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Growing up as a young Muslim (part 1)

Growing up as a young Muslim (part 1)
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September 25, 2023
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For Girls age 11+

Hopes and Dreams

Do you remember when you were 7 years old, and someone asked you what you wanted to be when you grow up? The first thing that jumped through your mind was: I’m going to be an inventor, or an actor, a teacher, a lawyer. What about getting your own your own smartphone, or being able to get go to school on public transport. The world ahead looked full of possibilities waiting to be explored.

Brain is making new connections

As you grow up so much is happening in that brain of yours. It is constantly moulding, new connections are forming while old memories and connections are fading away. It is increasing in its ability to adapt and respond to new experiences and situations. It’s the brain’s way of saying, “Hey, I’m growing up”. What does that mean? Well – this is the best time to take up lots of constructive activities, like trying a new sport, picking up a new hobby or learning a new language. The more you engage in positive, creative and constructive activities, (as long as they are in the boundaries of Islam), the more skills and talents you’ll develop as you grow up. You never know you might be really good in chess, or maths or netball until you try it.

In a couple of years, you’ll be thinking about your GCSE choices and what you might want to pick at A levels and study at University, working towards that goal or dream you had when you were younger.

Growing up comes with changes too

Growing up can also come with a lot of changes in your physical and emotional self. Some of you might have shot up over the summer, your hair is much longer, you may begin to look more like your mum or your grandmother or aunt. Do you get some of these comments when you visit your aunt or your grandparents?

Aren’t you much more independent too? How many of you pack your schoolbag the night before without being reminded, or your PE kit? You have so much more to juggle in your head; whether it’s keeping up with growing number of school assignments, completing madrasa homework ahead of time, staying on top of your memorisation, after-school clubs etc.  

Some of you might have had that pep talk at home about growing up and about body changes with your mum and those topics can be a bit embarrassing. I think most of you have had these talks in PSHE in school.

There is so much to keep up with.

Islamic Guide to Puberty (girls)

Islamic Guide to Puberty (boys)

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Sabeen completed her studies in the United States graduating with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Public Health. She worked in project management in UNICEF and in education at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey. With a passion in Islamic history, and Quranic Arabic, always yearning to seek the truth, she started her Islamic journey professionally with Nurul Ilm Academy in Dubai in 2007, studying the Darse-Nizami curriculum and qualified as an Alimah. In 2014, she expanded her knowledge of Islam by participating in retreats and taking short courses at Utrujj with Shaykh Haytham Tamim. She continues to learn from Shaykh Haytham. She also studied Tafseer and Aqeedah at the Cambridge Islamic College under Shaykh Akram Nadwi. She continues her Arabic journey at Arabica Institute. Sabeen has been actively running Islamic circles for teenage girls to discuss contemporary issues and the Islamic narrative. She lives in London with her family and four children.

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