Dua & Intentions: Entering the New Year with Barakah
A new year doesn’t need grand resolutions to be meaningful. In Islam, true renewal begins quietly with intention (niyyah) and sincere dua’a (prayer). Before planning what we want to achieve,...
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Reset & Recharge: Muslim Self-Care Rituals for the New Year
The new year is upon us! And that means it’s time to clear the cobwebs and make room for new things– and I’m not talking about a new wardrobe. I’m...
10 Timeless Lessons from Surah Yusuf
Surah Yusuf is one of the most remarkable surahs in the Qur’an, as it beautifully narrates the life of Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) in a single chapter. Allah...
A Muslim Guide to Mindful Goal-Setting in the New Year
As the calendar year turns, many people take time to reflect on the past and set intentions for the future. For Muslims, this can be more than just a secular...
Make-up Fasts? How to make up your fasts before Ramadan!
Believe it or not, Ramadan is fast approaching! In about two months, we will be in the best time of year. I can’t wait for the days spent reflecting on...
When Faith Feels Heavy: Navigating Spiritual Lows with Compassion
There are seasons when faith feels light, hopeful, even uplifting. Then there are seasons when it feels heavy. Dua’a (prayers) feels unanswered. The heart feels distant. Worship becomes routine rather...
The Forgotten Struggle of Kashmir: Between Memory and Modernity
Kashmir has always felt dreamlike. Snow resting lightly on rooftops, lakes reflecting the sky, and mountains standing like ancient guardians. Today, this beauty has reached new audiences. Travel videos, glossy...
Faith & Reflection: Islamic Practices to Close Out the Year
As the year winds down, now is the time to prepare for a new you as this natural shift becomes an invitation to reflect spiritually. In Islam, the close of...
Hustle vs. Barakah: Reclaiming Rest as a Muslim Woman
In a world that glorifies constant productivity, “hustle culture” has slowly become the measure of a woman’s worth. Muslim women today study, work, build businesses, and contribute to their families...
Baladi - by You: A Love Letter to Culture and Memories
At VELA, we have never treated fashion as something surface-level. From the very beginning, our brand has pushed forward to break quiet barriers, creating space for stories that are often...
The Winter Hijab Capsule: 5 Fabrics to Live in this Season
Ah, winter has fully settled in which brings us to that time of year when our hijab drawers shift toward fabrics that blend warmth, comfort, and elegance with everyday practicality....
The Future is Modest: Advocacy Through Fashion
Modest fashion isn’t a constraint, it’s a global movement rewriting beauty standards and reclaiming traditions long reshaped by colonization. For years, the mainstream fashion world favored women with revealed skin,...
Creating a Cozy Home
“Home is where the heart is,” isn’t just a cliche, it’s a motto to live by. Growing up, my home was always filled with fuzzy blankets, candles, bookshelves and incense....
Sacred Knowledge: Where Can I Get It?
It is incumbent upon each and every Muslim to know their faith. I’m talking about knowing one’s faith beyond just the five pillars and basic Sunday School information. We should...
Light in the Dark: Managing Mental Health in Shorter Days
As the days get shorter and the sun sets earlier than any of us would like, it’s easy to feel your mood dim right along with the daylight. Maybe you’ve...
Mental Health and the Muslim Ummah: Faith or Therapy
“Just make more du’a.” That is the common answer many Muslims hear when they’re quietly breaking inside. For someone struggling with depression, anxiety, or trauma, this response can feel like...