Let's Go Simple

Today's style idea:

Let's Go Simple by hanniaziz featuring urban handbags

Being simple and modest is what's important. And as I'll be standing most of the time today, wearing a flat shoes is better.

I'll be participating at the Karnival Kesihatan or the Health Carnival for 2 days starting today. For those staying in Kelantan, please visit my stall at no.3 near the Stage.

See you there! Got to go!

Another Beautiful Recitation - Surat Ya'sin

The Best Recitation of Quran Ever --- It is the Best --- Surah-Ya-seen

.

Of course, we should try to listen to the Quran often but I think it's especially important when we cannot pray to try to make up for it.

Sharing: Hijab/Niqab or No Scarf at All

This article is written by Prepare For The Hour

It is a very well written article about aurat and hijab. I hope it is okay with her for me to share her article here because I think her good article will have more readers. Please give credits and thanks to Sister Safyiah of PREPARE FOR THE HOUR.

Now, let's read her article and reflect.

Bismillah


Salamo Aleikom Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu


I want to comment about an article that I happened to read one of these days. I posted it on my Facebook profile by mistake, but I want to have my say in it, inshaAllah.


This is the article in question: Stop Telling Muslim Women How To Dress


I must say, I was allured by the title, but, once I started reading it I just felt how much of consciousness of todays trials and Islamic thought weren't put into the article.


I agree that some people lead the subject of hijab/niqaab to sexist views, but it's not all of them. Let's see: isn't a Muslim woman supposed to follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah? So, why would she go back on the Qur'an and the Sunnah at the same time when it comes to her clothing? WAIT, now that I'm saying this, people will start calling me extremist. Well, it's not me who is extremist then, look to the Qur'an, see the context and the commentaries of the Sahabah and other scholars and then check the Sunnah about hijab. No, it's not me who is extremist.


Also, there's a difference between insulting and giving advice. The first is not allowed from a Muslim to another Muslim or even to a kafir (unless during war, when the kuffar are hostile towards the Muslims). The second is more than allowed, but are the receivers of this advice with an open heart for the worry her sister/brother has on her Hereafter?


Another thing is when the people that don't wear hijab and don't wear the proper hijab, try to say that there's no such rules in the Qur'an and Sunnah that tell them to cover up more. Well, go look again and bring a sheikh to explain it to you or just look to the rulings on the clothing through Islamic history and compare to the lay back attitude of some sheikhs today that allow some people even to drink wine and eat pork... astaghfirullah.


Now, let's make some differences here. Not wearing hijab or not wearing proper hijab does not mean we can judge the faith of that person. Faith is in the heart, it can't be seen through a garment. It's like smoking. You can't tell a person that smokes that they have low faith. Some relative in my husband's family smokes and I see each Fajr prayer, he stays praying and reading Qur'an until the sun rises, he is an old person, so it's hard for him to go to the masjid. And I KNOW many Muslims don't do that, they don't even go to the masjid if they can. Many of them don't even pray Fajr and they still don't smoke. So, let's make some sense here.


The reality I see many times is that as much as the sisters and brothers want to see some positive change in the people who don't wear hijab or don't wear proper hijab, out of worry, not of insult, they take the advise as an offense, which shouldn't happen. Why are they so sensitive to this matter? Is it because they know they are wrong in wearing what they wear? Allahu A'lam.


I see many times a sister giving an advise to another sister who is not wearing proper hijab and she simply gets offended by the worry of her sister who is advising.


One of these days, after I took care of my visa, I went to a masjid near the building I was in. The prayer started, everyone prayed. Then, after it finished, a sister comes to the prayer room. For you to have a picture, she was not wearing proper clothing to enter a masjid, she was wearing a very tight shirt on the upper part. Yes, like most of the girls in Egypt. So, before she prayed, a lady who was about 40-50 years old called her and asked her name. She said her name and then the lady advised her "you can put some prayer dress over your clothes so that your prayer can be accepted". The girl smiled and went away, she did not pray. So, which kind of Muslims are we talking about? The ones that take an advise as an offense (generally). I must tell you, if the Sahabah took and advise and confirmed it to be the Sunnah and the right way, they would hold on to it and practice it as much as they can.


Understand, my sisters in Islam, that the people who advise you, worry about you. They are not indirectly offending you, they want the best for you, they want Paradise for you. Insulting is one thing, advising is another thing. Let's distinguish that a bit.


To the people that advise, try to be as subtle as possible, be kind and gentle. Explain with proof from Qur'an and Sunnah.


To the subject about "men and women can't be friends in Islam", well, they can, as long as they are mahram. It's not about sex, it's about Islamic rulings and how Islam was and is practiced. I remember the incident when 'A'isha (raw) was alone in the desert when she went to search for her necklace, she fell asleep. The person who came and saw her said "subhanAllah", did he go there and say "how are you 'Aisha, what happened, why are you here?". No, their conversation was direct to the point and he tried to help her, not out of friendship, but out of respect and knowing that she was the wife of the Prophet (sws). Also, why is there a separation between men and women in prayer? Even if the women pray behind the men, there's a separation, the women don't pray beside men and men don't pray beside women, and this is a Sunnah. So, you see there's no mixing allowed by the Prophet (sws). And he (sws) advised us not to go to supermarkets, if possible. To avoid what? Mixing. So, if you say non-mahram girls and boys can be friends, why did the Prophet (sws) forbid girls and boys to be in touch in the first place?


Another thing, scholars are mostly men, if you don't take an advise from a scholar then you're in an even worse situation and you should check yourself and the faith you are having right now. If people write books on this subject it's because they care, they don't write books out of a hobby.




Let's take a deeper look to our teachings.


About the non-Muslims telling Muslim women how to wear. They are adding wood to the fire. I must ask to the non-Muslims, where in this whole world are you capable of telling a Muslim what he/she is doing wrong or right in his/her religion?


Most of these non-Muslims just go to their Muslim neighbor Sami around the corner and ask him to give them a commentary from himself on the Qur'an just because they think by a person knowing Arabic that they can understand the Qur'an to that extend.


Let me remind the non-Muslims that Qur'an is not like the Bible. Many of you may not have seen the original texts of the Bible, but we Muslims have to see things in Arabic to have a deeper understanding of what's being said and even so, we need something called Tafsir from scholars to know the exact meaning. It's not like "bring a cup of popcorns and let's watch the movie". It requires years of study of the grammar and the interpretation from hadith and the sahabah and the students of the sahabah to know about these verses in the Qur'an and explain them. It's not like you read it just like that and it's what's in front of you. There's something called "context". If you don't care about the context you're just like Al-Qaeda that reads and does, no question about it. You're using Al-Qaedas tactics? Aren't you supposed to be against their way of thinking?


Take Care


Salam

Tablecloth Chic

I have lost count of the number of times that I have read a comment in which the writer orders any woman who chooses to cover according to the laws of Islam to take off what they so endearingly describe as their 'tablecloths'. Now, I don't necessarily think that wearing what looks like a tablecloth is a bad thing.. (neither did Michael Kors in Spring '09, apparently).

Anyway, if they are so adamant that we wear tablecloths, it would be rather rude to deflate their conviction by walking around in, I dunno.. blue bedsheets, perhaps..

Tablecloth Chic by Zaenab

(P.S. I accidentally deleted the last 25 comments written on the blog.. sorry..modern technology is just too confusing)

Ya Allah

I was so far from you
Yet to me you were always so close
I wandered lost in the dark
I closed my eyes toward the signs
You put in my way
I walked everyday
Further and further away from you
Ooooo Allah, you brought me home
I thank You with every breath I take.

Alhamdulillah, Elhamdulillah
All praises to Allah, All praises to Allah
Alhamdulillah, Elhamdulillah
All praises to Allah, All praises to Allah.

I never thought about
All the things you have given to me
I never thanked you once
I was too proud to see the truth
And prostrate to you
Until I took the first step
And that’s when you opened the doors for me
Now Allah, I realized what I was missing
By being far from you.

Alhamdulillah, Elhamdulillah
All praises to Allah, All praises to Allah
Alhamdulillah, Elhamdulillah
All praises to Allah, All praises to Allah.

Allah, I wanna thank You
I wanna thank you for all the things that you’ve done
You’ve done for me through all my years I’ve been lost
You guided me from all the ways that were wrong
And did you give me hope

O Allah, I wanna thank you
I wanna thank You for all the things that you’ve done
You’ve done for me through all my years I’ve been lost
You guided me from all the ways that were wrong
I wanna thank You for bringing me home

Alhamdulillah, Elhamdulillah
All praises to Allah, All praises to Allah
Alhamdulillah, Elhamdulillah
All praises to Allah, All praises to Allah.

Song by Maher Zain
Lyrics, credit to Niqab: The Face Veil on Facebook

Outfit Ideas: Smart Hijab

Just an update.

Assalamualaikum and good morning everyone.

Alhamdulillah... after a night of peaceful rest, I am very happy that Allah still allow me to wake up this morning. There are still so many things that I want to do as an addition to my good deeds part before I parted with this world. Amal makruf nahi mungkar, is easy to say but not very easy to apply.

Today, as usual is the busiest day for me. I already prepared a list of tasks that I'd have to complete starting from the Home Tasks, the Business Tasks and the Pleasure Tasks. Thanks to dear husband, two of my Home Tasks are already complete. He washed all the dirty clothes yesterday, alhamdulillah. The only thing that I have to do now is folding, hanging and ironing them.

Sweeping the floor is also done for both floors. Alhamdulillah and thank you to dear husband. I'm going to treasure his thoughtfulness and insyaallah will treat him with something special for lunch today. Since he's working from home, he's gradually adapting his self as the 'house manager'. I know it's not easy and challenging to his ego, but dear husband has changed a lot. I think emotional stability comes with open mindedness and wise decision in handling life obstacles. Just alhamdulillah.

Ok, now I have to start preparing to go out for the Business Tasks and if I manage to handle everything nicely I might pamper myself with the last tasks. Sight-seeing or window-shopping looks interesting hehe.

And this is my fashion idea for today.

This is all I need for today. by hanniaziz featuring red jewelry

See you later.

Never Say Never

Just an inspiration from a song that I've listened in Karate Kid. This lyrics is editted.

NEVER SAY NEVER

See I never thought that I could walk through fire

I never thought that I could take the burn.

I never had the strength to take it higher,

until I reached the point of no return.

And there's just no turning back,

When your hearts under attack,

Gonna give everything I have,

It's my destiny.

I will never say never!

I will fight till forever!

Whenever you knock me down,

I will not stay on the ground.

Pick it up,

Pick it up,

Pick it up,

Pick it up, up, up,

And never say never.

Never say never

Never say never

Never say never

Never say it never

Never say it.

I never thought I could feel this power.

I never thought that I could feel this free.

I'm strong enough to climb the highest tower.

And I'm fast enough to run across the sea.

And there's just no turning back,

When your hearts under attack,

Gonna give everything I have,

Cause this is my destiny.

I will never say never!

I will fight till forever!

Whenever you knock me down,

I will not stay on the ground.

Pick it up,

Pick it up,

Pick it up,

Pick it up up up,

And never say never.

I be trying a chill, they be trying to side with the thrill.

No pun intended, was raised by the power of Will.

I gotta be the best, and yes we're the flyest.

Like David and Goliath, conquered the giant.

I will never say never!

I will fight till forever!

Whenever you knock me down,

I will not stay on the ground.

Pick it up,

Pick it up,

Pick it up,

Pick it up up up,

And never say never.

Never say it never

Never say it.

Never say never.

He's so happy

Assalamualaikum and good morning everyone.

Alhamdulillah, what a wonderful feeling I have right now. It's all thanks to a friend of my husband. This friend or maybe I can say one of the best friends of my husband has called and invited Hubby for a breakfast somewhere. At this moment my dear husband is waiting at the front of our house for the friend to come. He's spotting a big smile on his face and I know he's happy.

My dear husband does not has many friends but there are a few that I know personally whom always there for him especially during his bad times. Hubby introduced them to me and I get to know who are his friends, sometimes their wives too. Even though I'm not on very friendly term with them because they are men but I know they have good relationship toward each other.

This friend who's on his way to take Hubby to breakfast is newly married. He's younger than Hubby but Hubby considers him as his close friends because they have lots of things in common. Secretly I've seen them helping each other and I know how much Hubby treasure their friendship. May Allah bless them and make the friendship last until Jannah.

To my dear husband, have a great time with your friend before he flies abroad again. Enjoy your friendship as mush as I enjoyed mine. Alhamdulillah I have many friends either online or in real life whom I consider close friends. They are part of my wonderful life.

Wassalam.

My new dream.

Assalamualaikum dear friends and sisters.

If yesterday, I was dreaming about a new boots and I did bought it, today, I'm planning on getting this new abaya.

I sell this abaya at my blogshop ABAYA ELEGAN but I do not own it. Right now, I'm saving money to buy this abaya for Eid-ul-Adha.

It's one of the hot selling item at ABAYA ELEGAN during the fasting month. People bought it to wear during Eid-ul-Fitr.

I think this abaya would be exclusively for special occasions.

Bought me a new boots.

And I wanna style it like this:

Simple Yet Stylish by hanniaziz featuring a white gold necklace

Or... maybe this style would be suitable for tomorrow.

Tomorrow's Style by hanniaziz featuring skull jewelry

Actually the boots featured in my sets above are Chloe Leather Ankle Boots which is priced more than RM2K. Huhu, I'm not gonna buy this expensive one but I've bought a Verse Ankle Boots which looks a bit like this boot.

Do you like it?

Monochrome

I find myself loving and hating the above look at the same time.. Loving because of it's beautiful modesty and striking monochrome colours and hating because of those ghastly shoes and that 'I'm pregnant' pose. I've reinvented the look with a slightly younger twist, losing the peep-toes but hopefully keeping the modesty:

Monochrome.. Nearly by Zaenab

Of course the dress is intended to be paired with a black long sleeve top underneath :)

Like a crab teaching it's children to walk straight

Assalamualaikum and may blessings of Allah be upon all of you.

Dear friends and readers,

Last week during a visit to my husband's friend's house, I was talking with the wife. She is a religious teacher at one of the prestigious Islamic school in this State. I was very glad that we got clicked quite fast even though we are just being introduced properly.

The sister is a bit younger than me but she called herself 'Kakak' because I think she's more matured than me with 2 daughters. There's no problem there and in a way, we get a bit closer like that.

Since my husband and her husband were busy talking to one another mostly about Internet Marketing and what not, both of us try to occupy our time by talking about social issues. From the topic of ZINA among the teenagers to the current hijab trends, the instant 'tudung' that can be spotted on many local women heads. Yes, the Malay Muslim.

She shared with me her constant disappointment with her colleagues, known here as USTAZAHs or religious teachers. How can an Ustazah teaches good fashion sense, (when I said that, it means Islamic fashion sense) when she herself is not appropriately covering herself according to our Islamic dress code.

For example, the Ustazah scolded her students for wearing a short instant 'tudung' like al-amira hijab that does not cover properly the aurah. Yet, the Ustazah was wearing a lycra hijab that was sticking to her body like a second skin. Yes, the size of the hijab is big but it is showing clearly the assets that should be hidden. So... is she teaching the correct thing?

In another case, female students were asked to came to school for Qiamullail and everyone were required to wear modest clothes aka properly covering the aurah. However, some of the women teachers who came to supervise, came in casual clothes and not even bother to wear proper hijab.

There is a Malay proverb that say that kind of attitude as 'Ibarat ketam mengajar anak berjalan lurus." The title is the direct translation of this proverb. Basically this proverb is trying to tell us not to say other people's way is wrong when we ourselves are not doing the right thing. So make sure we walk the talk if we want to teach or preach to others. If not others would not be listening or following out advice.

I hope I am not like those Ustazahs and I hope they'll realize their mistake soon before more people are disappointed with us.

I'm crying because I'm happy

Assalamualaikum dear friends and readers.

I am crying right now. I just can't stop the tears from coming out and annoyingly making my nose watery. Yes, I am crying while I'm smiling so much and this also makes me want to hug them, to hug you.

Just now, I've updated my main blog on my quest to conceive. And automatically the blog update appeared in my facebook wall. Some friends wrote beautiful words and du'a for us, husband and me. Those words really get into my heart and the water dam just broke and makes me cry.

I feel so loved, so cared about. I know they are consoling me, motivating me and encouraging me. Waiting for nearly 9 years to conceive is really challenging. Hurtful words from people who don't understand ,these days always make me cry. I don't get angry anymore. I'm so used to those kind of attitude.

But I'm not quite used to wonderful words, kind words that support me. I just want to cry more.

Thank you. Thank you to all of you.

Zain's Request: Roll Neck Tops

SM reader Zain emailed me asking where should could buy polo necks to wear under short sleeved dresses online. Here are a few shops:

1. ASDA Direct: You can get basic viscose roll necks in a range on colours from £6 and wool roll necks from just £8

2. Wallis: Basic viscose roll necks for £26 in a selection of colours

3. House of Fraser: They currently have a sale where you can pick up a jersey polo neck for £7.50 but not all sizes are available.

4. Dorothy Perkins: Basic viscose roll necks for £16 in a few colours

5. Warehouse: For £18, you can get a basic viscose roll neck from a range of mainly dark colours

If you live in the UK, check out Primark (and H&M) where you may find polo necks for cheaper. Hope that helps :)

What I wore today?

Black + Pink + Baby Blue

My husband and I went to visit his friend because they have not seen one another for quite a long time. As today is the Malaysia Day and the whole country is having public holiday, he thought it would be good to visit some friends.

Anyway, above are my attire: an open front abaya with pink and baby blue diamonte, my new Vincci shoe, a beloved Rorine handbag and a pink pashmina.

I feel so in love today. In love with my dear hubby for being there with me.

Another Headscarf Style To Try

Nearly a year after adopting the Hijab, I am getting so sick of the standard shayla wrap so I was looking for some new styles to give a go on YouTube and found this lovely tutorial by hijabi user aberdeenchap:

Now I'm off to try it myself :)

When a customer said she's satisfied...

I know she mean it.

An abaya makes a lady.

This days whenever I go out to town my eyes will always be alert at anything resembles an abaya. I just can't stop looking when I saw a woman wearing an abaya. Inside my head, all this kind of questions tumbling among each other:

• where did she buy it?
• who sell it?
• is that the same one that I sell at my blogshop?
• how much is it?

and on and on...

What an elegant lady.

After Eid, I was a bit lazy to update my blogs and the long holiday with so many weddings and open house invitations makes me more lazy. But I am still alert when I spot a lady in an abaya hehe.

That's just me.

Reader's Look: Seyma

The next Reader's Look is on Seyma, the owner of the hijabrevival blog. She's a 28 year old mother and teacher living in Australia who is originally from Turkey. Check out her style..

Chanel chic:

A casual maxi dress and denim jacket look - the perfect combo.

I love her hijab styles, Turkish scarves really do look lovely when worn in the right style..

I love the attention to detail in this next look, everything goes together perfectly:

In fact, I liked this look so much that I decided to casually copy it on Polyvore.. Well kind of..

Hijab Chic by Zaenab

And finally, a lovely Abaya-esque look:

Thanks Seyma :D If you want to be featured, email me.

A new Sultan for Kelantan

September 13, 2010 17:07 PM

Tuanku Muhammad Faris, A Sultan With People's Well-Being At Heart

Sultan Tenku Muhammad Faris Petra

KOTA BAHARU, Sept 13 (Bernama) -- Newly-proclaimed Sultan of Kelantan Tuanku Muhammad Faris Petra Ibni Sultan Ismail Petra is described by many as a ruler with the people's well-being at heart.

He has been going around the state, visiting villages and Orang Asli settlements, to be with the people and listen to their problems.

Wearing his trademark robe and "gumbang" Malay attire and "kopiah" (cap), he is unassuming and always at ease as he mingles with the people.

At one time in Pantai Damat, Bachok, Tuanku Muhammad Faris Petra visited an ailing single mother, who relied only on assistance from the Welfare Department.

Sitting cross-legged at the home of Azizah Abdullah, 41, and her three children, Tuanku Muhammad Faris Petra asked her how she was doing, and was deeply touched by the sufferings of the family.

He offered words of encouragement, telling her children that he hoped they would be successful in their education, and handed over his personal contribution.

Tuanku Muhammad Faris Petra, 41, was today proclaimed as the Sultan of Kelantan, succeeding his father Tuanku Ismail Petra Almarhum Sultan Yahya Petra.

The eldest prince of Tuanku Ismail Petra has three siblings, namely Tengku Bendahara Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra, Tengku Temenggong Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra and Tengku Amalin A'Ishah Putri.

He received his early education in Kota Baharu and Kuala Lumpur and later at the Oakham School, in Rutland, England until 1989 before pursuing his education in diplomatic studies at St Cross College, Oxford, United Kingdom and Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies until 1991.

He was born on Oct 6, 1969 and was made the Crown Prince in October 1985 and the Regent of Kelantan last year.

An avid reader and fan of four-wheel-drive vehicle expedition, horse sports, bowling and archery, he also follows closely the development in and outside the country.

He has been going to the ground, meeting the people, often quietly, away from the glare of the media.

Tuanku Muhammad Faris Petra also involves in many charity organisations and has been appointed the Commander of the 506 Territorial Army Regiment with a rank of Brigadier General (Honorary).

-- BERNAMA

Hmm..

Does she have no waist?

Happy International Burn The.. Nevermind..

I don't know why but Pastor Terry Jones vividly reminds me of a clown.

The prophet Jesus/Isa (May Allah's [SWT] peace and blessings be upon him) said:

Be to the people like the earth below in meekness, like the flowing water in generosity and like the sun and the moon in mercy, which shine on the good and sinner alike."

.

(Oh and Eid Mubarek everyone :D :D :D - Love from Zaenab)

Beautiful Recitation Of Surat Qaf

The Day of Eid

Assalamualaikum and Eid Mubarak everyone!

Ramadhan is soon going to leave us and Syawal will greet us with Eid-ul-Fitr. Ramadhan is such a blissful month because, I think I've done more good deed during this holy month compared to other months.

To celebrate Eid, I'd like to share this Eid song from Sami Yusuf.



Let's do our best for our last day of Ramadhan so that we do not regret it later. Then we are going to celebrate eid, insyaallah.

Happy Eid!

Eid Look

An outfit idea for Eid that I made on Looklet..
.

Just add a plain scarf to complete :)

Gorgeous! Who made these abayaat?

Assalamualaikum dear friends.

I've borrowed some photos from an FB group selling abaya, called Abaya Collection. They have some pretty gorgeous abaya which are so glamorous for me. However they are beautiful to see. I won't dare wearing them but I know some of us can rock this abaya just like... it's nothing!

Here are some that really caught my eyes.

Would mind sharing your thoughts?

EID MUBARAK!

Tazkirah

"And hold fast, all of you together, to the rope of Allah and do not be devided. And recall Allah's favor upon you: how you were enemies and He brought about reconciliation between your hearts so that you became, by His grace, brothers; and you were on the brink of an abyss of fire and He saved you from it." (3: 103)

Just a reminder for my self.

Hijabi Beginner: Revert Jan's First Day In Hijab

Randon Pics

These outfits are designed by Rizalman Ibrahim for Puteh Boutique and I think they make great style inspiration.

The pose tells me that she's probably fasting..

Of course there are minor hijab tweaks needed but we all know that.

Ideas for styling Layla Abaya

Assalamualaikum dear friends and readers.

It's been a few days after my last post. I was very busy trying to catch up with all the works and also managing my businesses so as usual my attention have to be focused only to one blog, Keluargaku Sayang.

Anyway, it does not mean that I forget about KakChik's Wardrobe. Insyaallah this is my 2nd best blog ever and I love writing here as much as I love writing at the former one.

Ramadhan is going to leave us soon and in day time I am busy with mostly the abaya business, apart from my career at the Library. Alhamdulillah this Ramadhan Abaya Elegan managed to gain many customers and more than half of them bought this abaya:

Layla Abaya

I also have this abaya and love wearing it either to work or sometimes to special events such as weddings and dinners. Anyway, one customer is still new in wearing abaya and she asked for my help to style her.

Huhu, my skill in Polyvore is getting rusty again and I just managed to create this sets:

Layla Abaya by hanniaziz featuring purple brooch

With Layla Abaya, Make It Simple by hanniaziz featuring diamond jewelry

Raya with Layla Abaya by hanniaziz featuring high heel shoes

Dear Harlina, I'm sorry for not able to create a better sets. I'm not very satisfied with this ideas. If you don't like them, insyaallah I'll create some more. Inform me okay.

With that, I'm going to rest now. I want to get up early for Sahur and Qur'an. Ma'assalamah.