As a busy mother, I often felt like I was falling short in my pursuit of knowledge. Despite taking courses in tafsir, tajweed, Arabic, Seerah, and Islamic history, teaching classes, or organizing purposeful events for the community, I never quite felt like I was making significant progress or accomplishing anything.

Feeling lost, I once asked Dr. Rania Awad for advice, and her response felt like a warm hug. She said something like: "A bee sips nectar from different flowers and then produces delicious honey that benefits all. Keep engaging in Islamic work and learning—you will produce your own unique honey for others to benefit from." Her words filled my heart with contentment.

With Ramadan upon us, I had the honor of speaking with a group of busy mothers at VRIC about creating a barakah-filled, meaningful Ramadan while prioritizing our roles as mothers. Inspired by Dr. Rania’s wisdom and brought to life through my daughter’s artistic talent, I present to you the Barakah Bee—a reminder that we can plan acts of worship around prayer times and create our own special "honey."

Let’s be intentional this Ramadan and aim to continue these habits beyond it. And most importantly, let’s ensure our children taste the sweetness of our deeds through our character and presence in their lives. Swipe to see an example—make your own and display it somewhere visible!