There is also a great need for others to speak up about the honor and rewards of motherhood, wifehood, and homemaking, which many don’t promote due to the backlash and conflict it provokes.
Nowadays, women are more burdened than ever, our marriages are in crisis, and our children are being raised by strangers as we climb the corporate ladder. Our Muslim communities are suffering for it, and many don't realize that what society propagates, is not working and is in opposition to the principles of Islam.
How do I do it?
I write and speak often about the issues Muslim women face and how we can overcome them. I recently published a book about motherhood, and I'm working on another book for wives, which is due for release in early 2023, inshallah. I regularly publish ebooks and design activity books for Muslim kids.
Since 2011, I’ve been doing all my work (writing, designing, proofreading, formatting, publishing, marketing, and distributing) solo and have paid all expenses out of pocket. What I’ve come to realize is that this method has limitations and causes the slow production of valuable content.
Why the Need for Donations?
Since gaining more traction recently, it has turned up the heat, and my inbox is overflowing with messages from both brothers and sisters urging me to continue writing and speaking up on these topics. My time and resources cannot keep up with the demand. So through generous donations, I am able to hire others to assist with the work I do in creating, designing, publishing, and promoting books and services to a wider audience of Muslim women and children. The remaining funds will be used to cover administration, technical, editing, proofreading, distribution, and marketing costs.
Some of my projects include:
Tranquil Muslim Mom (newly published in September 2022)
Teach Your Child Salah and Make It Stick! (published)
When Your Child Lies, Ways to Help You Cope! (published)
Tranquil Muslim Mom Reflection Journal (publishing in January 2023)
Tranquil Muslim Mom, Memories of My Children Journal (publishing in January 2023)
A Muslima’s Personal Dua Book and Journal (publishing in February 2023)
When You’re Too Nice - Protecting Yourself From Envious and Manipulative Women (publishing in February 2023)
Tranquil Muslim Wife (publishing early 2023)
Tranquil Muslim Wife Reflection Journal (publishing early 2023)
Tranquil Muslim Wife, Memories of My Husband Journal (publishing early 2023
Tranquil Muslim Woman (publishing in mid-2023)
Tranquil Muslim Woman Reflection Journal (publishing mid-2023)
Multiple activity and story books for children and teens (publishing in 2023)
My Additional Ventures
I have also designed and published over 20 Muslim journals for adults, teens, and kids to implement the Quran, Hadith, Dua, and Allah’s SWT Names in our daily lives, log optional and qada fasts and prayers, instill shukr, and be thankful for our barakah.
Lastly, I have published over 30 printable activity books to teach kids the deen and about Islamic occasions, which I offer free to parents and educators. I hope to turn all of these publications into paperbacks, inshallah. With your generous assistance, I may be able to hire illustrators and proofreaders for these projects as well.
Some Info About Me
My name is Zakeeya Ali, and I am an author, designer, and mentor at zakeeyaali.com. I am a wife of 20+ years, a mama of six children, a homeschooler, and a homemaker, alhamdulillah. I live in the US with my family, but I was born and raised in South Africa.
Jazakallahu khayrun for reading my story and considering helping my sadaqa jariyah (ongoing charity) initiatives. May Allah SWT guide and protect our families, ameen. The Prophet ﷺ said,
“When a person dies, all their deeds end except three: a continuing charity, beneficial knowledge, and a child who prays for them.” (Muslim)
I have made donating to the cause safe and straightforward, and your payment is secure. You can also donate on behalf of someone else by declaring your intention for them.