For a long time, I did not think much about money. Growing up, my mom handled everything and gave us a stable life. But we never really talked about finances, and I was pretty sheltered from what it actually took to manage money.

It was not until I became a mom that I started to see how overwhelming financial decisions could be. I wanted to make sure my daughter had what she needed, so I tried to figure things out like how to open a 529 account and start saving for her future. But every time I looked into it, I felt paralyzed. I would read advice from different family members, visit websites, and find myself stuck. I did not even know what I was looking at, let alone what to click.

Still, I started putting aside some money to buy her things and save for private school. I felt anxious and unsure but determined to figure it out.

Everything changed when I had twins. Suddenly, I was responsible for planning the future of three little humans. I had to make big decisions like hiring a nanny and reworking our entire budget. These were decisions that required me to take charge of my finances with confidence. It made me realize how powerful and freeing it is to be the one who understands and controls your money.

With three kids, I dove headfirst into financial education. I took multiple trainings, studied budgeting and investing, and slowly started to piece things together. But one big thing was missing. I wanted everything I was learning to be aligned with my faith.

So I went on a journey to halalify my finances. I consulted scholars, joined Muslim finance communities, and cleansed my accounts to ensure they aligned with my values. I wished so badly that someone had just shown me a simple, step-by-step way to do this.

That is when it hit me. Maybe I could be that person for someone else. 

I started helping friends and sisters set up their investment accounts. I showed them that you do not need to be wealthy or financially savvy to start. Just five dollars and a simple plan is enough to take the first step. I saw how many of them, like me, were overwhelmed by financial lingo and did not know who to trust.

And that is when I realized how much misinformation is out there, especially in the Muslim space. I have seen women fall prey to financial experts who sell them products they do not need or mislead them with bad advice. Worse, I have seen women stuck in financially abusive situations with no way out because they were not empowered to manage money on their own.

That is why I created LushedUp Finance: to make financial empowerment simple, faith-aligned, and accessible. I believe money is a tool, not a goal. When we use it with purpose and values, it becomes a way to serve ourselves, our families, and our ummah.

Since I began this journey, I have grown my net worth by seventy thousand dollars. I spend on things that matter to me and skip things that do not, without guilt. I automate my investing and feel at peace knowing I am building something meaningful for my kids.

This is not just about dollars. It is about power, choice, and freedom. I believe every Muslim woman deserves to understand her finances, feel confident in her decisions, and build wealth in a halal way that honors her values.