Fighting Oppression

After three long weeks of hardship and bloodshed, the Egyptians are still fighting for their freedom from tyrannical leadership. May Allah (SWT) give them strength and grant them victory over their oppressors and those supporting the oppression of these Muslims (this, unfortunately and ironically, includes the Saudi Arabian rulers). May Allah (SWT) weaken their enemies to shame and despair in this life and the next. Ameen.

Photo sources (from top): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Surat Al Naba'

Beautiful recitation of Surat Al Naba' ('The Great News'). Take 5 minutes to reflect on this amazing surah :)

The best and worst (abaya) looks of 2010

Feels like not long ago I was writing that for 2009.. Anyway, I have decided to focus on abayas this year, not because I have decided to wear one but because I have many abaya photos that have been left unused for far too long.

Let's start with cuts...

BEST

Abayas come in lots and lots of different shapes, here are some of my favorites:

A loose, simple, flowing style with tight sleeves. The only thing that ruins this is what appears to be a cockroach crawling up her abaya. Nice.

I love this Pakistani take on the abaya, the colours are lovely. But I hate how they have to make their abayas shorter than normal. Floor-sweeping is the only way.

You cannot beat the traditional look. This lovely abaya is designed by Amal Murad...

If I had to pick one for the best of 2010, I would say this due to it's unique cut that still maintains a modest look:

WORST

This is why people research their target market before designing a product. I doubt this particular style will be available in Saudi Arabia. You are likely, however, find it in Dubai.

Finding a disgustingly hideous abaya on the net, or elsewhere, is not hard. Finding a disgustingly hideous belted abaya is decidedly easier than I thought...

I could continue but I shall have mercy on your eyes.

Actually, nahhh..

While running the risk of offending people, I have to say that my least favorite abaya style is the overhead.

Why? Have you seen the Harry Potter films..?!

Moving swiftly onto sleeves.

BEST

I like the sleeve of these next two abayas. I have to say though, the girls remind me of brown versions of Mean Girls O.o

Buttons rule!

WORST
There's a fashionably wide sleeve and then there's just silliness. This is veering towards the latter.
I hate these next sleeves. I hate them.. and I hate the girl and her stupid smirk.

Oh who am I kidding..? I have bag envy so decided to put her in the bad section even though the sleeves are OK. If somebody can purchase me an LV in order to cure my jealousy, please do :)



Fabric is up next.

BEST

Light and flowy. The perfect abaya combo.

WORST
Bin and bag. The not so perfect abaya combo.



Shaylas next, the abayas best friend.

BEST


WORST
Hair. It is like an un-tamable creature.

Rule #1347 - If you have a long face, do not elongate further with scarf. See posts about wearing headscarf to suit face shape if you are still unsure why the following look is so very wrong.

Styling an abaya..

BEST
Keeping it simple, with a cupcake.
WORST
The overpowering use of red and black is my idea of fashion hell.

The worst abaya look of 2010? (The matching hijab and wellies just doesn't sit right with me..)

And finally, I just have to add this one in. It reminds me of one of those before and after things. Before and after touching down to Heathrow from Riyadh, that is ;)

Denim Shirt Style

A simple idea for a denim shirt outfit that I made on Looklet.

Also looks great with a floor-sweeping white skirt/dress:

Bottom image from yournextjeans.com

Michelle Obamas' Take On Hijab Styling..

You may have already seen these photos of Michelle Obama in Hijab on a visit to Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on November 10, 2010. I, on the other hand, am a few months behind the rest of the world.

Not sure I would have chosen a lime green suit for the event, but kudos to her for trying :)

Photos from huffingtonpost.com

Mubarak: A 30 Year Problem...

Unfortunately, the demonstrations in Egypt have not gone as smoothly as those in Tunisia (who have finally gained their freedom to practice Islam! Before, the adaan - call to prayer - was considered noise pollution and the hijab was banned in places of work and education, even fasting was not allowed at work..!).

But seriously, Hosni mate, please.. just eff off man!!! Nobody likes you, nobody wants you. Nobody apart from Israel, that is. Israel. In case you didn't know, if it meant they were protecting "their" spit of land, they would betray you, murder you and never look back. In fact, I bet they are regretting not topping you a few months back in order for your sprog (who is, incidentally, a British citizen) to make a swift transition into your chair and continue to lick their ass and do whatever they command.

What I honestly don't get about the guy is that he has a foot in the grave and yet he is a cool as a cucumber to rule like an oppressive, power-hungry tyrant. Is he not a little apprehensive that he might get, you know, punished..? I mean, you'd think he should be able to relate to Pharoh better than most, right? It seems the only thing he is apprehensive about is the Muslim Brotherhood party coming into power. I would just like to say at this point that although I find some of the rules in both Arabia and Iran to be disagreeable, I would be overjoyed if the Muslim Brotherhood party were to be elected. Supporting Palastine can only be a good thing.

Anyway, that's my rant over. Make duas for the protesters, that it all ends well for them!

Worth Watching

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20110202/toddly-ufo-spotted-hanging-over-jerusalem-cc3a409.html

I am more inclined to thinking it is a Jinn as opposed to a "UFO".

An Old Outfit

I was browsing through some of my old sets on Polyvore, cringing at many I had made over two years ago, but then I found quite a few that I still like.. like this one. Perfect if you are a lucky sod in the tropic of Capricorn and it's summer right now.

What To Do When Revision Isn't Going Well..

YouTube, of course! I have to post this, it's really childish but, hey it cracked me up. The accent is on the money lol:

A Quick 'Style' Tip

I cannot help but notice the increasing number of hijabis who, when praying, wrap a chador (a long, sometimes colourful open abaya, often worn by Iranians) around their waist in order to cover their tight-fitting jeans underneath. This annoys my for 2 reasons: 1/ Why don't they wear the chador properly over their heads? It would look a lot better. And 2/ They wouldn't dare walk around in front of people with a chador wrapped around their waist so why do they present themselves to Allah (SWT) like that?!

Now, I'm not judging them at all, I have friends who do this who I know to be good Muslims but I just find the whole thing a bit of a joke :S

Anyway.. my tip (for myself as well..) is if you would not happily and comfortably wear an outfit that you wear with a headscarf, to pray, avoid wearing it!! If you are happy with jeans and a short top to pray and you feel that is an adequately modest and humble way to present yourself in prayer, by all means do. But please, for your own sake, don't give yourself a set of style rules for daily life and a different set for prayer.

01.01.11

Well, you don't write that everyday..

Soo, I didn't win the competition (I came 5th) :( Where were you, oh followers in my time of need?

Anywayy, I am planning to do best and worst looks of 2010, like the one I did last year. I won't be writing this until my exams are over though :/

Disclaimer.. No, I am not encouraging anybody to dress, act or throw apples around like the young lady in the image. It is simply portraying my current state of discontentment. Althoughhh, let us study the following rhyme:

Zero the hero, first the worst , second the best, third the one with a hairy chest, fourth the king, fifth the queen, sixth the one with a magazine, seventh goes to heaven, eighth the one that likes to read , ninth the one who needs to speed...

You can't argue with The Rhyme.

Pick Meeee..!!!

You may or may not have heard about the 2010 Best Blog Award organised by the SistersWhoBlog Network, but voting time has begun!

.

So if you like this blog, please vote for Stylish Muslimah here (listed under best fashion blog) before 31st December 2010 :D

THAT Time Of Year

No, not Christmas time, revision time. For stupid, stupid exams. That's why I have recently disappeared off the face of SM. I do apologise in advance that new posts will be thin on the ground during the next month or so, however, I will carry on moderating comments and will try to post when I can, Insha'Allah. About emails, if I haven't replied, I'm sorry I just don't have the time to properly research for post requests so I will try to get them done in a few weeks time!

I know some of the readers on here are Christians, so I do hope you enjoy the festivities :)

Oh and happy (slightly belated) Islamic new year :D

(Photo is from some arabic site but I really cannot remember which one.. sorry!)

Undercap Blues

Bones, undercaps, headbands.. whatever you want to call them, they do the same thing and that is slowly and mercilessly thin your hairline. I know that I have done a post on them before (paradoxically, I was saying how versatile and useful they are), but I highly recommend that you do not regularly wear them especially if you are noticing your hair is getting thinner at the front.

Here are some simple tips to prevent your hair from thinning:

1. Scrunchies are a lot gentler on your hair than elastic hair bands. Yes, they are those ugly things from the 1980's but they don't pull on your hair as much because they are made from fabric. I think the best scrunchies to go for are those big, vile velvety ones.. Don't make that face.. No one's going to see!

2. Don't tie your ponytail back too high

3. Never tie the front parts of your hair (i.e. fringe) back with the rest of the ponytail: this will thin your hairline before you know it. Always leave the fringe part untied and..

4. ..pin your fringe with hair pins to the sides of your head. This means there is no weight on those hairs and also means that you don't have to wear an undercap to prevent hair from peaking through.

5. Don't tie the ponytail or headscarf too tightly

6. Not that I think most of you would like to wear them anyway, but I would recommend steering well clear of two-piece hijabs like the Al-Amiras.

.

(The top photo was taken from yesstyle.com)

A Royal Affair..

The Queen in Hijab in Abu Dhabi:
.