As a modest Muslim mum, you’re not someone who seeks out the spotlight. Your life is a quiet rhythm of responsibilities, worship, and family. You wear jilbab every day, a physical expression of your values and a barrier against a world often quick to judge.
So, signing up for the Trials & Tribulations challenge—a gruelling event involving freezing water, thick mud, slippery walls, and the promise of scrapes and bruises—would be completely out of character.
Why would someone like you, who treasures calm and avoids unnecessary fuss, willingly choose discomfort, pain, and exhaustion? The answer lies in a combination of faith, empathy, self-discovery, and a need to inspire action in others.
Imagine stepping out of your comfort zone, not just for the sake of your own growth, but to serve as an example for others. This is what the Trials & Tribulations challenge offers: an opportunity to embrace discomfort and connect with your faith, community, and self in a way that will leave a lasting impact.
A journey through hardship
We know that hardship has spiritual benefits. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us that even the smallest of discomforts can serve as a means of purifying the soul. While this challenge won’t guarantee you a ticket to Jannah, it will provide you with an opportunity to face physical discomfort with the intention of growing spiritually.
As you crawl through mud, wade through freezing streams, and push your body to its limits, remember that every moment of discomfort can be a moment of reflection. The hardships you face during the challenge will remind you of the patience and gratitude that are key to our faith. Embrace the discomfort, for it’s a chance to purify your heart while staying true to your values.
Empathy through experience
We often raise funds for those in crisis—refugees, displaced families, and communities in need. But how often do we truly connect with the struggles they endure? While Trials & Tribulations is a controlled, safe event, it offers a small glimpse into the hardships faced by so many around the world.
For a few hours, you will experience what it feels like to be cold, wet, and physically exhausted, yet still moving forward. While it may not compare to walking for miles with no certainty of food or safety, it will spark a deep sense of empathy and gratitude. Each step will be a prayer for those facing far greater challenges, and a reminder of why you’re raising funds in the first place.
Testing your limits
As a modest Muslim mum, you may feel that you’re naturally conditioned to stay within your comfort zone. After all, the demands of family life can be overwhelming. But there’s a part of you that wants to test your limits—to see just how strong and resilient you really are. The Trials & Tribulations challenge is the perfect opportunity to do just that.
This isn’t about winning or finishing with the fastest time—it’s about proving to yourself that you’re stronger than you think. There will be moments when you feel like giving up, when your body aches and your energy wanes. But as you push through, you’ll surprise yourself. The challenge will test you physically and mentally, but it will also show you that you are capable of more than you ever imagined.
Encouraging others to act
When you sign up for Trials & Tribulations, you’ll likely spark curiosity among those around you. People might ask, “You’re doing this in your jilbab?” But your decision to take on this tough challenge will inspire others to act.
Your effort won’t just be about your own personal achievement—it will serve as a reminder to others that modesty, faith, and strength go hand in hand. By embracing the challenge, you will show those around you that faith doesn’t limit your potential; it enhances it. Your discomfort will inspire action and contributions towards a cause greater than yourself.
Empowerment through humility
Empowerment isn’t about standing in the spotlight or proving something to others. It’s about understanding who you are and what you’re capable of. The Trials & Tribulations challenge is empowering because it’s humbling. It will remind you of your fragility, your dependence on Allah, and your ability to rise above your limitations.
Through it all, you’ll realise that modesty and physical challenge aren’t incompatible. Yes, your jilbab may get muddy and soaked, but you will remain true to yourself, and that, in itself, will be a victory.
Seeking discomfort in a comfortable world
We live in a time where comfort and convenience are often valued above all else. But there’s great value in seeking discomfort—whether physically, mentally, or spiritually. Trials & Tribulations will test your limits, build your character, and strengthen your faith. It will remind you of the blessings you often take for granted and help you connect with the resilience Allah has placed in all of us.
The challenge will be uncomfortable, messy, and exhausting, but it will also be deeply fulfilling. It will allow you to reconnect with your faith, your community, and yourself in ways that no other event can. And while you may have the privilege to choose your hardship, many others around the world do not.
A call to action
So, I challenge you to take on this experience. You don’t have to do Trials & Tribulations, but find a way to test yourself—whether physically, mentally, or spiritually. Use that experience to connect with others, inspire action, and grow as a person. Know that the hardest paths often lead to the greatest rewards.