Followers

12:30 AM

Alcohol Alternatives?

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |

Anyone who converted to Islam may have had a dabble or two with alcohol and might find it a hard part of Islam to deal with. But I want to show you the many alternatives there are to enjoy a taste that is similar yet still Halal. SURE its not exact but with a little imagination and a pleasant atmosphere I'm sure it will help when those normal cravings arise.


When I was pregnant with my daughter I had a BAD craving for White Zinfandel Wine. There was nothing I wanted more. But my next best thing I could make do with was to drink Cherry 7up.

It was Crisp, bubbly, and had a light flavor that was soothing. It was new to Lebanon and could only be found in Monoprix and Goodies. Luckily my husband was working stock in Goodies at the time and managed to keep me and the store well in stock! He'd keep me well up to date with the inventory number of Cherry 7up's left and assured me when they were down to two he'd buy those two just for me to have until they got the next shipment. Lovely man! I'd sip it slowly savoring the relaxing flavor. It helped I have some beautiful wine glasses from my collection to drink it in. All the more peaceful.

Now when you go to any Muslim Market Store or the Big stores in the Middle East you will find a variety of Malt beverages with 0% alcohol. I was surprised to see the brand name Budweiser.

What on earth was Bud doing making non-alcoholic drinks? The answer: making a whole lot of money in the middle east and around the world by catering to Muslim needs. BUT if you think hard about this you will realize that buying this Malt brand from Budweiser is something NOT RIGHT. You are still SUPPORTING an ALCOHOLIC COMPANY.

You are helping their profits rise so that they can continue on making REAL FULL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES for the world to consume. So I do NOT buy Budweiser's Malts. There are dozens of other brands. I suppose if you were in USA and at a BBQ with non-Muslims who were drinking Bud and pressuring you too also you could whip out a can of your Malts so only on close inspection would they know you're not really drinking but otherwise I don't see the need for it. (You shouldn't be drinking with alcoholic drinkers ANYWAYS)....

So there are some alternatives to Alcoholic drinks.

Feel like a Martini or Margaritas?

Try a Shirley Temple or Fruit Malt!


Shirley Temples are a classic. Much like Cherry 7up. No Alcohol, can order them anywhere in the world without anyone thinking you're weird.


Gotta craving for a cold one?

Try a malt!



Wanna relax out on the deck watching the sunset with a glass of wine or champagne?

Try Sparkling Apple Cider, Sparkling Grape Cider, Cherry 7up, Shirley Temples, or plain old grape juice (my favorite in desperate times of nerves needing soothing).




Throwing a party and want something pretty in the goblets?
Sparking Cider in Apple or Grape, malt beverages, and of course there are hundreds of awesome juice varieties to choose from.


So being Muslim and not having Alcohol doesn't need to hold you back from having a good time. Best of all with these alternatives there are no hangovers and you're sure to remember the past 12 hours ;)

8:00 PM

Life Story: Music of my Soul

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |


I understand that many believe Music is Haram. I know there are certain texts forbidding certain things in certain ways with certain conditions. I do know this in my heart. But applying most of them has been one of the hardest jihads I've had to make as a Muslim.
Music has been such a big part of my life and I'd like to share that experience with all of you. Grab a cup and a comfortable cushion.

It is an amazing feeling; sound. You can feel the vibrations of it through your body. It accelerates your pulse and drifts your mind into a new realm of thought.
As a young child I never knew songs. They were forbidden. My biological mother is Jehovah's Witness. It was only when placed in Foster Care that I learned about this fascinating subject. One home in particular really broadened my exposure. They had the radio pumping almost 24/7. I had never heard music or a radio before so I asked them about it. I was 4 then.
"What is that sound? Why do you dance to it? What are you doing? What is it saying?"
The teenagers gawked at me.
"It's Music. Haven't you heard music before? We are singing and dancing with it for fun. The songs say special things to make people think hard. Come listen! Try to sing with us!"
::When the night, has come, and the land is dark, and the moon, is the only, light we'll see, no I wont, be afraid, no I wont, shed a tear, just as long, as you stand, stand by me, stand by me. If the sky, that we look upon, should tumble and fall, or the mountains should crumble tot eh sea, no I wont, be afraid, no I wont be afraid, just as long as you stand, stand by me.:::into instrumental chorus:::
So I sang and sang! OH HOW I SANG this over and over. Soon I was learning more and more songs as I absorbed the radio. This was the year 1988. Then they introduced me to heavy metal. They'd get together with their guitars and loudly turn up Guns N Roses' "Paradise City". They'd belt out the lyrics until I too had memorized them and they cheered me on as I sang :::take me down to the paradise city where the grass is green and the girls are pretty, oh wont you please take me home!:::
The next foster home listened to a different kind of music I'd never heard before called Oldies. They had the car and house radios firmly fixed to the Oldies Station and I learned all about the Beatles, Elvis, and other classics.
Another foster home later about 1991 for a Christmas present I got a personal hand held battery stereo which I carried around all-day everyday and even fell asleep listening to the new age of music "The 90s" Salt N Peppa told me I don't want no short short man, Kriss Cross will make me Jump Jump, Sir Mix A Lot assured me that if my butt ever got really fat that's ok cause men like it like that. Mariah Carey stole my breath away, Paula Abdul taught me to watch out for cold-hearted playboys, and to look into his eyes, he's been telling lies. Oh and who can forget I'm too Sexy for my shirt!?!?! I used to strut down the empty neighborhood street radio to my ear Jamming "I'm too sexy for my shirt too sexy it hurts! And I do my little turn on the catwalk!"
Vanilla Ice was the coolest ever and THEN i went to the neighbors house and she had someone called Madonna posters everywhere. I fell in love! She was my new favorite for Soooo long.
After this I moved in with my parents and got used to their brand of music, Oldies, Soft Rock, and Easy Listening. Also my dad had a love for cowboy themed music. So I learned a whole bunch of new singers while remaining true to my 90's new stuff.
I managed to find a free music video channel and watched so many of the songs I had known and loved. A few times I heard something called rap but back then it was just the scratching of records more than lyrics for me and I wasn't into it. I also heard something called Country around this time while station hopping and it was always so sad and slow and I preferred to jam it. Until I met my childhood best friend Nicolette. Her family (which I practically grew up with) was heavily into country. Soon it entered my heart too. We would giggle and dance the night away to "Who's bed have your boots been under". Her brother though favored Rap. While listening to him blast it every weekend I started liking it too and as it re-entered mainstream radio I got to like it more and more.
My paternal grandparents though had a large influence on my music tastes. They loved classical and really old stuff from the 40's. I watched old Musical Movies and fell head of heels with Opera and Musicals. My grandparents have a large piano Organ with a set of Pipes too in the living room. They also had an upright piano they let me bang on. I was so fascinated. They told stories of glory days when they had organ Clubs and my Grandma sung in a choir as a beautiful Soprano. They showed me pictures of when I was just 1 or 2 years old visiting them and playing on the same Organ in their house. Under one picture of my biting my lip in concentration it reads the caption "Future Musician?" My family has a long history of Musical Talent. Which delighted me because with my low-self-esteem I needed SOMETHING to be good at!
in 4th grade we had the option to take Orchestra or Band Class at school. The shiny Trombones and beautiful high pitched flutes appealed to me but my mom kinda put a cork in those dreams. "Ohhh No, do you know what those sound like played badly? Please spare our ears!" So we went next to the Orchestra presentation. I again liked the high violin but Mom warned me again it's squeaky when played wrong but she liked it's size and that it was the cheapest instrument. I, being above pricing my love of items at the time, disdained it cheaper price. The viola was close in size and sound but it didn't attach my heart. Next came something amazing!
He (the teacher) SAT down to play the Cello. As soon as he ran the bow across those mello strings I again was in love. He played the Jaws theme song and I though that was cool the violins couldn't do it Justice only the Cello. After that came the double bass. It was so awesome but the teacher said he didn't have any available for student use (it's a poor public school) and someone would have to rent one which could be expensive. By my parent's exchanged looks i could tell they were about to convince me not to take that one. So I chose the Cello to play and was one of three girls to learn it and the Bass Clef needed to play music for it. It was my outlet for creativity and I was always excelling in this class. I had found something I was good at and I practiced as much as I could. Every year (except 6th which didn't have an orchestra) I played Cello and practiced on it until 12th grade. That was 8 years I played it and I won a few awards and was allowed to play in a Honor Orchestra.
But as I got older the competition grew as more cellists invaded my territory. I managed to beat for half a year the best player in 8th grade to keep my position as "1st Chair" the leader. But when we hit high school with MORE players and some of them MUCH better than me I became discouraged. If i wanted to do something I wanted to be the best at it I could be. After some orchestra drama between me and some of the fellow cellists who i fiercely hated because they were idiot boys who liked to make fun of me I decided to try something new that was offered.
"We only have one bass player and we really need more to round out the sound so if any cellist would like to take up Bass this year I will keep you in this advanced class since you can already read the bass clef." I took my chance and raised my hand to switch. I was the only one to do so. I met my music stand partner Anthony (Tony). He and I were to be casual friends over the next four years that I played bass. he was a chilled out part italian guy who didn't care who was first chair and although he was really good he preferred to stand in the second chair spot. So I got the glory at the concerts but we both knew when he beat me for first chair off and on it was fair though sometimes I did win. I was able to join the Symphonic after school orchestra and then my favorite part was playing in the Orchestra Pit (as the only Bass!) for the school Musical Oklahoma. At one point it was me, the piano, and the lead male vocal going together in harmony on his solo. It was one of the most special moments of my life. I was sooo proud that I was good at something MUSIC.
Meanwhile in 9th grade we moved into my grandparents home and I played almost daily on their piano learning to read the higher treble clef and singing along. In high school my friends and I also joined the choir and would spend our days wandering the halls with songs in our heads. I was known as the "locker-room singer" (by a few girls) because I had PE right after choir class and I could never stop singing and I'd get some other girls to go in too. It was fun.
At this time in 9th grade also I loved Rock on the radio and did my punk rebel thing with the black lipstick and spiky hair lol.
Besides drawing in Art, Music let me express my emotions in a way i wasn't able to with just words. The feel of dragging the thick rosined bow across the heavy deep resonating bass strings and having the purring waves run through the back of the instrument to my side and stomach and flying my fingers across the fingerboard was so fulfilling. It was peaceful. You felt in touch with the world. At concerts it was awesome putting all those sounds together to make something amazing that moved the audience. I loved concert nights. My friends and I getting dolled up and playing with all our hearts. There was something elegant about orchestra that band never had. They were awesome too but i was at home in the strings.
Until my last year of high school when I became Muslim.
I read online that strings were haram and music was Haram but I was in denial and unable to give up my passions. I continued in Orchestra. But religion and politics and high school drama don't mix! One of my close friends turned half the orchestra against me and Amanda. It was drudgery going to class. I still loved to play but my heart was slowly loosing interest. I had to wear these silly dresses at concerts and i had to hijabify them and everyone though I looked like a freak being the only arm and head covered girl on the stage and again I was standing next to a tall bright loud instrument... very visible. Soon as my Senioritis got worse I started ditching even Orchestra and got my first C in years in that class. I didn't go to the end of the year concert. Tony got the glory that night. Tony didn't even sign my year book though because of the orchestra Drama. Oh well. I had bigger plans in the mix, i was meeting my future Husband then.
After Highschool there was just the radio to consolidate my not being able to play anymore since I couldn't afford a stringed instrument. I did buy a wooden bamboo flute from the Renaissance fair which i tried to master over the years but my heart was glued to strings.
In Lebanon they only had a not well received radio station so I didn't even manage to get that much music for a while. I had my tapes and CDs but it wasn't the same. i was out of the "up to date" music loop. Most of me didn't care. The other part of me was hurting. i was a talented Musician and my talents were going to waste. i couldn't do vocal exercises anymore without my piano and though I still sing It's not with the awesome 4 octave range I used to have. I think somewhere an octave got misplaced.... Friends when they learned I play music would encourage me to learn more about Nasheeds. I heard a few beautiful ones with their awesome harmonies. Don't get me wrong they ARE awesome. Especially all the different kind of drum beats. But some groups frown on Islamic Women Singers so I wasn't going to start into that hornets nest. And women drummers in Lebanon were few and far between. i heard from the group I was learning from that synthesized sounds were Halal like those on an electric keyboard. So I stuck to this and once in a while when i visited my grandparents house I'd madly play the keyboard. Also I sometimes go over my old cello and bass music practicing the fingerings and bowings in the air.
My husband's co-worker Who is not a practicing Muslim and though Syrian doesn't know a thing about real ISLAM, brought over his guitar one day and started playing in the garden then he came into eat dinner bringing in his guitar. For the first time in 6 years there was a stringed instrument in my house. It was torture. He played it weekly on visits to my husband and they both know I gave up strings for the sake of Allah but one day in the garden I picked it up and strummed it a bit. it felt deliciously good. No bow which sucks but whatever a string is a string.
But he's gone back to Syria now saving me from further temptation alhamdulillah. Although I do have lots of my favorite composer Beethoven's CDs I rarely listen to them anymore. I rarely listen to anything anymore. But when someone downloads something and sends it to me I check it out and most likely love it but I'm not current in the latest music at all and that's ok with me. Sometimes when I catch a new video like stupid Britney Spears' Womanizer's song on YouTube I am glad to be away from such Haram. Other times I'm pulled to using Music to help me like with doing chores. I have to have a custom dance and rock Cd on to get energized to clean with my ADD.
Sometimes when I pray I get the feeling to just purge it all. Just delete it all from the PC and break my Cds in half and toss them in the bin... I feel so strongly to do this and it feels right. Then a song will turn on and I loose my resolve and start Jamming and jumping off the couches having fun expressing my inner self. I've asked different people about hadiths or Qur'an related to music but so far I haven't come across any that are really clear that LISTENING to string instruments is Haram (not makrouh) not just PLAYING THEM. I don't play them anymore, but I'm so weak in listening still. And it hurts me SO SO SO SO SO badly when I see Muslims playing Stringed Instruments like Sami Yusuf's second CD. I could probably get a decent paying job playing bass or cello part time to put some money in my pocket but I fear Allah. So I don't and I don't think they should be doing it either but I'm not sure about listening.
Anyone got links to awesome Nasheeds I can switch to that are Halal. Or texts concerning Music? Or links to peeps with texts. I'm all ears.

5:14 PM

Deep Inside I'm... A Rock Star!

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |

So here is something new about me you may not have known (unless you knew me from High School).

Inside way down deep I'm a rebel, rock star, that longs to belt it out about injustice.

Inside I'm WILD.

I'm like a raging fire that can't be extinguished.

I love to have fun in a way that's extremely different.

I have a very quirky sense of humor.

I have my extreme passions that I wish sometimes I could shout to the moon.

When I was 14 I cut my hair almost all the way off and spiked it every day.
I probably would have wore more awesome clothes had I not gained too much weight as a kid.
Deep inside I'm longing to loose MORE weight and start wearing clothes (inside my house) that reflect my personality more. Perhaps later more rocking hijab but still Halal. I never get to experiment really. Same old dowdy stuff. I'm just waiting to peel the layers away that have been hiding my soul.


If I had to compare myself to any famous person it would be Rock Star Pink. THAT IS ME ON THE INSIDE. She is just able to express her soul like no other singer I've seen in ages. She sings with passion and depth and I love that. I remember as a teen flipping through SEVENTEEN mag and seeing an ad from PINK calling for poets to submit their poetry to her so she could write a song with it and no one ever knew she'd be such a huge star. I did think about sending my poems lol. Her songs always touch my heart. I just wish that there could be Islamic Songs with that edge and passion (IS THERE!?!?!) she puts into her songs. Islamic songs talking about the real controversy in real life of Muslims. It would make it soo much easier for me to give up music. I've been working on it for a long time, purging music here and there but someone downloaded this new Pink Song "So What" and sent it to me and I was like WHOA! And I totally JAMMED IT. I was rocking it big time jumping off the couch LOL. Yup that's me. Rockin it inside. If I didn't have a husband to consider I'd probably chop my hair off again LOL. But I swore not to do that again cause it took years to grow back out. Of course one could always be like Avril Lavigne with her long-locked rocker look. Again, IN the house ; p.

Anyways thought I'd send that out for the world to digest. I got my sensitive poet side but deeper inside all the way down is this fiery chick waiting to fly. Which is why I give new blogger "Hell Fire Furious Muslimah" big props on getting it out there and telling it like it is. Show your inner fire girl! You inspire me!


Maybe this is another reason I haven't been able to stop calling myself Brandy. When I first looked up the meaning of my name it said "Fire Water" I thought that was very appropriate. Even though I KNOW it is alcohol which is BIG HARAM, still... it reflects my passion. It's a reminder to me that I can be passionate and fiery and still be Halal. When I used to go do the chat rooms as a teen I used the name "Fire_Lips" because I felt that through my words I want to express my Fire. We should all try to express our inside personality more. Insha'Allah in good ways.

9:41 AM

Making a Home: The Table

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |


While making my new Home Personalized Organizing Notebook (more about that later) I was browsing link-offs. Don't you ever do that and get lost like 50 link from where you started? Anywhoo... So I reached this wonderful blog (link later) about a Christian Mother who Homeschools. At first I was looking at her examples of her Notebook. But as I clicked on and on into her blog I was struck by something. And it kinda hurt. I thought I was over those feelings but as I thought more and more about it for a good while on this early oddly foggy morning the pain turned into determination. My pain was the pain of nostalgia.

She had lovely pictures of her home. A large wooden dining table was the center of most of these shots. Sometimes there were candles sometimes kids doing work. Sometimes a book or two. This made me really long for my home. This has a two-fold meaning.

I long for my parent's home which is also my grandparents home in Tucson, AZ,USA. I was very comfortable in that house. It's a large one floor house with a LONG hallway leading to many rooms. It just had that homey feeling. The dining table is large and wooden with my paternal grandma's (who passed away) finishing touches decor on the walls. My mom revamped the Kitchen and it looks lovely and workable. But I had to think hard about why this blog made me feel such pain. It was the feeling that this is missing from my life. Why don't I feel my HOME that I live in is Homey? Do MY kids think MY house is Homey? I thought deeper about that dining table. When I sat at it at home it was just a comfortable very nice wooden table where we ate family meals, stretched it out for Thanksgivings and parties, played my favorite family games, talked over life decisions, did my aggravating math homework, and just sat staring out the window at passing hummingbirds. The point is I saw it as a whole. It was a place I used to be with my family in our Home. But when I look at MY table I'm thinking, I gotta wipe it down after each meal and sometimes I don't want to so I leave it and it is messy, then I wipe it and the nooks and crannies make it frustrating and I wish i hadn't bought this type of plastic table and i daydream about my fantasy table one day i will buy, and the table is always in my way of making the room look larger and having more room in my small house and it gets in the way of my vacuuming. You see I'm looking at the details. Perhaps this is what life is like looking at a new point of view. Before i was looking as a child. That was our table. End of story. Now I'm looking at mine through the eyes of the mother who chose it and works with it everyday. Did my Grandma and my Mom spend so much time thinking about the table's details. How they hated that middle crack and would have preferred a seamless table but couldn't save enough money so they chose this one as a second best?

For me the dining table is the middle of the Home. It is where you have the chance to best bond with your family. Families that do NOT sit down for a meal together and don't sit together for a game or two or don't do their homework or any work or crafting with the company of the other family members are loosing out on something special.

Suddenly I'm wondering if I'm doing enough to make my house HOMEY.

Maybe it's the fact that we are not settled here. My grandparents' house is a settled house. My father's mother's father bought the house. i love the fact that they dedicated it as a safe haven for all family members. No matter what the troubles of life brings, there is always a place you can call Home where you will be welcome and have a roof over your head. I didn't know that growing up though. My mom told me that on her trip here when I had my son. I knew the house had been passed down and insha'Allah will always be passed down but I didn't know it had such an awesome dedication.

My house though is a rental. It was not be passed down. It was built swiftly so the landlord can make more money by having more tenants on this property. It's dedication is money. It will not always be my home (insha'Allah). I cannot customize it to my whims. It must just serve my needs until we decide where we will go next in our lives. It's like a road stop on our journey to our real home. Insha'Allah HE has prescribed for us a final Home and not just many road stops before we die.

I want that cozy feeling when I come in and take off my hijab and throw my abaya on the coat-rack and sit down at my table. I want that you-have-all-the-time-in-the-world feeling.
In Lebanon I was very close to having that feeling. In Nai'me, I had my Mediterranean View off the Balcony. I could sit in the morning and drink my coffee with Hubby and talk about life. I could spend the day playing with my daughter.


I had a dining table I loved.


It was a foldable kind that cost 60,000L.L.($40) but the top had a dark grey/black color with gold and red stripes and was smooth and shiny. It matched my decor. And it was almost homey. I was planning on making a table cover for it. But we moved and I never got the chance.

It was a homey house though with fond memories of singing and rocking my daughter to sleep in the hallway since it was the quietest part of the house.

For a few bad moments as I was looking at this blog I wanted Home so badly and I thought why isn't Allah giving me a Home? But I know He has His plans and so I'll wait. I just hope in the meantime I'm giving my kids a Home no matter where we are. I'm determined: Even on my plastic grooved table.

8:27 PM

JSIH

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |

JSIH Jannah Standards International Homeschool Blog is up and running now YAY Man I didn't knwo it'd be so fun blogging about school lol. i finally got some pictures uploaded hehehe.
You know this annoucement just might keep repeating itself until I get more than one visitor :p lol..... thanks Confusion for being there for me ! :D

Jannah Standards International Homeschooling
(http://jannahstandardshomeschool.blogspot.com/)
is what I decided to call my Homeschool officially. (Officially as in if anyone asks LOL)
I've made a blog to keep mainly my mom and my mother-in-law and all family informed to what their precious grandkids are doing. I will upload lots of pictures of our schoolroom and also of the kids doing things. There will be craft ideas and other fun stuff later as well.
Hopefully those of you who Homeschool or who are thinking about it can see how much can be accomplished with a small budget and might consider doing it too. Insha'Allah!
Have fun checking it out!

2:57 AM

Down Down Down

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |

Dunno why I'm feeling so down this past week.
Haven't felt like blogging for a while.
Don't feel like blogging now.
It's not depression
It's not boredom
just kinda down
down down
down
d-

4:48 AM

Perfect Muslimahs

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |

Sisters with our pretend halos on our heads. We are not Angels though. We try and try to be oh so good but we all have our faults. Yet you would never know it looking over the blog world. Our blogs seem to be divided in two. Those who aren't afraid to tell their failings and those who are. Those who aren't tend to go after the tough questions in life in an attempt to better oneself and others but those who are afraid tend to ignore their failings under a banner of Privacy. I'm not saying everyone should blurt out their deepest darkest secrets or tell us all how many times they slept with their husband or whatever. But sometimes when we look at these squeaky clean blogs we need to realize there is a sister under that beautiful mask that is hiding pain.

haven't you seen those beautiful ballroom masks they wore in the days of Olde? They were so flawlessly beautiful and you could be anyone you wanted to be while you wore them. Yet under them you are a turmoil of emotions.
I will use myself as an example so no one thinks I'm pointing fingers.
I have now how many blogs!?!?! 5! Oh my! If a person who hasn't known me online for very long trips up onto my steps of words to visit me and says WOW how does she do it all? She's got this Directory and this AMW Blog! Oh and there's the new Jummah Resolutions! Later she's gonna do some good for Muslimah Authors and can you believe she does all this and still homeschools with a new blog, cooks and cleans, and irons and takes care of her husband.

Well don't believe it honey. Not for one minute. It is my beautiful glittery mask of perfection.
I have my issues. Lots of them. I have my pain. Deep Pain sometimes. I have my disorganized fritzy days where I'm staring at my blog page with glazed eyes then turn it off ignored. I try to make my first priority my kids. Then my husband's wants like a clean house and nicely cooked food. Then my kid's schooling, THEN it comes down to my free time. i break it up between my billions of projects.

I don't know why the past month or so I haven't felt like commenting to many people on this blog or on anyone else's blog. It's weird and i apologise. But recently I've been forcing myself to get out there again and mingle more and be more open again to meeting new bloggers. And it helps. The more I like talking to them the more I remember why I loved Blogging to begin with. Meeting awesome new people everyday. But as I jump blog to blog I'm realizing how careful we all are online not to expose ourselves too much in case someone tries to burn us online. Sometimes we try so hard and succeed that we look flat. As un-personable as those masks. Sure I love the "how-to-help-yourself" blogs that lead you step by step into a more organized and flowing life but on these blogs you don't see the real person deep under. you don't know their fears. You don't know why they shed their tears. They are flat blog people stuck in cyberspace.
Sometimes I'm constrained by my own limits on my blog It makes me want to scream. WHY CANT I BLOG ABOUT THAT!!! I wanna yell. Ahhh, because if you say that the blog world will take a collective gasp and burn you down the invisible hole. Also I constrain myself by what my family and friends read. Hubby says: Don't say this. Friends will say: She said WHAT! Etc... So sometimes I read bloggers who hide their identities and are free to say whatever they like and I envy them. they are free to take off the mask and show their real souls. Souls that tell a real tale. A tale that others like me flock to so that we can feel our Humanity.
What about you guys out there? Do you feel sometimes your blogs are too goody goody? or do you think you can add more depth without compromising your identity safety?

12:58 AM

Media Freak Show

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |


It annoys me day after day when I check headlines to see the same stories over and over for weeks at a time. Every small angle must be broadcast repeatedly on every news channel and organizations and a thousand interview shows. GET OVER IT!!! PULEEEZE!
This woman that had 8 babies octuplets, ok so she had eight babies! So she had six previously! maybe she just likes big families. Can't you just announce "Woman has 8 babies, congratulations!" and GET OVER IT!!!!? Noooooo, they have to bombard her house and get her mother to explode and say things she'll probably later regret on national and international news. Ummm doesn't this woman have 8 newborns to deal with!?!?!? And six other kids?!?! I don't think she has time or energy to be touring networks!
This is not just her story either. This is Media in general these days. Just disgusting really. And with sooo many channels these days there are thousands of news medias! Someone breaks out with a news story that no one else has angled and BAM all the others take it up as some kind of freak show to be displayed proudly before mind-numbed viewers. And it is mind-numbing! I felt my IQ slipping watching the same piece of news played out into oblivion as everyone had to add their two cents and new questions... an example:
CNN will feature a headline, minutes later they have an update, then they set aside a half an hour special about it with critics and "know it alls" in the media, then the news reporters all feature it on their segments (all still on CNN mind you), and then bloody Larry King has an hour special about it, by the end of which i switch the channel to find it all happening all over on MSNBC or such and by then i want to rip my hair out of my numbed mind and beat the TV with a 2x4!
SHUT UP ALREADY!
MAN!
It is NOT that interesting! It's not THAT critical! GET OVER IT! A one minute headline and clip will suffice! Why must news medias play a story to death! Take it online or something if you want to explore it in depth but PULEEZE stop throwing it in my face every five minutes when I want to find out some REAL news!

4:29 PM

"Baaaa" and Malls

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |

Last Friday was fun for our family. Since this month in Homeschooling is Farm Animals, Farming Crops, Gardening, and Weather I begged my hubby to go see some goats and sheep at a local farm or selling market. He said there is one right near our house! So we drove just a few minutes down the road. For those in Al-Ain it is right near the oasis downtown. We entered a large area lined on both sides by trucks full of sheep and goats. It was amazing.
Every truck had about two or three men sitting in front of it and as we pulled up everyone stood and started talking to us to come see their animals to buy. My husband had to keep waving them off nicely and finally they figured it out we weren't buying. Maaaaan I was soooo upset I didn't bring my niqab because they were all staring at us and especially me. So I just tried my best to pretend they didn't exist as I got my kids out of the car and let them check out the goats and sheep. They wouldn't go near the rear of the truck so we could pet them which was disappointing cause I wanted my daughter to feel the difference of their fur. But we talked about what they eat and why they look different and she got to hear how funny they sound bleating. The lambs cry are soooo sweet awwww~! I wanted a little goat or lamb for my garden and we wished really hard we could afford one. On the way out I saw a beautiful red and cream baby and was like awww please!!! So hubby asked how much and was told 300dhs $81USD. Our hearts sunk. Too much for us. So we declined.
We took a quick drive through the Oasis to get back to the main street (near out house lol) and then went South towards the Hilton Roundabout then continued South to the New Mall Built called Bawadi Mall. So we got there and they had some spacious parking not like Al-Jimi/Carrefour Mall. So we easily got a spot and went inside. they had a cute small fountain that sprays up in the air in rhythms then surrounding the elevators is an optical illusion where they have like fishline string going down in rows with water dripping down each line making it look like water is dripping from the ceiling three floors up tot he small pool at the bottom. They have it roped off but I think the wall should have been built higher because small kids could easily climb up and fall in.
So then the top floors were sectioned off while they finish building it. The only thing open was the Carrefour shopping food mart (Kinda like Super Wal-Mart) and a coffee shop. I told my family we should celebrate going to the new mall lol and so we had some very low priced coffee and cakes which were tasty. The cheapest cafe I've ever been too. Then while Hubby prayed at the small masjid there I went into Carrefour and bought some sorting accordion files. It will be better when they open the rest of the mall. It's nice living between two malls now. The new one will feature the largest Play place for kids in AbuDhabi and also stores we don't have yet in Al-Ain like Ace Hardware...oooh i love ace!

One thing that makes me hate malls though is they always only put like two SMALL elevators for all the lazy people who don't want to use escalators, the mothers with strollers who can't use the escalators and the people with Shopping carts that can't and the handicapped people who can't use escalators. Hello a lot of people need elevators but they always ONLY put two!!! ARG!!! They need some hospital sized elevators for malls! Not these dinky-can-only-fit-2-strollers-max ones. AND what is with these PEOPLE who can't walk six more steps to the ESCALATORS (flat escalators too,-slidewalks) and free up the elevators for others. They are young people too that do this. Not elderly. Like I've seen whole families at Al-Ain Mall rush to the elevators cutting in front of wheelchairs and strollers to get in first! MAKES ME FURIOUS!!! HELLO! the escalators would be faster if you're in that much of a hurry! Then pouring out of the crowded escalators are two more families that could have taken the escalators! AAAAARRRRRGGGGG!!!! The other day at Al-Ain Mall I had to wait like 15 minutes to get from the second floor to the third floor because all these people kept cramming in and I had a stroller I couldn't take the escalators! Stupid architects really!
Al-Ain Mall Elevators

But all in all it was a great day and certainly informative for my kids!

4:00 AM

Poem: Women's Silent Tears

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |


Women's Silent Tears

How many tears have been shed,
because of few words said,
by voices low and deep,

how many more must weep,
withhold them, they cannot keep,
down faces very pale,

through grief; the silent wail,
battling emotions, they fail,
yet inside they harden,

though they beg for pardon,
hearts locked up by wardens,
who really has the key?

A lioness all will see,
selflessly, protects her family,
yet inside a mouse,

rocking numbly in her house,
always pining for her spouse,
those escaping little tears,

exposing all her fears,
subjecting her to jeers,
but her soul's strong,

though they do her wrong,
she'll bite her willing tongue,
bottled in her head.

Many more tears shed,
ringing her eyes with dread,
underneath they simmer,

resolving with a glimmer,
blurring smiles with a shimmer,
they fall without sound,

fresh throughout the rounds,
pacing the same ground,
so soft she was made,

but, she must stand brave,
his mercy does she crave,
Women's silent tears.

~(c) Brandy A. Chase -2009
~[do not reprint without permission]

7:10 PM

New Blog: Jummah Resolutions

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |


http://jummahresolutions.blogspot.com/

We all have need to improve our deen in Islam. We need to work hard to encourage each other and this is why after reading about a private group that S for Sadia is part of, and reading many people wishing and pinning to join them [which they can't because it wouldn't be private], that I decided it might be good idea to start something like their group but online.
I know that I myself need lots of encouragement and I can't always find that with my real life friends. Sometimes we feel too shy or nervous to admit we have a problem. So I'm offering this blog to help not only myself but other brothers and sisters out there who may find they need help.
Discouraging or hateful replies to anyone striving to have a Jummah Resolution will be deleted and if the same person continues to bother everyone they will be no longer accepted on this blog. It's not a place for politics and religious debate. Just for encouraging others.

Although I haven't completed all the post topics you're free to start placing comments on the subjects. (I still want to add quotes and texts, and pictures and such).
Most important is have fun and enjoy encouraging others! Any suggestions of topics or such please feel free to e-mail me americanmuslimawriter@gmail.com .
Salam to all.

1:10 PM

1 Year Blogger Anniversary

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |



Ya Allah! I almost missed it! I was waiting anxiously the day my 1 year blogging anniversary came and I almost forgot all about it!


I have never been through something more rewarding online than Blogging. I used to have LiveJournal, took off on MySpace, but it is here in Blogland I have found happiness. The journey surely wasn't easy. There were days I couldn't think of a single thing to write then other days (as my dearest closest bloggers can attest to) I blog like 6 posts in one day. I'd give an evil laugh MUUAAHHAhahahahahaa as I forced my friends to keep up with my posts as they screamed SLOW DOWN!! Hehehee.
But one of the biggest lessons I learned last year was dealing with Private Blogs. Man the Protected Passworded Posts and Private Blogs and everyone vieing to get in. Crazy stuff. Don't get me wrong I understand the need for them, for venting or being more open. In fact my past Private Blog "Truth Hurts" was a very special thing for me. I met some really awesome women and got to know them much better. They gave me some awesome advice when I was really needing it. They listened to my rants with a good ear and put me in my place when I was out of line. But I also realized these blogs dark side. Sometimes you fall into the trap of constantly complaining. Whining. Or making drama. It got to the point I became depressed by my own blog. Not the women in it, no. It was the fact that I'd dwell all day on what to blog about and be thinking negatively all day about how pissed off i was about something or someone. This made me more agitated and upset. How am I supposed to sooth my nerves when I'm going batty in my head? Enough was enough. I was not going to let a few gigabytes get me down. No Blog had control over me. I deleted it with hardly a backwards glance. Sure I miss ranting, it's kinda fun. But I know if the need ever really arises and i need advice I have a long list of sisters who I can rapidly e-mail and get support. For that I'm very grateful.

So when the time came and I wanted to make a new blog (that's my ADD, create and don't complete) I thought, what can I do that is Positive? What does every Blogger Love? What is something that will benefit Islam AND sisters? Well I realized every Blogger loves their own blogs. Every Blogger is happy to find more readers. And pretty much every blogger wants to find more people like themselves. Thus the invention of ALL MUSLIMAH. It was thrilling to start! It's been complicated to keep up though LOL. I literally have 52 pages on WORD filled with line after line of blogs to sort and go through and see if they are really Muslim Females. Some days I'm like hmm perhaps I'll get ONE entered today, then other days I get really motivated and enter like 20! I try to give preference to those that e-mail me over my running list. Just this week I was like staring at the blog and happy I made it but dreading even opening my 6 websites to get things listed. Then I clicked on a follower's name and found something unexpected. Someone confused about Islam. Someone not knowing where to go or who to talk to about her confusion. We in Blogland know how hard it is to find new awesome blogs and keep up with them. SO the fact that through following my ALL MUSLIMAH Blog she was able to directly access dozens of Sisters (all of whom have wonderful blogs) who could help her be stronger on her spiritual journey almost made me weep out of thankfulness that Allah let me make this blog. It's Humbling for sure. Allah is using me to help others, alhamdulillah. So this made me very determined to enter more sisters for her and others to find. I think I broke a record yesterday. My daughter was even whining "Oh not on the computer again!!!" I was like "I have to help the Muslims sweety! We have to find each other so we can be stronger! Don't you want to find lots of Muslim friends? Well I'm trying to help them all over the world." She allowed me to continue. Even my son has a routine for my blogging. Every afternoon I'm sitting here using my breastfeeding time to do work while he takes care of his business. I just prop him up against the arm of the armchair and he just falls asleep drinking his milk as I go through blog links to add. Before i know it he's asleep for his evening nap and I then have more free time to enter names while teaching my daughter some workbook homeschooling. For him computer is nap time.

As I'm meeting new sisters everyday sometimes I come across real gem of ideas. I see often "we should do this online" or "I wish someone would start this up so we could all benefit" then it's abandoned because no one has time to start up something like that even though it would be a great source of happiness for many. So after hearing an idea and not seeing the person with the idea do anything, I've again taken the initiative and have made a new blog. Sure it's under construction but I think it can help those who need it. Of course I'll blog about it soon in more detail. The point is though sometimes you just have to DO IT and TRY IT. If it fails you can always delete it, no problem or give it to someone else to run for a while.
But as I said before Blogging has been incredible.
I have never imagined when I started this to find Writing Support I would cover so many topics and meet so many different people. I've had my blindfold taken off and seen how the real ulema is out there. Sure there are the problems with people abusing others unlawfully and having their rights oppressed by others. But more and more I'm seeing a larger more beautiful picture. People standing together across the world and reaching out beyond their means to support others. Some with finances, some with words, others with calls, letters, presents, meetings. It's just amazing. Across this whole big world we are able to touch someones life. I could never have dreamed I'd meet the people I've met. Some of them I wish I could just fly to right now and have a cup of coffee with!!!

Sometimes you wonder where I come up with my unexpected ideas well look no further than your own screens. You are my inspirations. You strong awesome people out there, that don't feel strong, yet are, in so many ways undescribed. For you I keep blogging, for you I set aside time in my life. Time well spent.

11:15 AM

Mix Silver and Gold?

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |

How many times have we heard the statement "Do not mix Silver with Gold?"

I heard it a lot from my mother and my grandmother which they would say as a general rule. But being the rebellious type I always mixed them and I found them to be lovely together!



Sure some days I prefer Gold
Other days I feel Silvery
But on the most part a piece catches my eye when it has both. Most of my watches always have silver and gold on them, which is great because then they match whatever else jewelry I wear.

Some people's skin tones though aren't great with one of these colors. My mom would always buy these mega mix of gold earings and silver earings. She'd take all the gold claiming her skin tone can't handle silvers.
My other friend Amanda is opposite, she loves the silvers and whenever I got her cast offs I would have awesome new silver to wear. I guess I have one of those complextions that do well in both.



I do love walking past the jewelry section of the malls and fog up the glass as I check out those increadibly expensive pieces. I usually bring a rag to catch the drool though. I've seen some truly talented artist here in the Middle East and I wish I was able to get more jewels. Of course wearing hijab no one sees my jewels anyways so I tend not to wear them as much. Pre-Hijabi days I used to not leave the house unless I had my earings, necklace, matching braclet, and 3 to 5 rings on. Now I wear Jewels only for special occassions like E'id or such. My in-laws are like WOW I had forgotten that you OWN jewelry. :D

So what do you think about mixing silvers and golds?
Does it work for you or do you have to stick to one?

9:00 PM

Aging

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |


Look very carefully at these women. We all are somewhere in this timeline. We all know females at many points in this timeline. Our daughters, our friends, ourselves, our aunts, our mothers, our grandmothers.
Many times we forget what we have gone through and how much more we might still have to come. When we were children time was so slow. The thought of going from 9 years old to 10 was a big deal. Oh how that year would creep by before we could officially be in the double digits. Then came those pesky hormonal years of he said, she said, drama. Then just as you get comfortable with yourself you add others to your journey, husbands and children. Then we enter the prime of our life where we are at our peak beauty and physical abilities. We continue to grow as a woman and mature in our minds. Somehow at this point old doesn't really seem so old. We feel free to try new things realizing perhaps time will soon be in short supply. We grow further in years and wisdom and try to impart it to others. People take us less seriously as they enter their prime but with age comes grace to sit quietly and knowingly as they search for their path. As we near the end of our path many of us will have regrets but many will have found peace.
To all women no matter your age, I wish you serenity and peace.

7:30 PM

Coolest Blog Award

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |

[image not loading later then insha'Allah]


Inspired Muslimah & Shaalom 2 Salaam

Awarded me with the coolest Blogger Award.

Masha'Allah Thank you so much dearest sisters.

I want to nominate sooo many because every day I'm finding more and more awesome sister's blogs to add. These following 10 though are the ones I visit regularly and I think deserve this. Even if they have already gotten the award and gave out theirs :)

Marahm An awesome writer who give her time selflessly for others and masha'Allah always makes my thinker think.

A Learning Muslimah -Habayeb Not afraid to stand up for the rights of others and through her Learning she's teaching us. Can't wait to meet you insha'Allah next time I get to Dubai.

Aalia -Chasing Jannah Masha'Allah always brave to stand up to those who fight against islam and the way of the Prophet. I wish you wellness and greatness here in AbuDhabi dear Aalia.

Shaalom 2 Salaam SubhanAllah no matter where I go online I see kind and knowledgeable words from this sister to others. She's always helps me no matter my silly problems and masha'Allah I too want to be like her when I'm older. Plus she's an awesome moderater for the Islamic Writer's Group for Women.

Culture Shocked -L_Oman This woman always makes me laugh. I know when I go to her blog I can chill out and learn some new quirk about her or where she lives. She's very warm hearted masha'Allah.

Is there food on my Niqab? SubhanAllah I always learn something benefitial on her blogs. Everytime I'm eating in my niqab I'm thinking about her and her blog name lol. I find myself asking IS there food on MY niqab? Then I stare at it upside down until my eyes cross. LOL.

My Hijab I always love to see what's new with her and her cute kids. She always has some interesting tale about people harassing her about her hijab. I love these posts the best.

Tea Break Thoughts I really do feel like I've taken a break from life when i go here and chill out reading for a few moments. Sometimes I even wish I had made some tea and cookies. Plus I always see her active on commenting on other's blogs and the things she say are insightful.

Unique Muslimah Mostly I find myself nodding my head in agreement with what she says n her blog. I always feel like not only she is Unique but she reflects within myself what I feel is unique. She makes each of her readers feel special and unioque too. Every time I get so busy and I go through my bloglist and I smack my head "How could I have forgotten to check in on Unique! I love her blog!" *click*

iMuslimah Masha'Allah this sister really has no end to her talents. She always makes me feel closer to her and her family with whatever she writes about. I love reading her comments to others too whenever I blog hop.

Though I can only list ten I have to further nominte......

All sisters who are supporting *ALL MUSLIMAH* by e-mailing me about their blogs and putting the icon. And I support ALL MUSLIMAH BLOGGERS and I give each and every one of you sisters this award because you all deserve it, for letting your voices be heard and for letting your minds be opened. So if you havent recieved the award by name then you've now been nominated right here. Copy the picture and list your own favorite 10 bloggers with the coolest blog!

11:59 PM

Welcome to Jummah Resolutions!

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |

This blog is for eveyone who needs support and help in completing their Religious Obligations and those who are striving to do more but need someplace to receive encouragement in their efforts.
Do you have a new Sunnah you are taking up? Come make a note of it! Maybe there are others out there who are trying what you are too. If not we sure will encourage you to keep going!
Are you having a general bad day and just need to shout about it for a second? Even Anonymously? Come have at it!
Jummah (Friday) is the blessed day so turn your intentions higher and make a new resolution to firm up your daily and weekly habits! Then come back here and tell us how you did. No need to worry about failure here. We all are striving for the sake of Allah.

People say:
"I just want to scream today!"
"Why can't I just do it!"
"Yay! I did my third week in a row!"
"I resolve to pray!"

So come say what your Jummah Resolution is!

Just pick a topic in the list! Then comment Daily, Weekly, Monthly, or even every minute if you're extremely in need of support :) .
All are welcome, just keep it clean.

11:55 PM

Testification of Faith (Shahada)

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |


The Testification of Faith
"I testify that no one is God except Allah,
and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah"

People in this area are resolving to work on their Belief in:



  • Allah (God)
  • Islam
  • Prophet & Messenger of God Muhammad
  • All Prophets and Messengers who came before Muhammad who also conveyed Islam
Belief in Aqeedah Issues like:
  • Attributes of Allah
  • Angels
  • Jinn
  • The Holy Books from Before (103 of them)
  • The Holy Qur'an
  • The Day of Judgement and all it entails
  • Dwelling in Paradise (Jannah) or HellFire Forever
  • Destiny (by the Will of Allah)
  • All Prophets had excellent characters
  • Prophet Muhammad was the last prophet, the seal of all prophets
  • Knowledge about what takes a person out of Islam
Whether you are interested in Learning about Islam and possibly taking the Shahada or you have taken the Shahada and are trying to learn more about it; share with us your resolutions involving these matters!

People say:
"I resolve to study Aqeedah and then take Shahada in three months"
"I am thinking to believe in God"
"My Jummah Resolution is to learn more about Prophet Muhammad's life"

What do you have to say?

11:50 PM

Obligatory Prayers (Salaah Fard)

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |


5 Daily Prayers
Fajr, Thuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Ishaa, *Witr

People in this area are resolving to do their five obligatory prayers daily:
  • Pray on Time (after Athan)
  • Pray before time ends
  • Avoid Missing Prayers
  • Trying to remember to do a specific prayer (ex: Fajr)
  • *Adding the Witr Prayer (for Hanafi Schools of Thought)
  • Learning about the conditions of Purity and Wudu
  • Learning the Obligations in Prayers
  • Trying to teach their Children or Relatives to Pray
  • Wanting more spirituality (nearness to Allah) in Prayer (khooshu)
Whether you are missing prayers or have just learned to pray or have just become Muslim and don't know the first thing about Prayers come share your resolutions about Prayer.

People say:

"I want to stop sleeping through Fajr"
"I want to think about Allah during Prayer not my sandwich"
"My Jummah Resolution is to not miss any of the 5 prayers for 40 days straight"
"I don't want to miss even one prayer in a day

What do you have to say?

11:45 PM

Charity -Purification of Money (Zakat)

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |

Giving Charity through which your money and belongings are Purified.
Zakat is 2.5% of your possessions' worth.*
*Religious Details Apply.
Every Muslim pays Zakat-ul-Fitr for their dependants on the last day of Ramadan.

People in this area are resolving to give their yearly Zakat:

  • Learning about the Proper Religious Details
  • Calculating the correct amount without errors
  • Finding a suitable person or persons to give the Charity to
  • Are under the yearly minimum and don't have to pay, yet want to
  • Encouraging others to remember this important Pillar of Islam
  • Paying the Zakat-ul-Fitr on time, or making it up if you didn't

Whether you are learning the laws governing Zakat or you always pay on time you might have words for others resolving to do this Pillar better. Come share what you can about Zakat.

People say:
"I resolve to pay my 2.5% this year"
"My Jummah Resolution is to find the total calculations of my crops this year."
"I want to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr for my wife and kids."

What do you have to say?

11:40 PM

Fasting the Holy Month (Sawm Ramadan)

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |


Fasting the Holy Month of Ramadan from the begining of Dawn to the full Sunset

People in this area are resolving to Fast the whole month of Ramadan:


UNDER CONSTRUCTION

11:35 PM

Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |


Pilgrimage to the Kabba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia is Hajj.

People in this area are resolving to do Hajj correctly:




UNDER CONSTRUCTION

7:30 PM

Saying Du'a and Thikr

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |

Saying Supplications (Du'a) and Praising Allah (Thikr)

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

7:00 PM

Sunnah Prayers (Salah Sunnah)

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

6:55 PM

Sunnah Fasting

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

6:50 PM

Memorizing and Reading Qur'an

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |

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6:45 PM

Learning Arabic

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |

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6:40 PM

Facial Hair and Beards

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |


Moustaches, Sideburns, Goatees, Beards and any facial hair.

People (men) in this area are resolving to control their facial hair:

  • Trim Moustaches
  • Keep beards neatly combed and trimmed to fists length
  • Grow out beards longer than a stubble or fist length
  • Try different shapes of beard styles

UNDER CONSTRUCTION



Quotes:


Rasulullah (SallAllâhu Alayhi Wasallam) said “I have no connection iwth one who shaves, shouts and tears his clothing eg. in grief or affication.” - Reported by Abu Darda (R.A.) in Muslim, Hadith no. 501
The teachings of Hadhrat Ammar Bin Yaasir, Abdullah Ibn Umar, Sayyidina Umar, Abu Hurairah and Jaabir (R.A.), indicate that ALL used to keep beards that were one fist length or more. Hadhrat Jaabir (R.A.) had said: “We used to grow long beards and only during Hajj and Umrah did we trim them to the required length (i.e. fist length).”
Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (R.A.) relates that: “He who imitates the kuffar (non-believers) and dies in that state, he will be raised up with them on the Day of Qiyâmat (Judgement).”
Rasulullah (SallAllâhu Alayhi Wasallam) says: “Trim closely the moustache, and let the beard flow (Grow).” - Narrated Ibn Umar (R.A.) in Muslim, Hadith no. 498
“Rasulullah (SallAllâhu Alayhi Wasallam) ordered us to trim the moustache closely and spare the beard” says Ibn Umar. - Muslim, Hadith no. 449
Rasulullah (SallAllâhu Alayhi Wasallam)said: “Act against contrary to the polythesists, trim closely the moustache and grow the beard.” - Reported by Ibn Umar (R.A.) in Muslim, Hadith no. 500
Rasulullah (SallAllâhu Alayhi Wasallam) said “Trim closely the moustache and grow the beard.” - Reported by Abu Hurairah (R.A.) in Muslim, Hadith no. 501
Rasulullah (SallAllâhu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “Anyone who shaves has no claim to the mercy of Allâh” - Reported by Ibn Abbas (R.A.) in Tibrabi
Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (R.A.) used to cut that portion (which exceeds the grip of the hand) of the beard.- Tirmidhi
The Beard according to the Great Imâms of Jurisprudence
HANAFI
Imam Muhammed (R.A.) writes in his book “Kitabul Aathaar” where he relates from Imam Abu Hanifa (R.A.) who relates from Hadhrat Haytham (R.A.) who relates from Ibn Umar (R.A.) that he (Ibn Umar) used to hold his beard in his hand and cut off which was longer. Imam Muhammed (R.A.) says that this is what we follow and this was the decision of Imam Abu Hanifa. Therefore, according to Hanafis, to shorten the beard less than a FIST LENGTH is HARAAM and on this is IJMA’ (concensus of opinion).
ASH-SHAFI’
Imam Ash-Shafi’ (R.A.) in his Kitabul Umm states, “To shave the beard is HARAAM.” (Shari Minhaj dar Shara Fasl Aqeeqa).
MALIKI
Shekh Ahmad Nafarawi Maliki in the commentary of Imam Abu Zayed’s booklet states, “to shave the beard is without doubt haraam according to all Imams.” It is also mention in “Tamheed” which is a commentary of “al-Muwatta” (Sunnan Imam Malik (R.A.)) that to shave the beard is HARAAM and among males the only ones to resort to this practice (of shaving) are the HERMAPHRODITES (persons who possess both male and female features and characteristics).
HANBALI
The Hanbalis in the famous Al-Khanie’a Hanbali Fatawa Kitab state that “to grow the beard is essential and to shave it is HARAAM.” Also in the Hanbali Mathab books “Sharahul Muntahaa” and “Sharr Manzoomatul Âdâb“, it is stated “The most accepted view is that it is HARAAM (prohibited) to shave the beard.”
Also note, according to scholars of Islam: “To shave off the beard is haraam (unlawful) and one who shaves his beard is, legally speaking, FASIQ (sinner); hence, it is NOT PERMISSIBLE to appoint such a man as an Imam. To say Taraweeh behind such an Imam is MAKRUH-E-TAHRIMI (near prohibition)” (Shami Vol.1, p.523)
The Durre-Mukhtar states: “No one has called it permissible to trim it (the beard) less than FIST-LENGTH as is being done by some westernized Muslims and hermaphrodites.” (Vol. 2, p. 155). Also, “It is forbidden (haraam) for a man to cut off another’s beard.” (Vol. 5, p. 359).
CONCLUSION
Thus, a Muslim who shaves or shortens his beard is like a hermaphrodite, his Imamate near prohibition, his evidence is not valid, he will not have the right to vote or being voted for. Shaving and shortening the beard is the action of non-believers. Imam Ghazzali (RA) says: “Know that the key to total bliss (Saadah) lies in following the Sunnah and in emulating the life of Rasulullah (SallAllâhu Alayhi Wasallam) in ALL that issues from him, and in ALL his doings even if it concerns the manner of his eating, rising, sleeping, and speaking. I do say this in relation to rituals in worship ONLY because there is no way neglecting the Sunnah reported of him in such matters - but what I say INCLUDES EVERY ASPECT of his daily life.” (Kitab al Arbain Addin, Cairo 1344, p. 89). Furthermore, in the Holy Qur’ân, Allâh told Rasulullah (SallAllâhu Alayhi Wasallam) to say:
“Say: “If ye do love Allâh, Follow me: Allâh will love you and forgive you your sins: For Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Holy Qur'ân 3:31]
The daily recitation of a band of angels of Allâh is “Holy is the Being who adorned men with beards and women with braids” (Takmela e Bahr al Raiq, Vol. 3, p. 331)
Lastly, Allâh Ta’ala says in the Holy Qur’ân:
“And when the true believers are called to Allâh and His Rasul (SallAllâhu Alayhi Wasallam) [to accept and practice the law and commands of Allâh and His Rasul (SallAllâhu Alayhi Wasallam)] that he may pass judgement upon them, their ONLY reply is ‘We hear and obey.’ Such men shall surely prosper.” [24:51]
THE CALL IS TO GROW A FIST LENGTH BEARD, LET US HEAR AND OBEY TO PROSPER.

6:30 PM

Veil of Modesty (Hijab)

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |


The Veil of Modesty and Piety called the Hijab

People in this area are resolving to wear their Hijab properly for the sake of Allah:



UNDER CONSTRUCTION

6:00 PM

Face Veil of Modesty (Niqab and Burka)

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |


The Face Veil of Madesty and Piety called the Niqab covering half the face or the full face called the Burka.

People in this area are resolving to wear the niqab or burka for the sake of Allah:



UNDER CONSTRUCTION

12:20 PM

Muslim Conventions

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |

A place to discuss recent Muslim Conventions you've attended.

list your top five favorite lecures
list your top 10 things learned from the convention
Met someone amazing (halal) let us know!
know a location of a new convention coming up share the info and links
anything learned that has raised your imaan let us know



(under construction)

12:15 PM

Shiekhs, Scholars, Sources

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |

If you follow a Shiekh who has lifted your Iman and want to share their teachings with others let us know who they are, with links if possible.
If you know an awesome scholar please let us know about it!
Read a good Islamic book? Tell us!

Any sources of inspiration you recieve let us know about it!



(under construction)

4:46 AM

Pious Women

Wrote: American Muslima Writer |


When we think of the word Piety and apply it to women, what image comes to mind? Perhaps something like the above picture? A simple beautiful woman with her hair covered by a flowing white veil. Hijab is surely not a new concept in any way shape or form. It has long been the custom of many eras and nations for upper class, religious, or pious women to cover their hair.

In Renaissance and Medieval times women wore elaborate caps and wires with their veils. Some very intricate and others more simple.


While these may be seen as more fashionable and not really piety minded but they are still wearing veils.

Classically when we think of piety so-called-pictures-of-the-virgin-Mary come to mind or art canvas of covered women or photos of bonnet capped women. All of these provide the same basic mindset about piety, a woman covering her head and mostly her chest.



Even our Sisters of the Book don veils of choice and by choice:

Jewish:




Catholic Christians:


Christian Nuns:


And the Amish:


Even Brides would not be picturesque without a Bridal Veil. Which was originally worn because ceremonies took place in churches or other highly regarded religious ceremonial places where it was known that respectable women cover their hair out of humility to their Creator.


Now we arrive last but not least to our Muslimahs. We don our veils not by force or by order from man but out of humbleness and piety towards our Creator. He wishes us veiled to preserve our inner dignity not as a form of oppression.


No matter the look or style or who exactly wear it, the veil is a blessing and a form of piety. It encourages one to look within instead of without for personal strength. It guides us to respect ourselves and for others to respect us as well. It is an outward sign that states: I am striving for piety and purity. I am striving to be a pious woman.

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