Indeed, It Is A Very Touching Story

Copied from Majlis Syura Muslimun

Original source www.msmnorthwest.wordpress.com

Every Friday afternoon, after the Jumma services at the Central Mosque (and shortly after Al-Usrah program), the Imam and his eleven year old son would go out into their town and hand out “PATH TO PARADISE” and other Islamic literature.

This particular and fortunate Friday afternoon, as the time came for the Imam and his son to go to the streets with their booklets, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring rain.

The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said, ‘OK, dad, I’m ready!’

His ‘Mu’allim’ dad asked, ‘Ready for what?’

‘Dad, it’s time we gather our tracts together and go out.’

Dad responds, ‘Son, it’s very cold outside and it’s pouring rain.’

The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking, ‘But Dad, aren’t people still going to Hell, even though it’s raining?’

Dad answers, ‘Son, I am not going out in this weather.’

Despondently, the boy asks, ‘Dad, can I go? Please?’

His father hesitated for a moment then said, ‘Son, you can go. Here are the booklets. Be careful son.’

‘Thanks, Dad!’

And with that, he was off and out into the rain. This eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a pamphlet or a booklet.

After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST BOOKLET. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a booklet to, but the streets were totally deserted.

Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered..

He rang it again and again, but still no one answered. He waited but still no answer. Finally, this eleven year old da’wah-expert turned to leave, but something stopped him. Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch!

He rang again and this time the door slowly opened. Standing in the doorway was a very sad-looking elderly lady. She softly asked, ‘What can I do for you, son?’ With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said, ‘Ma’am, I’m sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that “ALLAH REALLY LOVE AND CARE FOR YOU” and I came to give you my very last booklet which will tell you all about God, the real purpose of creation, and how to achieve His pleasure.’

With that, he handed her his last booklet and turned to leave..

She called to him as he departed. ‘Thank you, son! And God Bless You!’

Well, the following Friday afternoon after Jumat service (during which period they hold a weekly program, Al-Usrah) the Imam was giving some lectures. As he concludes the lectures, he asked, ‘Does anybody have questions or want to say anything?’

Slowly, in the back row among the ladies, an elderly voice was heard over the speaker. As the voice went on, a hint of glorious gaiety and contentment was plainly evident in it even though it wasn’t to be seen, ‘No one in this gathering knows me. I’ve never been here before. You see, before last Friday I was not a Muslim, and thought I could be. My husband passed away some time ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Friday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart that I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live.

So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and broken-hearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, I’ll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away……

I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly…… ……

I thought to myself again, ‘Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me.’ I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder.

When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you! The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, ‘Ma’am, I just came to tell you that ALLAH REALLY LOVE AND CARE FOR YOU!’

Then he gave me this booklet, “Path To Paradise” that I now hold in my hand. As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this book. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn’t be needing them anymore.

You see? I am now a Happy Vicegerent of the One True God. Since the address of your congregation was stamped on the back of this booklet, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God’s little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in Hell.’

There was not a dry eye in the mosque. And as shouts of TAKBIR!!! ALLAH AKBAR!!! rented the air, even among the ladies.

Imam-Dad descended from the pulpit to the front row where the little angel was seated….

He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably. Probably no jama’at has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love and honor for his son……. Except for One. This very one…

Blessed are your eyes for reading this message. Remember, Allah’s message CAN make the difference in the life of someone you know (:

KakChik's Notes:
1. I believe this story is not a real story but it was composed as a motivational story for us, people of dakwah.
2. To inspire others to love our deen, we need to always be istiqomah or committed in our good deeds.
3. Amal makruf and nahi mungkar (can somebody help me translate this into English?) should always be done anywhere and anytime regardless of the weather condition, but please with caution.
4. Soleh children are the result of the good Islamic teaching from parents and teachers who really teach for Allah's sake.
5. As parents, we are the one who are responsible in nurturing the future of our children. Don't let them be influenced by the current hedonistic culture too much without a firm tauhid or belief in Allah and Islam.

Pretty Abayaat from Aab

But they are too pricey for me. Very feminine and gorgeous designs.

Pretty Abayaat by hanniaziz on Polyvore.com

If anyone interested, you can visit their website here: Aab

Hello Lovlies, and Asalaam 3laykom

Dear loyal followers of I Love Hishma:

I have missed you. Really I have. I just have had no internet, went through alot in life, and had trouble deciding who I wanted to be.

Some of you thought of me as a rolemodel. For a while, I was in no shape to be one. And I never set out to be one. And I don't want to be one. One particular sister out there who was my friend and then gave up on me because I couldn't tell her the whole story: Don't judge, lol. Serriously. You have NO IDEA what some sisters go through.

But I am sorry if I disapointed you to find out I have troubles and deal with them not always to the sunnah. I should, it is best, but I failed.

One's rolemodel should be the Prophet Mohamed SAW and the other Prophets alahi wa salaam, and fashion inspiration can change and change and change, but the women of the Sahaba ROCK my world, more than designer abayas, and they decide my fiqh on make up and what can be shown or not ect...

Also, to tell you my story is to tell you the story of many men and women, and that is not my place, or my desire. Some of you ask. I have 700 unmoderated comments, all questions about my life or about a post and honestly, if you read the whole blog, you know all my opinions about hijab and jilbab ect...

This blog is my strictest beliefs of what I think correct Islam/hijab is. As a person, I am not nearly so unbending, and cultural things DO fascinate me, though I often do not equate them with Islam.

Hijab is an issue in fiqh that I am going to belittle by a silly comparison. This blog, if you read just one post and leave a comment, saying, LET THE UNRLEIGIOUS GIRLS WEAR HIJAB HOW THEY WANT, know, I am with you on that. If you read my whole blog, you would know I believe hijab is more than scarf and it is not a compulsion but an act of faith. Knowledge helps faith though. Sometimes it makes faith harder, because knowledge leads us to ask more questions. Sometimes the answers, if we have faith enough to wait for them, lead us to BELIEF, which is stronger even then faith. One post does not a blogger's opinion make. One rumour does not equal Pixie's life. One hadith does not a fatwa make, nor one ayah, but everything in its order and place in its entirety.

If my life is more important to you that what I have written, even if what I have written about hijab has been true, just because I am certainly not always perfect, then seek a higher example and don't bother with blogs. Read the books that document the source, the inspiration. If truth is more important human failing, know this blog records my strictest opinions. I have never meant to offend anyone. This is the measure I strive to measure to. Sometimes I don't have the strength to stand on my tippy-toes and strain to reach what is just beyond my capabilities but within the height of my knowledge and understanding.

Anyways, I have been writing along with a few other sisters (mainly recording their stories and mixing us all [and also one non-muslim sis who I adore]) on this blog http://howtolivelikeanomaniprincess.blogspot.com/ for a while. Some of you know that.

I am never going to write my whole story. Not because I am ashamed of it but because one cannot tell their life story without invading the privacy of others.

And sister Hayah who I am collecting abayat for, please email me and confirm your address. Also if there are any sisters who can send sis Hayah somlai style khimars (which are definately not worn in Oman) in greys and blacks, leave a comment, let me know, and I will tell you where to send them by email.

Jazzakallah kheir and much love to you all.

I lost my pretty shoes

Assalamualaikum dear friends,

Has anyone seen this shoes?

It was a gift from my older sister and I love it so much. I've been searching for this blue pair of shoes since July after I move into my new house. Usually all the shoes were kept inside their own boxes but this one cannot be found anywhere.

I wish I know where I put it. 

Islamic Fashion Festival: I'm Ashamed.

Assalamualaikum and may blessings of Allah be upon you.

I am so ashamed. I can't believe my eyes when I see all these photos below. How can they call it Islamic Fashion Festival when they mock Islam in everything they did? Astaghfirullahalaziim. O Allah, what has happened to our country leaders? Why are these people like this? Can't they differentiate between ISLAMic fashion and NOT? I think even preschool children know what kind of fashion are these.

What kind of Islamic fashion is this?

This might be the back view.  Astaghfirullah.

I think the organizers forgot to put the word NON before the word ISLAMIC. This is TOTALLY non-Islamic.

Please ERASE the backdrop!

NOT ISLAMIC! Not Islamic at all! How can they have this kind of event and call it ISLAMIC FASHION FESTIVAL? I repeat...

A true MOCKERY of our Islamic dress code. I find this really disturbing and feel so insulted.

This one REALLY makes me feel INSULTED!

Astaghfirullahalaziim... I never thought that MALAYSIAN leaders, which inspired the fashion event with a name ISLAMIC FASHION FESTIVAL applauded this creation! This is an insult to our HOLY QUR'AN! 

I won't paste the other photos because you can find them in Google. Please read the news report from BERNAMA below:

ISLAMIC FASHION FAST BECOMING LUCRATIVE BUSINESS, SAYS ROSMAH

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- Islamic fashion is fast becoming a lucrative business with the current market estimated to be worth more than US$96 billion (RM302 billion) a year, said Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Rosmah, wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, said it was an enormous market that had yet to be fully tapped.

"The global Muslim population comprises one of the fastest-growing consumer markets in the world, hence representing a major growth opportunity for businesses around the globe, including in the fashion sector," she said at the opening of the Malaysian-inspired festival, the Islamic Fashion Festival (IFF) Gala Dinner and Fashion Show, at the Monaco Sporting Club in Monte Carlo Monday night. The text of her speech was released here.

The event was attended also by, among others, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani, Najib and Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

Rosmah said that according to the prestigious Dubai French Fashion University Esmod, over half of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslim population is spending a substantial part of their annual income on fashion and accessories.

"This recent interest in Muslim fashion signals the changing dynamics of the ever-increasing interaction among Eastern and Western cultures. Nowadays, Muslim women can choose from a broad selection of designs to create a look that matches their values, traditions and tastes, without compromising any of the three," said Rosmah.

She said that thus "the fashion players would do well to plan ahead so as not to miss the proverbial boat in capturing this lucrative segment of fashion".

Rosmah said major clothing retailers had been busy highlighting how top brands like Anne Klein and Ralph Lauren were already producing fashion lines that met the Islamic requirement of full coverage. Oh, really?

"In the same vein, it is interesting to note that even as the great 'veil' debate raged in France, the country, being the fashion capital of the world, remains as one of the world’s major exporters for Muslim couture 'abayas' and 'niqabs'.

"Clearly, politics notwithstanding, those in the fashion business are increasingly aware of the burgeoning demand for Muslim apparel worldwide," she said.

Rosmah said she hoped that Monaco could emerge as one of the gateways to the European market for Islamic-inspired fashion from Malaysia and the rest of Asia. If the Islamic-inspired fashion is like the ones shown, I don't think it's a good idea.

On IFF, she said its main mission was to capitalise on fashion as a platform to bring together designers and fashion enthusiasts of different cultures, religious backgrounds and race to bring Islamic Couture into the mainstream of style and fashion. Then, PLEAAAAASE make them REAL ISLAMIC. Please.

Since it was started in 2006, IFF has spread its wings to Jakarta, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and New York, featuring the works of more than 200 designers, and had showcased a varied choice of styles and looks for Muslim-dressing, decidedly different from the stereotypical impressions of Islamic apparel held by many. Define stereotypical impressions of Islamic apparel for me please. I'm still so green on this territory.

"The Islamic Fashion Festival is precisely intended to end the myth that a Muslim woman cannot posses a sense of style. On the contrary, Islamic dressing is a style of its own, and today it is beginning to attract more and more attention, as mainstream trends become increasingly bold, sensual and provocative which is unappealing to the more conservative consumers," she said. Tsk, tsk, tsk.

In fact, in affirming the coming-of-age of Muslim fashion through the impressive collections, Islamic fashion is now considered as the breath of fresh air in a global culture, she said. - Bernama

I'm ashamed. Really ashamed. Sorry everyone, I'm very emotional right now.

What I wore to work today?

Assalamualaikum and good afternoon everyone.

Alhamdulillah, thank you Allah for giving me back my healthy body. I was a bit sick since Monday afternoon and was resting at home yesterday. Insyaallah I'm now at my office trying to do some accounts. I am glad that I can come to work. If not I might have a big load of files on my table by this Saturday. Of course I do not want that, so here I am taking a little rest from the spreadsheet.

This morning when I was getting ready, I was looking at my abayaat in the wardrobe and this thought came to my mind, "Let's wear something that can make you feel full of energy. Yes, let's wear something that have red on it." And I choose the red on black abaya aisyah to wear.

Photo was taken on 1st. Oct during Health Carnival.

Well, I don't have time to snap any photo but you can see what I look like from the photo above. Same style but not the same bag. This time I carry another bag, that match my abaya.

My Rorine handbag.

To boost more confidence, I comforted my feet with this comfortable Verse ankle booties.

And here is a Polyvore's set that I've created for today's look.
(opps, sorry. Looks like the internet connection here is not very strong to let me login to my Polyvore account. I'll paste later.)

I love simple but I love being elegant too. It's not for show but for my own personal satisfaction in following the sunnah. Maybe not the boots.

Notes: The first photo is curtsy of Shafa of USM.

Sorting and Cleaning Process

Assalamualaikum and good morning to all my dear friends and readers. Not forgetting my visitors.

I have been thinking for quite a while about one of my blog lists that I have at the sidebar, Muslim's Shops. From today onwards, I will start sorting out the list and will only have the one that is still active and visits here frequently. 

I am sorry for doing this but I think I have been helping in promoting those blogs for more than a year now. So, starting today, I will only list blogshops that have something to do with friendships, things that I like and whatever blogshops that I think sell real Islamic clothing.

Please forgive me.

Autumn Hijabi

I think most would agree that it is now officially winter and you probably won't get away with trying to trudge around coatless for much longer. If you're not quite ready for the full on wool, however, a big trend this season is the chunky cardigan to rival the traditional coat.. until it gets really cold that is.

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Bright Autumn Outfit by Zaenab

My New Abaya

Assalamualaikum and good evening to all friends and readers.

To abaya lovers out there, let's wear abaya. It's so comfortable and suitable to every kind of events. LOL, please forgive me my friends for being so in love with this type of clothes. I am not saying that other kind of muslimah dresses are not good. It's just that I love abaya.

Ever since I started wearing my first abaya in 2007, my wardrobe has made an almost 180 degree changes. If you have the opportunity to open the door of my wardrobe, you shouldn't be surprise if everything inside it is black.

And recently I have added another one to the increasingly crowded storage. A few already found a new owner during Ramadhan and that's why I have to re-stock hehe.

I am not buying expensive ones, only a 'budget abaya'.

Here's a close up of the machine ambroidery on the sleeve and the front opening.

I might put a picture of me wearing it later depends on my mood.

What happen when you win all?

Assalamualaikum and Jumu'ah Mubarak everyone!

Happy! Happy! Happy!

That's what I'm feeling right now. I won again! And I just don't remember when did I joined the contest.

I haven't been making any new style sets in Polyvore for almost 2 weeks now and when I logged in just now, I was surprised.

Because of this:

This makes me feel really great! Thank you Hanan of Proud Hijabis for organizing the contest.

Out of 391 entries, my entries were voted to win all 5 places. Mashaallah! THANK YOU to all the participants who have voted my entries.

For your view, this is the screen capture of the contest's page:

Click on image for a better view.

That's a good news for me. Alhamdulillah.

Driving - Hijab Style

Love 'em or hate 'em, you can't deny that hijabis make pretty stylish drivers..
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I am lucky to have you as my friend

Assalamualaikum dear friends and readers.

Oh, how lucky I am to have a friend who treasures the friendship that grows between us. Even though we've only met a few times in real life, I feel like she already knows a lot about me. Actually she's the one who approached me first, online. I think through this blog and then continue to facebook. Then I get to know that she's attending the same university as me, under the same school but a different course.

I think while I still don't know about her existence there, she's been taking advantage of observing me from afar. Is that right my friend? Then, last semester, Allah has allowed us to meet. I was so happy and can easily recognized her from all the photos in her facebook albums. Thanks to her for uploading some photos for me to know her in person. Alhamdulillah.

Delicious Cheese Cupcakes.

To make the friendship blooms, we need to have constant contacts and make efforts to get closer. Islam teaches us to spread salam right and making friends are one of the best way. I am lucky indeed. A while ago I was condemned because my written English is so bad but many of my close friends have shown their moral support and she's one of them.

Yesterday morning, I was really surprised to receive a phone call from a baker saying that she's supposed to send me cakes on behalf of her friend named Izura. I was seriously thinking, "hey, have I done something special to receive the gifts?" Then the cakes arrived. Mashaallah... there were 6 cute cheese cup cakes and a half kilo creamy fruit flan, yum!

Creamy Fruit Flan. Mmmm... yummy!

Syukran, syukran, syukran kathira Iera. I have no other words to say. ( And in her private message to me, she said that, she's sending me two gifts to represent our ukhuwwah and also to show her support in my effort to keep writing in English. I think that's the gist of the message.)

I've just enjoyed eating 2 cuppies that's very delicious and I'll recommend others to try it too. Then I sliced the fruit flan into 4 parts, took 1 part out and enjoy eating it with dear hubby. Well, when I came home this afternoon, the 6 cuppies were already reduced to 4. Amni had one and hubby also give it a try. They said the cupcakes are yummilicious.

Thank you Iera. I'll try my best to be a good friend to you not because you gave me the cakes but because you are my sister in Islam. Jazakillahi khairan kathira.

I ♥ BROWN Contest

No 1 to 3 is mine. Alhamdulillah.

ALL MUSLIMS : I ♥ BROWN
Created by ταmταm ♥♣
SETS THAT INCLUDE ANYTHING BROWN
Contest ended 6 days ago

The fashion of today's teens.

 From my observation starting from 9 am until now at the public library.

1. Skinny jeans or skinny pants.

2. Tight and short shirts or t-shirts either short or long sleeves.

3. High heels, funky flats and funky wedges.

4. Cardigan on a hot day.

5. Instant hijab or tudung bawal which is flipped over the shoulders making it falls above the breasts.

6. Baju kurung but wears no other layer under the skirt. It's see-through.

7. Big handbags with funky colourful designs.

8. Expensive mobile phones.

9. Lots of them are following the Korean pop culture styles.

10. Boys are trying to look macho, spotting a mohican look-a-like hairdos. 

I think that's all that I can summarize for now. Luckily, they are here to study, well at least most of them are. A few are trying to take the opportunity to meet their girl friends or boy friends but were prevented from doing so inside the library. Sorry, it's not allowed.

I'm still thinking of the best way to approach them and share with them the concept of wearing modest clothing for Muslims. I've tried distributing some pamphlets about aurat but not that influencing. I think the best approach would be a personal talk. However it's too impossible to do it when we don't have enough man power.

So, for now, I'll make du'a for them. May Allah open up their hearts to the accept the nasihah and make changes to their attires. May Allah show them that wearing a proper aurah-covering clothes is the best action to do as a Muslim. May Allah show them the beauty of following the true teachings of Islam.

They are my younger sisters and brothers in Islam and I wish they can see the greatness of following the sunnah in their way of life.

Formal Wear.. And Jewellery

Quite a while ago somebody requested that I put together a formal outfit that included a long black skirt for an event they would be soon attending. I am aware that the said event has most probably been and gone but here is an outfit idea for you anyway - (sorry for the late response!)

While searching for some nice jewellery pieces for this look, (I have used a simple gold chain necklace) I came across a really nice site called My Jewelry Box which sells gold and silver jewelry for quite good prices.. You can check out the site's homepage here. I have checked the reviews on several independent shopping websites and they appear to be a trustworthy company so it's well worth a look :)

Gold necklaces for women here.

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Hope you like :)

:S

Sorry for the lack of posts, have just gone back to university so will be busy for a while longer but hopefully I'll be back on track in a few days :)

xxx

My Precious Handbag

Assalamualaikum.

This morning while I was getting ready to go to work, I was thinking of changing my handbag from the current one that I'm using to another handbag. I have several handbags that I used daily to any kind of events. All my handbags are big in size because I love spaces and I need them to put so many things, important things even though I seldom use some of them.

The most comfortable handbag that I love to use is this one from Rorine:

I love this handbag.

I've bought it in 2008 if I'm not mistaken with a reduced price because I am a member of the Rorine MLM business. I love it because:

1. The big size. You can store an A4 paper inside. The width is just nice for my taste.

2. It is layered with a gauzy cloth material inside which I always preferred.

3. The shoulder strap's length is just nice and when I carry the bag, it's always stays on my hip.

This is an original Rorine handbag and I think among all the choices, this is the best one for me.

I just love this kind of news

Cigarette prices to go up tomorrow
from The Star Online

PETALING JAYA: Cigarette prices are expected to go up tomorrow by 70 sen for a pack of 20 sticks.

According to a report by a Chinese daily, most 20-stick packs, which is currently sold at RM9.30, will cost RM10.

Quoting sources, the daily reported that the 70 sen increase is one of the highest in recent history, with previous hikes being between 10 and 30 sen.

Packs of high-grade cigarettes are expected to cost as much as RM14.

A source predicted that the price hike would cause cigarette sales to drop by 10%.

I really do not like people who smoke cigarette. The smell of the smokes really annoys me and makes me want to vomit. I can understand if a smoker wants to smoke but please do it somewhere else, not at public places.

If I am bold enough I will say something to the smoker but I'm not always bold. So I hate them silently. I hope they have more common sense when they see others' annoyed faces.

Please stop smoking. You are not only killing yourself but you are killing others around you too. Please, take this price hike opportunity to stop smoking.

For Those Who Like Coloured Abaya

Colored Abaya by hanniaziz featuring a hobo shoulder bag

Just an idea for ladies who love wearing coloured abaya or jubah. It has been long since I wear my coloured abaya but I still love looking at muslimah who wear it.

I love that shoes and of course the handbag too.

Regarding the hijab, it would be more appropriate if it is bigger and have a wider coverage of one's upper body.

Would you wear this style?

Reader's Look: Umm Ibrahim

For the next installment of Reader's Look, I give you Umm Ibrahim from the Old School Hejabi blog and the abaya/hijab shop Arabian Threads. She is a librarian and lives in the USA after spending a year living in Arabia. She is rather fond of the overhead abaya and enjoys experiments with different style while maintaining her Hijab.

Check out her style:

Carrying her baby son in a sling, soo cute :D

In a lovely lace chador which is a kind of overhead abaya but without arm holes:


In Makkah:

Abaya styles:

Love those floral sleeves!

I made a look inspired by her love for abayas..

Abaya by Zaenab

Thank you Umm Ibrahim :D If you would like to be featured, email me.