Need PEACE OF MIND?

Need PEACE OF MIND? “ISLAM” is the best medicine for you and your family !!

A trusted cure that has of help many lives and families through many generations .

Suitable for All Ages!

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:: WARNING! ::

Known Side effect includes:

* habits such as constant exercise due to salat, healthy eating & trust in Allah.

* loss of Anxiety and Fear

* decreased appetite for Lying, Cheating, Stealing, Greed, Anger & Envy.

* increased sensation of Love, Joy, Peace & Contentment.

* craving for Knowledge, Modesty, Equity & Piety

If symptoms persist please contact the “Quran” or visit the nearest Islamic scholar!}

 Come to Allah Today!

Knock on the door and the door will open by the will of Allah (SWT)

Interview with Shareefah Andu -Life of a muslimah

This is one of muslimah i had always admired. She is based in Lagos Nigeria, a wife mother and entrepreneur. So read along and learn one or two ideas or ideal about being a true muslimah.

Three words best describe Shareefah Andu: Determined, driven and a goal getter. She opens up to Nkarenyi Ukonu on her life and all of the things she is involved in.

Shareefah Andu is every inch a Muslim woman and this is made all the more obvious by her veiled hair. But besides the veiled hair, her dress sense even though simple still makes her come across as a stylish person who doesn‘t compromise on good quality, vintage and timeless pieces of apparel.

She says, ”I wasn‘t covering my hair until 12 years ago. I went for hajj in 1998 and by then I was ready to do things the way the Quran spells it out, that a woman should cover her hair so that she will be noted as a Muslim and she will not be molested. Just like the Catholic nuns who will never go anywhere with their hair uncovered.

”So for me, it is the religious level I have gotten to that informed my choice to have my hair covered and still be stylish at the same time. I want to be seen to be coordinated, I don‘t just want people to see my hair covered, I want them to notice that it has been stylishly covered. I also think it suits me.”

Covering her hair and being stylish at the same time is not all there is to Abeokuta, Ogun State born Andu. The sociology graduate of the University of Ibadan is in fact many things rolled in one. Starting out as a journalist in charge of the children‘s pages in Nigerian Tribune Newspaper, she rose through the ranks to head the women‘s desk and after four years left for the banking industry for want of something more challenging to do and to earn something commensurate to her hard work. Berthing at Equitorial Trust Bank, she later left for the then Trans International Bank from where she decided to leave to run her own show. ”I decided to just stop working for anyone because I felt there were other things I could do. I started my business called Arabel because I found a vacuum to be filled. There were no shops where high quality Islamic materials were sold then, so I took the plunge, convinced that the business would do well,” 48 year old Andu explains.

Even though the shop which has been in existence for 12 years has become a success story, the restless soul that Andu is sought for other ventures that were intellectually stimulating rather than just doing buying and selling which she felt any green horn could do. ”In my fantasy, I feel as if I am a cloud, and can‘t be pinned down somewhere, I just like to express myself and do things my own way. I eventually went back to writing.

”I think I get a lot of fulfilment from writing and I think I should have remained in that profession all along but you know, God has a way of working things out for everybody. So in 2004, I wrote a Muslim book and the printer made a mistake, he just didn‘t get it right so I burnt the 2000 copies. I put in a lot of effort and wanted the production to be right, because if it isn‘t, people won‘t read it and all my efforts would have gone to waste.

”I would personally not read a book that isn‘t well produced, no matter what the content of the book is. I knew I had to do something really good, so I took it to another printer where I came across the daily devotional, something that isn‘t available in Islam and I knew there would be a need for it. Living in the light of Allah is quite popular and people love it.”

Not one to rest on her oars, she sought another void to fill. Andu whose way of life is guided by being genuinely kind, just and helpful to people decided to add another publication to her kitty. After writing and publishing the daily devotional for six years, she decided to start a bi-monthly life style magazine called Zephyr. ”I decided to write for everyone instead of just concentrating solely on Muslims. I saw another need to be met. I see a lot of magazines that are sectional, not all embracing and I wanted something that had an element of everything, something one would enjoy reading.”

In actual fact, the idea to float a lifestyle magazine was formed about four years earlier but the production was stalled for want of a proper and befitting name. A yet to be registered name, Zephyr meaning soft gentle wind was eventually chosen for it. ”It sounded nice, powerful, exotic and meaningful. I had decided within me that if the name was available, then that meant that God was speaking to me to go ahead with the magazine but if it wasn‘t, then it meant I would have to drop the idea of floating a magazine forever. Luckily it was available.”

Just two months old, Andu says of the magazine, ”The reception has been wonderful, people have started to accept it, they love it very much and it has been encouraging. I believe it is going to be everywhere and I say with all sense of modesty that with time, it would be very unstylish not to have a copy of Zephyr.” Asked why the magazine is bi-monthly, she says, ”Because I have my hands in a lot of pies. I decided to test run it on a bi-monthly basis to see how it would turn out but I intend for it to become a monthly magazine eventually.”

Somewhat a surprise that a hardcore Muslim like her doesn‘t shy away from expressing her inner self or fantasy in whatever form without any inhibitions, she tries to debunk the notion. ”I don‘t think Islam has anything to do with trying to suppress one‘s fantasy and I do not think Muslims should have any inhibitions about anything. I haven‘t done anything that is un-Islamic, everything I have done is within Islamic injunctions. Everything I have done is what anyone can do regardless of what religion you practise. I am not a timid person, I am a goal getter.”

Continuing, Andu who lived a comfortable life growing up because her mother, Shifaa Adebimpe provided for them says, ”My mother always told myself and my only sister that there is nothing we cannot do. I remember the first time I was going to drive to Ibadan from Lagos, I was so scared, but my mum talked me into it saying I could do it. She encourages us to do anything. So right from a very young age, taking bold steps has always been a part of me, there is nothing I want to do that I cannot do as long as it isn‘t obscene, illegal or unethical.

”I know people who have worked in about eight, nine places in about 12 years. I try to stay at least five years in one place but I just get so restless I have to do more because I believe that the human capacity is so elastic, we don‘t use 40 per cent of what we can actually do. We can stretch ourselves. I know I can still stretch myself and I can still keep going.”

Wondering how she finds the time to do all of the things she is involved in and if she ever makes out time to unwind, Andu who isn‘t biased about having members of staff who are Christians offers. ”I don‘t know how, I just know that I get them done. When you love to do something, you don‘t feel it is a big chore. I like to work, work is like a stimulant for me. But really why are we here, to just eat, sleep, go to parties? You have to be able to do things and see that you are doing things. For me that is what I enjoy doing and then I read a lot, comics especially. I only go to parties as a matter of obligation, if I have my way, I won‘t attend any because I do not really enjoy parties.”

She considers her greatest challenge to be when she mismanaged funds at the initial stage of her business. ”It was the most challenging period of my life but I came out of it stronger and better experienced. I just knew that there would always be light at the end of a tunnel, so I held on to that as it gave me confidence that I would survive and get over it, and I did.”

Even though she feels her best is yet to come, she however feels that one singular daring move she has ever made in her life was when she went on a tour of the South-West by road. ”I think that tour was one of the reasons I got broke in the first instance. I was on the road for one month. I hired a big truck, costing N500,000 to ferry a big container of Islamic stuffs I brought in from Dubai and I was going from place to place exhibiting them with big media coverage. I was just having fun trying to build a brand but for people, that wasn‘t a way to run a business.”

SOURCE: PUNCH online by By Nkarenyi Ukonu –

Islamic Clothing Requirements

< This is a very important and highly talked about topic… and here is a nicely  and simply put piece that explains the requirements . May Allah make it easy for us!>

Source of Rulings on Islamic Dress:

Islam gives guidance about all aspects of life, including matters of public decency. Islam has no fixed standard as to the style of dress or type of clothing that Muslims must wear. However, some minimum requirements must be met.

Islam has two sources for guidance and rulings: the Qur’an which is considered to be the revealed word of Allah, and the Hadith or traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, who serves as a human role model and guide

1st Requirement: What parts of the body are to be covered:

The first bit of guidance given in Islam describes the parts of the body which must be covered in public.

For women: In general, standards of modesty call for a woman to cover her body, particularly her chest. The Qur’an calls for women to “draw their coverings over their chests,” and the Prophet Muhammad instructed believing women to cover their bodies except for their face and hands. Most Muslims interpret this to require headcoverings for women. Some Muslim women cover the entire body, including the face and/or hands.

For men: The minimum amount to be covered is between the navel and the knee.

2nd Requirement: Looseness:

Islam also guides that clothing must be loose enough so as not to outline or distinguish the shape of the body. Skin-tight, body-hugging clothes are out, for both men and women. When in public, some women wear a cloak over their personal clothing as a convenient way to “hide their curves.” In many predominantly Muslim countries, men’s traditional dress is somewhat like a loose robe, covering from the neck to the ankles.

3rd Requirement: Thickness:

The Prophet Muhammad once warned that in later generations, there would be people “who are dressed yet naked.” See-through clothing is not modest, for either men or women. The clothing must be thick enough so that the color of the skin it covers is not visible, nor the shape of the body underneath.

4th Requirement: Overall appearance:

The overall appearance of a person should be dignified and modest. Shiny, flashy clothing may technically meet the above requirements, but defeat the purpose of overall modesty.

5th Requirement: Not imitating others:

Islam encourages people to be proud of who they are. Muslims should look like Muslims, and not like mere imitations of people of other faiths around them. Women should be proud of their femininity and not dress like men. And men should be proud of their masculinity and not try to imitate women in their dress. For this reason, Muslim men are forbidden from wearing gold or silk, as these are considered feminine accessories.

6th Requirement: Decent but not flashy:

The Qur’an describes that clothing is meant to cover our private areas, and be an adornment (Qur’an 7:26). Clothing worn by Muslims should be clean and decent, neither excessively fancy nor ragged. One should not dress in order to gain the admiration or sympathy of others.

Beyond the Clothing: Behaviors and Manners:

Islamic clothing is but one aspect of modesty. More importantly, one must be modest in behavior, manners, speech and appearance in public. Dress is only one aspect of the total being, and merely reflects what is present on the inside of a person’s heart.

Is Islamic clothing restrictive?:

Dress requirements are not meant to be restrictive for either men or women, and most Muslims who wear modest dress do not find it impractical. Many people continue with their activities in all levels and walks of life.

SOURCE: islam.about.com

With Hijab – you can still be what you’ve always wanted to be

<At “the timeless LIGHT”,we will continue to encourage our sisters towards modest dressing; so here is a video posted to motivate our non hijabs(who wish to someday use hijab or use it occasionally) and to say well done to our sister in hijab!>

Working Muslim women

It is well established that Allaah allows women to make choices in regards to balancing responsibilities within and outside of the home. Muslim women choose to work outside of the home for various reasons. Some want to supplement the income of their husbands in order to achieve higher living standards.

Others want to establish college and other educational savings for their children. Apart from a few career-oriented women, a large majority of women work because they have to. Like other women who work, Muslim women have the primary responsibility of tending to the needs of their homes and families in addition to maintaining their careers.

However, working outside of the home poses a number of challenges for Muslim women. The challenges exist not only because believers are in a day-to-day struggle to please Allaah but because nearly everything in non-Muslim societies is in direct conflict with the Islamic way of life. Muslim women must constantly guard against pressures to engage in social norms that contradict Muslim’s way of life. Muslim women who work experience a great test in their faith. There are many struggles in today’s work environment that make it very hard to balance Islamic principles and practices with those of West’s work culture. This article will examine working Muslim women’s challenges with regard to Hijaab, Muslim communication at work, the obligations and requirements of the Prayer, the obligations and requirements of Halaal dieting (Islamic dietary code that tells what foods are allowed for consumption), work relationships with non-Muslims, Islamic etiquette at work, and business ethics.

Hijaab: To cover or not to cover

The Quran and the Sunnah teach Muslim women that men and women are equal and that individuals should not be judged according to gender, beauty, wealth, or privilege. The only thing that makes one person better than another is their character. They also teach that women must dress modestly and maintain a proper Hijaab. The Quran, for example, states what means: “And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: and they should not display beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they must draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband’s fathers, their sons, their husband’s sons, or their women, or their slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who are not aware of the private aspects of women.”[The Quran 24:31]

In reality, however, Muslim women who work have many different ways of handling Hijaab. Some women shy completely away from wearing Hijaab out of fear that it will invoke some form of opposition from their manager and coworkers. They practice a chameleon approach, wearing Hijaab when they feel it is “safe” or when it is more conducive for a particular activity. For example, they may wear Hijaab only when they attend the Mosque or when they perform the Prayer. Other Muslim women wear Hijaab whenever they leave their homes. They wear Hijaab in an effort to achieve piety, faith, to please Allaah, to maintain their identity or simply because they feel wearing Hijaab is beautiful. Some women wear Hijaab at work to assert that judgment of her physical person is to play no role whatsoever in social interaction.

By wearing Hijaab to work these women are more visible. Due to a lack of understanding about Hijaab, they are perceived as oppressed, passive and unintelligent. There is a tendency for women who wear Hijaab to standout, leaving them vulnerable to taunting and discriminators practices by many. These perceptions have profound ramifications for women who aspire for executive, management-level, and supervisory positions. There is also a tendency for Muslim women to be overlooked for promotions.

One Muslim woman who wears Hijaab explained that a Muslim woman who does not wear Hijaab at her place of work made her life at work miserable. On the other hand, the manager of this woman who wears Hijaab, who happens to be non Muslim, was very accommodating. The manager authorized the installation of a door for her office cubicle so that she could the Prayer in private. She was the only employee besides her manager with a door. She was also allowed to leave two hours every Friday so that she could attend the Friday congregational prayer.

Working Muslim women approach wearing Hijaab a different way. From the moment I converted to Islam until now, I’ve gotten the whole gamut of strange looks, stares, and covert glances. As a professional with two graduate degrees, I wear the Hijaab that covers my hair, neck, and bosom. I wear a Jilbaab to cover the curses of my body. I do this because I believe my body should be kept private and is only to be seen by my husband. I admit that the way I cover has changed as I gained more understanding about my religion or way of life. I wore a partial Hijaab out of fear of how full Hijaab would look on me, out of fear of what co-workers would think of me and treat me, and out of fear of how the world would view me.

Women in America are still heavily judged by their physical appearance. Yet Muslim women learn that modesty is all-good and that modesty (Hayaa’) does not bring anything except good (Muslim).

It is important that we understand that wearing Hijaab is a matter of religion not a personal choice. It is an obligation that must be fulfilled by every believing woman. How a woman decides to wear Hijaab is personal. As Muslims, we must do what brings us closer to Allaah and makes us better people in preparation for the Hereafter.

Muslim communications

Islam teaches us that Muslims are obligated to greet one another. The Prophet Muhammad, , taught that one should greet a Muslim with “Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allaah” or “assalaamu alaykum’ when meeting another Muslim and before speaking to another Muslim. When a Muslim is greeted, the proper response should be at least to or better than the initial greeting. The better greeting is “May the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon you” or “wa alaykumuassalam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

As described in the previous section on Hijaab, Muslims can also have indifferent and sometimes antagonistic relationships with one another in the workplace. While it is ideal for Muslims to acknowledge one another, many Muslims refrain from using the greeting in certain places. In terms of the workplace, some Muslims prefer to camouflage themselves amongst non-Muslims. Some feel the greeting should not be used in professional settings that are predominantly non-Muslim. This poses a concern for women who wear Hijaab in the workplace. Personally, I have experienced what seems to be ‘shamefulness’ amongst Muslim women in the workplace. Even if a Muslim woman responds with Salaam, sometimes it is in a mumbled form that is barely recognizable as a greeting. Whatever the reason, we must be proud as Muslims and acknowledge one another. One Hadeeth says: “Muslims should greet those people that they know as well as those people that they do not know.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] Muslims should be bold and greet Muslims in the workplace and everywhere in an enthusiastic manner. The Muslim that initiates the greeting will receive blessings.

Obligations and requirements of the Prayer:

Adhering to obligations of the Prayer is not always a challenge for Muslim women who work. Some workplaces designate an area or room for Muslims to perform the Prayer, while others choose not to address the issue. In some cases requests or accommodations are declined all together. In Islam, we know that performing Prayer is fundamental to believing in God. The Prayer is each Muslim’s time to connect and communicate with Allaah. One of the benefits of the Prayer is for our sins to be washed away.

In cases when there is not a designated place to perform the Prayer, Muslim women have to find creative ways to fulfill what Allaah has commanded. Here are some practices that have worked for me. At my place of work, there is not a designated area for the Prayer. At one time, I chose a public area that was out in the open. Later, I was advised that performing the Prayer alone in public may jeopardize my physical safety. I began to make up my Prayers when I returned home. However, over time, deferred Prayers, usually Thuhr (noon) and ‘Asr (afternoon), turned into an accumulation of missed Prayers. If I had to make errands after leaving work, Maghrib (sunset prayer) was added to the Prayers I missed. Finally, I decided to perform the Prayer at my desk while sitting down. This has worked for me so far. Allaah does not want the believers to endure unnecessary difficulties. When the prophet Muhammad, , was asked which deed is the best, he, , said: “Performing the Prayer at its due time.” [Muslim]

I also experienced other challenges with regards to the Prayer. Out of fear of what others would think about me when I made ablution (the ritual purification before prayer) in the ladies room, I would try to make ablution when I thought no one was in the ladies room. As I grew in confidence and faith, I began to make ablution whether there was anyone in the ladies room or not. The Quran Says (what means): “O you who believe! When you intend to offer the Prayer, wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to the ankles” [Quran 5:6]

The Prayer is a pillar of Islam and must be made in a fashion that fulfills all of its requirements. And this fact is becoming increasingly known in the business world. I have heard of countless situations where managers and companies have done all they could to accommodate Muslim employees’ need to offer the Prayer. It is best therefore to make it known to your employers and to ask of them such accommodation.

Obligations and requirements Halaal dieting:

The best way for working Muslim women to maintain a Halaal diet at work is to bring a lunch. If she wants to have lunch in the food court, she should select foods that are Halaal. The Quran and Hadeeths tell us that food from the People of the Book is permissible. It says, “The food (slaughtered animals) of the People of the Book is permissible for you.” [Quran 5:5] However, in a food court or fast food setting, we can not determine whether the food is made from people of the book. Thus the safest way to adhere to a Halaal diet at work is by eating permissible foods or by bringing a lunch from home.

Work relationships with non-Muslims

Some Muslim women work in an Islamic environment. Working in an Islamic environment enables women to flourish in the religion. However, most Muslim women are a very small minority in their respective workplaces. When the ratio of Muslim and non-Muslims favors non-Muslims, Muslim women have to decide whether they will become a recluse and stay to themselves at work or if they will mingle with their non-Muslim counterparts. In choosing to mingle with non-Muslims, certain behaviors and conversations that are inappropriate may arise. In such instances, it is best for Muslim women to excuse themselves from the situation. The Quran says what means: “And it has already been revealed to you in the Rook (this Quran) that when you hear the verses of Allaah  being denied and mocked at, then sit not with them until they engage in a talk other than that; (but if you stayed with them) certainly in that case you would be like them.” [Quran 4:140]

Islamic etiquette at work

Sexual harassment and gender biased discrimination affects all American women. In America, women are viewed as sexual objects. This perception impacts women in the workplace. Thus, those who wear Hijaab feel more protected than their non-Muslim and non- covering Muslim counterparts.

If a male boss asks a Muslim woman to sit next to him at a social gathering should she do it? How should she respond to a male co-worker who hints that he is interested in her? Islamic law prohibits men and women from mixing without necessity. When men and women are together, the natural sexual attractiveness could lead them into temptation. Islamic etiquette provides guidance for situations in which mixing between men and women are unavoidable for societal necessity. The Quran says ‘Awrah (all parts of a woman’s body except for the face and hands) must be covered as prescribed by Islamic law [Quran 24:31] It also states that men and women who are strangers to one another have to lower their gaze” [Quran 24: 31] If a man and woman talk to one another they must be respectful of one another. An atmosphere of dignity with Taqwa (piety) of Allaah must be maintained during the whole period of interaction [Quran 24:31]. The Quran says what means, “Help one another in virtue, righteousness, and piety; but do not help one another in sin and transgression.” [Quran 5:2] Any Muslim woman who chooses to work must know Islamic laws regarding men-women interaction and do her best to let others be aware of them and maintain them.

Business ethics

Working Muslim women meet people from all walks of life with various personalities and people who practice various ethical norms. Sometimes managers and co-workers engage in unethical behaviors. For example, if a manager misrepresents the hours he or she has worked by exaggerating the time they have worked, they will get paid for time they did not work. In order to bring others into the deceptive practice, they may suggest that other workers engage in the same practice. Although it may seem clear that one would not choose to go along with this practice and other forms of deception like it, the Nafs (human desires) are very strong, especially if the there is economic need to receive a complete or inflated pay check. Instead of engaging in such practices, she should find ways to make up missed work hours or report the hours she worked accurately. The Quran teaches Muslims to honor contracts and obligations, it says what means: “O you who have believed, fulfill (your) obligations.” [Quran 5:1] It is absolutely Haraam (unlawful) for the Muslim to lie, cheat or otherwise be dishonest in carrying out any job big or small.

When determining the degree to which they will assimilate, Muslim women must refrain from backbiting, stealing, cheating, or any other unacceptable behavior that undermines their religion. Treating issues of backbiting and slander with indifference is serious because it is a great sin. Although the lure of gossip amongst managers and co-workers is strong, Muslim women must refrain from such activity. It is detrimental to faith. Many Muslim women engage in backbiting and gossip without thinking about it. They think it is a minor matter; however, Allaah reminds us to be careful. Even though Muslim women think they are doing something little, it is in fact very big in the sight of Allaah. The Quran says what mean: “Behold, you received it on your tongues, and said out of your mouths things which you had no knowledge; and you thought it to be a light matter, while it was most serious in the sight of Allaah ” [Quran 24:15]

For those women who have to work, the challenges of today’s work environment are serious, but a sincere Muslim women who does her best to know her Islam and tries to maintain being a Muslim, meeting these challenges are not impossible.

SOURCE: http://www.islamweb.net/womane/nindex.php?page=readart&id=148886

BY SAFIYAH YUFENU

Sceptical Sister to Modest Fashionista – how to dress modestly using your current wardrobe

<Here is a new addition to our “modesty made easy” series courtesy  “sister has style”. Modesty doesn’t have to make feel enslaved. Free yourself and get creative.. i hope  this beautiful piece brings you more ideas insha Allah!>

I’ve made a commitment to go modest – do all of my clothes have to go into the charity bag?

I recently had a conversation with a good friend of mine, who has decided to start to wear a headscarf, and dress more modestly. I’m very pleased for her, and was glad to offer her some advice on how she can adapt her current wardrobe, just as I did when I made the same transition myself six years ago.

When a woman makes a commitment to adopt a new modest way of dressing, she will inevitably have many items of clothing that she no longer feels are appropriate for her. As making this commitment is an exciting time for most women, she may feel as though she wants to just start all over again when it comes to her wardrobe, not seeing how she can suddenly become modest wearing the same clothes she did before. However, this will often be a mistake, especially as most women are not in a financial position to buy a whole new wardrobe straight away, and she may soon start to miss her old clothes if she does not have many new ones to replace them with.

If a woman is smart, she can still make use of many of the items she already owns, without having to make too many new purchases. Most of her clothes are also likely to still be suitable for wearing around the house, when she’s with her husband, or at all female gatherings. This also enables her to still express her more “daring” side when it comes to her clothing. Follow these tips for lengthening the life of your current wardrobe:

Sleeveless tops. These can be worn underneath cardigans, either with the cardigan open if the top is not too tight, or with the cardigan buttoned otherwise. Sleeveless tops with a high neck are perfect for teaming underneath low cut tops. Another nice look to try is putting a sleeveless top under an open shirt in warmer weather.

Low cut tops can be worn with a high necked vest underneath

Tight pants and jeans can be worn with long tops

Vests. These will come in handy. They can be worn under sweaters or shirts in cold weather, or for around the house in summer. If your fortunate enough to own high necked vests, they can be used in all sorts of ways including under low necked tops, but if the vest is low cut, they are still great for keeping warm in winter.

Cocktail dresses. Most women will own at least one cocktail dress they simply cannot part with. These can be worn at home, or at female only parties. Why not arrange a dinner party for your friends, so that you can all get dressed up and even if your dress is short, you can make use of your tights or ¾ leggings and slip them on underneath. Depending on the style of your dress, you can also try wearing it with dressy pants underneath and placing a dressy shrug cardigan on top, and still wearing it to all of your evening functions. If you’re married, surprise your husband once in a while by greeting him at the door all dressed up when he’s not expecting it.

Long evening gowns. Having the obvious advantage of length, these can be salvaged by adding a cute evening cardigan or jacket on top, along with a high necked vest underneath if the neck line is low. Alternatively, you can try a stretchy long sleeved top underneath (in the same colour as the dress), although the workability of this depends on how tight the dress is.

Sportswear can be worn when working out at home, or at a ladies only gym.

Tops with ¾ sleeves can still be made use of with “sleeves” some are readily available in most Islamic stores, or can be made fairly easily.

Short tops. These can easily be worn with loose fitting skirts

Skirts below the knee but not not to the ankle, can be worn with long low-heeled boots

Tights / leggings. These are a must under skirts in cold weather, and even under pants, so definitely hang onto these.

Remember that you can wear an abaya / jilbaab over almost anything, which is a good option in certain situations.

If you have decided you want to start to wear a headscarf, you will find that many of the scarves or wraps that you already have will serve as a head cover. It is recommended to wear an underscarf also, which is like a wide elasticated headband, usually of cotton or sometimes lace, as these keep your hair neatly in place and your headscarf from moving around too much. Use any kind of pin, clip, or hairslide to secure the scarf in place.

What you may want to consider buying straight away:

Long cardigans, with long sleeves
Long skirts
“Sleeves”
Long sleeved stretch tops

Following these tips can help to lengthen the life of an existing wardrobe, but after a while it can become tiresome having to always think about what item goes with which, and having such restrictions in general. It is preferable to begin right away by only buying items that can be worn alone, rather than requiring another top or sleeves to wear with it and only being able to wear it with a particular skirt or pants. Doing so will make getting dressed in the morning easier and usually results in appreciating your items of clothing a lot more.

SOURCE: http://sisterhasstyle.blogspot.com/2010/03/skeptical-sister-to-modest-fashionista.html

What You are ?? Flower or Pearl ????

***What You are ?? Flower or Pearl ????***

Once Flower met a Pearl.

Flower:”Our family is large;roses n daisies r members of d family.There r many having distinctive scent,appearance etc.Suddenly, a tinge of distress appeared on flower.

Pearl:”Nothing accounts 4sorrow in ur talk, then y r depressed?”

Flower:”Human deal wid us carelessly;not grow us4 our sake but2 get pleasure 4m our fragrance n beautiful appearance,n throw us on de street/garbage after using us.The flower sighed and said “Tell 2me abt ur lyf! Hw do u feel it.U r buried in de bottom of de sea.”

Pearl:”Although I hv none of ur distinctive colors/scents, humans think I’m precious.They do the impossible 2procure me.I live in a thick shell isolated in de dark seas.However, I’m happy n proud 2b in safe zone far 4m wanton n mischievous hands n still de humans consider me highly valuable.”

Think wht de Flower n de Pearl symbolize?

The Flower is de unveiled woman(who shows her charms)

&

The Pearl is the veiled woman(who conceals her beauties)

“DECIDE UR SELF DEAR SISTERS WOT U WANNA BE??”

A Pearl ?
A Flower ?

SOURCE: MUSLIMAH- A REAL PEARL-http://www.facebook.com/pages/Muslimah-A-Real-Pearl-/77982922701?v=info

Hijabis in Hoods … ~~Modest dressing made easy~~ series 1

<<“Modest dressing made easy” is aimed at encouraging fellow sisters and finding  solutions to dressing modestly as a muslimah. >>

Hijabis in Hoods by HANA

Hijabs and Hoods

One of the first things I ever made after I became Muslim was a hooded top. I liked the style so much that I made a more elegant version for my wedding outfit! They are so versatile, and let you change your look in an instant. The other great thing about them is that even if your hijab slips you never get the back of your neck on show. As you are well aware by now I love layering and that doesn’t stop when it comes to my head! Hoods can be worn whatever your style from urban ’sweats’ style hoodies to long elegant hooded gowns.

Hijab Fashion Diary

When I visited Morocco recently most of the sisters I saw wore jilbabs with hoods. It was interesting though because they didn’t wear them up, instead they were almost designed to be worn down with tassels and all sorts hanging from them. It was quite nice because from the back you could see the folds of the head scarf turn into the folds of the hood all ending with a little embellishment; subtle but very inventive.

Hide Behind Your hood

Coming back to the Issue of being a hijabi in a western country a hood is a good way to blend in. I find that if I’m wearing a hooded top that looks kind of western in style, then even though it’s obvious I’m wearing a scarf underneath, I don’t get as many of the eyes (you know the ones where they look at you like you’re guilty of something). It’s a good blend of protecting and showing my identity without sticking out like a sore thumb!

SOURCE: posts by Hana -on http://www.stylecovered.com/2009/02/18/hijabis-in-hoods/