Historically, mainstream media often portrayed Muslim women as passive victims or "the Other". Today, a burgeoning wave of and halal romance is reclaiming these narratives.

All-American Muslim Girl - Courtney, Nadine Jolie - Amazon.com

Consequently, the romantic tension in Muslim-centric storylines is rarely about "will they or won’t they get together?" It is about:

| | Instead Do | |-----------|----------------| | The “oppressed girl rescued by liberal lover” | Show her agency. She makes choices within her values, even if they’re hard. | | All Muslim parents as tyrants | Show varied parents: supportive, conflicted, progressive, or strict—each with reasoning. | | Hijab as a tragic barrier to love | Show hijab as part of her identity. A love interest respects it, not “overcomes” it. | | Shaming her for past relationships | Many Muslim girls have had haram relationships. Portray repentance and growth without moralizing. | | Randomly inserting Arabic/Urdu words | Use naturally: “Insha’Allah,” “Mashallah,” “Habibti.” Define subtly via context. |

Traditional depictions of Muslim women in relationships and romance often rely on tired stereotypes and tropes. The "oppressed Muslim woman" narrative, for instance, portrays Muslim women as submissive and powerless, forced into arranged marriages and denied agency over their own lives. While this narrative may have been relevant in some contexts, it is woefully inadequate in capturing the experiences of Muslim women who are diverse, complex, and multifaceted.

The most common trope in Muslim romance is the arranged marriage storyline. However, contemporary authors are subverting this.