‘When The Two Seas Meet’ is the debut book of Umm Muhammad & Mumtaz Raffi. The book mentions challenges faced by a mother-in-law, and how to overcome them with wisdom, dignity and grace. It enumerates different strategies on building a successful, healthy, and positive relationship with a Daughter-in-law. 

The book very beautifully portrays the journey of a mother to a mother-in-law. Being a MIL herself, the author Umm Muhammad very courageously points out the common but very important reasons why a MIL has a change of heart, which affects the whole dynamics of a family. 

She emphasizes to set right one’s priorities before starting this relationship. She points out different vices that are responsible for creating cracks in an otherwise beautiful bond. 

The book is divided into the following Chapters:

1. Bonding of Relationships
2. Mother-in-law’s Perspective
3. Embracing the Daughter-in-law
4. Expectations
5. Internal Struggles – Battling with Nafs
6. Crossing Borders
7. Finding Peace
8. Race Towards Goodness
9. Turning of a New Leaf
10. When the Two Seas Meet
    
    

Each chapter begins with a Quranic verse relevant to its title and content.

The book consists of practical, action based steps, and elaborates on how to: 

• Beware of shaytan
• Have good opinion of others 
• Be Tolerant & kind
• Excel in Goodness
• Build healthy boundaries
• Manage conflict
• Rectify a situation when things go wrong
  
  

The importance of patience, gratitude, istighfar, dua and adhkar are also emphasized. The book explains in detail how to strengthen ourselves physically, emotionally and spiritually. 

Although the book is written for a mother-in-law, it is equally beneficial for a daughter-in-law, as well as every member of a household, be it a father, son, daughter, etc.

What’s even more interesting is that the tips and techniques shared in this book are applicable for anyone going through issues in relationships or trials in life, teaching how to deal with them, and develop into a well balanced human being.

Chapter 9 of the book talks of a very important phase of a woman’s life which is overlooked almost always when considering her behavior, emotions and struggles. I was glad to see it addressed. 

The book is written very beautifully – full of positive vibes without any bitterness or blame-game. It is packed full of beneficial knowledge supported by references from the Quran and Hadith......

This book is a must read and I highly recommend it for everyone. I think this is the only book that addresses this topic in such a positive manner....