Request From "Islamic Fashion"

I made a quick style tip post the other day about putting your 'useless' scarves together to create a properly covered hijab look and someone called Islamic Fashion wanted to know how to get the above look that I was talking about so I have put together perhaps the most simplified hijab tutorial (if you can even call it that..) in the world. Hope it helps Islamic Fashion and that you like my amazing paint pics :D

1. Wrap a long narrow scarf shayla style (quite tightly) or put on an Al Amira one-piece if you prefer:

2. Wrap a bigger pashmina-style scarf around this but really loose and pin into place at the sides. I pin my scarves with those small gold safety pins from the inside so you can't see them and they don't slip out but you can use staright pins if you like them better:

This is what my hijab ends up looking like It's slightly different to the one up top but I prefer this style as it's not so tight so a lot more comfortable if you're wearing it all day. Sorry about the white-out, I don't wana be on the big scary net lol:

Believe it or not, I wore this for several hours the other day and it didn't slip off or anything and looked exactly the same when I got home :D What makes it better than some other loose hijab styles is that you know your neck, ears and chest are completely covered by the shayla underneath. Hope you like it!

Beautiful Abaya for Sale!

Assalamualaikum dear Sisters. I have good news for those in Malaysia, Brunei or Singapore. I have one new abaya for sale. I got it from a friend of mine who brought it back from Makkah. It's still hot on the shelf and there's ONLY ONE LEFT.

What do you think? It's size S and comes with a matching shayla.

Open front style, embelished with krystals.

The sleeves are very interesting! If this abaya is smaller in size, I won't be selling it to anyone. It would be part of my collection.

A closer look of the design. Oh, there's also one palm size pattern at the back of the abaya. Forgot to snap a pic of the other side.

And this is the design on the shayla. The shayla is rather opaque, long and big (for me).

If anyone interested, the price is RM250 including postage. First come first serve, ladies. FYI maybe this is part of my first phase in my abaya business. I haven't conclude anything yet but any kind of halal opportunity that comes my way, I'll grab it.

I think you can wear this abaya special functions. It would be suitable to attend Hari Raya Gathering and Open House Events. You'll be nicely covered and look elegant.

HURRY!

Keeping Things Interesting and a min rant

Salaam alaykom ramatullahi wa barakto all:

So we've been having some internet troubles---i.e we have no internet, neither Boxie or Aalia or me, so I have gone to this skeezy smoky internet cafe in a rat infested mall (not one of the hip Abu Dhabi ones I assure you---here there are a bunch of Emirati creepers skipping school with boushiya'ed bad girls (when they can afford to date the bad girls lol)) soooooo, sorry for the lack of cool posts, or me replying to comments, or even posting comments in the moderation section.

Other than lack of internet, there's been some interesting things. I have learned that alot of (local) girls here wear abaya inappropriately, open, with tights, super high heels, skinny jeans, or even mini skirts and cleavage and belly-button bearing tops underneath. The shayla can consist of the pouf clip and the shayla just draped there, neck and hair showing. Or the girls wear stylish abayas and gashwas that conceal everything but then lift the gashwa at cute local (Emirati) guys and give out phone numbers. Um, a hijab don't ladies. And all this just kinda makes one go, the hijab is better at my local Canadian masjid, and some of the sisters don't even wear the headscarf. I DO belive jilbab and khimar is fard, and that face covering is mustahaab (yaaaay I am a full-time niqabi now!!!!!), but here, the existance of abaya, sheila, and niqab can still mean that hijab is lacking in intention and adab.

For instance, near Al Marina Mall last night, walking home from the Emirati Heritage Center, Aalia, Boxie, baby, and me, saw a set of two prostitutes, one was Iranian, and the other was Sudanese. We know because we asked. The Iranian working girl wore open abayas with jeans and heel underneath. Her bangs her styled neatly out. The Sudanese prostitute wore a closed but somewhat fitted abaya and hijab that covered all her hair, but her sleeves were pushed up to reveal alot of bracelets. They looked stylish, I suppose, with a few tweaks here and there, they could have been very modestly attired women. But their intention was to stroll up and down the somewhat secluded beach front near the marina, while their pimp in the red vehichle (her "brother" and his friends) watched and spoke to the local Emirati creepers who made loops around the area. Groooooooooooooosssss!!!!!

And I won't even go into some of the non-Emirati hijab fashion in the malls. I have seen less camel-toes and butt cheeks in Canadain malls on non-muslims without scarfs on their heads!!!!!!

Of course, alhamdulilah, there alot of women, mashaAllah, Syrian, Lebanese, Morrocan, and Emirati, with great hijab, and great style, that still adhere to the shariah, and alot of niqabis with good adab, alhamdulilah. I just get mad at those who abuse the dress of a Muslim woman, the dress of the Prophet's wives and the women of the Sahaba (may Allah be pleased with them) and make a mockery of it, leading our non-hijabi Muslim sisters to say, why bother with hijab?

Business Adventure

KakChik's Wardrobe. by hanniaziz on Polyvore.com

People are suggesting that I open up an abaya boutique/shop here in my hometown.

Why would they suggest that? Because...

• they said I love wearing abaya and wear it proudly with confidence
• I'm like a natural promotion for the said product
• I already have a few connections either in UAE or in KSA - for stocks
  
• friends get influenced by me
• I'm not fooling around with Islamic fashion
  

Mainly those are what they always said.

I am giving this suggestion a serious thinking now.

There's this big money issue for capital and right now I'm still paying my debts to my books suppliers and also the moving process of MariBaca Bookstore to a new place. So many tasks to do.

It seems like I'm really interested to branch out into a new business but it would be wise to organize my current business nicely.

Well, please pray for me girls.

There Is No Such Thing As "Wife Beating" In Islam

Something that really bums me out is when non muslims are under the impression that beating your wife is allowed in Islam. What sickens me even more is when Muslims (with the term used veeery loosly) themselves think it's OK. Anyway, I did some research on it and have found this long read but interesting read written by somebody called Osama Abdallah who has compiled Ahadith and Iyat on the subject. The post is taken from this site:

Wife beating anytime and for any reason is never allowed in Islam. There is however a questionable condition where Allah Almighty seems to allow the husband to beat his wife, and that is after he gives her two warnings to stop showing ill-conduct and disloyalty.

Let us look at Noble Verses 4:34-36 "(34). Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).

(35). If ye fear a breach between them twain, appoint (two) arbiters, one from his family, and the other from hers; if they wish for peace, Allah will cause their reconciliation: For Allah hath full knowledge, and is acquainted with all things.

(36). Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good- to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are near, neighbours who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess: For Allah loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious;"

The Arabic word used in Noble Verse 4:34 above is "idribuhunna", which is derived from "daraba" which means "beat". The issue with all of the Arabic words that are derived from the word "daraba" is that they don't necessarily mean "hit". The word "idribuhunna" for instance, could very well mean to "leave" them. It is exactly like telling someone to "beat it" or "drop it" in English.

Allah Almighty used the word "daraba" in Noble Verse 14:24 "Seest thou not how Allah sets (daraba) forth a parable? -- A goodly Word Like a goodly tree, Whose root is firmly fixed, And its branches (reach) To the heavens". "daraba" here meant "give an example". If I say in Arabic "daraba laka mathal", it means "give you an example".

Allah Almighty also used the word "darabtum", which is derived from the word "daraba" in Noble Verse 4:94, which mean to "go abroad" in the sake of Allah Almighty:

"O ye who believe! When ye go abroad (darabtum) In the cause of Allah, Investigate carefully, And say not to anyone Who offers you a salutation: 'Thou art none of a Believer!' Coveting the perishable good Of this life: with Allah Are profits and spoils abundant. Even thus were ye yourselves Before, till Allah conferred On you His favours: therefore Carefully investigate. For Allah is well aware Of all that ye do. (The Noble Quran, 4:94)"

So "daraba" literally means "beat", or "go abroad", or "give" but not in the sense to give something by hand, but rather to give or provide an example.

Important Note: Notice how Allah Almighty in Noble Chapter (Surah) 4 He used "daraba (4:34" and "darabtum (4:94)", which are both derived from the same root. He used both words in the same Chapter, which tells me that "daraba" in Noble Verse 4:34 means to desert or leave, since that's what its derived word meant in Noble Verse 4:94. The next section below will further prove my point.

I am sure there are more Noble Verses that used words derived from "daraba" in the Noble Quran, but these are the only ones I know of so far. In the case of Noble Verse 4:34 where Allah Almighty seems to allow men to hit their wives after the two warnings for ill-conduct and disloyalty, it could very well be that Allah Almighty meant to command the Muslims to "leave" the home all together and desert their wives for a long time in a hope that the wives would then come back to their senses and repent.

Noble Verses and Sayings that support the prohibition of any type of wife beating:

The following Noble Verses and Sayings from the Noble Quran and Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him respectively seem to very well support the above interpretation:

"...Do not retain them (i.e., your wives) to harm them...(The Noble Quran, 2:231)"
Narrated Mu'awiyah al-Qushayri: "I went to the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) and asked him: What do you say (command) about our wives? He replied: Give them food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe yourself, and do not beat them, and do not revile them. (Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 11, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Number 2139)"

Narrated Mu'awiyah ibn Haydah: "I said: Apostle of Allah, how should we approach our wives and how should we leave them? He replied: Approach your tilth when or how you will, give her (your wife) food when you take food, clothe when you clothe yourself, do not revile her face, and do not beat her. (Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 11, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Number 2138)"

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: "He who believes in Allah and the Hereafter, if he witnesses any matter he should talk in good terms about it or keep quiet. Act kindly towards woman, for woman is created from a rib, and the most crooked part of the rib is its top. If you attempt to straighten it, you will break it, and if you leave it, its crookedness will remain there. So act kindly towards women. (Translation of Sahih Muslim, The Book of Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Book 008, Number 3468)"
"O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may take away part of the dower [money given by the husband to the wife for the marriage contract] ye have given them, except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and God brings about through it a great deal of good. (The Noble Quran, 4:19)"

"And among God's signs is this: He created for you mates from amongst yourselves (males as mates for females and vice versa) that you might find tranquillity and peace in them. And he has put love and kindness among you. Herein surely are signs for those who reflect. (The Noble Quran 30:21)"

"Women impure for men impure. And women of purity for men of purity. These are not affected by what people say. For them is forgiveness and an honorable provision. (The Noble Quran 24:26)"

Narrated Abu Huraira: "Allah's Apostle said, 'The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger. (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Good Manners and Form (Al-Adab), Volume 8, Book 73, Number 135)"

Narrated Abu Huraira: "A man said to the Prophet , 'Advise me! 'The Prophet said, 'Do not become angry and furious.' The man asked (the same) again and again, and the Prophet said in each case, 'Do not become angry and furious.' (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Good Manners and Form (Al-Adab), Volume 8, Book 73, Number 137)"

Abu Huraira reported: "I heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: One is not strong because of one's wrestling skillfully. They said: Allah's Messenger, then who is strong? He said: He who controls his anger when he is in a fit of rage. (Translation of Sahih Muslim, The Book of Virtue, Good Manners and Joining of the Ties of Relationship (Kitab Al-Birr was-Salat-I-wa'l-Adab), Book 032, Number 6314)"

Allah Almighty loves those who restrain anger: "Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men; for Allah loves those who do good. (The Noble Quran, 3:134)"

The Prophet forbade striking on the face:

Let us look at the following narrations about Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him:
Narrated Salim: "....Umar said: 'The Prophet forbade beating on the face.' (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Hunting, Slaughtering, Volume 7, Book 67, Number 449)"

Narrated AbuHurayrah: "The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: When one of you inflicts a beating, he should avoid striking the face. (Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 38, Prescribed Punishments (Kitab Al-Hudud), Number 4478)"

These narrations do not prove the interpretation that wife beating being ok as long as it is not done on the face, because the narrations are general and do not mention any wives. The striking could be done on our children when we discipline them. In this case, the above two narrations would fit perfectly with the situation, because while we can still physically discipline our children, we are not allowed to hit them on the face.

What about the saying about striking the wife lightly on her hand with a siwak?

There is not a single Saying or Noble Verse from Prophet Muhammad or the Noble Quran respectively that mentions any such beating.

A siwak is a small piece of wood that is approximately twice as long as an index finger and as thick as a thumb, which was used 1400 years ago to brush the teeth and the bad breath.
This saying actually belongs to Imam Shafie, and not to Prophet Muhammad. Imam Shafie or Minister Shafie is a popular Muslim scholar that came 100s of years after Prophet Muhammad. I used to have the reference information to his saying about this subject, but unfortunately I lost it. When I find it insha'Allah (if Allah Almighty wills it) I will post it.

Conclusion:

According to the Noble Quran and the Sayings of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him above, wife beating in Islam is definetly prohibited, possibly even in the case where the wife fails after she was warned twice for her ill-conduct and disloyalty.

It is definetly a valid interpretation for Noble Verse 4:34 that Allah Almighty commanded the Muslim men to desert and leave their wives, and not to physically beat them as many scholars believe.

I personally favor this non-violent interpretation, because (1) It is very well supported in Islam as clearly and unquestionably shown above; and (2) It makes more sense and seems more practical in dealing with the bad wife who insists on showing ill-conduct and disloyalty toward her husband and family.

And Allah Almighty knows best, and may He forgive me if I made any mistake here.

My New Shaylas

This one is from Abu Haleeqa and was waaaay over-priced but I fell for the cute kiwi and ruffles (which didn't photograph well) and splurged.
And this one is from Al Gwatwa (think I am spelling it right) and I love it cuz of the lace. It was affordable.

Bad Cell Phone Pics from our Travels

So these are some bad cell phone pics of the jalabiyias in Al Marina Mall. I kinda didn't know how to use the camera covertly (the shop owners glare at you when you take pics of their merchandise) and I got the glare from moving away too quickly. Ooooh, and this is an accessory shop that I liked.Yeah, and in case you haven't noticed, the composition of my posts kinda suck now because I am learning how to use a new computer.

InshaAllah sometime tonight I am going to post some pictures of the jalaibiyias in Marina Mall. Window shopping:D

Niqabi Woman and Fashion

When there's too much fashion on a niqabi woman

By Nurul of Mulut Laser Nurul

Assalamu'Alaikum...

I know that it's woman's nature to be pretty and all. But I was surfing the internet and I saw so many niqabis wearing too much fashion. It made me think. What's the real reason when we decided to wear the niqab? (I'm talking about those that made their own choice to cover up like me. Not from countries that made it compulsory to wear niqab).

When I say too much fashion, I DO MEAN TOO MUCH. All these bling-blings, huge brooches here and there, wrapping your way too colorful shayla until it look dangerously choking yourself, fussly-tassled-decorated abaya with rhinestones on it (during special ocassion, InshaAllah it's acceptable), too brightly colored eyeshadow, etc. I know that it's normal for cultures in some countries to wear brighly colored clothing. If it's normal in your country then InshaAllah you're not feeling like you wanna show off, then it's fine. Whatever that doesn't attract too much attention is good. (Can't imagine wearing just black in India where everybody is wearing colors)

For me (and I believe most women out there), InshaAllah, when I decided to wear the niqab, it's because I wanna look modest, avoiding too much attention and help to guard me from feeling 'riak' by wanting to show my 'whatever' to others. I also pray to Allah to take care of me and (if possible) give me barokah from following our Prophet's wives way of covering themselves. (It's not wrong to pray and ask from Allah, ok? Please don't start criticizing about this).

But I saw so many women nowadays in my country that are wearing the niqab with pretty, but see-through hijab (and when I point it out nicely to a sister, she actually got angry and started to rant out on me about I should'nt think that I'm better than her. Honest to God, I wasn't. Sister, I was telling it nice and slow to you coz I luv u as my Muslim sister. I don't want people to say bad things behind your back coz that time a few ladies in the musolla were already talking about u).

And the niqab itself, MashaAllah, sometimes are too see-through, fully decorated with laces and bling-blings piping. Attract more attention to your face than ever! A bit is ok, but not that much!

Also, I saw so many girls and ladies on social network websites (myspace, facebook, friendster, etc) that are wearing the niqab for fun and took photos with inappropriate clothes, profile descriptions (language sisters! Language!) and manners to accompany the niqab. Why are these Muslim sisters playing with it? I feel so sad sometimes coz I think these kind of things are degrading the niqab and the reason of wearing it. It's bad enough for some non-muslims to make fun of it on youtube and all. We as Muslim wanna make fun of it too??? Fear Allah, sisters.

I'd love to see more Muslim sisters wear the niqab AND have some respect for 'that thing' they're wearing on their beautiful faces. Try not to do bad things and say nasty things and act appropriately when the hijab and niqab are on u (even when you're not wearing them at home, pls take care of your iman, ok?). Have some respect. Show some respect. It's our Prophet's wives way of covering themselves, for Allah's sake!

Maybe it's better for the sisters that wear the niqab for fun and to show that they're better women than others to stop wearing the niqab. Wear it when you're ready one day and do it for Allah. I love all my Muslim sisters. Even if you're not wearing hijab and wear sexy clothes, I still love you. Coz we're all Muslims. We only have each other at the end.

I hate it when some Muslims say that those that are wearing hijab /niqab are good Muslimahs with good iman and suitable wife material. THAT is a huge myth. If you're a good Muslim man, you can guide your non-hijabi/niqabi wife to better themselves. And just because someone is wearing clothes that cover themselves from head to toe it doesn't show their iman (although it's good that they're following Allah's ruling for Muslimahs to wear hijab and loose (+not see tru) clothing). Only Allah knows what's in our hearts.

Riak comes in so many different ways. Sometimes, wearing something to show that we're OH SO PIOUS is riak as well if we even think for a second "Hey look. I'm better than u. Look at the way I dress. I'm such a good Muslim".

There was this guy that sent me a comment on my myspace last time. The guy asked me why I wear the niqab. I said "Only Allah knows. I can't quite explain it in normal words". Then the guy wrote back. I translated this into English from Bahasa Malaysia. He said :

"Alhamdulillah
My opinion is Muslim women nowadays that wear hijab/niqab are either one of these 3 categories:
1. really good Muslimah and wanna wear it for Allah.
2. because it's compulsory to wear eventhough they don't want to.
3. to cover their sins and pretend to be good to fool others.

Don't think for a second that we could fool God. Maybe can try to impress people. But people will know. Allah gives them instinct."

What he replied made me think a lot that day. Which category am I? Which category are u? Only Allah knows. I do pray that we're in the 1st category. Ameen...

NOTE: Pictures are from my own Eid collection so please don't COPY.

A Quick Style Tip

I always get excited when I see a hijab shop or stall and usually end up getting a new scarf but sometimes I get a bit carried away and don't pay full attention to what I'm actually buying. Like yesterday I was looking for a really thin hijab which I found and bought but the fact that the thinner the hijab the more transparent it is seemed to slip my mind until I got home :( anywayyy, the other day I bought a new black hijab but it was on a hanger thing and I failed to notice that it was really narrow so it looks like a tiny Al Amira hijab when you wrap it shayla style so it doesn't give any chest coverage at all :(

..

So I thought I'd just wasted a tenner on two useless hijabs but then I had a eureka moment and put them together and voila!! I've ended up with a look a lot like this but with black underneath and straw-coloured on top:

I put two pins on either side to secure everything in place and I love it! So if you have a few scarves you think are useless as hijabs try putting them together or use one as an undercap, it's fun and you'll probably end up with a couple of new looks :D It turns out two hijab wrongs can make a right after all lol.

So About Shopping Here IN UAE...

So of course on to the subject of shopping here in UAE... Every hundred Dirhams is worth roughly 30 Canadian dollars so I keep this in mind as I shop.

Our first shopping experience is the Souq, where one can buy lower end quality abayaat and sheila, underscarves, elastic half-niqabs, and Emirati accessories like perfumes, hair clips, and the notorious poufs (small ones should cost 5 dirhams and medium good quality ones 10-15, while large ones can run from 5-20 dirhams depending on quality). For everyday abayaat spend no more than 300-400 dirhams. Party ones---try not to part with more than 600 dirhams. Fancy party jalabiyia are a good deal if they cost 140-300 depending on the design. Don't spend no more than 10 dirhams one house jalibiyia and Emirati lounging dresses. As for abayaat, you are expected to barter. If the swarowski crystals are just glued on (they are not real swarowski crystals then) get a lower price. If the abaya is machine embroidered, get a lower price. If the quality on anything is lacking, get a lower price. DON'T GO ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT, as there is too much chance of being followed, stared at, and rubbed, lol. On Thursay and Friday the workers are banned from the malls by law due (fair or not) to some disturbances, so if you want to, visit the malls.

A warning about the malls, if you want to see a beautiful display of local abayaat and sheila and Arabic make-up but also alot of fitna, the locals (including guys on the hunt for girls, married or not---even with their poor wife in tow) come out in full force in the evenings in the malls. So Aalia prefers to go in the days (before Magraib). Even then, it is best to cover one's face. I was at Al Marina mall with Aalia and Boxie and my cheap souq abaya started to fall apart (I went really really cheap--Boxie's is still in one peice lol) and I ended up having to pin my niqab to my abaya to hold it together (yeah, it looked ugly) and we decided to go skating, and a bunch of locals were so lame as to try and get on the ice to skate to try and flirt. LOL, thankfully Kareem (the Moroccan manager of the ice rink) said their kandooras (aka dishdashes aka thobes) were too long. Our abayas were too, and it is against the rules there to wear abaya or thobe and skate but they let us hike our abayas up and pin them (because Aalia convinced them we were expert Canadian figue skaters). Only one guy kept trying and was actually go to hike his thobe up but a. our skat time finished (awww, I wanted to see him fall), and b. we pretended Abdullah was my son and my husband was upstair (uh, shopping for sandals cuz I couldn't come up with a lie very well, lol). Anyways, their skates were kinda sad in quality, and the ice was worn, so if skating, go in the morning. The ice would be fresh.

Back to shopping, Al Marina mall has alot of the higher end abaya shops. Aalia reccomends First Lady http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidGN_28072009_10335142/Luxury%20abayas%20attract%20high%20prices%20for%20their%20exclusivity/, which has good quality and some unique and pretty shaylas. This is also the place (the mall) to buy niqab and gashwa as you can find light non-see through quality ones here. Also Al Motahajiba http://www.almotahajiba.com/ is in Al Marina mall, Mouzan, and Habayeb abayaat. I have yet to visit a Hanayen store yet but will, inshaAllah. I didn't get a chance to check out the jalibiyias so stay tuned. But if you love maxi dresses and long skirts, this is the mall for you.Yesturday we went to Abu Dhabi mall, home to stores like La Reine http://www.thedubaimall.com/en/shop/la-reine (overpriced for the lack of uniqueness in design---I mean like 3000-4000 dirhams an abaya), Abu Haleeqa http://abuhaleeqa.net/m_s_data/n/m_s_p2.htm (I liked a shayla with a swarowski kiwi on it but they'd sold the matching abaya already and it was very expensive---equivelent to 120$ CAD for one shayla), and Arabesque. Arabesque is the only upscale boutique so far besides First Lady that designs I liked for abaya (and I MAINLY loved the shaylas in First Lady). In Arabesuqe I would wear every third abaya. They are expensive and might be my splurge before I come home. I also found a deal on jalibyias at the bedding store across from a perfume shop whose name I forget and bought a yellow house party dress for 140 dirhams---which is around $46.00 CAD. I liked more of them, but they were 240 dirhams. So I resisted.
That is my review of the shopping in Abu Dhabi for now.

My UAE look isn't very UAE (unless you are a rockin' Grandma)

I like overhead abayas and I just can't get away with wearing them in Canada (Canadian non-muslims think I look like some alien Beduoin-foreigner LOL, or they just get weirded out by them too much---and since I also think shoulder styles are more than perfectly halal...). So I asked Aalia to help me find one here. What I like best about them is they are airy underneath (so less sticky and hot), and no men follow you in them. I am serrious. We had an unexpected experiment that supported my theory. I have always loved Shaikha Sabeela of Bahrain's shiny satiny overheads. Anyways, women that aren't grandmothers here in UAE don't generally wear them. Foreigners definately don't wear them. Saudi women from the Nejd and near the Rub Al Khali, as well as Saudi grandmothers and teachers, do. Older generation Emiratis do. These two groups wear the open style abaya-raas, with a khaleeji thobe, or Emirati house dress (or party jalibiyia for special occasions) underneath. I wear my maxi dresses (pink and green) and a plain black shayla (with tonnes of chest coverage---down to my mid rib-cage to prevent flashing anyone if my abaya blows open) underneath. To wear my way, first I put on my underclothes (if I was wearing a modest jalbiyia I wouldn't need to style my shayla with as much chest coverage but in a maxi I do), then I put on my half niqab around my head not necessarily pulled up to my mouth yet (I have yet to buy a really nice flip one---I only have Saudi string styles). Then I put on the overhead. I like to pin it on the inside, on the shayla, on both sides of (above) my temple, for extra security, but you totally don't have to. My overhead from Madinat al Zayed is shiny satiny fabric so it can slip. Then I can pin some jewelry on my head for pretty look under the folds of the overhead (but I don't do that for walking around where lots of men are), and pull my half niqab up so it covers my face. I accessorize with a trendy purse and girly shoes. I like this look because it is so simple. And I have the excuse to buy pretty jalibiyias rather than abayas (which my husband would like). And it has the added bonus of being a deterent for men (I don't get mall stalkers while shopping when in an overhead and my face covered.). I intend to add a tassel-close to the collar bone height of the abaya-ras to make carrying my purse easier.

Typically though, the grandmothers either wear a band niqab or a gold birqa, like in the pic above (only no braids and hair sticking out). And only typically beggars (and religious pious Egyptian sisters but more commonly beggars) wear the overhead abayas here that are of a closed style. The open style is more local (though not of my age group). My maxi, stylish purse and shoes, give it a younger air. Somehow, because of all the fabric, I feel very high fashion, rather than dowdy.

WE'VE ARRIVED

Alhamdulilah, today I woke up hearing the fajr the adhan. Boxie (see her blog here and go to her profile for her travel diary http://and4somethingdifferent.blogspot.com/) and I have been here a few days now (since the 21st) and I LOOOOOOOVE the adhan so much. But ya'll already know that. For those of you that didn't (until now) hearing the adhan is what led me to Islam.

We are staying with our girl Aalia (from her blog Chasing Jannah). She met us at the airport stylishly attired, in a (stylishly tailored but not-too-tight) plain black front-opening abaya from "First Lady", a flash of a pink satin skirt at the ankles appearing with every kick of her foot's step. Gashwa down over her eyes and the corner of her pink satin trimmed shayla styled to hang down the back gracefully down from the pouf of the gashwa. She got my text from the plane saying that we'd be late and wanted to know why...

to read the rest of the story, follow this link http://desertdiaryuae09.blogspot.com/2009/09/weve-arrived.html

Those Long Sleeved Stretch Tops..

Have you ever seen a 'hijabi' who wears a short sleeved dress and pairs it with a long sleeved skin tight top underneath to cover her arms? How is the arm covered and hijabified when you can seen every single tiny lump, bump and curve through the material?! It is soo much more important to cover your entire body shape than your hair so here are some alternatives that are actually modest and I genuinely think they look better, fashion wise, than the horrible skin tight tops anyway!

Here are some formal gowns with models wearing headscarves:

Instead of the top underneath, I would say add a long sleeved bolero, jacket or cardigan over the top. I would personally go for the latter 2 as they will also cover your waist line better. Here are formal gowns modelled but women wearing hijab:

This next picture is soo modest, the dress is a good length and the jeans are loose and un-reaveling. The only problem is the arm covering:

This women is also wearing a dress, but has properly covered her arms (and neck..). And I think the outfit looks so much better:

Now I must say at this point that I don't completely and utterly hate them, in fact I have a few myself! But I use them on dresses with 3/4 length or slightly sheer sleeves and sometimes underneath a top with very loose sleeves so that your arms stay covered even if the outer sleeve rides up. Here are some examples:

I love the last outfit, though I don't like the hijab style very much :S Anyway, next time you get told that one of your hijabi wardrobe essentials is a selection of tight long sleeved tops remember Surat Al Nur and make sure you know exactly how they should be worn and you'll live hijabily ever after :D

University Outfit Idea

You might have gathered that I'm starting university soon (next Friday!) so I've been thinking of potential outfits (never too soon :D) for my first day. Here's one I like:

Hijab Outfit by Zaenab

It's not crazy, I know lol but I want to keep it simple but not typical uni scruffy if you know what I mean. I'm in love with those flats ^-^ Anywayy hope you like it!

I'm Still Alive...

I know I haven't been posting much lately but it's because I moved house over the weekend and there's still loads of stuff to sort out. Also starting uni in 10 days!! Quite scared :S Anywayy just to say, I should be posting again soon and if you have any requests just email me or put it in the comments. And last but certainly not least EID MUBAREK!!!!

Salam

Zaenab xxx

P.S. What a cute abaya?!

Eid Mubarak to All My Friends.

Assalamualaikum to all my beloved friends wherever you are.

Ramadhan has gradually comes to the last 10 days and I believe all of us have been doing our best to cherish it with lots of good deeds.

Although I haven't been writing many good posts here because of what has happened to me in the earlier half of Ramadhan, I hope you all know that I did try my best to visit your blogs and leave comments.

I enjoy reading the daily updates of some of your blogs especially about how you struggle with fasting, some of you keep sharing your mouth watering Ramadhan food - very tempting, fashionistas wrote about Eid attires, knowledgeable ones wrote many things regarding Ramadhan and so on.

All over the world, everyone is sharing bits and pieces about their wonderful or even stressful experience during this Ramadhan.

I keep thinking that at this moment, there's someone out there updating their blogs happily thinking that someone else would read and reflects.

I gain motivations, emotional support during my life trials, friendship which is very much appreciated and loved, new knowledge and new recipes just from your blogs.

Thank you! Thank you!

I'd like to give you this simple Eid Mubarak e-card as a token of our friendship.

May Allah bless you and accept all the good deeds from me and you.

Eid Mubarak my friends!

An Interesting Hijab Choice

Arghh I'm so bored and my internet is running soooooo slooowwww atm it's drving me mad :-O Anywayy, I finally managed to get the blog open just to post you this lol:

I like the look on the left, not sure about the material choice on the right though, what do you think?

Ideas for Eid

Eid Mubarak Abaya by hanniaziz featuring Georgina Goodman shoes

Add color to plain black by hanniaziz featuring Ken Scott scarves

We have a party to attend. by hanniaziz featuring Fendi bags

Abaya for a Party by hanniaziz featuring Forzieri jewelry