The Abaya Ladies

Assalamualaikum everyone. Happy 25th Muharram 1432 Hijri @ New Year 2011.

This will be my last entry for the year 2010. I think this is the year where I lost a bit of my enthusiasm in writing in KakChik's Wardrobe. I don't know what happen exactly but when I reflect, I think facebook has taken part of my blogging spirit. However, I'm still going to keep this blog in next year's important list. I love writing here and most of all I love the interaction with friends from everywhere on this earth.

Source: Nur Ilham Hamzah

Back to the topic above, I just want to share with you that I have a group in facebook which I named THE ABAYA LADIES (TAL). This group is a closed group and ladies who love abaya and have a facebook account have to make a request to join it. The purpose of the restriction is to prevent the group from fakes muslimah. Alhamdulillah, so far everything is doing alright.

TAL's members are mostly Malaysian and some of the are my facebook friends who happens to love wearing abaya. The rest are from other countries and also my customers. The objectives of this group as far as I'm concern are:

1. to make friends with muslimah who wears abaya, it's fun talking about our same interest.

2. to share Islamic knowledge and information

3. to share our knowledge about abaya; the material, the quality, the originality, the comfort, and such.

4. to gain comfort from friends who love the sunnah style.

A few months ago TAL has planned for a gathering in Kuala Lumpur but due to our technical difficulties, the event has to be postponed. At the same time Abaya Elegan was planning to have a gathering with its customers around Kelantan and as the creator of TAL and the owner of Abaya Elegan, I don't see any wrong to take an opportunity in organizing a gathering in Kelantan.

I've informed to all TAL members through the group's wall and in planned for the event. Alhamdulillah it was done this morning from 10 am until 12.30 am at Dar Nur al-Zahra' Islamic Community Library, Kota Bharu. With 5 members plus 3 new customers and 3 children, our gathering was fun and enjoyable. Thank you O Allah.

Insyaallah we'll planned for a bigger event in the coming months. This time around I hope our KL event will be a dream comes true. Thank you for all friends of TAL who came today. I know the best part of our meeting today were trying the abayaat and making friends. I hope I'm right. 

Wassalam.

SECTS SEGMENT WILL BEGIN IN FEBUARY

So, the sections for the segment on sects will begin mid febuary-ish I suppose. So check ILH then:)

And for the sisters that wanted a way to contact me, you have to leave your emails in the comments section. Don't worry;) I don't post emails, I just need to know your emails to write you if you don't have a blog that has a post for me to leave comments on:D

Being simple during the trip.

Assalamualaikum dear readers and friends.

It's another busy day for me after the holiday. I have 3 different accounts to close and life has started to feel like I'm living in a war zone. Dateline... dateline...  Well, it is my fault for not being one great accountant but a manageress who have to take over someone else job. Life has to go on and by the end of this week, all those accounts must be balanced and closed. May Allah bless me with clear mind and good health so that I can do this job very very well.

Anyway, enough talking about my work, let's take a look at what I have worn during my trip to Hattyai, Thailand. 3 days, so there were 3 different outfits. Here's the first one worn on the first day.

I'm wearing abaya C29 from Laniz Collection.

For the second day, I wore an all black abaya, with a side opening, a bit like a kimono. I don't know whether you can see it clearly or not.

The all black abaya with black embroidery. Abaya AR100.

And on the last day, I chose to wear the black with brown stripes jilbab which I have designed myself. It was custom made in 2000. Yes, the jilbab is already 10 years old but it is still in a good condition and I can still fit myself in it, alhamdulillah.

In front of Krue Se Mosque in Pattani.

I know some muslimah like to wear pants when they are touring but for me abaya or jilbab is always suitable and easy for me to pray. We Malays like to wear 'kain sembahyang' for praying but I prefer praying in my clothes provided that I'm confident that is's clean.

So, it's up to you and your comfort to wear whatever you like. I don't have the authority to ask you to follow me. Remember, be comfortable in whatever we wear as long as we're sure that Allah will like it. Wassalam.

Pick Meeee..!!!

You may or may not have heard about the 2010 Best Blog Award organised by the SistersWhoBlog Network, but voting time has begun!

.

So if you like this blog, please vote for Stylish Muslimah here (listed under best fashion blog) before 31st December 2010 :D

Thanks girlys,
Zaenab
xoxoxox

Test for any Student of Knowledge, before they can teach others as they know

Before I start posting the first segment on Sects in Islam on ILH, I want to share the following story on adab:

There is a Sheikh at an Islamic teaching institution (both of which shall remain nameless, because I hear he uses this test to the day) who had a student of his who was almost ready to graduate and move on to teach students of his/her own. This student knew all the Sheikh could teach him/her about the ways of the Prophet Mohamed sallalahu alahi wa salaam, at least in memory, and Qu'ran, but the Sheikh just had to make sure. He felt it was his responsibility that all his students inform others about Islam in the manner of it's beloved Prophet.

So the Sheikh struck up a point with his young protege, about salat, which the student adamantly believed, no KNEW to be incorrect. And despite being presented with his student's daleel in an Islamic manner (proper adab/manners) the Sheikh refused to see his protege's point.

This made the student very frustrated and angry.

When the Sheikh insisted his student aknowledge the Shiekh as his/her teacher, and his way also correct, the student grew stubborn, but more than that, the student grew proud, and condemned his/her beloved teacher for their ignorance.

The Shiekh knew he was being ignorant, and had planned it thus. For the Qu'ran warns all believers, especially those of knowledge who would impart it, that they will be tested by the ignorant, even among those who claim to be Muslims: "Hatred flows out of their mouths and what they hide in their chests is far worse.... When they meet you they say, "We believe," but as soon as they leave, they bite their fingers out of rage towards you." [3:118-120]. And warns also of those with delusions of their own grandeur: "If something good happens to you, they hurt, and if an affliction befalls you, they say, "We told you so," as they turn away rejoicing. "[9:50-52].

But he wanted to see if his student was ready for the task of being a teacher of Islam, and understood all this. That the student could teach without being tricked by Shaytaan.

The Shiek's student failed his test, even though the student's KNOWLEDGE was quite correct.

Because of the student's adab.

Seeing the student in a rage, proud and haughty, the Shiekh told the student that actually the whole debate had been but a test to see his student's understanding of Islamic manners in debate. And the Sheikh told the confused but humbled student they still had a few more years of study to go, since they had become angry with another Muslim for a matter that was not a sin against the honor of Islam, and because of their misplaced pride.

For the Messenger of Allah has said: "Anger comes from the Shaytaan/ the devil..."(Dawud, Narrated Atiyyah as-Sa'di) . And "“ The strong is not the one who over comes the people by his strength” "But the strong is the one who controls his own self while in anger."

As for pride?

It is of Shaytaan, unless it is wholly for the sake of Allah, and none for one's own self or reputation. For the Quran says of Shaytaan: "Allah says, 'He was proud and he was of the disbelievers.' [Soorah Saad (38): 74], and the Prophet Mohamed says "'He will not enter Paradise who has even a speck of pride in his heart.'" [Saheeh Muslim] .

Allah advises us in the Holy Quran to guard ourselves from pride in arguing over the meaning of ayat in a way for our own glory or misguidances: "'Verily, those who dispute about the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, without any authority having come to them... is nothing else in their breasts except pride? So seek refuge in Allah.' [from being like these people].' [Surah Ghafir].

I think it is the perfect lesson to remember as we start this content, for as commentators on the last post remarked, since this section will be about sects, there'll be some major differences of opinion.

A Trip to Haatyai 2 Nights 3 Days

Assalamualaikum dear friends.

Last 3 days I was in Haatyai, Thailand with husband for a holiday. Actually it was a company family trip. And as a wife of one of it's staff, I'm lucky to have a free trip. Alhamdulillah. And these are some of the photos that I've selected to share here with you.

23 Dec 2010, Thursday

At the border, waiting for the ferry to cross the river from Pengkalan Kubor (Malaysia) to Takbai (Thailand).

On the ferry with my sick husband.

That's our ferry. The yellow one. And you can see Takbai in the distance.

Thailand, here I come.

To be continued.

Hijab has been thoroughly documented on I LOVE HISHMA: onto sects in Islam since people made a big fuss about them on this blog:)

It's been a long time now hasn't it. Sorry life has a way of getting crazy.

But I would totally like to do a new section which is the study of Islamic sects (my personal thoughts interjected so please forgive) and after that, Islamic history AFTER the death of the Prophet Mohamed S.A.W.

I will say what I personally find correct, but I am going to try and find some guest writers to write from the perspectives of other sects, like Shia and Ibadhi, (and other, MORE splinter sects of each of us) as well, since I am SOOOOOOOOOOO tired of people on this blog being mean to me for me believing as I do, and feeling compelled to write what I BELIEVE or know to be correct. So if we all say what why we do what we do, call ourselves as we do, then at least, if we agree to disagree, it isn't in ignorance.

I want to do this because there is huge misunderstandings between us all. And I want the ummah united.

"I truly believe that the names Sunni (of the sunnah) Shia (followers of Ali) [Because Sunni, Shia, and Ibadhi all recognized Ali to be a Calipha at one time] and Ibadhi (Obedient to the Will of Allah) should apply aptly to ALL Muslims. . We SHOULD be these things, regardless of what we call ourselves. We should not be nations or titles, but everything that a Muslim is supposed to be." -Pixie

We *SHOULD* only say "I am a Muslim".

At the same time, I *HATE* when people use hadiths that don't go back to the right time period, or the chains of narration that are broken, or misuse term they don't understand, or the narrator was historically known to be a liar, or the historian had a political bias.

SO ACCADEMICALLY TERMS MUST EXIST. But let us explore them and their origins, and impact TOGETHER, as a Muslim ummah that desires knowledge of it beginnings, to determine its course.

So this new section of I LOVE HISHMA will begin (albeit slowly) with me, Pixie, saying, "I am a Muslim". This is what I am saying from a purely Islamic standpoint. I acknowledge that other Muslim bloggers with different historical understandings than me, through THEIR understandings, are also Muslims, though ACCADEMICALLY, on this point I *might* sometimes disagree, and they with me.

Can we do this together, all with the greatest respect to eachother? Do we have the will to see things from a different perspective to perhaps see where maybe we had some bias or misinformation, or misunderstanding as to other's intentions?

I am certainly not asking anyone to be threatened to conform to my way of seeing the world. But I want to know what you see and how you see it, expressing at the same time, what I do, where something makes sense, or where something contradicts what I know.

So if ya'll approve... We can start in the next few days inshaAllah :)

My shia sistas, I'll probably need your help for your perspective, since I am kinda far off from yours on a few basic things, so if ya'll don't mind for the benefit of others, sharing why you believe something and why you do things:) [At the same time not being offended if I don't post a hadith of yours (goes for Sunni and Ibadhi too!) that I believe is not sahih since I have to use what I consider ACCADEMIC historical authentication which I studied in univeristy.] So please, if I ask for help, please do, and without offense. I am actually not hating on anybody, though I have been told my writing tone can be harsh. I am very against discrimination and "ya'll are not Muslims" antics. Wallah, lol.

K, that's all for now. Let me know your thoughts.

Ammendment: I want to stress, after reading Nida's most excellent post that I HIGHLY recommend for my readers if any of you remain after my long absences;) http://theidealmuslimah.blogspot.com/2010/12/progressivism-humanism-and-islam.html, I do believe that there is only ONE Islam. I do not possibly think that all sects can possibly correct. But I personally need knowledge of them, and my own, to determine if I am indeed "Just a Muslim" or if I am following something less than what the Prophet Mohamed Sallahu alahi wa salaam was upon.

To quote Nida in short (and the Qu'ran) :D in case you're to lazy to follow the link:

“Then We put you, [O Muhammad], on an ordained way concerning the matter [of religion]; so follow it and do not follow the inclinations of those who do not know.” (45:18)

“And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allah. They follow not except assumption, and they are not but falsifying.” (6:116)

And from these, and many other verses like it, God tells us that most of these interpretations are false. Additionally, He tells us that there is only one siraat al mustaqeem.

“Mankind was [of] one religion [before their deviation]; then Allah sent the prophets as bringers of good tidings and warners and sent down with them the Scripture in truth to judge between the people concerning that in which they differed. And none differed over the Scripture except those who were given it - after the clear proofs came to them - out of jealous animosity among themselves. And Allah guided those who believed to the truth concerning that over which they had differed, by His permission. And Allah guides whom He wills to a straight path.” (2:113)

“Progressive Islam” would like to have us believe that we can all live in our own truth – that all those wild interpretations out there are all Islam. But this cannot be. Allah revealed one religion to the prophet(s). Islam is one, while interpretations are many. Let’s be careful not to conflate the two.

-from Nida, author of the blog, "Ideal Muslimah"

Belated Photo: Sunday Style

Assalamualaikum.

Every Sunday, I have to wear our Library's uniform and this is mostly how I style my jilbab on that day. Sometimes I just add on a single hijab pins on the shayla from a different colour to make the look not so boring.

Got to go.

THAT Time Of Year

No, not Christmas time, revision time. For stupid, stupid exams. That's why I have recently disappeared off the face of SM. I do apologise in advance that new posts will be thin on the ground during the next month or so, however, I will carry on moderating comments and will try to post when I can, Insha'Allah. About emails, if I haven't replied, I'm sorry I just don't have the time to properly research for post requests so I will try to get them done in a few weeks time!

I know some of the readers on here are Christians, so I do hope you enjoy the festivities :)

Oh and happy (slightly belated) Islamic new year :D

Love from,
Zaenab :D
xoxo

(Photo is from some arabic site but I really cannot remember which one.. sorry!)

Happy Together

Together we learn to be happy in whatever we do on this path towards Allah.

Be it during a cheerful morning or a tired afternoon.

Always be happy especially when we are together.

Get well soon, dear Hubby.

May Allah bless you with speedy recovery.

Lots of love,

Nour.

Simple Attire for A Cold Day

Assalamualaikum.

Would you wear something like this on a cold day? Think as if you are someone who's always wear jilbab or abaya as your daily outfit.

Simple Attire for a Cold Day by hanniaziz featuring a studded bangle

It's quite cold lately and the rain keeps coming. I wear something like this almost everyday, except my jilbab is a black abaya dan I don't own any gloves.

I feel like buying one pair to cover my cold hands.

Abaya Business Is Booming

Assalamualaikum.

Dear readers,

After one year of selling abayaat online, I've came across and became friends with quite a number of abaya sellers who have their own online shops either in the blog world or through facebook.

Frankly speaking, I think more and more Malaysian Muslim women are buying and wearing abaya. Why would I say this? It's because many online boutiques are now have their own lines for abaya. 

3 years ago I thought abayaat are only made in UAE or KSA. Now I know that they can also be made in Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and also in Malaysia. The difference are quality of the material used, the suitability of the material with Malaysian weather and also the designs.

One reader has sent me an email saying that my blog has influenced her in changing her wardrobe from a daily pants + blouse to abaya and she's thinking of wearing the niqab but still not ready. Allahu Allah. I've never thought that I might influenced others. I hope Allah will look at my influence as something good for the ummah.

Nowadays, women can choose to buy abaya from many online shops which sell it. If you are interested, you can buy from my blogshop, Abaya Elegan or you can also buy from my friend's blogshops which I've listed under ABAYA & NIQAB.

I have one hope in selling the abaya, I want Muslim women to wear an elegant dress which also modest according to our Islamic Dress Code. An the abaya has that package.

When people start noticing this fashion trend, they start selling but I'm selling not because of fashion or trend but because of Allah.

Today's working attire

Assalamualaikum and good morning everyone.

Just want to share with you my look for today. Just a simple abaya with a simple sweet blue shoe.

May Allah bless my day and I really hope He will make it a smooth one for me and you. Especially when I have a presentation to do.

Wassalam.

Gorgeous Abayaat for Pre-Order

Assalamualaikum and good evening.

This is just a short entry. I am collecting orders for this two new abaya designs which I have bought 2 samples and found that both are in very good standard and quality.

This pre-order is open to all friends and readers from Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore. I'm really sorry for not opening this chance to others. It's a bit difficult for me to manage the payment or money transaction from places outside of these 3 countries. Insyaallah that will be solved soon.

Ok, here are the abayaat:

Abaya C29 - RM200.00

C29 - close up

Another choice is:

Abaya C28 - RM200.00

C28 - close up

If anyone is interested to order, please email me at hanniaziz@yahoo.com before 20 Dec 2010. Thank you.

I need a new shoe

Assalamualaikum and good morning everyone!

Lovely day so far and I hope where ever you are, you are also experiencing a bright and sunny day just like me here. I'm so thankful because my washing this morning will be dried nicely, insyaallah. And I don't know how long the weather will stay like this, so better be thankful for the current condition.

Ok, back to the topic. Yesterday afternoon I use my lunch hour break to visit a shoe store nearby. I am in really need of a new shoe. A shoe which is practical for going to work and can withstand my heavy walking. The current one that I'm still using is starting to wear out and loosening which also result in an ache under my feet.

My old shoe when it was still new.

Well, that store have lots of good looking shoes and a few did captured my eyes but they just couldn't match the comfortability of the old one. Hmm... I do have my ankle boots but I just couldn't wear it everyday especially when I have to take if off when I want to enter the Library. It's our custom to take off our shoes to enter the building. So, like I said, I need a practical one.

I'm really tempted to buy shoes online especially when I just discovered ChristyNg.com but they don't have the kind of practical shoes like the one above. Or... should I just visit Rorine Store? Maybe they have new designs which are more comfortable? But... I don't have that much time to spare to go there. This is a dilemma and I'm afraid the one that I'm wearing is going to lost it's sole soon.

Maybe I need to persuade dear husband to go to Parkson this afternoon after work. Hehe... who knows he might buy a pair for me.

This one looks great but would it be comfortable?

Pic of the pink shoes above is from You, Me and Shoes in facebook.

Undercap Blues

Bones, undercaps, headbands.. whatever you want to call them, they do the same thing and that is slowly and mercilessly thin your hairline. I know that I have done a post on them before (paradoxically, I was saying how versatile and useful they are), but I highly recommend that you do not regularly wear them especially if you are noticing your hair is getting thinner at the front.

Here are some simple tips to prevent your hair from thinning:

1. Scrunchies are a lot gentler on your hair than elastic hair bands. Yes, they are those ugly things from the 1980's but they don't pull on your hair as much because they are made from fabric. I think the best scrunchies to go for are those big, vile velvety ones.. Don't make that face.. No one's going to see!

2. Don't tie your ponytail back too high

3. Never tie the front parts of your hair (i.e. fringe) back with the rest of the ponytail: this will thin your hairline before you know it. Always leave the fringe part untied and..

4. ..pin your fringe with hair pins to the sides of your head. This means there is no weight on those hairs and also means that you don't have to wear an undercap to prevent hair from peaking through.

5. Don't tie the ponytail or headscarf too tightly

6. Not that I think most of you would like to wear them anyway, but I would recommend steering well clear of two-piece hijabs like the Al-Amiras.

.

(The top photo was taken from yesstyle.com)

Someone need to scold me.

Assalamualaikum and good afternoon everyone.

Alhamdulillah, I'm back! The health condition is almost 100 percent alright and my life just continue with the usual busy schedule. This time, the fever just need more time to heal and I was bedridden for nearly 3 days. Maybe the cold weather with the heavy downpour play a big role in making my metabolism so low. However, I'm glad that with love, encouragement and care from my beloved family, I am now healthy.

Good news!

Some of the abayaat that have been checked.

3 parcels of abayaat have arrived during my sick leave which means I have lots of works going on whenever I feel a bit healthy. Checking the stocks, packed them for customers who have already paid, speed post them and sometimes make mistakes too. Apart from that, I took pictures of the abayaat that will go into my READY STOCK album and etc.

Anyway, while I was busy with all that, I have neglected this blog again and again. I feel so guilty. Please forgive me my dear friends and readers. You should scold me for being this lazy. After the sickness, it seems like I am slow in regaining my energy and enthusiasm in blogging. Ideas are a bit difficult to come and when I have a good one, it just stuck on the way during writing.

So, hopefully, I'll be able to get back my spirit in blogging. 

Chow!

A Royal Affair..

The Queen in Hijab in Abu Dhabi:
.