A butterfly, a crown, and a miracle -- a testimony of faith, Alhamudlillah.

السَّلَامُعَلَيْكُمْ

Thank you for visiting Monarch Marvels.

The inspiration for our brand is deeply rooted in my journey through loss, healing, transformation, and strengthened Imaan, Alhamdulillah.

In 2011, after losing a battle against a health condition that left me barren, I began grieving a loss that I couldn’t describe. One year later, my mother (Mummy), recognizing my ongoing grief, lovingly encouraged me to consider adoption. At that moment in time, I was struggling to accept my fate, and I wasn't ready to receive her suggestion in a hopeful way. A few days later, SubhanAllah, she suddenly passed away. May Allah (swt) have Mercy on her and accept her into Jannat ul Firdaus. Ameen.

Losing Mummy so unexpectedly further layered and intensified my grief and loss. During that very difficult time, SubhanAllah, I began noticing encounters with Monarch butterflies when I needed comfort most. Six months later, on February 5, 2013, a Monarch butterfly appeared to me in a vivid dream:

-----As I strolled through a beautiful garden, I heard my mother lovingly calling to me in a sing-song-like tone, "Sharmeen....! Sharmeen...!" Suddenly, a bright hue caught my eye, leading me to a beautiful Monarch butterfly. It's wings were spread across a green leaf, casting a dark blue wavy shadow. Curiously, I asked the butterfly, "Did you just call my name?" ----- SubhanAllah, that dream inspired my textured oil painting displayed in the photograph above. They were Mummy's paints...MashaAllah, she was an amazing artist...

Mummy's encouragement always sat cherished in my heart. Years later, Alhamdulillah, on the very first day of Ramadan 2017, we were finally registered to pursue building our family through adoption. Soon after, the Monarch butterfly began appearing again and again! It's presence became a recurring sign alongside many other beautiful miracles from Allah swt that unfolded our son’s arrival. We were chosen to become his loving parents on February 5, 2018 – five years to the day of my butterfly garden dream, Alhamdulillah.

Soon to follow, SubhanAllah, I encountered that very Monarch Butterfly from my dream as I strolled through a beautiful garden nearby (LINK TO VIDEO OF THIS ENCOUNTER TO COME).

Furthermore, our adoption agency performed our final Home Study visit on Eid al-Fitr 2018, exactly one year from Ramadan Day 1 of the year prior, bringing our journey full circle with a beautiful Eid bow! It truly felt as if Allah (swt) was tying a ribbon from the mother who loved me to the child I was chosen to lovingly mother: Isn't it marvelous? Alhamdulillah, the memory of this experience deepens my remembrance of Allah's (swt) Kindness, Compassion, and Mercy.

I started Monarch Marvels as an outlet of creative expression that honors our Creator and gives me peace and joy. I aim to create 'remarkably marvelous' lifestyle pieces (aka "marvels") that honor the Majesty of the King of Kings (Malik al-Mulk), the memory of the mother I lost, and the beautiful gift of motherhood through adoption, Alhamdulillah.

Because this journey is rooted in the mercy of hope and belonging, Monarch Marvels gives 5% of every purchase directly to Muslim orphans through Muslimi. To learn more about this organization, please visit Give Muslimi.

Lastly, Monarch Marvels is in pursuit of building The Butterfly Garden Foundation, InshahAllah, which will offer grants to qualifying Muslim couples to help fund their own adoption journey. If you or anyone you know can assist us in this vision, please email me at monarchmarvels@gmail.com.

Thank you for being here and allowing me your interest and time to share our journey and "marvels" with you.

Wishing you peace and joy!

JazakhAllah Khair,

Sharmeen 

P.S.

Please check out my blogs (coming soon!), InshahAllah, to marvel many more miracles sprinkled throughout our story, Alhamdulillah. I wish to share every detail with photos and videos, as encouragement and inspiration for those wishing to provide a loving home to an orphan in need. May your journey be full of Barakah and another Remarkably Marvelous story to be shared, InshaAllah, Ameen.