Sunday, February 6, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Understanding Islam Today: Traditionalists, Revivalists, and Reformers
BTW, before I write this post, I want to credit sister Nida from her blog "In the Shade of Islam", and my friends from our OPNO blog for inspipring and letting me re-post all these bits for ILH readers, even though I originally made the post for the OPNO blog.
This post came about from an argument between MOP & his wife, an OPNO author, about women praying in the Mosque with no barrier or wall between the women and the men of the Mosque. As non-muslim, you'd find a men-only Mosque totally sexist. I assure you most adamantly, I do too, and find this story most amusing, and to the point about the state of discussion that intellectually we are in today, regarding the religion of Islam, whether one is Muslim or not.
If you are a Muslimah, you may be on either side of the fence with this one, or trapped, like MOP is, in the middle, behind the barrier, and for knocking it down. So unto the tale:
Being that we were all about on a road trip, we were unable to pray in our individual houses, which is what is BEST/EASIEST/NOT A SIN for women (not men who are not travelling---for men who are not travelling it is a SIN/NO REWARD not to pray in the Mosque). Muslims get this belief that prayer is allowed/better for women in their individual houses, because the Prophet Mohamed, peace and blessings be upon him, told Umm Humayd Al-Sa`idiyyah "A woman's prayer in her house is better than in her courtyard, and her prayer in her own room is better than in the rest of the house." (Chain of narration recorded by Abu Dawud).
MOP's wife reasoned that this is because she can concentrate better on her personal connection with her Creator in her own home and she is physically very safe there. And that women being allowed to pray at home and not having to go to the Mosque as something that is compulsory for them, was a gift from their Creator, making their faith easier to maintain in the days when there was no brith control [for example, women & men were discouraged from bringing children to the Mosques that would interupt or hinder the worship and spiritual/intellectual development of others'] .
MOP's reasoning was that it hard for men to have that same connection to their Creator when a distracting woman is in the Mosque with them, and that if something is not done in the culture, it is merely best to avoid things that are sinful, and that it is not sinful for a woman to offer her prayers in a place that is not a Mosque.You see, dear readers, this whole argument came out from the fact that when we had stopped on our journey, we did indeed find a Mosque, but we could not find one that had an area purposely for women. Mosques in Oman usually have an entirely closed off seperate area for women to pray in. This Mosque it seems, at least in terms of the culture, been built soley for the use of men.
Now had there been such an area for women, I doubt MOP's wife would have argued very much. We are in agreement about the benfits of a woman's only side. There are many advantages to a closed-off women's only area, such as being able to adjust and re-adjust one's clothing, and them not having to worry as much about the Islamic requirements for their clothing, or even breastfeeding babies (not something you do while YOU pray, but something that can be done in an women-only side of a Mosque, and not something SO easily done when prayers are preformed by both the sexes together, and that, when a Mosque is mixed in terms of sexes, the Mosque purely becomes a learning and religious center for women, not a social one, whereas informal socialising may take place easily on a women's only area of a Mosque.
The important factor in the tale I am about to relate, is that in this case, there WAS no seperate women's area, but there was indeed a Mosque.
And, in Omani culture, this Mosque was used only by men.
As MOP's OPNO would argue, a Mosque is built for Islamic culture, not any nationalistic culture, and the rules of the Mosque are the rules of the religion, not those of the place where a Mosque happens to be built. Since there WAS a Mosque, albeit, lacking a seperate woman's prayer area, my dear friend and I had concluded that we would pray in the Mosque, rather than outside the Mosque.
MOP wanted us to pray outside.He was more than willing to pray with us there.
To sway his mind I said the following, quoting a saying of the Prophet Mohamed , peace and blessings be upon him: ""The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, “If people knew the reward in praying Fajr and Isha together in the Mosque, they would go to the mosque even if they had to crawl.” And the chain of narration is recorded by Bukhari & Muslim. And the Prophet didn't just say 'if men knew, he said 'if people knew' meaning women too." So MOP related the hadith/saying about women's prayer being best in their homes. To which is my friend intelligently replied: "Habibi, we are far from our houses. But we do have a Mosque. The hadith does not say, 'it is better for women to pray in the courtyard of the Mosque than in the Mosque'. In fact, Allah [God] made it perfectly clear that women are to attend the Mosques in that the Prophet Mohamed told the men "Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from entering the House of Allah [i.e the Mosque]" and from many sayings of the Prophet and historical records, we KNOW that women among the BEST generation of Muslims prayed in the same room with the men, no barrier between them, albeit, in very modest dress void of perfumes, and in the back rows so that guys couldn't check out their butts." She was smirking.
MOP of course, knew it was perfectly halal for women to pray in the Mosque, and that we were all Muslim women dressed in a manner to attend any public event in the presence of men but he reasoned that since it was something regarded as outside the culture, it was ALSO perfectly acceptable to render prayers OUTSIDE the Mosque, and less trouble to do so.
WHYYYYY were there seperate prayer areas for women in Oman? both my friend AND I enquired of poor MOP. MOP said, because it was hard for men to concentrate on their prayers with women in the room. Why was this, all OPNO girls wanted to know (even the non-Muslim one) when the men among the earliest Muslims managed to, without treating the women like meat?
"Because it is a corrupt time for Muslims" MOP helplessly cited, which brought about the true reason for this post.
"More sin now than before?" my lips curled into a sneer at that line of reasoning.
MOP's wife and I are of western education, and both spent time as Muslims in the West. This line of reasoning annoys the heck out of us, because all [well, in Islamic scholarship anyways] Muslims believe that Islam as evidenced in the Qu'ran and practiced/explained by the Prophet Mohamed was the perfect example for all Muslims, for all times.
My girl, picked up from there, as it WAS HER husband afterall. "So you would reason, that we should leave off what was done by the Prophet, because what he left us with isn't good enough? That Islam should be CHANGED to meet these corrupt times?"
Of course, that is not what any decent Muslim Omani man could mean, but that is where his kind of reasoning leads. It leads to Muslims in the West who openly reject the things in their religion that don't so easily fit into their modern lives, like the jilbab and khimar, which takes the form of the black abaya and headscarf, that few Omani men like MOP would want their sisters and mothers and wives to reject. Yet in the West, my friend and I have seen it. Women say, it may be in the Qu'ran as a command, but it doesn't pertain to today. Well, there was no requirement of men and women praying seperate BEFORE but there is today. Same reasoning, opposite lines of the spectrum.
"What harm can come from you praying outside the Mosque?" MOP asked his wife as she shouldered her way past him up the steps of the Mosque as if she couldn't hear his question.
On our way there, an Omani boy, ten years younger than myself, tried to stop us, saying there was no women's Mosque. He did not know, that is was allowed for Muslim women to pray in a Mosque, so long as they did not wear perfume, and did all their Islamic requirements in way of public dress, and did not use the Mosque for purposes other than prayer and education from Islamic lectures. He did not know, clearly, that it is a SIN for a man to forbid a woman from attending the Mosque.
MOP prayed in front of us, we prayed in the back, and another Muslim man, who knew enough of Islam to calm the Omani boy down about us women being there, prayed on the opposite end of the Mosque from out party respectfully a small ways in front, as men are to do in the religion.
When we left the Mosque, OPNO belonging to MOP and he to her respectively, answered his question.: "The harm does not come from praying in the Mosque or outside it, but it lies in your reasoning, and what that reasoning allows us to forget. That boy no more knew what was allowed, than he knows why it is not allowed. Your reason, that it makes men uncomfortable, is not a reason in Islam, as Islam allows women to go where it is necessary and even pleasing and certainly beneficial for them to go. The women of Sahaba [the first Muslims] interacted with men in Islamic capacities where it was halal [not sinful] and beneficial for society for them to, in education, business, and religion. The danger, and it IS evidenced IN OMAN for our Western/Convert eyes to see--- by the way, is that when you seperate us from the Mosque, men stop seeing us equals in the religion, and more as meat. You see us as mothers maybe, and wives, at best, and at worst... If men cannot behave as the Prophet himself behaved at the Mosque, than they have no business/right of being there either."
MOP regarded her desperate plea, and assured us he was on the same side, and wanted very much for these things to be changed, but didn't want his wife to be the one to do it, in the manner that she did.
But then who is to to do it? We asked? Who is to change it?
We all agreed, seperate areas for women had their benefits, and women enjoyed them, but that some women suffered from their inability to approach Imam's weekly or daily with questions, or to recieve the same education and information Muslim men recieve from attending the Mosque regularily.
MOP even admitted to us, that in his village in Oman, women do not come to the Eid prayers, when praying the Eid prayer in congregation is CUMPULSORY on muslim men AND WOMEN, even women who have their periods, ect...
That is the danger of reforming/pseudo reviving of Islam. You lose the right legality, and the true message of it, whether the reform is in a liberal or a conservative direction.
Which brings me to:Today, there are, intellectually, 3 different ways of studying Islam, no matter the sect or manner of jurisprudence within those sects.Now I am stealing these definitions, credit to sister Nida, from her blog http://theidealmuslimah.blogspot.com/2010/12/revivalists-vs-reformers.html, and she's stealing it from Abdelwahab El-Affendi ;):
TRADITIONALISTS
Definition: Those following traditionally approved approaches and methods of interpretation, and basically handing down what has come from before in the same manner as before. These do not wish to update Islam, and seek to do what has always been done ie come to the same conclusion. *many intellectually documented ways of studying & viewing Islam are reform or revival based Islam passed down in the manner of traditionalists but those same types of intellectual Islam would not necessarily BE traditionalist in nature*
REVIVALISTS
Definition: Revivalists distinguish themselves from traditionalists by redefining the tradition into purist terms, while the former tend to accept the traditionl more or less in the context as it was handed down. The purpose of doing so it to impose an idealizized idea of Islam, with a tendancy to instrumentalize religion and to define their movement sociologically, rather than theologically. This can be done in either a very conservative or very liberal manner.
Mr. Abdelwahab El-Affendi's conclusion of this movement in terms of discussing Islam, the same as, and so much more eloquently expressed than my own: "Their version of instrumentalized Islam is spiritually, artistically, and humanly impoverished and narrowly partisan.”
REFORMERS
Definition: Reformers differentiate themselves from Revivalists by interrogating the tradition in more radical ways. Seeking to exploit the differences and conflicts within orthodoxy to eliminate or discredit those aspects of the tradition that have become difficult to defend in the modern era, selectively picking and choosing from various accepted authorities to support their modernizing (usually liberal, but not always) agenda.This approach seeks to work within the confines of orthodoxy while working hard to redefine it. It attempts to develop a radical rereading and reinterpretation of traditional Islamic sources by adapting traditionally approved approaches and methods of interpretation.Ultra-radical reformers launch a frontal attack on traditionalism, sometimes advocating treatment of the Qur’an as a “human” text and using the tools of modern literary criticism to decipher it.
Mr. Abdelwahab El-Affendi observes that "such a deliberate drive for a reformation... is based on copying another (Christian) experience in another religious tradition in another era is condemned from the start to the loss of innocence: it is no longer religious reform but social engineering and intellectual tinkering.” Mr. Abdelwahab El-Affendi wrote, that while reform of Islam is much applauded from non-muslims in the West, that they should be cautious in this as well: “The efforts of U.S.-based Muslim intellectuals to undermine Islamic authoritarianism could warrant an “even more ambitious agenda following up on changes in Islam’s ideology with changes in leadership and religious practices.” Much justifies these ambitions, but ambition must not be allowed to shift to illusion. To move from a valid appreciation of the increasing importance of the intellectual contributions of Western Muslims to a “wag the dog” theory that ascribes to them a leadership role in religious reform may be as misguided (and as dangerous) an illusion as the idea that creating an American colony in Iraq would be an advertisement of America’s love for democracy and an inspiration for freedom lovers throughout the Muslim world. Both illusions spring from the same quintessentially Western overconfidence, even arrogance, of which Muslim Westerners are not immune.”
I wholly agree, as a Muslim who lived in the west, letting the likes of Tariq Fatah and Irshadd Manji speak for me, and represent Islam, is misguided. Though one MIGHT say, the same reform movements exist in Egypt, ect.... to quote Nida who'd say it like I would but better;): "What defines 'progressive' islam is a distinct Western liberal ideology, so anyone ascribing to this ideology, be they American or Egyptian or whatever, is elevating Western ideology above tradition (a universal set of moral and ethical values). I believe the reason why the progressive ideology is popular in places like Egypt is due to the deep rooted colonial and neo-colonial legacy. It is mostly people who have been 'exiled' from their countries and had a 'Western/European' intellectual upbringing who are the leaders of this particular movement."But that does not mean, living here now in Oman, that I am free from the influence and power of such misguided reform movements. As this entire post has been an example of, the same line of reformist thinking exists heavily in even Arab culture.as Nida pointed out, what some call 'revivalism' is in fact reform: "changing the religious interpretations to an idealized modern vision of what they believe Islam looked like at the time of the prophet (peace be upon him)", regardless of whether or not that vision is based on the classical interpretations of Islam. "As per the mosque example, according to the classical texts women used to pray directly behind men, and now they are being boxed away into small corners of the mosque and encouraged to pray at home. The argument that is being used to justify this practice in some mosques is that "today there is more fitnah/sin"; therefore implying that we have to re-interpret Islam for modern, albeit corrupt, historical time period."
People have to be aware of where their ideologic reasoning leads them, same as when one studies socialism/fascism, two spectrum of the same line of reasoning.
I myself, do not support a reformation of Islam but a reformation of self, and the only revival I engender, is one of knowledge and awareness.
This post came about from an argument between MOP & his wife, an OPNO author, about women praying in the Mosque with no barrier or wall between the women and the men of the Mosque. As non-muslim, you'd find a men-only Mosque totally sexist. I assure you most adamantly, I do too, and find this story most amusing, and to the point about the state of discussion that intellectually we are in today, regarding the religion of Islam, whether one is Muslim or not.
If you are a Muslimah, you may be on either side of the fence with this one, or trapped, like MOP is, in the middle, behind the barrier, and for knocking it down. So unto the tale:
Being that we were all about on a road trip, we were unable to pray in our individual houses, which is what is BEST/EASIEST/NOT A SIN for women (not men who are not travelling---for men who are not travelling it is a SIN/NO REWARD not to pray in the Mosque). Muslims get this belief that prayer is allowed/better for women in their individual houses, because the Prophet Mohamed, peace and blessings be upon him, told Umm Humayd Al-Sa`idiyyah "A woman's prayer in her house is better than in her courtyard, and her prayer in her own room is better than in the rest of the house." (Chain of narration recorded by Abu Dawud).
MOP's wife reasoned that this is because she can concentrate better on her personal connection with her Creator in her own home and she is physically very safe there. And that women being allowed to pray at home and not having to go to the Mosque as something that is compulsory for them, was a gift from their Creator, making their faith easier to maintain in the days when there was no brith control [for example, women & men were discouraged from bringing children to the Mosques that would interupt or hinder the worship and spiritual/intellectual development of others'] .
MOP's reasoning was that it hard for men to have that same connection to their Creator when a distracting woman is in the Mosque with them, and that if something is not done in the culture, it is merely best to avoid things that are sinful, and that it is not sinful for a woman to offer her prayers in a place that is not a Mosque.You see, dear readers, this whole argument came out from the fact that when we had stopped on our journey, we did indeed find a Mosque, but we could not find one that had an area purposely for women. Mosques in Oman usually have an entirely closed off seperate area for women to pray in. This Mosque it seems, at least in terms of the culture, been built soley for the use of men.
Now had there been such an area for women, I doubt MOP's wife would have argued very much. We are in agreement about the benfits of a woman's only side. There are many advantages to a closed-off women's only area, such as being able to adjust and re-adjust one's clothing, and them not having to worry as much about the Islamic requirements for their clothing, or even breastfeeding babies (not something you do while YOU pray, but something that can be done in an women-only side of a Mosque, and not something SO easily done when prayers are preformed by both the sexes together, and that, when a Mosque is mixed in terms of sexes, the Mosque purely becomes a learning and religious center for women, not a social one, whereas informal socialising may take place easily on a women's only area of a Mosque.
The important factor in the tale I am about to relate, is that in this case, there WAS no seperate women's area, but there was indeed a Mosque.
And, in Omani culture, this Mosque was used only by men.
As MOP's OPNO would argue, a Mosque is built for Islamic culture, not any nationalistic culture, and the rules of the Mosque are the rules of the religion, not those of the place where a Mosque happens to be built. Since there WAS a Mosque, albeit, lacking a seperate woman's prayer area, my dear friend and I had concluded that we would pray in the Mosque, rather than outside the Mosque.
MOP wanted us to pray outside.He was more than willing to pray with us there.
To sway his mind I said the following, quoting a saying of the Prophet Mohamed , peace and blessings be upon him: ""The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, “If people knew the reward in praying Fajr and Isha together in the Mosque, they would go to the mosque even if they had to crawl.” And the chain of narration is recorded by Bukhari & Muslim. And the Prophet didn't just say 'if men knew, he said 'if people knew' meaning women too." So MOP related the hadith/saying about women's prayer being best in their homes. To which is my friend intelligently replied: "Habibi, we are far from our houses. But we do have a Mosque. The hadith does not say, 'it is better for women to pray in the courtyard of the Mosque than in the Mosque'. In fact, Allah [God] made it perfectly clear that women are to attend the Mosques in that the Prophet Mohamed told the men "Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from entering the House of Allah [i.e the Mosque]" and from many sayings of the Prophet and historical records, we KNOW that women among the BEST generation of Muslims prayed in the same room with the men, no barrier between them, albeit, in very modest dress void of perfumes, and in the back rows so that guys couldn't check out their butts." She was smirking.
MOP of course, knew it was perfectly halal for women to pray in the Mosque, and that we were all Muslim women dressed in a manner to attend any public event in the presence of men but he reasoned that since it was something regarded as outside the culture, it was ALSO perfectly acceptable to render prayers OUTSIDE the Mosque, and less trouble to do so.
WHYYYYY were there seperate prayer areas for women in Oman? both my friend AND I enquired of poor MOP. MOP said, because it was hard for men to concentrate on their prayers with women in the room. Why was this, all OPNO girls wanted to know (even the non-Muslim one) when the men among the earliest Muslims managed to, without treating the women like meat?
"Because it is a corrupt time for Muslims" MOP helplessly cited, which brought about the true reason for this post.
"More sin now than before?" my lips curled into a sneer at that line of reasoning.
MOP's wife and I are of western education, and both spent time as Muslims in the West. This line of reasoning annoys the heck out of us, because all [well, in Islamic scholarship anyways] Muslims believe that Islam as evidenced in the Qu'ran and practiced/explained by the Prophet Mohamed was the perfect example for all Muslims, for all times.
My girl, picked up from there, as it WAS HER husband afterall. "So you would reason, that we should leave off what was done by the Prophet, because what he left us with isn't good enough? That Islam should be CHANGED to meet these corrupt times?"
Of course, that is not what any decent Muslim Omani man could mean, but that is where his kind of reasoning leads. It leads to Muslims in the West who openly reject the things in their religion that don't so easily fit into their modern lives, like the jilbab and khimar, which takes the form of the black abaya and headscarf, that few Omani men like MOP would want their sisters and mothers and wives to reject. Yet in the West, my friend and I have seen it. Women say, it may be in the Qu'ran as a command, but it doesn't pertain to today. Well, there was no requirement of men and women praying seperate BEFORE but there is today. Same reasoning, opposite lines of the spectrum.
"What harm can come from you praying outside the Mosque?" MOP asked his wife as she shouldered her way past him up the steps of the Mosque as if she couldn't hear his question.
On our way there, an Omani boy, ten years younger than myself, tried to stop us, saying there was no women's Mosque. He did not know, that is was allowed for Muslim women to pray in a Mosque, so long as they did not wear perfume, and did all their Islamic requirements in way of public dress, and did not use the Mosque for purposes other than prayer and education from Islamic lectures. He did not know, clearly, that it is a SIN for a man to forbid a woman from attending the Mosque.
MOP prayed in front of us, we prayed in the back, and another Muslim man, who knew enough of Islam to calm the Omani boy down about us women being there, prayed on the opposite end of the Mosque from out party respectfully a small ways in front, as men are to do in the religion.
When we left the Mosque, OPNO belonging to MOP and he to her respectively, answered his question.: "The harm does not come from praying in the Mosque or outside it, but it lies in your reasoning, and what that reasoning allows us to forget. That boy no more knew what was allowed, than he knows why it is not allowed. Your reason, that it makes men uncomfortable, is not a reason in Islam, as Islam allows women to go where it is necessary and even pleasing and certainly beneficial for them to go. The women of Sahaba [the first Muslims] interacted with men in Islamic capacities where it was halal [not sinful] and beneficial for society for them to, in education, business, and religion. The danger, and it IS evidenced IN OMAN for our Western/Convert eyes to see--- by the way, is that when you seperate us from the Mosque, men stop seeing us equals in the religion, and more as meat. You see us as mothers maybe, and wives, at best, and at worst... If men cannot behave as the Prophet himself behaved at the Mosque, than they have no business/right of being there either."
MOP regarded her desperate plea, and assured us he was on the same side, and wanted very much for these things to be changed, but didn't want his wife to be the one to do it, in the manner that she did.
But then who is to to do it? We asked? Who is to change it?
We all agreed, seperate areas for women had their benefits, and women enjoyed them, but that some women suffered from their inability to approach Imam's weekly or daily with questions, or to recieve the same education and information Muslim men recieve from attending the Mosque regularily.
MOP even admitted to us, that in his village in Oman, women do not come to the Eid prayers, when praying the Eid prayer in congregation is CUMPULSORY on muslim men AND WOMEN, even women who have their periods, ect...
That is the danger of reforming/pseudo reviving of Islam. You lose the right legality, and the true message of it, whether the reform is in a liberal or a conservative direction.
Which brings me to:Today, there are, intellectually, 3 different ways of studying Islam, no matter the sect or manner of jurisprudence within those sects.Now I am stealing these definitions, credit to sister Nida, from her blog http://theidealmuslimah.blogspot.com/2010/12/revivalists-vs-reformers.html, and she's stealing it from Abdelwahab El-Affendi ;):
TRADITIONALISTS
Definition: Those following traditionally approved approaches and methods of interpretation, and basically handing down what has come from before in the same manner as before. These do not wish to update Islam, and seek to do what has always been done ie come to the same conclusion. *many intellectually documented ways of studying & viewing Islam are reform or revival based Islam passed down in the manner of traditionalists but those same types of intellectual Islam would not necessarily BE traditionalist in nature*
REVIVALISTS
Definition: Revivalists distinguish themselves from traditionalists by redefining the tradition into purist terms, while the former tend to accept the traditionl more or less in the context as it was handed down. The purpose of doing so it to impose an idealizized idea of Islam, with a tendancy to instrumentalize religion and to define their movement sociologically, rather than theologically. This can be done in either a very conservative or very liberal manner.
Mr. Abdelwahab El-Affendi's conclusion of this movement in terms of discussing Islam, the same as, and so much more eloquently expressed than my own: "Their version of instrumentalized Islam is spiritually, artistically, and humanly impoverished and narrowly partisan.”
REFORMERS
Definition: Reformers differentiate themselves from Revivalists by interrogating the tradition in more radical ways. Seeking to exploit the differences and conflicts within orthodoxy to eliminate or discredit those aspects of the tradition that have become difficult to defend in the modern era, selectively picking and choosing from various accepted authorities to support their modernizing (usually liberal, but not always) agenda.This approach seeks to work within the confines of orthodoxy while working hard to redefine it. It attempts to develop a radical rereading and reinterpretation of traditional Islamic sources by adapting traditionally approved approaches and methods of interpretation.Ultra-radical reformers launch a frontal attack on traditionalism, sometimes advocating treatment of the Qur’an as a “human” text and using the tools of modern literary criticism to decipher it.
Mr. Abdelwahab El-Affendi observes that "such a deliberate drive for a reformation... is based on copying another (Christian) experience in another religious tradition in another era is condemned from the start to the loss of innocence: it is no longer religious reform but social engineering and intellectual tinkering.” Mr. Abdelwahab El-Affendi wrote, that while reform of Islam is much applauded from non-muslims in the West, that they should be cautious in this as well: “The efforts of U.S.-based Muslim intellectuals to undermine Islamic authoritarianism could warrant an “even more ambitious agenda following up on changes in Islam’s ideology with changes in leadership and religious practices.” Much justifies these ambitions, but ambition must not be allowed to shift to illusion. To move from a valid appreciation of the increasing importance of the intellectual contributions of Western Muslims to a “wag the dog” theory that ascribes to them a leadership role in religious reform may be as misguided (and as dangerous) an illusion as the idea that creating an American colony in Iraq would be an advertisement of America’s love for democracy and an inspiration for freedom lovers throughout the Muslim world. Both illusions spring from the same quintessentially Western overconfidence, even arrogance, of which Muslim Westerners are not immune.”
I wholly agree, as a Muslim who lived in the west, letting the likes of Tariq Fatah and Irshadd Manji speak for me, and represent Islam, is misguided. Though one MIGHT say, the same reform movements exist in Egypt, ect.... to quote Nida who'd say it like I would but better;): "What defines 'progressive' islam is a distinct Western liberal ideology, so anyone ascribing to this ideology, be they American or Egyptian or whatever, is elevating Western ideology above tradition (a universal set of moral and ethical values). I believe the reason why the progressive ideology is popular in places like Egypt is due to the deep rooted colonial and neo-colonial legacy. It is mostly people who have been 'exiled' from their countries and had a 'Western/European' intellectual upbringing who are the leaders of this particular movement."But that does not mean, living here now in Oman, that I am free from the influence and power of such misguided reform movements. As this entire post has been an example of, the same line of reformist thinking exists heavily in even Arab culture.as Nida pointed out, what some call 'revivalism' is in fact reform: "changing the religious interpretations to an idealized modern vision of what they believe Islam looked like at the time of the prophet (peace be upon him)", regardless of whether or not that vision is based on the classical interpretations of Islam. "As per the mosque example, according to the classical texts women used to pray directly behind men, and now they are being boxed away into small corners of the mosque and encouraged to pray at home. The argument that is being used to justify this practice in some mosques is that "today there is more fitnah/sin"; therefore implying that we have to re-interpret Islam for modern, albeit corrupt, historical time period."
People have to be aware of where their ideologic reasoning leads them, same as when one studies socialism/fascism, two spectrum of the same line of reasoning.
I myself, do not support a reformation of Islam but a reformation of self, and the only revival I engender, is one of knowledge and awareness.
An Interesting Interview with Lauren Booth
Q&A with Lauren Booth
NST Online, 2011/01/30
Broadcaster, journalist and human rights activist Lauren Booth, courted controversy in her native United Kingdom and elsewhere for her views on Middle East politics and her highly-publicised conversion to Islam in September last year.
 |
| Source: NST Online |
In a 30-minute interview, Booth, also the sister-in-law of former UK prime minister Tony Blair, spoke with the New Straits Times on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and her role in Viva Palestina Malaysia, a local offshoot of the UK-based Viva Palestina, an international non-governmental organisation working for the speedy creation of a free Palestinian state.
Q: You’ve been an advocate for Palestine long before you were a Muslim. When did your opinions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict change - was it during your first visit in 2005?
A: Yes, I had to see the conditions in Palestine for myself to realise what was happening. It’s not easy for people to understand the Israeli occupation from our (Western) media because (much of) it is hidden or confused. But when you’re there, the situation is clearly apartheid. In fact, as (South African leader) Desmond Tutu says, the Palestinian situation is worse than apartheid, and he should know.
Q: You’re here for the launch of Viva Palestina Malaysia where you met our former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. What do you think of him?
A: I very much liked Tun Dr Mahathir and his wife, Tun Siti Hasmah. It’s refreshing to see a former world leader who is dedicated not to making millions from oil, banks or occupations but to setting up foundations for righteous behaviour.
Q: He’s been labeled an anti-Semitic in the Western press due to his views on Israel. Do you agree?
A: If you speak to Dr. Mahathir, it is clear he has neither the personality nor the inclination to be an anti-Semite. He is a thoughtful, pious and philosophical man. I want to tell the people of Malaysia not to be scared of being labeled anti-Semitic when criticising the unjust, disgraceful behaviour of the Israel regime. The label ‘anti-Semite’ is applied deliberately to quash debate on the Israeli government and its army and we must not be afraid to speak out (on it).
Q: What more can NGOs like Viva Palestina do, apart from speaking out and sending aid, to help the situation in Gaza?
A: It’s becoming clear that what is needed now is a unified Palestinian government. Although NGOs aren’t allowed to be political, I would encourage them to invite (representatives from) Hamas, who may be ministers, and Fatah to come together, at least on foreign land, to see how they can work with both groups to help the Palestinian people and the cause of freedom. It can also serve as a movement which combines the Palestinian voices with the foreign solidarity cause, in a stronger, more productive manner.
Q: What part does Malaysia have to play in this process?
A: Malaysia’s absolutely pivotal in leading the way in the international arena towards the non-acceptance of the state of Israel. This is important because Israel has demanded its recognition and rights as a state, and yet in 63 years, it has given no assurances that they will in turn behave like one. Until it learns to do so - by accepting other people’s rights, acting within international law, ending the siege, stopping the ethnic cleansing of Jerusalem - every other state should copy Malaysia in not recognising Israel. And to add a proviso, that is not the same as saying every Jew should be pushed into the sea. I’m saying that (Israel) must behave like a state in order for it to receive the recognition it craves for its economic ties abroad. The international community invites Israel to do so so that we can welcome it and salute its people in a way that surely, some of them deserve.
Q: You’ve said before that you don’t like the term “moderate Muslim”. Can you explain why you find that term problematic and in what context?
A: I have a problem with the term “moderate Muslim” or “moderate Islam” because Islam is already a moderate religion. There are a billion (Muslims) in the world already practicing moderation in their lives, their jobs, their families. I have a problem with how the term is used in the West to divide Muslims into acceptable and unacceptable groups. You can’t be a moderate as well as a Muslim in the West if you feel strongly about politics or if you criticise the United States or Israel. You lose the label ‘moderate’ as soon as you speak up, which has the effect of stopping Muslims from having a political voice or a political position. We must all be moderate in our behaviour, but I do not accept the label ‘moderate’ if it means I can’t be political as well as a Muslim. I’d rather be labeled a radical right now, if it means I can air my views in solidarity with others.
Q: What are your immediate hopes for Palestine at the moment?
A: I hope that Israel not only eases the blockade but ends it now. The siege of Gaza has lasted longer than the siege of Leningrad, which was a crime of the second world war. My other hope right now is that President Hosin Mubarak is replaced and toppled, so that the people of Egypt have a greater voice in their government, and therefore, insyaallah, greater cooperation with Palestine in a way that will allow for freedom of movement as defined under Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Q: Where do you find keep finding the hope that a resolution to the conflict can be reached in the future?
A: I always have hope. Every time I go to the West Bank, or Gaza or Jerusalem, I see some of the most academically-inclined, clever, determined young people I’ve ever met. Two years ago in Jenin, out of the rubble of bomb attacks, I found talented young people learning photography, singing and the arts at the Jenin theatre. At the Jenin cinema, there are even talks of hosting a film festival. The young Palestinians amaze me. I’ve cycled around the West Bank with the only cycling team there, made up of wonderful young men who just wished to practice their sport. I’m confident, when there is peace, Palestine will blossom and flower as a state like no other.
Read more:
Q&A with Lauren Booth http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Q_AwithLaurenBooth/Article/#ixzz1CZv4slMr
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Niqabs for Sale
Assalamualaikum dear lovely friends, readers, followers and visitors.
Thank you very much for visiting KakChik's Wardrobe and if I'm lucky, I'll get a comment or a message from you. I was a bit busy since yesterday because I have a meeting with my books supplier which basically means, have to make a list of books to return, make a new list to order, prepare a cheque and have a meeting.
Apart from that, one of my colleague at work lost her mother in law yesterday's morning, innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raaji'un. And my other co-workers spent two hours visiting her family. We just want to give them moral support for their loss. Insyaallah the arwah may rest in peace.
So, here I am taking a few minutes of my time to inform you that I have many black niqabs for sale. There are single layer saudi niqab, double layer saudi niqab which came from Makkah, Dubai, Bangalore and also made in Malaysia.
Here are some of the samples:
If anyone interested, they are still available. You can order by emailing me at hanniaziz[dot]yahoo.com.
I'm sure there must some of you who are really in need of a niqab. Contact me ok. Thank you.
Thank you very much for visiting KakChik's Wardrobe and if I'm lucky, I'll get a comment or a message from you. I was a bit busy since yesterday because I have a meeting with my books supplier which basically means, have to make a list of books to return, make a new list to order, prepare a cheque and have a meeting.
Apart from that, one of my colleague at work lost her mother in law yesterday's morning, innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raaji'un. And my other co-workers spent two hours visiting her family. We just want to give them moral support for their loss. Insyaallah the arwah may rest in peace.
So, here I am taking a few minutes of my time to inform you that I have many black niqabs for sale. There are single layer saudi niqab, double layer saudi niqab which came from Makkah, Dubai, Bangalore and also made in Malaysia.
Here are some of the samples:
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| double layer with nose string, from makkah, RM25 |
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| single layer with head cover, from dubai, RM25 |
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| single layer with head band, from bangalore, RM20 |
If anyone interested, they are still available. You can order by emailing me at hanniaziz[dot]yahoo.com.
I'm sure there must some of you who are really in need of a niqab. Contact me ok. Thank you.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Sunday Style
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| My Sunday outfit. The Ruccini shoe is bought that day. |
Assalamualaikum.
My old working shoe got me limping when it suddenly ripped while I was walking to my bookshop. Oh my! Its time has come and I know one day this will happen. I'm lucky that near my bookshop there are a few shoe stores.
Yes, I lost RM48 that day. It would be more if not for the Chinese New Year discount sale. Yey! I have a new shoe.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Tunisian revolution 2011: Pro Hijab rally - the sisters of Tunisia speak...
Assalamualaikum dear sisters, friends, readers and visitors.
I have goosebumps all over after watching this video. Mashaallah, what a spirit. Kudos to our Tunisian sisters and brothers who have gone a rally to have their rights to wear hijab. If you haven't watched the video, here it is.
Thanks to fazzamin's youtube channel for this video.
We should be very thankful for the blessings that Allah has given upon us (Malaysianuy from there Muslims) to practice hijab freely in this country. In that case we should do our best to wear the proper hijab before Allah tests us like our sisters in Tunisia, a country where years ago I almost got engaged with a guy from there.
As sister Yvonne Ridley wrote on her facebook wall, after you finished watching the video, please read this:
All praise to Allah, please help my sisters and brothers in Tunisia who have been struggling to obtian their rights as a Muslim and I'm really glad that the have dethroned the dictator ruler, husband and wife.
fashion sets to come
I want to post some fashion sets I made while I was bored for old time's sake, so stay tuned.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Gorgeous Akhawat Abayas But Way Too Expensive for Me
Assalamualaikum.
Akhawat - Abaya Couture is one of the many companies that sells abayas online and this company has chosen to use facebook as their medium. My first impression seeing its collection was, WOW! Yes, mashaallah, the abaya collection is really gorgeous.
Some are very simply designed but when you look at it, you see elegant, you see beauty and you see quality. All the characters that make me like the abayas. Just take a look at this one:
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| Source: Akhawat - Abaya Couture |
The design is very simple but upon looking at it I personally think this is a good quality abaya and very much my type. And look at this one too:
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| Source: Akhawat - Abaya Couture |
The contrasting colour between the main body of the abaya and the sleeves and also the shayla makes the abaya look so glamour but in a modest way. I like this type of design very much.
Frankly speaking, I love most of the collections BUT there is only one problem, they are very pricey. Yeah, what do you expect from designers abayas right? They have been designing and making those abayas from A to Z and how can they sell them below MYR300?
This is the price tag for the abaya with the blue sleeves:
1480 EGP (Shipping 160EGP)
2,296,000 IDR (Shipping 250,000)
255 USD (Shipping 28USD)
255 CAD (Shipping 28CAD)
195 Euro (Shipping 22 Euro)
21,900 PKR (Shipping 2380 PKR)
790 MYR (Shipping 88 MRY)
955 SAR (Shipping 105 SAR) - copied from Akhawat - Abaya Couture
The one in red is the price in my local currency. TOO pricey.
Anyway, there are others who are able to buy these abayas. They are certainly classy abayas and I think the person who can wear them must be very rich. Lucky them.
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| Source: Akhawat - Abaya Couture |
As my aim in life is to be modest so I won't be spending my money buying an abaya this expensive. I can use that much money to buy other things which are more important. I know... they are really nice to look at and I wish someone would give me one as a present, lol.
You can look at other eye candies here: Akhawat - Abaya Couture.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Working is Ibadah and Wearing a Proper & Modest Clothes is Ibadah Too.
Assalamualaikum.
Hi, we meet again. Alhamdulillah. It means that Allah has given us another day, another opportunity to use this life as best as we can to gain more reward for our afterlife.
One way to do that is by working for the sake of Allah. In order to make our job as ibadah, our intention must be because of Him. That's why we are encouraged to say Bismillah before we start anything.
And the work must be halal.
Another thing which is related to making our job as an ibadah, I think we need to dress properly as a Muslim should. When I said proper, it means always remind our selves to choose suitable clothes so that when others see us, the first impression is, "She's a Muslim."
Better yet, "She's a pious Muslim."
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Shopping for hijabs
Assalamualaikum.
Insyaallah I'll be selling this kind of pashmina soon. The order has been made and now is the time to patiently wait for the shipment to arrive. Insyaallah.
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| Look at the hijabs around me. |
Once in a while I need to drop by a hijab store nearby my workplace to place a bulk order. I love browsing through the many hijabs hanging on the wall and also on the rounding hangers that you can see standing beside me. Every time I visit this shop I wish I can spare more than half an hour to just look around. But my lunch hour is only one hour and driving to the shop and back to the office usually use 10 - 20 min. So, rush, rush.
It is a hijab heaven. The shop offers a variety of hijabs such as the common instant hijabs that are loved by many Malaysian women, all kind of shawls, pashminas, square hijabs big and small, and many different selection of inners/bonnets/underscarves. I went there to buy pashminas or big square hijabs.
This shop sells wholesale and it is my supplier for hijabs. I choose to sell only big size hijabs which I'm sure will give a wider coverage of our upper body. At least below the breasts. With the hope that my customers would wear the hijab bigger and longer.
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| Lots of big square hijabs for me to choose. |
Selling Islamic clothing is good and it will be great if the clothing can help Muslim women to practice covering their body properly (according to the Islamic dress code for women). I always remind myself to only sell clothing which can make women look modest, feel modest. Modest in an Islamic way.
After choosing the hijabs that I want to order in bulk, I went home with this multicolored pashmina.
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| Just MYR20.00. |
Insyaallah I'll be selling this kind of pashmina soon. The order has been made and now is the time to patiently wait for the shipment to arrive. Insyaallah.
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| Simple and nice. |
Monday, January 17, 2011
Newest Project
Love The Way You Look
Assalamualaikum dan good afternoon everyone.
This is my latest Polyvore project, the 'Love the way you look' abaya style ideas. In between my jobs I use a few minutes to create them inspired from the beautiful abayaat that I've seen on the Net. Here they are.
All | Designer Shoes | NET-A-PORTER.COM, 430 GBP
Yves saint laurent bags RED, 845 GBP
Lori McLean - Vintage Natural Pearl Ring, $398
Jennifer Meyer "Love You" Necklace, $600
Amazon.com: 12x18 / 12 x 18 Red Rustic Pine Picture Frame - NEW ....., $16
Abaya Art - M & A Dubai
Simply Simply Streep - Harpers Bazaar (USA, January 1981)/article-h......
Three Piece Tie Back Niqab - SunnahStyle.com
Yves saint laurent bags RED, 845 GBP
Lori McLean - Vintage Natural Pearl Ring, $398
Jennifer Meyer "Love You" Necklace, $600
Amazon.com: 12x18 / 12 x 18 Red Rustic Pine Picture Frame - NEW ....., $16
Abaya Art - M & A Dubai
Simply Simply Streep - Harpers Bazaar (USA, January 1981)/article-h......
Three Piece Tie Back Niqab - SunnahStyle.com
Gathered Leatherette Ankle Boots, $32
Fendi Savana Mini Mamma Bag, $935
Semi Precious Mixed Stone Ring, $28
Beaded Cluster Flower Ring, $4.80
L. Erickson 3 Flower Jewel Headband, $28
Dior 'J'adore L'or' Essence de Parfum (Nordstrom Exclusive), $95
hello sunshine - 8x8 fine art print : product : papernstitch, $28
abaya
Simply Simply Streep - Harpers Bazaar (USA, January 1981)/article-h......
Three Piece Tie Back Niqab - SunnahStyle.com
Fendi Savana Mini Mamma Bag, $935
Semi Precious Mixed Stone Ring, $28
Beaded Cluster Flower Ring, $4.80
L. Erickson 3 Flower Jewel Headband, $28
Dior 'J'adore L'or' Essence de Parfum (Nordstrom Exclusive), $95
hello sunshine - 8x8 fine art print : product : papernstitch, $28
abaya
Simply Simply Streep - Harpers Bazaar (USA, January 1981)/article-h......
Three Piece Tie Back Niqab - SunnahStyle.com
Annie Shoes Women's Aliza Slingback: Shoes, $38
Annie Shoes Women's Aliza Slingback: Shoes, $38
Pink Rosette Handbag, $36
H&M Floral Bracelet
Miu Miu | Round-frame acetate sunglasses | NET-A-PORTER.COM, 162 EUR
Juicy Couture - S/4 Love Bobby Pins (Multi) - Accessories, $30
ROBERT INDIANA LOVE Paper Weight, 90 EUR
Amazon.com: Dove go fresh Body Mist 3 fl oz (89 ml): Beauty, $12
Simply Simply Streep - Harpers Bazaar (USA, January 1981)/article-h......
Small Crystal Flower Stems - French Blue Set of 3
Annie Shoes Women's Aliza Slingback: Shoes, $38
Pink Rosette Handbag, $36
H&M Floral Bracelet
Miu Miu | Round-frame acetate sunglasses | NET-A-PORTER.COM, 162 EUR
Juicy Couture - S/4 Love Bobby Pins (Multi) - Accessories, $30
ROBERT INDIANA LOVE Paper Weight, 90 EUR
Amazon.com: Dove go fresh Body Mist 3 fl oz (89 ml): Beauty, $12
Simply Simply Streep - Harpers Bazaar (USA, January 1981)/article-h......
Small Crystal Flower Stems - French Blue Set of 3
What do you think?
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Pixie's Big News, and ISLAM: ACCEPTING THE WHOLE PACKAGE
Asalamu alaykom ramatullahi wa barakato:
First off, thank you ALL for your letters of support pertaining to this post. Keep 'em coming:) InshaAllah everything will happen as it is meant and work itself out with time and dua.
Second, I really, really hope my parents don't read this blog because SOMEONE is likely to try and mess up my life again by telling my non-muslim father who I haven't told yet (and who I'd like to calm with a visit to this beautiful country I am in first)... So YOU-KNOW-WHO, please, if you read this, leave me alone to live my life. Do not try to sabotage my decisions so you can laugh and say "I told you so" taking delight in any difficulty that befalls me. The Qu'ran itself warns Muslims against people like you have exhibited yourself to be, saying: "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].
That is sign enough for me that I don't [and really shouldn't] take your advice, or trust you, as people who "rejoice in saying I told you so" and when something good happens to me "they hurt" are those who come from the path that leads to fire and away from mercy.
When I told YOU-KNOW-WHO-YOU-ARE I married Y you tried to make my life hell and tried to wreck that marriage, and so many peoples lives were wrapped up in a cat-n-mouse game your wus-wus [whispers of doubts ect] brought upon us.
Boxie, Y, and I, our lives will never, ever be the same. My heart was broken. Her heart was broken. Y cried everytime he prayed. KH feels less than he did before, Allah forgive us all for all that we did wrong, and praise-be-to-Him, for all the understanding and right He subhanhu wa'ta'ala guided us to.
BTW, KH, isn't really the Khaleel of the fictional story in the "how to live like an Omani princess" blog. Only a few incidents therein are even the slightest bit on KH. The events might be similar to what happened to us all, but none of the sentiments are after a certain point. It is a story meant to be exciting. Get over it, and don't read into things too much.
And I don't hate you, I just pity you. And ask Allah to forgive you, and guide you, because despite everything you have wrecked upon yourself and others and all the lies you told me and Y, P, Dr. N, KH et all, ALHAMDULILAH also, our lives will never be the same.
Boxie, Y, and I, we all decided, our lives will be BETTER. And I am so happy YOU-KNOW-WHO-YOU-ARE-IF-YOU-ARE-READING-THIS. My life is good. You just want it to be bad.
Know I am not afraid of you, should you return here, because KH knows you despite the fact that he will always be kind to you, and above all, knows my character to be more than that of what would be my inheritance had you your way. And should you play at legalities and sympathies in an attempt to take my security and friends away from me again, I had a Muslim witness to the curse you put on me, to not be able to concieve any children. They know you for what you are now. Your ability to "see the future" is not your gift, but JINN/demons trying to trick you, either to commit suicide or to give you flase pride, I don't know, and as for anywitchraft from spells and curses, Allah is stronger than His Creation, and I do believe, love is stronger than hate. What Allah wills, no other can disallow or stop, and what Allah does not will, no other can provide or create. I am QUITE content with that, actually ;)
You-know-who-if-you-are-reading this: I still love you. I hope you get better one day, inshaAllah. Know that I am praying for you.
Third, ILH, readers, apparently I was cursed to have an empty womb, but I kinda wanna start a little family so keep me in your duas. I am not a huge power-giver to curses kind of person. Allah can undo any curse or spell wrought, and as I already said, love is waaaaaaaaaay stronger than hate.
Fourth, now YOU-KNOW-WHO is probably reading this part going, why'd you want to write this to internet blog Muslimah readers if you don't want me to go and spread it to your family, but Muslimahs, by their strength of being Muslimahs, even virtual strangers, are closer to me in many ways, than blood can ever attain in its jahliliya.
Fifth, ILH readers who love me for the sake of Allah, and who I love for the sake of Allah, and who love what Allah and His Messenger allowed us, and abstain from what they forbid us by the will of Allah, I want to announce to you something that may make the less knowledgeable of you dislike me, or think I am somehow different from you.
I am no longer the only wife in my marriage. And I am happy Allah has given my husband and I and my new sister-wife the strength to do so, supporting eachother, and wanting for eachother what we want for ourselves. While this kind of marriage suits me better than other sisters as I want a bit-of-away time from being loved (NOT TO DO WITH NOT LIKING SEX ;p) adored protected and amused by my husband, I like to do things that I myself just like to do without that being selfish. {I find it highly selfish of myself to drag a husband around to look at stuff he doesn't like to see ect or to spend time with my girlfriends when he is waiting and wants to spend time with me and can't enjoy those things as much in that position}, and having no Muslim family beyond my husband, really, really like having a Muslim sister to be close to who can help me grow in things, and support the marriage and personal growth.
Some members of our families and friend circles (even the Muslim ones) surely reject this part of Islam, but honestly sisters, when you become a Muslim, or if you are born a Muslim, know that your husband DOES have the right to take another wife in his religion. Fairness wise, the clause does NOT give you the right to determine what is fair. As demonstrated in the sunnah of the Prophet Mohamed and many of the men of the sahaba, fairness is that the man must be able to financially [while the wives have equal rights to things a 2nd-4rth wife can ask for less than the first if she likes], physically [if the wife wants she should get, as if she was an only wife], time-wise [should be equal unless either wife forgoes this], and emotionally [women have different needs so this one varies], provide for all whom he marries. He does not need your permission to do so if he knows he can manage all of the above, on the condition stipulated in the Qu'ran where it allows up to 4 wives: wives should be FROM THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF WOMEN: orphans [an orphan woman in Islam is any woman who has no living Muslim maharam], widows & divorcees with children who cannot be maintained by the man's sadaqah/charity honorably.
But it is NOT halal to marry without the knowledge of any wife he was married to previous. Marriages must be announced publically or they can cause serrious fitnah, such as accusations of adultery and fornication, which disapate respect, and destory communities and families.
*This marriage works only if a. the man understand his 1st wives mental and emotional strength well enough to gauge if such a marriage would make her suicidal ect or if he'd even be able to do it and sustain it, and if the women behave as Muslims are to act. Muslimahs must accept this part of Islam, they can't just pick and choose, saying "that isn't for me and I couldn't do it."
Did you know? Um Salamah (one of the mothers of the believers) TURNED down the Prophet SAW's original marriage proposal (after having previously turned down marriage proposals from both Abu Bakr & Umar) saying she couldn't do it "because she was a jealous woman."? He told Hind bint Banu Makhzum Abu Umayyah (aka Um Salamah): "then pray to Allah for Him to remove your jealousy". She then accepted. And as we can see from studying the seerah, [the history of Islam while the Prophet was alive], she was very happy.
Though a woman in Islam IS allowed to seek divorce if she cannot reconcile herself to being in a marriage with more than one wife besides herself, her husband has not committed a sin against her in the religion if he does not reject her or favour the other wife over her. But in the case of divorce, a woman CANNOT ask her husband to divorce her for expedience or family or tribal custom, as the husband IS NOT ALLOWED TO divorce his wife, in order to marry another. That IS HARAAM from him.
My husband will be the first to say, it is INCREDIBLY hard, and not really something that he wanted. I am a rare woman in that I may have wanted him to do so more than he did. Being emotionally fair to one woman is hard (knowing what she needs to feel secure and loved), and financially and physically it means he might have to work twice as hard as other men.
But make sure you marry a man knowing he KNOWS the responsibilities, is a good fair and just men fearing Allah, in the first place, or you will find yourself in an unfair situation with a husband who rejects you and is unjust.
But do not take it as something against yourself if you cannot fulfill everything in your husband's life, as no person was meant to do that for another, only Allah is that for us. Understand the blessing it can be.
For me, and in my experience, while IT CAN BE A CHALLENGE, I find it more rewarding, and easier for me actually.
And to read what I had written before about the subject previously before allowing myself to be in the situation I quite happily in now:
http://ilovehishmatheblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/when-would-i-consider-this-second-wife.html
First off, thank you ALL for your letters of support pertaining to this post. Keep 'em coming:) InshaAllah everything will happen as it is meant and work itself out with time and dua.
Second, I really, really hope my parents don't read this blog because SOMEONE is likely to try and mess up my life again by telling my non-muslim father who I haven't told yet (and who I'd like to calm with a visit to this beautiful country I am in first)... So YOU-KNOW-WHO, please, if you read this, leave me alone to live my life. Do not try to sabotage my decisions so you can laugh and say "I told you so" taking delight in any difficulty that befalls me. The Qu'ran itself warns Muslims against people like you have exhibited yourself to be, saying: "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].
That is sign enough for me that I don't [and really shouldn't] take your advice, or trust you, as people who "rejoice in saying I told you so" and when something good happens to me "they hurt" are those who come from the path that leads to fire and away from mercy.
When I told YOU-KNOW-WHO-YOU-ARE I married Y you tried to make my life hell and tried to wreck that marriage, and so many peoples lives were wrapped up in a cat-n-mouse game your wus-wus [whispers of doubts ect] brought upon us.
Boxie, Y, and I, our lives will never, ever be the same. My heart was broken. Her heart was broken. Y cried everytime he prayed. KH feels less than he did before, Allah forgive us all for all that we did wrong, and praise-be-to-Him, for all the understanding and right He subhanhu wa'ta'ala guided us to.
BTW, KH, isn't really the Khaleel of the fictional story in the "how to live like an Omani princess" blog. Only a few incidents therein are even the slightest bit on KH. The events might be similar to what happened to us all, but none of the sentiments are after a certain point. It is a story meant to be exciting. Get over it, and don't read into things too much.
And I don't hate you, I just pity you. And ask Allah to forgive you, and guide you, because despite everything you have wrecked upon yourself and others and all the lies you told me and Y, P, Dr. N, KH et all, ALHAMDULILAH also, our lives will never be the same.
Boxie, Y, and I, we all decided, our lives will be BETTER. And I am so happy YOU-KNOW-WHO-YOU-ARE-IF-YOU-ARE-READING-THIS. My life is good. You just want it to be bad.
Know I am not afraid of you, should you return here, because KH knows you despite the fact that he will always be kind to you, and above all, knows my character to be more than that of what would be my inheritance had you your way. And should you play at legalities and sympathies in an attempt to take my security and friends away from me again, I had a Muslim witness to the curse you put on me, to not be able to concieve any children. They know you for what you are now. Your ability to "see the future" is not your gift, but JINN/demons trying to trick you, either to commit suicide or to give you flase pride, I don't know, and as for anywitchraft from spells and curses, Allah is stronger than His Creation, and I do believe, love is stronger than hate. What Allah wills, no other can disallow or stop, and what Allah does not will, no other can provide or create. I am QUITE content with that, actually ;)
You-know-who-if-you-are-reading this: I still love you. I hope you get better one day, inshaAllah. Know that I am praying for you.
Third, ILH, readers, apparently I was cursed to have an empty womb, but I kinda wanna start a little family so keep me in your duas. I am not a huge power-giver to curses kind of person. Allah can undo any curse or spell wrought, and as I already said, love is waaaaaaaaaay stronger than hate.
Fourth, now YOU-KNOW-WHO is probably reading this part going, why'd you want to write this to internet blog Muslimah readers if you don't want me to go and spread it to your family, but Muslimahs, by their strength of being Muslimahs, even virtual strangers, are closer to me in many ways, than blood can ever attain in its jahliliya.
Fifth, ILH readers who love me for the sake of Allah, and who I love for the sake of Allah, and who love what Allah and His Messenger allowed us, and abstain from what they forbid us by the will of Allah, I want to announce to you something that may make the less knowledgeable of you dislike me, or think I am somehow different from you.
I am no longer the only wife in my marriage. And I am happy Allah has given my husband and I and my new sister-wife the strength to do so, supporting eachother, and wanting for eachother what we want for ourselves. While this kind of marriage suits me better than other sisters as I want a bit-of-away time from being loved (NOT TO DO WITH NOT LIKING SEX ;p) adored protected and amused by my husband, I like to do things that I myself just like to do without that being selfish. {I find it highly selfish of myself to drag a husband around to look at stuff he doesn't like to see ect or to spend time with my girlfriends when he is waiting and wants to spend time with me and can't enjoy those things as much in that position}, and having no Muslim family beyond my husband, really, really like having a Muslim sister to be close to who can help me grow in things, and support the marriage and personal growth.
Some members of our families and friend circles (even the Muslim ones) surely reject this part of Islam, but honestly sisters, when you become a Muslim, or if you are born a Muslim, know that your husband DOES have the right to take another wife in his religion. Fairness wise, the clause does NOT give you the right to determine what is fair. As demonstrated in the sunnah of the Prophet Mohamed and many of the men of the sahaba, fairness is that the man must be able to financially [while the wives have equal rights to things a 2nd-4rth wife can ask for less than the first if she likes], physically [if the wife wants she should get, as if she was an only wife], time-wise [should be equal unless either wife forgoes this], and emotionally [women have different needs so this one varies], provide for all whom he marries. He does not need your permission to do so if he knows he can manage all of the above, on the condition stipulated in the Qu'ran where it allows up to 4 wives: wives should be FROM THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF WOMEN: orphans [an orphan woman in Islam is any woman who has no living Muslim maharam], widows & divorcees with children who cannot be maintained by the man's sadaqah/charity honorably.
But it is NOT halal to marry without the knowledge of any wife he was married to previous. Marriages must be announced publically or they can cause serrious fitnah, such as accusations of adultery and fornication, which disapate respect, and destory communities and families.
*This marriage works only if a. the man understand his 1st wives mental and emotional strength well enough to gauge if such a marriage would make her suicidal ect or if he'd even be able to do it and sustain it, and if the women behave as Muslims are to act. Muslimahs must accept this part of Islam, they can't just pick and choose, saying "that isn't for me and I couldn't do it."
Did you know? Um Salamah (one of the mothers of the believers) TURNED down the Prophet SAW's original marriage proposal (after having previously turned down marriage proposals from both Abu Bakr & Umar) saying she couldn't do it "because she was a jealous woman."? He told Hind bint Banu Makhzum Abu Umayyah (aka Um Salamah): "then pray to Allah for Him to remove your jealousy". She then accepted. And as we can see from studying the seerah, [the history of Islam while the Prophet was alive], she was very happy.
Though a woman in Islam IS allowed to seek divorce if she cannot reconcile herself to being in a marriage with more than one wife besides herself, her husband has not committed a sin against her in the religion if he does not reject her or favour the other wife over her. But in the case of divorce, a woman CANNOT ask her husband to divorce her for expedience or family or tribal custom, as the husband IS NOT ALLOWED TO divorce his wife, in order to marry another. That IS HARAAM from him.
My husband will be the first to say, it is INCREDIBLY hard, and not really something that he wanted. I am a rare woman in that I may have wanted him to do so more than he did. Being emotionally fair to one woman is hard (knowing what she needs to feel secure and loved), and financially and physically it means he might have to work twice as hard as other men.
But make sure you marry a man knowing he KNOWS the responsibilities, is a good fair and just men fearing Allah, in the first place, or you will find yourself in an unfair situation with a husband who rejects you and is unjust.
But do not take it as something against yourself if you cannot fulfill everything in your husband's life, as no person was meant to do that for another, only Allah is that for us. Understand the blessing it can be.
For me, and in my experience, while IT CAN BE A CHALLENGE, I find it more rewarding, and easier for me actually.
And to read what I had written before about the subject previously before allowing myself to be in the situation I quite happily in now:
http://ilovehishmatheblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/when-would-i-consider-this-second-wife.html
Why I said "This is not hijab."
Assalamualaikum and good afternoon to all my dear friends, readers and visitors.
I keep thinking about a comment that was left under one of my latest Polyvore's style creation. It was quite long but the message is clear, the writer wants me to explain my reason for stating so boldly that this kind of fashion is not hijab.
Let's read her message once again. Shall we?
is it ok if u explain why some of the sets are not hijab? this will make people understand why it is not hijab. and i agree with you on this set. i remember seeing a girl and her mom at the mall and they are both wearing hijab. the mother was dressed fine, but the girl was wearing tights and a mini skirt. i got so mad. i know i don't wear a hijab, but i would never wear anything that short in public. only in front of my husband. i respect the women who wear the hijab right. and practice islam everyday. and they do good things with their attitude and their actions. some muslim women who wear a hijab smoke argilla and/or have boyfreinds, they go out at night with their friends. some women just have a bad attitude and are mean to everybody. that is not islam. anwayz, nice set, just please explain in each set why the sets you made are not hijab so that people can understand.
Firstly I'd like to thank the owner of the message who called herself by the name rollout4490 in Polyvore.com and I haven't written any reply to her yet.
Okay, I'm going to explain my reason for saying they are not hijab. First, let's read this 3 translations of ayah 31 from Surah Nisa' in our holy Qur'an,
024.031YUSUFALI: And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss.PICKTHAL: And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands or fathers or husbands' fathers, or their sons or their husbands' sons, or their brothers or their brothers' sons or sisters' sons, or their women, or their slaves, or male attendants who lack vigour, or children who know naught of women's nakedness. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn unto Allah together, O believers, in order that ye may succeed.SHAKIR: And say to the believing women that they cast down their looks and guard their private parts and do not display their ornaments except what appears thereof, and let them wear their head-coverings over their bosoms, and not display their ornaments except to their husbands or their fathers, or the fathers of their husbands, or their sons, or the sons of their husbands, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or those whom their right hands possess, or the male servants not having need (of women), or the children who have not attained knowledge of what is hidden of women; and let them not strike their feet so that what they hide of their ornaments may be known; and turn to Allah all of you, O believers! so that you may be successful.
Conditions of Muslim Dress Code
- Clothing must cover the entire body, only the hands and face may remain visible (According to some Fiqh Schools).
- The material must not be so thin that one can see through it.
- The clothing must hang loose so that the shape of the body is not apparent.
- The female clothing must not resemble the man's clothing.
- The design of the clothing must not resemble the clothing of the non-believing women.
- The design must not consist of bold designs which attract attention.
- Clothing should not be worn for the sole purpose of gaining reputation or increasing one's status in society.
The reason for this strictness is so that the woman is protected from the lustful gaze of men. She should not attract attention to herself in any way. It is permissible for a man to catch the eye of a woman, however it is haram (unlawful) for a man to look twice as this encourages lustful thoughts.Islam protects the woman; it is for this reason that Allah gave these laws. In today's society womankind is being exploited, female sexuality is being openly used in advertising, mainly to attract the desires of men and therefore sell the product. Is the woman really free in today's society? The answer is obviously no. The constant bombardment by the media as to how the ideal woman should look and dress testifies to this.
So... do you think I need to explain more? I think this is enough explanation for my claimed on those sets. I can make more but those 3 are some examples of what some of our sisters out there are wearing. It's rather difficult to advice others especially on their attire more so when they claimed it as hijab.
I hope this post manage to answer th friend's comment on my Polyvore set.
Reference:
1. http://www.islamicboutique.com/dresscode.asp
2. http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/quran/024.qmt.html#024.031
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Salam Jumu'ah
Assalamualaikum and Salam Jumu'ah.
Let see what's my idea for today's clothes. I'm going to a religious lecture in town. Do you think I can be okay wearing something like this?
Clarification: I do not own any handbag or scarves with animal prints on it. Most of them are plain. This is just an idea.
Let see what's my idea for today's clothes. I'm going to a religious lecture in town. Do you think I can be okay wearing something like this?
Long Sleeve Top, 7 GBP
Paisley Maxi Skirt, $23
Baby Phat: Footwear: Flats: Ballerina Flats, Textured Flats & More., $50
Kathy Van Zeeland Poseidon Belt Shopper at Zappos.com, $93
Gabrielle Bangles, $100
Tolani > Tolani Infinity Leopard Scarf @ Singer22.com - Fashion Men's..., $86
Butterfly Abayah - £40.00 : Amirah Fashions, 40 GBP
Three Piece Tie Back Niqab - SunnahStyle.com
Paisley Maxi Skirt, $23
Baby Phat: Footwear: Flats: Ballerina Flats, Textured Flats & More., $50
Kathy Van Zeeland Poseidon Belt Shopper at Zappos.com, $93
Gabrielle Bangles, $100
Tolani > Tolani Infinity Leopard Scarf @ Singer22.com - Fashion Men's..., $86
Butterfly Abayah - £40.00 : Amirah Fashions, 40 GBP
Three Piece Tie Back Niqab - SunnahStyle.com
Clarification: I do not own any handbag or scarves with animal prints on it. Most of them are plain. This is just an idea.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
This is how I do it
well... one of the ways. There are many ways to cover yourself but this is how I usually do.
Under the abaya, you can absolutely wear anything as long as people outside cannot see them. If you happen to wear an open front abaya, just be careful with the clothe you choose to wear under it. If you wear tights, skinny jeans, leggings, sheer dress or short skirts, people may see it because when you walk, the abaya will surely close and open naturally.
Love.
Under the abaya, you can absolutely wear anything as long as people outside cannot see them. If you happen to wear an open front abaya, just be careful with the clothe you choose to wear under it. If you wear tights, skinny jeans, leggings, sheer dress or short skirts, people may see it because when you walk, the abaya will surely close and open naturally.
Love.
She's A Millionaire
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| Source: Keluarga & Sridewi, Jan 2011 |
Assalamualaikum.
I'm currently at the University Hospital having a booksale and abayasale while joining a program there. I snapped this 2 pics a few days ago but do not have time to upload. Looks like today I will be quite busy with the event so while I'm there you can read about Mrs. Rozita Ibrahim here.
To read the article (in Malay), you would have to buy the magazine.
Sharing: The age of a woman should observe hijab in front of a boy
Assalamualaikum dear friends,
I'm a bit busy getting ready for tomorrow's event. There are still a lot of abayaat to fold and pack. So... while I'm doing that, I'll share with you a Q & A about the above topic which I have copied from this fanpage, Niqab; The Face Veil.
Please pray for a successful event tomorrow.
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| Source: Tonja's Photo Blog |
Question:-
What is the age at which a woman should observe hijab from a boy – is it when he reaches the age of discernment or when he reaches the age of puberty?.
Answer:-
Praise be to Allaah.
Allaah says in the passage where He speaks of those to whom it is permissible to show one’s adornments (interpretation of the meaning):
“…or small children who have no sense of feminine sex”
[al-Noor 24:31]
If a child shows some awareness of a woman’s ‘awrah and starts to look at her and talk to her a great deal, then it is not permissible for a woman to uncover in front of him.
This varies from one boy to another in terms of natural disposition and in terms of the company that he keeps. A boy may have a greater interest in women if he sits with people who talk about them a great deal, and if it were not for that he would not be particularly interested in them.
What matters is that Allaah has set the guidelines for this matter when He said (interpretation of the meaning):
“…or small children who have no sense of feminine sex”
[al-Noor 24:31]
i.e., these are among the ones in front of whom it is permissible for a woman to show her adornments, if they have no interest in women.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him), Majmoo’at As’ilah tahumm al-Usrah al-Muslimah, p. 148
Among the things which indicate that a child has started to be aware of a woman’s ‘awrah are the following:
- He describes women to others
- He can distinguish between a beautiful woman and an ugly one
- He compares the way women look
- He stares at women for a long time
Undoubtedly movies and soap operas, as well as social corruption, lead to children being aware of women’s ‘awrahs at an early age, so we have to be very careful. We ask Allaah to keep us safe and sound.
Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
PIXIE HERE: Asking for your help
Dear Longtime Readers:
Some fo you have been with me since the days of Beautiful Muslimah and the Bride Wears Hijab blogs.
I know, of late, I TOTALLY haven't been a consistant blogger, but that's because my life has been crazy. Again, I ask your forgiveness.
And for the first time since I started blogging, I am asking for your help, for me.
I need you to help me if I ever helped you in any way (BE IT HIJAB, something else in Islam) Islamically, through this blog or in IRL, by writing letters saying that you know I am a Muslim, and that I helped you.
No, I don't love to be coated in praise, and I am not asking for these letters because I am some kind of egomaniac, but I am in a position where I have to prove I am (most of the time;) ) a decent muslimah [for some period of time] who is useful to the ummah in some small way, so that I can be granted an oppurtunity that I desperately need.
The situation: I am appealing to someone just, in an unjust situation, to appeal on my behalf for permission to be granted an oppurtunity it is halal and needed in my life, and they suggested I ask my readers to contribute to that appeal.
Please help me if I:
a.) ever encouraged you when you had weak Iman.
b.) answered a question you needed to know the answer to about women's role in Islam or otherwise.
c.) helped you make the decision to make your shahada
d.) helped you be strong enough to wear your hijab, be it a scarf, jilbab, or niqab.
e.) Helped you come back to Islam after professed apostasy
f.) [if you are a non-muslim] helped you to be less afraid, and more understanding of Muslims.
Send any such letters to the following email address (if you can write in Arabic, please send your letter in Arabic): bm_pixie@hotmail.com
Jazzakallahkheir, and please forgive me for asking. It is just, that I am not believed on my own.
Some fo you have been with me since the days of Beautiful Muslimah and the Bride Wears Hijab blogs.
I know, of late, I TOTALLY haven't been a consistant blogger, but that's because my life has been crazy. Again, I ask your forgiveness.
And for the first time since I started blogging, I am asking for your help, for me.
I need you to help me if I ever helped you in any way (BE IT HIJAB, something else in Islam) Islamically, through this blog or in IRL, by writing letters saying that you know I am a Muslim, and that I helped you.
No, I don't love to be coated in praise, and I am not asking for these letters because I am some kind of egomaniac, but I am in a position where I have to prove I am (most of the time;) ) a decent muslimah [for some period of time] who is useful to the ummah in some small way, so that I can be granted an oppurtunity that I desperately need.
The situation: I am appealing to someone just, in an unjust situation, to appeal on my behalf for permission to be granted an oppurtunity it is halal and needed in my life, and they suggested I ask my readers to contribute to that appeal.
Please help me if I:
a.) ever encouraged you when you had weak Iman.
b.) answered a question you needed to know the answer to about women's role in Islam or otherwise.
c.) helped you make the decision to make your shahada
d.) helped you be strong enough to wear your hijab, be it a scarf, jilbab, or niqab.
e.) Helped you come back to Islam after professed apostasy
f.) [if you are a non-muslim] helped you to be less afraid, and more understanding of Muslims.
Send any such letters to the following email address (if you can write in Arabic, please send your letter in Arabic): bm_pixie@hotmail.com
Jazzakallahkheir, and please forgive me for asking. It is just, that I am not believed on my own.
Just Being Me.
Flowers > Orange Magnolia E. Flowers by Prima: A Cherry On Top
LEATHER WEDGES, 470 EUR
Dock Tote Bag - Roxy, $34
Oversized Organic Bracelet, $4.80
Enamel Oval Ring, $20
NARS Eye Liner Pencil, $20
honey light - fine art photograph - dried hydrangea : product :..., $25
Hajj and Umrah Abayas | Jilbabs | Jilbaab | Aab | Solitude, 90 GBP
'Live Love Laugh' Vinyl Wall Art | Overstock.com, $29
Reflections of Iman Saudi Triple Layered Black Scallop Edge Niqab
Quotes « Photography Blog
LEATHER WEDGES, 470 EUR
Dock Tote Bag - Roxy, $34
Oversized Organic Bracelet, $4.80
Enamel Oval Ring, $20
NARS Eye Liner Pencil, $20
honey light - fine art photograph - dried hydrangea : product :..., $25
Hajj and Umrah Abayas | Jilbabs | Jilbaab | Aab | Solitude, 90 GBP
'Live Love Laugh' Vinyl Wall Art | Overstock.com, $29
Reflections of Iman Saudi Triple Layered Black Scallop Edge Niqab
Quotes « Photography Blog
Assalamualaikum dear friends, readers and visitors. Thanks for dropping by KakChik'S Wardrobe. Enjoy today's style. I don't have much time to write so I just share my fashion idea with you. Hope you like it.
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