Hijaab is a beautiful thing, it's just not meant to look beautiful

Before you venture forth, read this knowing it's not an attack on anyone. It's not meant to hurt or harm. It's in the light of educating and hopefully encouraging all Muslimahs(including myself) to adopt the true hijaab, In sha Allah.

Hijaab is a term used too loosely these days resulting in its true meaning being lost or misconstrued. If Wikipedia can tell us :'‎‎ Hijāb, pronounced [ħiˈdʒæːb] or [ħiˈɡæːb]) is a veil traditionally worn by Muslim women in the presence of adult males outside of their immediate family, which usually covers the head and chest."
Why then have we as Muslim women made the Hijaab out to be just the scarf or head covering?
If we choose the headscarf as our starting point or as our step in the right direction, that's great, Alhamdulillah. But we should not advertise the headscarf as 'The Hijaab',coz it's not. Another thing about the Hijaab is that it's not meant to be beautiful. The point is lost when we try to spruce it up, get in line with fashion trends and make the hijaab attractive. The hijaab is not the turban, or the exquisitely draped Layered look you've been viewing on YouTube or that humpy lumpy do . The hijaab is rather a modest covering, for all intents and purposes it's not supposed to look good. It is not supposed to be bright or appealing. It is to identify you as a muslimah and it is to be your mark of modesty. It is honouring the tradition of the wives of the Prophet SAW and the Sahaabiyyah RA.

Above all the hijaab is the command of our Creator and in order to earn His pleasure we have to strive for devotion inwardly and outwardly. When we say 'but my heart is clean' it is a poor excuse.For if that was the case then Allah would not have prescribed an external form of devotion. Make a firm intention to adopt the Hijaab for His pleasure alone, the benefits of which will be far reaching,In sha Allah. Aameen

Until you read again
Ma'assalam

Random thoughts on the fight of your life

We can live through so many moments of difficulty thinking 'this is the worst thing to ever happen to me' or 'how am I going to get through this '? only to find out that it was just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

You think you've been to hell and back only to realise a greater affliction stood before you. You conquered your fears only to realise that your greatest fears were yet to be realised. You hurt so bad only to realise that the first cut wasn't the deepest.
This is life.
The tests keep coming, sometimes with a steady ebb and flow, at other times a ruthless downpour.
But do you know what? you're still here.
No matter how many times you have been broken, you're still here!

And do you know why?


He willed it.
And He wills it all for a reason.

And you often only find out that reason once you've embraced the challenge of the trial. Once you've known hurt,and confusion but still you've been patient. Once you have understood that there is good in every situation for those who believe.

So whatever your affliction, whatever your trial may be, whatever disturbs the peace of your soul...
Don't throw in the towel.
Don't say you can't.
Don't lose your trust in Him.

You're a fighter, you've gotten this far, you have won so many battles. Don't give in..
The final war is yet to be won. The rush of the Kalima from your lips as you transcend the barrier between now and the eternal.
When you'll know with certainty
All those trials, they led you to this..
This is the ultimate win.
So please,you're almost there, don't give in.
In sha Allah! Aameen

Until you read again
Ma'assalam

Freeing yourself, One Rand at a time

I grew up in a home of generous women. My Mom, my paternal grandmother, my sisters
And even though she did not live with us my maternal grandmother is counted amongst these generous ones. And what inspires me most about these woman is that you would not have considered them especially wealthy. So I know with certainty that giving isn't limited to the wealthy. It's a way for every female and male to gain closeness to Allah by giving from whatever we have been blessed with. In giving we give ourselves a great gift, ie.freedom of the love and attachment of this material world. And the thing about giving is that no matter how much you've given there's always more that you can give. Giving, which is not limited to physical wealth only. Giving of our time, our kind words, our encouragement, our sincere advice, our sympathy, our knowledge.. Giving is truly an exercise of the heart!

I would love to carry the legacy of the woman before me and I Implore myself first and you dear reader to give sincerely for His pleasure. For we know not which Rand or gift of assistance will lighten our loads on the Day of Reckoning.

I make Dua that we become an Ummah of givers, so that we can become takers of His bounteous rewards on the day of accountability! Aameen

Until you read again
Ma'assalaam

Patience pays

Ramadaan is one of the greatest 'teachers' I've ever had. Even though it's appearance is brief it's lessons live on far beyond its departure. This is a personal account of something that happened this past Ramadaan. If you're looking for a groundbreaking read, this isn't it. But it's a story which taught me a great deal about how a Muslim should behave and the blessings thereof.
During one of the days in Ramadaan I had felt really sick. The next day I was due to make a cake order for a regular customer of mine. Owing to my sickness I knew I would not be able to make the cake on time. I messaged my customer stating that the cake would be a few hours late but she would have it in time for the evening when she was due to use it only after iftar. I didn't know that her phone had gone in for repairs so she did not receive my message. When she came to collect the cake it was not ready.I read the signs of disappointed on her face but she accepted my explanation without complaint and the cake was to be delivered to her later in the day. The next day she had sent the following message to me :

"I have learnt that everythn isn't in our hands. And we always going to be tested thro our sabr. Yesterday was a perfect lesson for me.
My Riyaad dropped the table with all the sweets jus before u cud bring the cake.. Everythn went spiraling across the floor. It was a huuugggeeee mess.. But instead of me blasting him lol which I wud nrmally do under such circumstances. I was at my best inner peace self.. And jus said to him don't worry it was a mistake.. I think I mustve shocked him 2... Lol..
But when I was reflecting on the day I realised how merciful Allah is..سُبْحَانَ ﺂللَّــہ
There is always a reason for things to happen the way it shud.. The cake being delayed happened for a reason. Had I got it any earlier from u..it wudve went onto that very same table that fell moments earlier.. That cake wudve been all over the place and there wudnt be anyway of puttin it back together.. Ur hard work.. My excitement for Nabiha.. And Nabiha's exquisite cake wudve allll goone to waste.. Allah surely saved us all from such a calamity... Even tho small wdve made everyone feel sad and disheartened.. So u being sick and not having the cake ready had its reason and Allah surely knew best!!!.. So I definitely will take it as a lesson in this mubarak mnth that no small deed or form of ibadaat will go wasted.
May Allah reward us even thro times like these and even in the littlest of ways to help us all attain Janaat."

Subhanallah. Imagine the change that would come into our lives if we added just a dash of Sabr to it. May Allah assist us to behave and react in a manner that pleases Him. Aameen

Until you read again
Ma 'assalam

I love Dua

I love Dua.

It makes a place for the lonely and the broken.
The hungry and the angry.
The hurt and confused. The bruised and bloodied.
To kneel down and break again,
break down before the The One.
The One Who hears all Who sees all,
Who knows all and Who can heal all.
It gives a way out or way in.
To rid yourself of all your sin.
So you can once again move on and stand up, rise up and dust yourself.
Free yourself
Relieve yourself
Be whole again, be happy.
When you're happy you can kneel again.

I love Dua
It makes a place for the happy and whole. For the healthy and content.
For the wealthy and the strong.
The safe and the sound.
To kneel down and thank the One.
The One who gives all and blesses all. Who knows all and hears your call.
It gives a way out or way in.
To rid yourself of the pride within.
To cleanse yourself.
Free yourself
Relieve yourself
So you can worship Him. And turn to Him.
Again and again and again!
In sha Allah
I love Dua

May Allah assist us all and grant us all ease in both worlds! Aameen

Until you read again
Ma'assalaam

Old book, new page...

After over a year long absence I've finally gathered the words (and courage) to start blogging again. I started a whole new blog on WordPress and just didn't get down to posting there. So in sha Allah I've decided to rather keep this blog active and hopefully will be back to blogging more frequently .
My inspiration?
This beautiful month of Ramadan. Alhamdulillah.
Although it's not the first month on the calendar, it always seems like a time for fresh starts. So here I am turning a new page in an old book. May Allah guide me to write that which pleases Him and that which benefits the reader. In sha Allah

Until you read again
Ma'assalam

Bear hugs

I get so sad reading the news some time. It's often just one miserable headline after another.  It really gets me How they pour all that grief into clipped ,neat paragraphs when grief and sorrow are anything but neat. It all just makes me want to gather and grab all those I love into a massive group hug and just keep them there. I know that's not how life works but that's just how I feel . 

Life is short. Hug a little longer. Smile a lot more. Live everyday with a light ,clean heart and do good things with great love..  

P.s. This is really short but I want to get back to blogging,even if my literary contribution is minimal

Until you read again

Ma'assalam

Too soon...

Too soon the time passes by  

Too soon those wings will be ready to fly  

Too soon the time will cease for the toy cars and trucks and trains  

For the peeking from behind the curtains as it thunders and rains 

For the tea parties and picnics on our shaggy rug 

For the gummy smiles and giggles that at my heart tug 

For the silliness and mirth without reason  

For this summer that has become my every season

For the early mornings and rushed nights  

For the bedtime rituals and rites 

For the spontaneous hugs and cuddles

For bright wellies stomping through puddles 

For the constant mess and dirt smudges  

For daily tantrums sans grudges 

For the grazed knees and tear stained faces

For the on your mark, get set ,go! races

For the indoor cricket and clumsy football  

For the rapping on the bathroom door with that call  

Of mom, mummy, mom, mooom!  

Too soon!  

Too soon the now will become the then  

Too soon my boys will become men..   

For my loves ,my lights, Muhammad and Tameem. 

Success is a Salaah away.

Problems. Every human at some point in his /her life will be tested with these. These are further expounded with attempts to 'solve' the said problems through vices such as gambling,alcohol,drugs and immorality when the answers to our problems are simply a Salaah away..

5 times daily The Adhaan so beautifully invites with the words :

	حي على الفلاح	Hayya ʿala 'l-falāḥ	Hasten to success.

How is it then that Still, we look for solutions and success in every other avenue?

Salaah was gifted to this Ummah. No other preceding Ummah was given Salaah as it is prescribed to us. So undoubtedly this 5 daily Salaah is A gift because In it we are afforded the opportunity to talk to our Creator. To ask of the One who controls the Heavens and the Earth, to cry to Him who can remove all affliction if He so wills, To seek forgiveness from the Most Merciful and to seek peace and contentment in a world fraught with unease. It is absolutely astounding that so often so many of us turn down this invite, we ignore the call to Pray to our Allah , and Allah forbid, we turn away from the path of true success.

Put Allah first, put Salaah and the obedience of Allah first and watch how our lives will be transformed. Nothing, and I mean nothing compares to the feeling when you have performed Salaah on it's appointed time. With Salaah comes happiness and success in both worlds, and what more do we need after that?

Until you read again

Ma'assalam

Contentment

Ive kept my title simple because I  don't think many of us fully grasp this concept. I count myself amongst the unfortunate who keep striving for more, for bigger for supposedly better in this lowly world. When does it end, is it only when we enter the grave?

If we were wise It would end at contentment. 

con·tent·ment   (kən-tĕnt′mənt) n. 1. The state of being contented; satisfaction. 2. A source of satisfaction

The quest for worldly increase stops at Being happy with what Allah has chosen for us . 

Live for happier, live for peace ,live for Jannah. 

Quit trying to keep up with the kardashians(I'm led to believe they are the new joneses). As much of this world  they may have ,They don't have it all. Happiness is not merely what you have in your hand, it's what  is concealed in your head and heart.. 

Until you read again

Ma'assalam 

Mothering without a map part 2

After my last post I guess it was only ' right' that I joined my fav ladies in the 'expecting' line. Alhamdulillah , by Allah's grace I begin the second part in my mothering journey with much excitement and trepidation .

It's true what is said about pregnancy,every pregnancy is different. Though Here's a little something that is and will remain constant..

Dear baby

They say I'm a mom to be, but I'm already your mom.
From the minute I knew you existed I have known myself to be so.
If it were as they say,then you would be a 'baby to be'
But that's not true, you already exist
With your tiny hands,head and tiny feet
And the exceptional rhythm of your heartbeat.

So I became your mom ,right at your start.
Because I've already set aside the dos and donts
For myself that is, your rules will come later
For now just be you
My priceless precious baby

Love you already
mom

Until you read again
Ma'assalam

Mothering without a map

A few of my favorite ladies are due to give birth this year so I dedicate this post to them and also since I haven't posted anything motherly recently . Well truthfully I haven't posted 'anything' recently so here's to remedying that. Read on..

The title of this blog post is actually that of a book. It comprised  of witty ,insightful and poignant reminders that babies don't come with instructions or the said map in this case. Anyway, this relates in that new mothers or moms to be would sometimes come up to me seeking advice and in my mind I'd be like " I'm in no position to be giving any" . You may laugh but I've asked for and read a lot of advice and much thereof hasn't helped. Not because those who were imparting the advice were wrong, no, but simply because the context is different with each child. As each mother will learn ..smirk

Prior to giving birth I read and read and read all that I could about birth and babies. I felt confident armed with this wealth of information. But come the real deal and I was thinking " wait, they didn't say anything about THIS in the books" . It was then that I realized why maternal instincts exist. Allah has blessed woman with this amazing intuitive gift. When the books have no answer the instincts kick in and you and your baby learn together  two different sets of life lessons. Many people will offer advice, listen and thank them,and if it fits for you and your baby go ahead and use the advice. There's no hard and fast rules for mothering ,you don't need unnecessary pressure  on yourself in thinking there's only one way of doing things.

Do educate yourself but don't be hard on yourself if what you've learnt doesn't work with your baby. 

Live each day to listen to, learn from, and 

Love your little bundle of blessings.  And remember that throughout the road there is Allah to guide you and to answer your calls when you feel lost on the mothering path. 

Until you read again

Ma'assalam

In love..

I am absolutely besotted with this piece of advice I came across on Facebook a few days ago. Spare a few moments and you might find yourself in love too.

"There was a man who taught us that we should love a woman not just for her looks and personality, but because of the potential she has in bringing us closer to our lord and His paradise. He taught us that just because she is older than you, or has been divorced, does not mean that she will be any less of an amazing wife or an amazing mother. He taught us that the strongest of men are not those that are abusive towards their wives but rather those that are the most respectful and compassionate toward them. That man was my prophet and yours, Mohammad -Salla Allahu 'alaihi wa sallam-. So my dear brother I ask you what will you do to honor his legacy?"

Tho this advice is aimed at the brothers ,that question at the end should be answered by us all. So my dear sister,I ask myself and yourself the same.. What will you do to honor his legacy? 

Until you read again

Ma'assalaam

This life or the next?

I have got to be the most inconsistent blogger there is. With that said let me get straight into my thoughts for the day. Since I've been 'missing' I've been quite busy with my family's first move into our first home on our own :D  and it is this reason that has inspired this post.here goes..

We've been planning on moving for a while , so we had collected and saved up in preparation of the move. During Every shopping trip before ( and after ) the move ,I've had my eyes peeled to spot out items still needed for our home. In amassing all these things we need ( and didn't need ) for our home It dawned on me ,that I am collecting and beautifying a home in a world where it or I will not last forever. Whereas there is a World promised to the believers, that will stretch out into eternity, and what little ,if at all have I prepared for that ? I decided to be honest with myself , and fess up that the time I spend on this world is not proportional to the return it can give me .

 The reality is that it is not really benefiting me where it will matter most. In the Hereafter . Here ,this Quraanic ayah ( and beautiful dua) came to mind :  

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَة ً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَة ً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّار

Transliteration: Rabbanā ‘Ātinā Fī Ad-Dunyā Ĥasanatan Wa Fī Al-’Ākhirati Ĥasanatan Wa Qinā `Adhāba An-Nār

Translation: Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the fire

Source: The Holy Qur’an – Surat al Baqarah – Verse 201

I realized that it's okay to own things and ask for things in this world so long as the greater objective is not forgotten. So long as the pursuit of Jannah remains priority. So long as we reserve time and love in pursuit of it. In sha Allah. Aameen! 

Until you read again

Ma'assalaam 

Nutella thumbprint cookies

Nutella junkies unite! This recipe is super easy , easy to make,easy on the eye and dangerously easy to devour . It's adapted from the site bubblynaturecreations.com ,here goes..

Nutella Thumbprint Cookies

Ingredients:

1½ cups flour
¼ cup brown sugar
1 stick of butter softened (1/2 cup)
1 egg
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp. vanilla essence
1 cup of nibbed almonds or hazelnuts
¼ cup Nutella in a piping bag

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius
2. Cream the sugar, butter, egg,vanilla and salt together.
3. Add in flour and mix until combined.
4. Roll dough into small balls (15g)
5. Roll each ball into the hazelnuts until covered.
6. Make an imprint in the centre of the ball with your thumb
7. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown
8. Once cooled,pipe the nutella in the imprint.

Enjoy! And try not to eat them all on your own!

Until you read again
Ma'assalam

Beyond belief

I don't get everything I want. I have good days and bad days, and some really bad days.
I forget things and struggle understanding myself and others.
I cry,I shout, I have mood swings and inner tantrums.
I sometimes feel lonely and lost and confused.
I am restless and anxious.
The world doesn't always choose to understand me, or accept me.
I am judged, sometimes wrongfully and without reason.

But I have two eyes that open up to a whole world
A nose that perceives scents
Two ears that keep me in the know
A tongue to Glorify His praises
Two hands with 5 fingers each (to type this)

Am I blessed? Beyond Belief!!
Alhamdulillah

( take the time out Daily to acknowledge the simple yet unbelievably beautiful blessings in your life)

Until you read again
Ma'assalaam

Searching for me, but finding Him

Soul searching. As cliched as that term may be,it is the easiest way to describe the struggle with the self. It is that struggle that ultimately lead me to where I wanted to be albeit after 6 years. Heres my journey of soul searching ,my journey to Hijaab and the new journey I had not fully anticipated to follow.

Throwback to the early 2000's , I was your typical hipster jeans clad girl, teeny bopper ,whose head was full of ideals and ideas that were not in line with Quraan or Sunnah. I was stuck in that phase where I heard advise without listening to it. Well what changed that? That's what I've often been asked, and I have grappled with the question myself. Truthfully, it was a whole number of things that initiated a very gradual change. For starters,there was that transitional period from secondary to tertiary education Which left me with the sense that adulthood was awaiting after Matric.( tho I had not realized i had already reached it on becoming baaligh). Then there was the loss of four relatives on one day that came with a certain amount of realization that i needed to change before meeting my own end. There was soul searching,lots of if's ,but's and why's. And mainly there was Guidance from Allah, sent through teachers, family, friends and a host of other avenues too numerous to mention.

If memory serves me right(its often unreliable) ,i began wearing cloak and scarf in September 2007. This was a major step for someone who would occasionally wear a scarf when going out. I loved it. It is amazing the difference that 'extra clothes' make. I felt more modest,more respected and my heart was a little more at ease knowing I was closer to complete Hijaab. I think I did mention previously how Deeni studies became my chosen path, well it was during my 2nd year in 2009, that Allah blessed me with full Hijaab ie,concealment of my face and body. It was difficult initially, having to face the odd snide remark and learning to adjust to the boundaries that come with Hijaab. What was most difficult was realizing that Hijaab is not the ultimate in faith. I had naively thought that wearing Hijab would qualify me for a higher degree in Imaan. But i had soon learned that by winning the external struggle, the inner struggle still remains. And it will remain until I depart from this World. Another aspect that I was to learn is that even tho the eyes remain uncovered, they should actually be protected just as much as the rest of the body. The true test of a Hijaabi is in how she controls her gaze.

Sometimes Allah sets us on a quest of self discovery ,simply to find Him. And once we find Him , may we strive to forever remain in His Mercy. Aameen

Until you read again
Ma'assalaam

Camel frump hijaab

I have been mainly serious in my blog this year,or absent for lengthy unexplained periods. I need to get serious about blogging again but also lighten up the posts a bit. We often forget that our Nabi Saw had every good thing in his life with moderation, joking and being jovial included. So here's my light hearted take on a serious matter in an attempt to remove the melancholy feel of this blog but not lose the focus either.

This one is aimed at us sisters, Not that i know of any brothers who read my blog. anyway, so with Ramadaan having come and gone,many sisters have made effort on donning the Hijaab. Having tread that path once I know the struggle of the straight pins,the bobby pins,and that scarf that never quite sits where you want it to. The struggle has got some sisters experimenting with styles and fabrics ,to keep the Hijaab in place and to make it fashionable as well. The results ranging from beautiful to downright scary. At the top of my most frightening hijabs(if it can even be called that ) is the 'wig hijab' . I didn't just make that up,Google it if you want proof and if you're into horrors. Then possibly the most common and equally disturbing trend is the camel hump hijab. That voldemort wannabe style that every third female is sporting.why? Oh why? Please explain this one to me ,someone? anyone? Apart from making females look like double headed individuals it attracts the curse and anger of Allah. Not cool and definitely not worth it. Seriously tho ( sorry ,I can't help it) ,the essence of Hijaab is modesty. There isn't much modesty where these huge humps and garish clips are concerned.

Il leave you with this pic for a bit of a laugh and with the sincere hope that the essence of Hijaab does not become lost on us.

Until you read again
Ma'assalaam

Moon moon,come out soon, we want to see the Ramadaan moon

My favorite time of the year is fast approaching. With under a week to go to the most auspicious month on the Islamic calender I find myself to be a bundle of nerves. It is with this abundance of restless energy that I type this post nearing 1 in the morn.

I often sing the song 'moon moon,come out soon' by Yusuf Islam to my almost 2 year old.After singing it to him earlier in the day,it dawned on me how close that song is to materializing. I am just hopeful that I will actually be blessed with the opportunity of seeing another Ramadaan moon. And what a moon it is...
It is that moon that brings the promise of hope and new beginnings. That moon that announces the month of the Quraan. That moon that opens a month whose beginning is mercy,whose middle is forgiveness and it's end freedom from the Hell- fire. That moon that symbolizes a period of sacrifice ,sympathy and Muslim brotherhood.That moon that brings about a month which contains a night Better than a 1000 months. That moon that signals for the big devils to be chained. That moon that introduces to a believer ,days of abundant blessings and increase in reward for ones good deeds.


I then asked myself what else does this moon signify,Especially in my predominantly Indian community? Does it set in motion a month which sees us freeing up freezer place? A month wherein we eat more richly than we do in other months? A month which is merely endured instead of loved? A month that sees youth engaging in fruitless activities nightly i.e drag racing and the like. And then most recently , a month in whose name some festivals and souks are held,wherein fashion shows and other Fitnahs take place?

I shake my head and it hurts my heart that we sometimes attach this month mainly to things of this dunya. I'm not saying that we shouldn't eat, that we shouldn't engage in work/business and that we can't have clean fun,but I AM saying that this month should not be lost over the aforementioned practices. The word Ramadaan comes from the Arabic word 'ramida' meaning Scorching heat, giving it the meaning of the month wherein sins are burnt. Let Ramadaan be about this! Let the emphasis be on reflection ,repentance and positive change! May Allah grant me the strength first to live up to these expectations ,and to derive full benefit from this most amazing month. May Allah bless us all abundantly and keep us all in His mercy! Aameen!

Until you read again
Ma'assalaam

Sea-scapes

I'm certain you will recognize the talent behind these ,I brag about her often enough. This majestic beauty from our Creator has been captured brilliantly by her and has left me with such a sense of calm, that I feel compelled to share. Enjoy :)