13 March 2012

Layla-h maxi dress review


I recently received this "Gothic style jilbab" to review from Layla.h.com. If you haven't heard of them, Layla-h is a new British-based company that sells modest clothing of both Eastern and Western influences.

Below is a photo of the dress I was sent. It is described as a jilbab on the website, but I think that it is more of a dress.

My package :)


The dress is made of soft jersey material and the top has a pretty crochet detailing on it. The shoulders are also detailed with beads and thin, silver chains. It has two pockets on the skirt.


I thought I would model the dress for you ^-^

Quality: I think that the quality of the dress is quite good - it is nicely stitched and the fabric is thick and opaque. Obviously with jersey there is the innate problem of clingyness, but this can be reduced with a cotton slip skirt worn underneath.


Style & sizing: It is not something that I would usually go for but I do like it. The only thing that puzzles me is whether to call it a formal or casual dress because of the pockets. I think that it is both depending on how you choose to dress it.

The crochet detailing is lovely and so are the cuffs. I am not hot on the elasticated waist though - I think it would have been nicer loose. One good thing about the waist though, is that it allows you to put a top with the dress so that it looks like a skirt. Also, if you are shorter, you could use the elastic to adjust the skirt length.

In terms of sizing, it sort of runs true to size but looking back I think I would have gotten a 12 (UK size) instead of a 10 so that it is generally a bit looser. I am 171cm tall (to be precise..) and the dress hits just below my ankles.


Vaule for money: The dress retails at £44.99. I think that this is fair compared with the rest of the high street. I would recommend checking out their website, there are a few very cheap things on there, like this beautiful pink dress for only a tenner!


Shipping and communication: Excellent.

Overall, I like the dress and love the site. Definitely will be keeping an eye on this company and can't wait until their range expands - they have a bridal collection which is not up yet, but that will certainly be one to look out for. 

I hope that this review helps and if you like you can check out their websiteFacebook or video below for other items in their collection..

08 March 2012

The Last Day: Minor Signs

It is well known that the Prophet (S) told of many signs of the final day; these consisted of the minor and major signs. Most of the minor signs have already occurred and are happening across the globe. When he used to speak of these signs people would wonder how such things would happen. But today, they are normal, everyday occurrences.

I have researched some hadiths pertaining to the minor signs of the last day - I have not included all of them in this post. All of the quotes are those of the Prophet (S).

"In the last days, liars and deceitful people will emerge, who will tell you such new things (about Islam), which neither you, nor your forebears would have heard about. Beware of them, beware of them. They should not lead you astray."
[Prophet Muhammed (S) - Narrated by Abu Hurairah]
 
"A time is soon to come when Islam will remain only by name and the Qur'an will exist only in words. People will erect large and beautiful masjids, but these masjids will lack guidance and be deserted. The worst creation below the skies will be the "Ulama-e-Soo" ("evil scholars"). Great Fitna (evils) will emanate from them and they themselves will promote fitna and they will be the centre of fitna."
[Prophet Muhammed (S) - Narrated by Hadhrat Ali (a)]


"A time will also come upon people that a person will find himself in such a position that he either allows himself to be branded as a fool, or he joins the prevailing evils. Should a person find himself in such a situation, it is better for him to be branded as a fool, rather than participate in evil."
[Prophet Muhammed (S)]
.
 "Such a time will come upon people that it will be as difficult for them to remain on the deen as it is for a person to hold a burning coal in his hand."

"Perform all good deeds before the era of evil dawns, the darkness of which will increase in waves. The effects of these evils will be so grave that a person will be a Mu’min in the morning and a Kaafir at night, or, a Mu’min at night and a Kaafir in the morning. A person will sell his deen in lieu of a paltry sum."
[Muslim]

 
"A time will come when the Kaafir nations will invite each other, just as people are invited towards meals, in order to annihilate you". Someone asked, "O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) will their boldness to do so be on account of us being small in number? Rasulullah (S) replied, "No, in fact your numbers will be great, but despite that, you will be like a twig in flood waters. Allah (SWT) will remove fear from the hearts of the enemy (your enemy will not fear you) while he will create "wahari" in your hearts. Someone enquired."What is that, O Rasulullah?" He replied, "Love of this world and hate for death." 

"Women will outnumber men... eventually 50:1"
[Bukhari, Muslim, & Ahmad]
** Note: With a few exceptions e.g. China, virtually every country in the world has a higher proportion of females to males **

"Rain will be acidic or burning"
[at-Tabarani, al-Hakim]

"Gains will be shared out only among the rich, with no benefit to the poor"
[Tirmidhi]

Source

"When a man obeys his wife and disobeys his mother; and treats his friend kindly while shunning his father"
[Tirmidhi]
.
“Women will give birth to their mistresses and you will see barefoot, unclothed, sheep-herders (i.e. the Bedouins) competing in the construction of tall buildings.”

Source
"When singers become common"
[Al-Haythami]
.
"Qiyamah will come when:

- it will be regarded as a shame to act on Qur'aanic injunctions.
-
 Islam will become a stranger (unwanted religion).

Source
- Malice and hate will become common among people.
- Islamic Knowledge (ilm) is lifted up.


- Months and years and foodstuff will be devoid of blessing, (i.e. appear to be very short and less).

- Untrustworthy people will be regarded as trustworthy and the trustworthy will be regarded as untrustworthy.

- Liars will be regarded as truthful and the truthful will be regarded as liars.

- Violence, bloodshed and anarchy become common.

Source
  - People will boast upon their palatial mansions.


- Women with children become displeased (on account of them bearing off-spring) and barren women remain happy (on account of having no responsibility of off-spring).

- Oppression, jealousy and greed become the order of the day.
- People begin to die in large numbers.

- Lies prevail over the truth.

- People dispute over petty issues.

- People follow their passions and whims.

- Decisions will be given on mere conjecture.

- There will be a scarcity of crops despite abundant rains.
- Fountains of knowledge run dry and the floods of ignorance burst forth.

Source
- Winter time becomes hot.
Source
 - Immorality is perpetrated publicly.

- The length of days is stretched, i.e. a journey of a few days is covered in a
matter of a few hours.

- Legislation in matters pertaining to my right (Deen) is handed over to the worst elements in my Ummah, and if people accept them and are satisfied with their findings, then such persons will not smell the fragrance of Jannah.
- Off-spring becomes a cause of grief and anger."

When asked about the last day, he (S) responded:

"- Evil people will prevail.

- People will establish ties with strangers and severe relations with their near and dear ones.
- Hypocrites will be in control of the affairs of the community and evil, immoral people will be at the helm of business establishments.


- The Masjid will be decorated but, the hearts of people will be devoid of guidance.


- People will indulge in homosexuality
.
- The courtyards of Masjids will be built beautifully and high mimbars (pulpits) will be erected.


- Music and musical instruments will be found in every home.

- Alcohol will be consumed excessively.


- There will be an abundance of critics, tale-carriers, back-biters and taunters in society.
.
- There will be an abundance of illegitimate children."

[Prophet Muhammed (S) - Narrated by Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Mas’ood (R)]

"In the last days, people will be such that outwardly they will express great love, concern and sympathy towards others, but in their hearts they will harbour the greatest enmity for each other, continuously looking out for an opportunity to eliminate his enemy". It was asked, "Why will this attitude occur?" Rasulullah (S) said, "On account of fear and greed".
[Prophet Muhammed (S) - Narrated by Hadhrat Mu’aaz bin Jabai (R.A.)]