Raised in what may be considered a “normal” household in terms of societal standards, Islam had always been a part of my upbringing. Yet I wouldn’t call myself a “practicing Muslimah” then. I had odd, misinformed beliefs about my deen and pretty much everything else about myself.
Living in a dream world distinct from reality, I had an imaginative and creative mind that set me apart from my peers. I was sensitive, bullied, and an outcast because I didn’t fit the “norm”. I grew up with a dozen complexes ranging from the way I looked to questioning my intelligence.
Constantly held back by the fear of outcomes, I lived with the victim mindset and carried it forward with me for the most part of my life.
That was until there came a day when I had cried to Allah in sujood questioning the condition I was in and my seemingly hopeless circumstance. And Allah replied to my tears by putting forth an ayah in my vicinity, at a time when it was most impactful.
“…Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves….”
[Surah Rād: 11]
I experienced then, what I now know as, an “insightful moment”–a moment that transformed my very core. That day, I learned to put Allah first, above all else, in my life. I went from being a people-pleaser to a God-pleaser. And when I became a God-pleaser, I became this spiritually empowered human being who valued her self-worth. That day, I broke free from the shackles of my own making.
I started stepping out of my comfort zone and broke many dysfunctional patterns. I took the first step of several “first steps” to creating a life free from a culture-bound Islam and my own imaginary, limiting, false beliefs.
The result of those steps is what I am and where I am now, in this moment. الحمد لله
My greatest moments of despair had brought me closest to the knowledge of my Creator. It was when I found my Rabb, that I found myself, my purpose, and my calling.
As a Muslimah, I believe that we are all here in this dunya to serve a purpose. Now, as a Level 10 Muslimah Coach, I harbor one other belief–the belief that Allah has put me on this journey to lend a hand to my sisters in deen find their purpose as well.
That brings me here, where I am doing what I know to do best, in being–not just your coach, but also–your friend and ally.
I am Seema Azmath, and this is my journey.
Seema Azmath is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) as designated by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), she operates as an Islamic Life Skills Coach and a Youth Mentor. She has an education in psychology from both the secular and Islamic perspectives, as well as an education in Islamic studies.
She has over 6 years of experience as a Life Coach and has also under gone extensive professional training for the same.
She devised and co-founded Solace Islamic Assistance, a WhatsApp community service program. She was the architect of The Habit Effect Workshops conducted under the Solace Islamic Assistance banner.
She is the host of the Nafs Connection Podcast and runs various Group Coaching Programs including the The Nafs Connection Program, which has been her most successful programs so far.
