Saturday, February 28, 2009

As Salaam Alaykom Ramatullah Wa Barakato from the staff of I ♥ Hishma

As salaam alaykom ramatullah wa barakto,

My nickname in the blogger world is Pixie, and I am a Western convert/revert to Islam. You may remember me from my old blogs, "Beautiful Muslimah", and "The Bride Wears Hijab". I started my very first blog "Beautiful Muslimah" because I wanted to present to the world what hijab was to me, and anything else in my Islamic journey that interested me. Why, of all Islamic subjects, did I start with hijab? It isn't one of the most important things to learn, you know, when it comes to the order of things one should know in Islam. Tawhid, and prayer, and modesty of actions are certainly more important.

I started with hijab, because it is the first thing that identifies us as Muslims. It shouldn't be, because piety isn't contained in fabric (I'd rather be known by praying five times a day and giving sadaqah). But as a convert/revert with non-muslim parents and co-workers I can say assuredly that hijab is often the first thing people see as a change in you, when you become a Muslim and start to fulfill your religious obligations. They don't seem to care so much if you pray five times a day, but a headscarf, even if worn incorrectly, make it ironically obvious that yes, you are a Muslim, for better or worse.
I am a proud Muslimah, and I am proud of my hijab. I chose the subject of hijab to be the first subject I studied in depth in Islam because it was the most obvious to non-muslims, and one of the most misunderstood among Muslims themselves. Going to any particular Masjid, one will see various ways of wearing a headscarf to fulfill the Islamic obligation of "khimar", girls with or without abayas, and different opinions on the obligation of face covering, and the wearing of high heel shoes, socks, and gloves. Muslimahs themselves seem a bit of a mess, in what is or what isn't Islamic hijab, confusing it with cultural interpretations, rather than clear-cut Islamic ones. Some of the cultural interpretations lead to non-muslim impressions of hijab being an oppression, rather than the right and the freedom that hijab is for the Muslim woman.
I love the peace, liberation, and beauty of my hijab because I had the freedom to choose it. My religion is Islam and the Qu'ran asks of me to dress in loose fitting clothes that do not speak of social or economical status so that I will not be judged for my appearence, or so that others will not judge their own negatively by a standard I could set to make them feel ashamed, and to pull my headress down so that it covers my chest so that I might be recognized as a believing woman. I do not support extremists who would force women to veil or hijab who do not love Allah subhanhu wa t'ala or feel the freedom of it, and who would have us be voiceless shadows in world where it is illegal to laugh in public. Nor do I wish to compromise my hijab into what might pass for fashion in this life, compromising my morals and values, and selling my appearence before the ideals of my intelligence and beliefs to other people. There is a balance. Allah subhanhu wa t'ala is beautiful and loves beauty. Hijab isn't supposed to uglify a woman but its essence is that true beauty is sought after, not flaunted, and first and foremost hijab is an obedience and testament of love for Allah subhanhu wa t'ala. Just as we would dress to please those that we love, we should dress in a way that pleases our Creator, for if we love others, surely we should love more the One who made those that we love, and brought them into our lives, and made us in a form that would love them? Love for Allah subhanhu wa t'ala is embodied by a love and understanding of hijab. I guess one could say, I ♥ Hishma. Hishma is a word that basically means "proper dressing" in cute Saudi speak, and I ♥ Hishma is brand name that basically stands for loving hijab, everything conservative, LOL, and everything trendy all at the same time. It is a balance between having the proper modesty, and maintaining individual style. The concept for the brand is everything conservative, everything hijab. I am very happy to be a part of the launch of the company as it is about to open the online I ♥ Hishma boutique, having already its Jeddah store location, and now this blog. MashaAllah, and jazzakallah kheiran for the sisters who got me online and involved.

I ♥ Hishma was created as a concept by one hijabi sister who had lived in Los Angeles and had relocated to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (henceforth to be blogged about as KSA) to go to university there. Having spent seven years in L.A, said sister was shocked to find that it was harder to wear her hijab in Saudi than abroad. "Everyone wants to be seen as modern, forgetting that thin see-through clothing was around before the Prophet's time, and a woman being valued for her integrity instead of her body is ALWAYS a MODERN concept!" She was furious, and started I ♥ Hishma as an underground boutique in Jeddah as a response. "I came back once again to Saudi only to noticed it is harder to wear your hijab here than abroad. Your shunned due to your beliefs because of the movement that "everything needs to be more modern and open". I noticed as well, that due to lack of modest clothing other than a particular style of black abaya women are growing more restless and are opting to remove the veil. I was furious and so sad. Rather than get disheartened, I ♥ Hishma was created. I would like to reach every Muslimah and offer her ways to feel like hijab is not a hinderance."
That has been my goal with previous blogs, "Beautiful Muslimah" and "Bride Wears Hijab" and so this blog "I ♥ Hishma" will continue as a place for us to share style advice about Islamic dress. It is a place to help those who struggle to keep hijab on their heads and in their hearts, but those of us at I ♥ Hishma hope that the rest of the world will grow with us, beyond a piece of fabric, to the more important issues facing the ummah, and indeed, all mankind. Together we have to fight the stereo-types of suppression and terrorism with patience, understanding that Allah subhanu wa ta'ala meant for us beauty in balance with our modesty, and hearts to teach. We hope to help other Muslimahs see their unique beauty, beauty that is more than fabric. Beauty that is faith in everything beautiful, and noble and good. Beauty that is embodied by those characteristics, and expressed through modest Islamic dress.
Love you all for the sake of Allah subhanu wa ta'ala

-The Staff of I ♥ Hishma via Pixie

Friday, February 27, 2009

An Award from a Friend

Friends are really precious to me. Making friends and being a good friend to others is one of the best things in my life. I treasure friendship so much! Look what I got from this friendship. A recognition and a more happier & meaningful days for me. I'd like to thank my wonderful friend and sister in Islam, Sasha of Hazrin & Sasha for giving me this 3 awards. Cute, 'comel' and precious. Thank you my friend, I appreciate it so much.

This one reminds me about my childhood days, a long time ago. I used to love cartoons but no more spare time to laze around and watch tv. But I always love Disney's stories because they usually promote friendship and the importance of family.



And the last one... LOL, I love this except that it would be good if she wears a longer dress with a hijab. Oh, is that a cute doggy?
As it would be more meaningful i I could share this award with other friends, I'd like to give the last award, the YOUR BLOG IS FABULOUS! award to a few friends that I always think their blog is fabulous. So... my friends, if you are on the list, please accept this award. They are:
  • Ange of Hegab Rehab
  • Hajar of A Voice in The Clouds
  • Stylomom
  • Farah of Mommy Otai
  • Malizea of Simply Muslimah
  • KMilla of Aisyah Collection
  • Miss Zaza

May you be happy and keep up the good works.

Omani Hijab Style

My next country on 'Around The World: Hijab Style' is Oman, the first Arabic country I'm doing yay :D Now their style is pretty diverse ranging from clothing similar to that of the traditional Pakistani dress to the glamorous black abaya. I'm sure a lot of Omani hijabis wear modern clothing but I didn't really come across any pics of that style so mainly, there are the abayas and traditional style in the post.

First off, some young Omani women wearing lovely, embellished black abayas. My fave is the one on they left, I love those silky, shiny abayas and I like her hijab style too ^-^

This next Omani woman would be right on trend if she were here in that pretty paisley number. Her loose hijab style would be especially useful in the summer:

The traditional Omani niqab, is roughly this shape and is usually hard as opposed to other Arab countries where it's made of layers of gauzy black cloth.

Like Pakistani style, Omanis wear brightly coloured, embellished outfits. I love this next one!

I came across this Polyvore outfit, by ....nida.... and I thought it looked a bit like the above outfit so I'll put it in so you can pinch her style if you like:

something I would totally wear!!!

something I would totally wear!!! - by ....nida....

Next, more wonderful colour with some Omani pals:

Omani fashion on the runway:

Great tie dye galabiya:

More Pakistani-Omani style:

And my fave pic! I sooo want this galabiya and I haven't even seen the front:

And lastly, the random pics I didn't know where to put:

Great hijab wrap, probs my fave:

More countries coming soon, Insha'Allah!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

A Cute Floral Abaya

I love it!

At the playground with the kids

We were lucky because when we arrived there're not many people yet at the playground. The kids just jump out of the car and ran to play. Looking at their happy faces makes me smile and saying my prayers to Allah.


I've promised to bring them to a playground and that promise has been fulfilled this afternoon. They're so happy to play there. The parent of the three of them were far away working as a doctor and an army officer. In the mean time, I'll be looking after them just like my own kids.


Looking at them playing happily, running around and trying all the equipments makes me feel so envious of people who has kids. You should be thankful to Allah for giving you a precious chance to be closer to Him through being a parent. Although some people might think that kids are burdensome, I believe that kids are really a gem to be loved and nurtured as a good servant of Allah.

Remember to spare some quality time with your kids. Where are they right?

Sincerely,

KakChik @ Sis. Niza

An Award of Companionship

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Writing blogs daily makes me becomes alert with so many things, Islamic things; religion, politics, socioeconomic issues, career, fashion etc. Out of all these I learn about life from different perspectives and beliefs and also the importance of friendship, of sisterhood in my daily life. I learn to appreciate what I believe more from reading, responding and thinking about what others said. Sometimes I found interesting blogs that I really want to be updated daily and I became their followers. I don't even think that one day, becoming a follower or as one sister called it, a companion, I'll be awarded and recognized. Subhanallah.

That's the power of friendship. Here, I would like to thank a sister in Islam, OoumHassanoO for giving this meaningful award, a COMPANION AWARD and this is what she said,
"Dearest All, I have really come to appreciate all of you who have been kind enough to add yourselves to my companions area, it truly means a lot to me that you take such an interest, that every so often you drop by this blog, read and comment on posts that interest you masha'Allah."
As for that, I also would like to share this wonderful award with all MY FOLLOWERS. Please accept this award and later on you can share it with your followers too so that everyone will feel honoured and grateful.

Sincerely yours,
KakChik @ Sis. Niza

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Nabila's Pick Of The Week

..well actually it's more like pick of the last two months as you might have noticed she hasn't been popping up so often these days. But, she's back with a brand new shiny outfit:

I have recreated the general look but with a more casual day in mind (I did look for black jeans but I couldn't find any I liked so you have to do with dark blue, sooorry):

Green Dress

Green Dress - by Zaenab

Hope you like it! ^-^

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Top 5 of My Sets

The Jumpsuit

..or playsuit, depends where you live. Anyway, I was asked to do a post about wearing a jumpsuit (they're bang on trend) and hijab at the same time. At first I thought it would be a bit difficult considering they are usually quite tight around the legs but you can get suits that can be hijabified, as I did with some nifty editing tools on the above pic lol :D

Jumpsuit & Hijab NO's:

Those super tight jumpsuits you see -

Waist cinching!
Cropped jumpsuits, obviously:

How to wear it with hijab:
Go for long, loose suits with sleeves if you can find them. Here are some examples of jumpsuits that you can hijabify. I love these wide legs! -


For casual wear, these are great for the summer coupled with a thin, long cardi (for the white one):

For formal wear, love the gold one:

The two main arm 'coverers', suitable for jumpsuits are the jacket (blazer).. :

..and boyfit cardigans with flat gladiator sandals for a more casual look:

The most modest of jumpsuits are the ones that look like maxi dresses. They keep your curves well covered and keep you bang on trend too, perfect!

Here is a formal outfit I put together with one of these dress look-a-likes for a chic hijabi jumpsuit look:

Jumpsuit Hijabi

Jumpsuit Hijabi - by Zaenab

Hope you liked it anon :D if anyone has a request, please write it in the comments.

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