Modesty = Fashionless ?!

Assalamualaikum Sisters !!!
          I was just thinking of something today that bothered me. FASHION, well fashion doesn't bother me, but I am upset if is so hard to find fashionable clothing that is modest.  I have heard the argument that if you decide to wear the hijab there is no need to be fashionable. I disagree. As Muslim women we are still out in the work field;  employers cannot require us to dress provocatively, but dressing in a presentable way is a requirement for most jobs. So is it Haram to "dress up" a hijab? Earrings here, flower pin there? I for one support fashionable hijabs. I feel like it is a link connecting Islam and America. We keep our modesty, but are much more approachable to the average american that might be miss informed about Muslims and find a all black abaya and hijab daunting. I have noticed when I am out shopping, in school, or anywhere crowded people respond to me better when I am wearing colors or a little bit of jewelry. I will not compromise my modestly, but I do enjoy being a little fashionable from time to time.

Hijabi Poem

Pashmina prisons
Pinned up so tight
You could say we're oppressed,
But you wouldn't be right

The cotton confines us,
But you’re liberated
We are forced to stay covered
While your free to be naked

You see when I speak
My words are heard
No one is critiquing my body to
Determine my worth.

It takes courage to wear
The Hijab this is true
I am often misjudged
Because I don't dress like you

When I wake in the morning
And pin on my "suppression"
You think I am a prude
That lacks self-expression.

I have my own reasons
You might think me odd
I dress not for myself
But I dress for my God


Written by: Kareema Kouzer 11/26/11

Assalamualaikum
This is my own personal experience. To all my non-Hijabi sister this is in no way meant to be disrespectful and is aimed more toward American Media. I hope you enjoy!!!

Am I am Muslim?

Assalamualaikum Everyone,
      I have been busy with school, but I am making myself a promise to keep up with my blogging. I was looking for Hijab tutorials yesterday when I came across this video, the back ground music is a little annoying at times, but I thought the message was good. Although in this video the women wears a hijab for a experiment I am in no way trying to disrespect my non-hijabi sisters. My favorite part of the video is when she asks her friend "Am I a Muslim?" her friend then replies "All who summit to Allah (swt) are".

Who is Princess Hijab?!

Princess Hijab is an Anonymous street artists who works primarily in Paris, France. She has been known to "vandalize" billboards and subway signs. She adds an hijab to women in advertisements. It is been said she is protesting the french governments attempts to band the hijab. Supporters of Princess Hijab feel it is shameful for a women to be allowed to expose her body to sale various products but not allowed the modesty the hijab provides. Although being a white women in Texas I am often ostracized for wearing my hijab, I do it to please Allah and I am thankful for my rights to wear my hijab. Although I feel that defacing property is bad, I am proud of Princess Hijab for standing up for her rights. Insha'Allah the world will see her art and France will be moved to discontinue their attempt to band the beautiful hijab.

Something I wanted to share

I found this to be very inspiring and I hope you will too !!!
Mashallah 

alhamdulillah I am back !!!

Salam Alaikum !!!
Hello my sisters I have returned. My life had become so busy that I was unable to post, but I have managed to set aside a time just for posting. Thank you so much for the sisters who have contacted me, it meant a lot to me.
Well I will jump right in to my topic for today.


My topic is the puffy Khaleeji hijabs, personally I LOVE the look of them, but I have been doing my research and the Hadith book Sahih Muslim says: "...the women who would be naked in spite of their being dressed, who are seduced (to wrong paths) and seduce others with their hair high like humps. These women would not get into Paradise and they would not perceive the odour of Paradise, although its fragrance can be perceived from such and such distance (from great distance)". I am kicking myself for making that loofah volumizing hair band. I never considered the hijab to be "faking" more hair. I just thought it was trendy. I go to a predominantly white college in Texas, and after 9-11 people are very uncomfortable around hijabies. I stopped wearing black abayas with black hijabs; I try never to leave the house without a burst of color. It isn't about having men's lustful eyes on me, it is about making those not use to mu slims more comfortable, and about me feeling safe when I walk to my car at night. Am I wrong for this? please let me know your opinion 

Ma'assalama for now

Very Blessed

Allah Akbar, I am so fulfilled today. I was thanking Allah for all the blessings he has bestowed upon me since I have converted to Islam. Then it I realized I have always been blessed, but I just now have become aware of this and began thanking my God for the blessings in my life. I have met an amazing man and I am planning to marry. I am still new to the rules of the Islamic wedding, so I am a bit fearful. I want everything to be perfect, but his family is in Saudi and my family is still in shock I am a Muslim. I feel like I am on an island. I am thirsting for knowledge (not just about the process for Marriage, but for every aspect of Islam) but I have no Idea who to turn to or where to go. Serving Allah is my only goal, everything else is second. I want to do everything right, but there is so much I do not know. 

أنعم الله الرحمن الرحيم، لي مع المعرفة الهائلة اليوم

According to Google translator the tittle of today's blog means: Allah (the most merciful) has bestowed upon me great knowledge today. I was going through a hard time, I had stopped my daily prayers. That is the most important part of being a Muslim, besides your testimony and believe that Allah is the one true God and the creator and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was his last prophet. I had just gotten discouraged because I wasn't learning the Arabic as quickly as I had wanted. I am an English speaking women who has never spoken another language and I have a slight learning disability that make the written word hard for me to grasp sometimes. I wanted nothing more that to please Allah with my obedience and pray, but I let other discourage me. "YOU HAVE TO PRAY IN ARABIC !!" I heard this constantly so I decided to stop praying until I learned it. I feel like that was the worst decision I could have made. I have decided to do the best I can, using youtube videos and written notes to help me along until I am able to memorize the surahs. I have been a Muslim for 27 days only and before that I know of the pillars of faith and the core beliefs of Islam, but nothing more. This link inspired me to keep my faith and do what I can. As long as I keep Allah in my heart and Mind through-out the day I know he will guide me down the right path and help me to become proficient in my prayers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoJ5RK6UUBM This video link, an episode from The Deen Show has strengthened my faith, for any New Muslim convert, or non-Muslim considering converting I suggest checking it out.                                               -Salam (peace)

Bismillah

I never thought that a "white" women converting to Islam out of the blue would be easy. I new my Southern Baptist family would take sometime to get use to the idea. I knew acquaintances might not understand the moving experience that led to my conversion might doubt my sincerity, or be confused by the fact one day I was an average american, and the next a hijabie (wearing a hijab). I didn't really prepare myself for all the racism that I would face. Horns blaring at me while I am standing waiting for the bus, obscenities yelled from passerby's windows, rude commits at school, and other situations that sometimes made me fear for my safety. I have a new found respect for Muslim women in America. My Fiancee recommends I do not go out alone after dark, and whenever possible I do not, however two nights a week my bus from school does not drop me off until almost 10pm. It is very unfortunate our country is filled with so much hate. I am an american born women, who prior to converting to Islam served in the U.S. Army and I am still getting so much hate aimed at me; I truly feel for Muslim women in the U.S. who are from another country of origin. I am just surprised at the hate people can hold in there heart's for the unknown. I am saddened by this people, and I pray Allah will show them the error in their ways and move their hearts. Please pray for these people as well, thank you.

What the Veil ?!

Todays topic wearing a hijab. The Qur'an says :
“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! Turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss.” [Q 24:31]
So as a Qur'an abiding Muslim women it is expected of me to dress modestly and cover myself in the presents of men that could be potentially interested in me sexually.  So anyone who is male and not related. Obviously once you become a married women you can "unveil" yourself for your husband. I have always been a conservative dresser, so wearing the hijab can natural to me. I have to admit, I have never felt more beautiful, more powerful, and more virtuosoes than when I am wearing a hijab and a abaya. It is unfortunate so many women base there self-worth on their sexuality. Here in the U.S. women are denied jobs based on their looks. Also shameful establishments like Hooters, give young women a false impression about what being a women is all about. Real women respect themselves and conceal their bodies from public view. The curves of your body should be treated like a great treasure that is not given to just anyone. Sorry I got a little off topic lol. 
     While searching for Hijab tips (I only know one way to wrap a hijab so far and it is becoming a hassle) I found this link:  http://stylishmuslimah.blogspot.com/2010/02/hijabi-beginner-5-cons-of-hijab.html    I thought it was really cute so I decided to share.  I still haven't found a easy way to wrap my rectangular hijabs, if anyone knows a cut and easy way PLEASE message me. Thank you.

When you are blessed by Allah.....

I am amazed at the Wisdom my lord has bestowed  upon me just by speaking his praise. I feel as if I am a new women. Allahu Akbar !!! Even though I am still struggling with formalities, I feel as if I become closer to Allah. My Arabic is taking longer than I would like. I asked for guidance and strength. Why must we pray in Arabic?! I was born in the United States and before now have never even heard Arabic spoken. Muslim people are all over the world from every different country, so how could will tell another Muslim brother or sister if we shared no common tongue? It would be difficult right? Of course. Another thought that originally plagued my mind was, " Why are our Surahs (prayers) so uniformed? Times and wordings so precise. I realized that before converting to Islam I didn't take time to "Praise" God, because I was to busy "praying" for what I wanted. As a small child I prayed for a pony, as a teen I prayed a certain guy would asked me to the prom, as a young mother I prayed my tiny pay check would cover my expenses. Now my mindset has completely changed. I praise Allah and trust he will protect me from all harm. Most of the things I ever desired seemed superficial now. Blessed am I by Allah, that I have cloths to wear, food to eat, water to drink, and a roof over my head. So many are not as fortunate  as I.

Another Day

As I try to make it day by day, it seems Allah has already began testing my faith with money problems and relationship troubles; you name it, it's happening to me. Through it all I attempt to have unwavering faith. I chose this path, and I certainly never expected it to be easy. I guess I never thought it would be so hard so soon. Arabic is the hardest language I have ever seen. I am finding even memorizing a few lines for my surahs (prayers) very difficult. I need a boost of faith, a sister in Islam who is understanding and willing to walk this path with me, to share knowledge and to listen to my difficulties. So far I have found none, but I blog her hooping to relieve some of my tension. If anyone reads this, please pray for me to have guidance and stronger faith.

Teachings of my Lord

I have began reading the Qur'an daily. I am moving at a slow pace, because I do not speak Arabic, but know that if I am to pray properly I have to learn. So I listen to the Qur'an on audio as I read so I can hear the Arabic as I read the English translations. I am finding Arabic to be incredibly challenging. http://www.mounthira.com/ Is a site shared with my by a fellow convert to Islam. I find it to be incredibly helpful. All I knew when I started my Journey is that I wanted to serve my lord; I find myself learning everyday. Thank Allah for so many wonderful educational sites available. I am still  learning, and if anyone happens to read this and has been bless with an abundance of knowledge I hope Allah moves your heart to contact me, because I am a sponge who is eagerly awaiting more information.

First Post of a My New Life

Where do I start? My name is Cala and I have been Muslim for Four Days.
      I Guess I should give those of you Interested a little background information. I was born in a small down in Texas to a young Christian single mother. (Technically she was married to my father, but he when off to find work to support his new family and never came home.)  My biological father, who I saw only a few times in my life was Muslim, but inside the home I grew up in there was a divide. My mother was Baptist and her husband was Mormon. Growing up I always seemed to displease one parent while trying to discover my own religious identity; so for a long while I was spiritually dormant awaiting something, but I wasn't sure of what.
      Flash forward to Sunday, May 19, 2011 I had hit a all-time low, both spiritually and mentally. It seemed I was having problems in every aspect of my life and I have no release from the mental prison I was in. So I began to pray. I prayed HARD. As I laid in the darkness tears filled my eyes and I called out to God. I first I felt nothing, but still I continued calling out to Allah to hear my pleas. I prayed harder than I ever had about anything EVER. Then a miracle happened. As I lay on my bed surrounded by darkest....All the lights in my room came on. Not just on, but they seemed to shine brighter than I had ever seen them shine. I jumped up in amazement and partial fear, but I realized I had nothing to fear. Allah was with me, he had heard my pleas. I felt a fullness in my heart and soul like I had never felt before, and although I new little about Islam, I know Allah was my lord and must serve him for the rest of my life.