"We will surely test you with something of fear & hunger & loss of wealth & lives & fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, who, when disaster strikes them, say, 'Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return'. Those are the ones upon whom are blessings & mercy from their Lord. And it is those who are guided."

 [Surat Al-Baqarah: 155-157]

Channel 4's First Hijabi Reporter

I was delighted to discover that the popular UK channel, Channel 4 has recently hired a hijabi reporter, Fatima Manji, as one of their new journalists. Check it out here :)

Abayat

I was flicking through my SM photo file when I noticed that I have an awful lot of abaya photos that I've never used. I'm going to stick them into a single post because I'm too impatient to wait for a more appropriate time to use them.

  

 I'm getting some seriously mixed up messages with some of these styles...

 Fake blue fur sleeves eweweweewwwwww

 Love this next abaya ^-^ Shame about the foot..

 The next one just makes me LOL.. don't ask why..

Last is always the best :D

Blazer Styling

I went on a little shopping trip with my mum today and bought a nice black blazer from H&M. Blazers are super versatile and can be styled in lots of ways - I like to keep the dress underneath plain and shapeless as I think the blazer provides enough structure and style on it's own.

Unfortunately the Chanel bag in the outfit is wishful thinking :"(

Waterfall Blazer by stylishmuslimah

"The Haram Police"

.................................................................................................................................................

I have been putting off writing about this subject for some time now, however I feel like I really need to get this off my chest. These days, I feel like I just want to give up (on life) whenever I read a "haram" comment not only on this blog but on other people's blogs and YouTube videos. Don't get me wrong, I do not mind at all being given advice from time to time but I can't help but think that more often than not the people giving it are just a combination of bored and holier-than-thou. I may be wrong but I do not think that the majority of these "advisers" actually care about the people they are publicly humiliating advising.

If you are wondering what brought on this outburst, it was a YouTube comment that I read earlier today on a hijabi's video that was telling the girl that if she isn't going to cover her neck she might as well take her headscarf off altogether. WHAT. Who on earth does this person think they are? And that pathetic argument never fails to piss me off, not because I uncover my neck but because the argument itself is ridiculous. Let me explain..

Allah (SWT) has not stated the full reasoning behind everything that He (SWT) has commanded us to do. One of those things is hijab. Let us examine the reasons that Allah (SWT) has given in the Quran for wearing the hijab:

Bism'Allah Al Rahmaan Al Raheem

"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be protect their private parts, and not to display of their zeenah except that which is apparent, and to draw their headcovers over their juyub, and not to reveal their zeenahnaught of women's nakedness. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn unto Allah together, O believers, in order that ye may succeed." [Al-Nur:31]

NOTE - A reason for covering has not been stated in this iya except the implication that following the commandments will result in success. 

Bism'Allah Al Rahmaan Al Raheem

"O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their outer garments about themselves (when they go out). That is better so that they may be recognised and not harassed. And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." [Al-Ahzaab:59]


NOTE - The reason given in Surat Al-Ahzaab is that the hijab should be worn so women will be recognised (as Muslims) and not harassed.

In conclusion, the reason given in the Quran for the commandment of hijab is for women to be recognised as Muslims. Therefore, telling a Muslim woman that if she shows some of her hair/neck/ears it is basically the same as if she is not wearing it at all and advising her to remove the scarf altogether is totally absurd because even if she does only loosely wear the scarf, most people on the street will still recognise her as a Muslim.

I am not saying that the hijab should not cover everything but the hands and face but I am saying that people should realise that adherence to hijab is not a black and white subject. Whether or not we like it, the definition of hijab is still widely disputed amongst Muslims and we are simply never going to all agree on one thing.

Bottom line is, please stop calling people out in public on the Internet. If you care so much about them (which I doubt, sorry) you would send them a private message or pray that Allah (SWT) guides both you and them. As a general Internet rule, if you wouldn't say it to their face, don't write it.

"Anyone who believes in God and the Last Day should not harm his neighbour. Anyone who believes in God and the Last Day should entertain his guests generously. And anyone who believes in God and the Last Day should say what is good or keep quiet."

- Prophet Muhammed (S) -

How to speak - according to the Quran



Source

Following recent events in the country I have been feeling so very glad that Allah (SWT) made me a Muslim. Now I should show it by following these rules a little more stringently.

Smart Hijab Tip #2: Wedges

Source



My second smart hijab tip is about what has recently become my favourite type of shoe - the wedge. Wedges are great for both short and tall and I think that they instantly smarten and streamline any look.

As a general rule, I wouldn't wear open-toed or strappy wedges to work, it just doesn't look right. Also, make sure that the trousers almost (but don't quite) hit the ground.

Here's an outfit for some inspiration:

 

Wedges by stylishmuslimah

Just be careful when you walk though.. I was getting the tube the other week and do you know when you think that the last step is actually the floor and your ankle twists in? Yeh that happened to me with a pair of wedges on.. I couldn't walk for a week :(