Shukr - Sizing

Shukr's sizes run bigger than the measurements they give. I sadly had to send all of them back and will order smalls instead of mediums. Their measurements are odd and I bought mediums based on the inches they provided. Sadly, they ran too big. However, excellent craftsmanship on both skirts.

Hopefully second time's a charm.

Salaam

O Ye Who Believe

"O ye who believe" is repeated often in the Qur'an.  As I am reading I am noticing that the Qu'ran is not referring to only muslims.  It refers to those that believe in God as "people of the book" which is intended to include Jews and Christians.  The Qur'an is speaking to all three religions, not just the muslims.  It is referring to ye who believe in one God.  In fact, it seems to be written with the assumption that you have read the Torah and the Bible.  It makes multiple references to passages of both books.

I am enjoying this focus on God and not "son of God".  And the Qur'an seems to be well aware that humans are not perfect.  It also touches on the idea that their may be more than one way to paradise.

There will be random posts such as this as I make my way through the Qur'an.  Think of them as notes.

Three New Books

I have three new books on the way yay!

101 Questions and Answers on Islam by John Renard.    It has been highly recommended for explaining Islam to Catholics.  I intend to turn this over to my mother after I have read it along with "Daughters of Another Path".

No god but God by Reza Aslan.  Looking forward to this very philosophical book.  I will most likely read this first.

The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi.  I read this a long time ago but never owned a copy.  It is amazing and I highly recommend it.  The movie is also fantastic.  Don't let the fact that it is a graphic novel fool you.  Same goes for Blankets. READ BLANKETS.  One of the best books I have ever read is Blankets.  I intend to find a way to teach one of these books if, Insha'Allah, I get to be a teacher.

So once I'm done reading I plan to do a little review let you all know how they are and if they are worth checking out.

Salaam

Why There Are No Annoying Islamic Preachers

I have a theory, bare with me :)

I have been reading the Qu'ran slowly so I can soak it in and so far it agrees quite well with me.  The first part deals a lot with all three religions and their co-existence.  According to the Qu'ran there is nothing wrong with being Christian or Jewish.  In fact, if you are Christian, Jewish or anyone else that submits yourself to the one true God you have a chance of going to Heaven, Jannah etc.   Which is exactly how I have always felt it's just really nice to have one of the holy books finally agree with me.  Now, of course, the Qu'ran brings up issues within the other religions like Judaism's refusal to recognize some of the prophets since they believe The Prophet has not come yet or the Christian view on Christ being a literal son of God (never could get my head to agree with that one) but it never bashes these views only suggests that they may be slightly askew.  Although it does down right say Christianity might be wrong about Jesus.  But if the Christians didn't believe he was the son of God then the basis of Christianity would disappear...but that is another post.

So this brought me to a rather entertaining thought.  I'm sure you have all seen them, especially if you live in a big city.  You know, the bible pushers that yell about Jesus and the Hell fire and everyone needing to be saved.  They are especially annoying at 8am on the way to work.  These people drive me insane.  I HATE when people try to force their religion down my throat.  It is wrong and disrespectful to that religion.  

But it got me thinking.  Why do you never see annoying Islamic preachers out and about?  I've certainly never seen one.  And I think this may be because Muslims feel they have less to prove.  They don't need to prove their way is the right way or else because, according to the Qu'ran, you can be saved even if you aren't a Muslim in an Islamic sense.  

Or maybe, it is because it is down right rude to preach and attempt to force someone to listen about your beliefs.  You believe that, great, but I don't want you to shout in my face about it as you shove your little flyers into my hand (yes this has happened).  AH Can't stand it!

Anywho, I could be wrong but it sure makes sense.

Salaam

Shukr Sale and new Abaya

I did some retail therapy last night and bought two skirts from Shukr.  If you order before September 28 you can use the coupon code FITR20 to get 20% off.

It is really hard to find long skirts in my neck of the woods.  Summer ones are really easy but if you want fall or winter weight forget it.  I've been trying to find a long denim skirt forever but  have had no luck so when I saw this one I had to try it.  IT HAS POCKETS!  I love pockets

I also use to own a navy blue school girl skirt that came to my knee.  I miss it so, therefore this skirt was also a neccesity.  IT HAS POCKETS TOO!

 I can't wait till they get here.  So awesome!

Shukr Online USA

Also, I bought another abaya from desertstore.com.  This one is a navy-bluish color that looks like a dress coat.  I've been saving to pick it up since I bought my first one.  It is going to be perfect for this fall.  My plan is to use it has a coat.

www.desertstore.com

YAY can't wait!

Salaam!

At Least Wear Hijab at The Mosque

For the love of all that is good and holy you can at least wear hijab in a mosque.  I was shocked when I walked into the mosque for the first time to not only see women without scarves but in short sleeved shirts as well.  One or two were heavily made up and wore tight clothing.  Now, ok, if you don't want to wear hijab in your daily life that is your choice, but have some respect when you go to the mosque.  It will not kill you to wear a long sleeved shirt and scarf.  If  I, a non-muslim, can walk into a mosque in an abaya and scarf a muslim woman certainly can.  Yes, I know that I went to a lecture but when I arrived they were praying Du'a and some of these women still did not cover their heads.  To me this is disrespectful.  It's like the people that go to church in their pajamas or in mini-skirts and t-shirts.  It is a house of God after all, show some respect.

I will continue to wear appropriate hijab when going to the mosque.  And I refuse to have "convertible hijab".  You know, the kind  that you can pull up as you are going in and pull down immediately as you exit.  Not for me.  Not now, not later.  It is disrespectful to the religion and to a house of God.  A person can handle wearing a scarf for the short period they are at the mosque and at least wait till you are not in front of the mosque to remove your scarf.

*Sigh* So much lack of respect everywhere.  Sometimes what you wear in life is not appropriate for a house of God.  I always had Church Clothes and now I will also have Mosque Clothes.

Oooo Turkish Hijab

This just made me feel better.  Look the scarves and go Ooooooo

Armine.com

Now I know why everyone thinks I'm Turkish LOL.

Salaam

Why the Lack of Islamic Classes?

Ok this is something I don't understand.

To convert to Christianity or Judaism you must take an 11 week course that teaches you the basics of the religion.  Often, you also have to participate in a retreat.

Why are classes not offered for those interested in Islam?  Yes there are online places but, in my opinion, it is better to learn in a live classroom than through a computer.  I think you learn more when you are around other people with the same interests and can express ideas in a group setting.  I know that you can find classes in the UK and Canada but you apparently cannot find them in the US (except maybe in Deerborne Michigan).  Why is this I ask?  Because there are A LOT of us who would gladly take a course a two.  The Muslim Society of America needs to get on that stat!

All I can say is if I convert I am so orchestrating a course like this in my area.  It is necessary and desperately needed.

If you know of one on the East Coast please let me know.  All I can find is one for Spanish women only.

EID MUBARAK!

Sura Al Baqara 2:62

Those who believe (in the Qu'ran)

and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures)

and the Christians and the Sabians

Any who believe in God

and the Last Day

and work riteousness

Shall have their reward

With their Lord on them

There shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve

Subhanallah 

My Qur'an is Here!

YAY!

My Qur'an showed up much earlier then expected.  According to Amazon.com it hadn't even shipped yet.  I actually bought 2, one with translation, transliteration, and arabic, the other with translation, commentary, and arabic.  Both are translated and compiled by Abdullah Yusuf Ali.  The version with commentary arrived today.  It is such a beautiful book that could be so wonderful.  So full of knowledge and wisdom.

And I'm terrified of it.

Why?

Because I can only get one of two answers, both equally terrifying.

1) I find that Islam is wrong for me.  This means that my 10+ year quest of searching for the right religion must continue.  That the religion I thought just might have the answers to my longing was in fact not the one.  This would also mean saying goodbye to My Love which would devastate me.  It would also mean moving back home.  I don't feel like I have a reason to stay out here if I am no longer studying Islam.  Islam is why I stayed in first place after all my friends that I moved with went their separate ways.   I don't want to go home, its so void of diversity.  Its all white and Catholic.  It is hard to learn about the world when you are closed off from it.  I would be lonely, lost, and most likely depressed.  My mom would be happy though.

2) I will find that Islam is my answer.  This has many more good parts.  I will be able to move towards finally finding my way to be closer to God.  I can belong in this world and have answers to my longing questions.  I will get to stay with, even marry, My Love.  I might actually be able to fit somewhere.  My mother will be extremely unhappy.  I will have difficulties holding a job due to hijab and will have to experience prejudice for the first time in my life.  But I won't be alone in any of it.

So now I'm just starring at it because I'm afraid to read it.  So many say they knew what they had to do after reading the Qur'an.  I'm just not sure if I'm read to know.

Who Are The Converts Suppose to Marry?!

Islam is forward about its thoughts on racism and cultural bias in Islam.  Islam preaches that one should strive to blur these lines because in the end all are muslims.  However, the predominate ethnicities that make up Islam seem to not agree with this concept.

Who is a convert suppose to marry if none of these ethnicities want their children to branch out from their culture?  Asians want only Asians, Pakistanis want Pakistanis, Africans want Africans.  They won't even mix between the middle-eastern cultures sometimes let alone Western.  So what is a convert to do?  Only seek out other converts for marriage?

I bring this point up because I think it is something that those converting may forget about.  Especially those who think they will be married soon after their conversion.  What if you don't marry him?  Then who are you going to marry?  I know that I could be the greatest muslim in the world and My Love's family will still have issues because I'm not Pakistani.  They feel that because I am American and he is Pakistani- American our life will be too hard.  And, well, people fear what they do not understand.

So what do you do converts who do not have a marriage plan going in?  How do you find a family that will accept you for their son?

Salaam

Hijab, and Parents, and Mosque OH MY!

I went, I saw, I conquered. But before I did that I thought I was going to be ill from the butterflies in my stomach. Sis came to get me so we could walk together and I wouldn't be alone my first time in hijab. We all piled into the car and the rest is history. His family is extremely nice. His father is very funny and his mother is sweet. I think they like me...Isha'Allah.

So this is what I learned:

Hijab is rather comfortable once you get use to it. You forget the scarf is there and abayas are awesome. I want to wear one all the time. You don't have to worry about neck lines shifting or mid-drifts showing. Everything is nicely hidden under comfy fabric. And yes people look but I noticed that I don't care. I thought I would, but I don't. I think it is because I am quite comfortable in hijab. Maybe my transition into a hijabi won't be so bad after all.

The mosque is actually quite cozy. It reminds me of a person's living room with soft carpeted floors and a big TV in the front so you can see the speaker. It also projects english translations to Du'as which was awesome for me. This particular mosque was bright and inviting. Everyone sat on the floor and listened. And the people were QUIET! People talk a lot in church and small children run around all over the place. Here everyone, give or take the children, was quiet and listened to the speaker. It was nice being in a room with people who wanted to be there.

I like that we are separated from the men. Although I wish I could see the actual speaker but the TV wasn't so bad. I found it easier to focus without the men around and felt a larger sense of community just being around women. I feel out of place most of the time, was nice to feel "in" place for once.

Muslims do not all know Arabic. In fact, they don't know all the prayers by heart. They need books sometimes. And it is ok to not know. This made me feel a lot better about what I would be expected to learn.

No one asked me if I was Turkish ( I get that a lot). All the women were kind, said "Asalaam Aleikum" and smiled. No one stared even though I was the only white woman in the room. I was just like everyone else, it was nice.

Mosques ask for money just like churches do and you are expected to give money to the mosque you are registered with just like a church.

Mosques serve food before services and it is GOOD FOOD

You do not have to wear an abaya to the mosque. You don't even have to wear a scarf if one is not praying. I might not wear my abaya next time but i will certainly wear a scarf.

.

All in all it was a wonderful experience and I can't wait to go back. Isha'Allah I will be invited back. I want to experience that feeling of being "in place" again.

Salaam

It's Time to Go to the Mosque

If you read the old post I got rid of it since I ended up not going on Sunday after all :(.

I'm going today or tomorrow to the mosque and to meet his parents. I'm justifiably terrified. Sis is kind enough to come get me at my home and walk me over which makes me feel better about my first time in hijab. I can't wait to finally experience some of the things I have studied for so long. You can only learn so much from books and lectures on YouTube.

I feel I need to explain the sitch with the parents since I have come to understand it rather confuses people. I'm not going in as a "girlfriend" (I hate that term anyway) I'm going in as his friend. This does take A LOT of pressure off of me since they will get to know me for me and not critique me as the future wife of their son. Also, muslim men don't have girlfriends lol. The parents are more than happy to help me learn and no I don't think they are clueless but they are trusting their son. I do look forward to meeting them. They both seem quite kind.

So we shall see how it goes. I'm hoping I don't embarrass them in any way. Insha'Allah it will be ok.

I'll let you all know what happens. Wish me luck!

Salaam

Don't Talk About Things Unless You Know Its Fact

http://www.al-islam.org/encyclopedia/

KNOW what someone does before you put them down.

Where does a Muslimah get a haircut?

I just got my haircut today.  Its been almost 7 months.  I'm just not one of those girls that feels the need to get it done all the time.  I use to get really nervous that the hairdresser would mess it up but now I don't care.  Probably because since November I have always worn my hair up in public.  It started as an experiment on how I might feel if I had to do hijab.  How it would feel to not have to get up an extra half hour early so I had time to do my hair.  I got use to it and just kept doing it.  Now I feel awkward in public with it down and I don't have the patience to do my hair anymore.  It just doesn't seem worth all the hassle.  

So this made me think: where do Muslimahs get their haircuts?  Yes there are all women salons but many have male stylists.  Some have that heavy curly hair that is really easy to cut at home so they don't need a salon.  But I have fine curly hair so I NEED a stylist to cut mine.  I suppose you find a friend who is good with a scissors?

So ladies where do you get your hair cut?

Khadija Ramadan 2009

I just finished watching another lecture from Hassanain Rajabali on Khadija and the women of Islam.  It really is a beautiful explanation of the role of women and what it truly means to be a muslim woman.  It also makes you realize how amazing Khadija was.

Enjoy

On another note I ordered my first Quran!  Well, 2 actually.  One with commentary and another with a transliteration for the Arabic that I thought might come in handy both by the same scholar.   I can't wait till they get here!

What do you wear to the masjid/mosque?

So in the next week or 2 I will be taking my first trip to the mosque.  I will be going for a lecture so there won't be much praying or anything.  Its not a formal event or night of obligation (to my knowledge).  I'm not sure what to wear.  I own this abaya from desert store.

I don't know if it's too much for a non-prayer event or what.  What do people usually wear?  Do they wear abaya or shalwar kameez or tunics with skirts?  I figure I can't go wrong in an abaya but I want to make sure I don't embarrass the people I'm with by dressing incorrectly.

On a side note, I have decided I am wearing a scarf whether or not you have to if you are attending a lecture.  I feel more comfortable that way.  I don't want to stick out so with a scarf I will blend and be appropriate.

Any suggestions?

HAHA Snow Niqabi!

Found this on "Is There Food On My Niqab".  Just thought it was so adorable!

Lazeena's blog can be found here

Sometimes you need a reminder

Every time I talk to my mother I need a reminder as to why I got so excited about Islam.  My mother has started doing "research" on Islam and Pakistan.  Somehow, she has managed to not find one good thing about Islam even though she insists she is avoiding slander sites.  Her choice to research Pakistan is only harmful since their government is a mess and abuses the religion.  She even brought up how its against the law in Pakistan to be Christian because a Christian is indirectly saying something negitive about Muhammad (PBUH) by being Christian.  It is true, they do arrest Christians but I was trying to tell her that is not Islam.  She doesn't want to hear me.

I also told her I will be meeting his parents soon.  Her exact words were "Well, don't be disappointed when they don't like you.  Pakistan people don't like people from other countries and Muslims don't like people of other religions.  They are very unaccepting.  Christianity is so much more accepting of others."

She doesn't realize his family left BECAUSE Pakistan has problems.  BECAUSE it abuses Islam.  She also doesn't realize that most of what she is quoting is culture.  She even went on to say that the charity from the first Ramadan went to fund a bloody jihad lead by the prophet across the middle east to force people into Islam.  I don't remember hearing that the prophet lead something of that nature, but yes something like that happened was my response.  all religions have had their version of the Crusades, Islam is no different.  

Of course, I had to speak to My Love after this.  And he told me to watch this speech:

Hassanain Rajabali is the name of this wonderful speaker.  He has origins in philosophy and science, totally speaks my language.  He reminded me why the Islamic view of God makes so much more sense to me.  How original sin cannot work with a merciful God.  And how Adam and Eve were not punished with knowledge but gifted knowledge when they were ready to have it.

So my heart feels better now that I am reminded of why I believe what I believe.  I still think  Imam Moosa al-Kazim (PBUH) said it best in regards to the mercy of God:

"The acts of man are limited to three possibilities.  First, that God alone does them while man is quite helpless, second, that both God and man equally share the commitment; and third, that man does them alone.  Now if the first assumption is true, that obviously proves the unjustness of God, punishes His creatures for sins which they have not committed.  If the second assumption be accepted, even then God becomes unjust if He punishes man for crimes in which he is equally a partner.  because of the impossibility of either of these conditions, the third alternative to the problem is that men are absolutely responsible or their own deeds."

Salaam

Covered Life Gives New Perspective

Work is slow lol.


Here is an article about a girl who decided to wear hijab as an experiment. its really interesting what she learned.

I first noticed Spencer Wall in my religion and society class toward the end of last semester. She wasn’t particularly outspoken, but the shawl that covered her hair, neck and shoulders made her stand out in the large class.

I usually gave her nothing more than a completely unconscious glance. But when she revealed to the class the decision that she made on April 27, I suddenly became aware of the attention I gave her.

Wall, a 20-year-old sociology and English senior, decided to assume the characteristics and attire of a “typical” Muslim woman for a year starting in late April.....

Read the rest here

What do you think?

Sometimes I forget that I'm not a muslim

It's true.  I really do forget sometimes.  So much of my life is lived like a muslimah's that I often forget I am not one.  I think part of it is because deep down I know what I want but I'm not ready yet and neither is my family.  But there is that longing deep inside that says I already know what is good for me.

  I wear modest clothing, I only eat halal meat, I read the Nahjul Balagha to calm me, and I pray twice a day.  I also want a Q'uran more than anything and I have a new obsession with abayas.    Yes I am aware that there is A LOT more to a muslimah than the things I just mentioned and that I am no where near being one.  That doesn't mean that I don't get the urge to salaam a sister when I see her walk past but I can't because she would think I'm crazy.  What it does mean is that deep down I know I'm not Christian and that as of right now I am nothing.  And being in religion limbo is no good.  So I cling to my interest in Islam.  It is my last resort.