Who we are
Salamualaykum! I'm Maryam.
I created The Thriving Muslim to help fellow Muslims, just like me, who are striving to be the best versions of themselves in this life and the next, Inshallah.
I have a BSc in Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology from the University of Manchester. Psychology has always been my passion and I am still hoping to pursue a career in counselling or therapy, Inshallah. Mental health is something so many of us struggle with, whether it’s anxiety, depression, or the emotional ups and downs of life. Sometimes, these struggles make us question our worship or feel like we’re not “good enough” as Muslims. Other times, they show up as perfectionism, where we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves. I hope to help Muslims navigate these challenges in a way that nurtures both their well-being and strengthens their faith.
Alongside my background in Psychology, I have a deep passion for self-help and personal development. From Atomic Habits by James Clear to Deep Work by Cal Newport, I’m always exploring new ways to grow and improve.
But here’s the thing - I always felt that as a Muslim, there had to be more to it. Personal development usually focuses on worldly success, and while that’s important, I felt something was missing. I wanted to take what I was learning and use it to not only improve my life here but also strengthen my Iman (faith). I wanted my worldly pursuits to become a form of Ibadah (worship), too, knowing that we have a duty to build a fulfilling life on this Earth while also gaining rewards for the next.
I found that many of the principles I was learning in personal development already aligned with Islamic teachings. For example, in The 5AM Club, Robin Sharma emphasises the power of starting your day early for productivity and well-being. Similarly, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, "O Allah, bless my nation in their early mornings" (Sunan Ibn Majah), encouraging us to take advantage of the early hours of the day.
The same goes for mental health. Practices like gratitude, mindfulness, and meditation are often discussed in modern wellness and self-help strategies, but I couldn’t help but notice that Islam already teaches concepts like these, with Allah at the centre.
That’s how The Thriving Muslim came to be. I realised that Islam provides a comprehensive guide for life, and when combined with modern self-help and mental health strategies, it’s the ultimate formula for thriving spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and in our personal and professional lives. I want to highlight the beautiful overlaps between these two worlds and help you apply them to your life so we can thrive together.
Through my own struggles and experiences as a young Muslim woman, I’ve learned valuable lessons. Of course, learning and growing is a lifelong journey, but so far, through it all, I’ve found peace in Islam, our perfect and all-encompassing Deen. Life will always have its challenges, but it’s how we approach them that truly matters. By cultivating virtues like patience, gratitude, and trust in Allah, we can thrive no matter what life throws our way.
With love,
Maryam Kazmi
BSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology
