Love

A man came to the Prophet (S) and said "O Messenger of Allah, direct me to an act which, if I do it, Allah (SWT) will love me, and the people will love me too." The Prophet (S) said: "Renounce the world and Allah will love you; show disinterest in what people possess and the people will love you too"

Casual outfit idea

Casual by stylishmuslimah

Book review: Girls of Riyadh

Now that my mid-year exams are over (alhaaaaaaaamduli'Allah) I have had a few days off before I start my next semester. I have spent my time being as lazy as I jolly well want to be :) I have also been engrossed in the book 'Girls of Riyadh' by Rajaa Alsanea which I just finished and decided to review considering someone on the blog actually recommended it to me a few days ago.

The book itself is a true story originally in Arabic and written in the form of emails recounting the personal lives of four of the author's close friends living in Riyadh (capital of Saudi Arabia). The emails were complied into a book in 2005 and (of course) instantly banned in the country, although that has since been lifted.

The book starts off with the first email describing the wedding of the author's friend Gamrah and introduces the other girls. Each new chapter is a new email and each email is about a different friend (Lamees, Michelle, Gamrah and Sadeem). She mostly talks about the love lives of the girls and their various heartbreaks throughout.

I have to admit, I found the first half of the book un-put-downable and was particularly touched by the tragic story of Gamrah, who marries a man who not only despises her very presence in his life but has been in love with a Chinese woman for 7 years (before being made to marry a Saudi girl to keep up appearances). As the book progressed, however, I found the continual stories of love and heartbreak of the girls with different men to be off-putting. I got bored of their lives that seemed to centre only around the pursuit of  'love' of a man, I felt sorry for them that their happiness - or lack of - revolved heavily around having a relationship.

When the book comes to an end, the author writes the final chapter regarding the reactions of her four friends to the emails she wrote exposing intimate parts of their lives. Three of them are surprisingly  fine with it, except one who realises that she was the character 'Gamrah' and demands that her friend stop writing about her. It sort of sickened me that despite 'Gamrah's' pleas Rajaa Alsanea continues to write about her friend's life and goes on to publish the book, all the while refusing to write about her own personal life.

I enjoyed the book but reading the final chapter left a bitter taste in my mouth. I deem it extremely disrespectful to her friends that she revealed their personal lives without consenting them first, while maintaining that her own life remains unexposed to the world.

I give the story itself 3 stars out of 5. For her deception, I give the author zero and regret that she makes money out of this book.

Smart Hijab Tip #3: Take off your hijab for the interview

I was sat in this Islamic lecture at one of my mums friends houses the other day, trying my best not to get spoken to when I overheard the most interesting conversation. This women was telling her friend about how her daughter had been having difficulty for over a year getting a job and she decided that her headscarf was the problem so she took it off (for the interview) and voila, she got a job! She then went on to advise that her friend's daughter does the same thing - take it off for the interview and turn up on the first day with it on, after which the employers would not dare dismiss her on the grounds of religious dress for fear of being sued. Genius.

As she launched into an explanation about the drawbacks of hijab in the Western world my mind drifted to those wrist bands that I've seen Christians wear, bearing the words 'What would Jesus do?'. Perhaps we need to start thinking along the same lines.

What would - or rather what did - our final Prophet (S) do when he was ridiculed for his message and called a madman and had rocks thrown at him and his family abused? What did Yusef (as) do when he was thrown into prison for not submitting to the will of Zulaykha? What did Noah (as) do when people laughed at him for building an ark in preparation for a flood when there was not a drop of rain? What did Asiya, wife of Pharaoh, do when her own husband had her tortured for disobeying him by accepting the path of God?  What did Abraham (as) do when Allah (SWT) commanded him to kill his own son? What did the early Muslims do when they were tortured in the boiling heat of the desert and told that all they had to do was say a word, say that they did not believe in Allah (SWT) and His Prophet and the torture would cease, they would be free and respected people? I'll tell you what they did not do, they did not sell their principles for worldy gain and not even for a second or a minute, or for the length of an interview, did they succumb even to the pain of extended torture.

We complain that life in the West is hard and that we must compromise the principles that we believe in simply to fit in and be accepted by others. How weak are we then, in comparison to the Mumineen that came before us? They would not even consider uttering a word of disbelief to free themselves from physical torture at the hands of non-Muslims and yet we consider and openly encourage the rejection of what God has ordained for us, in hopes of pleasing non-Muslims?

I was going to post iyas and hadiths to back myself up but frankly, all you need to use is your logic. So anyone thinking of taking off their hijab for an interview because they are afraid they will be discriminated against, I say go ahead and do it, trick your employers and laugh at them when they offer you the job. Just remember this, that which causes your heart to stir with fear and makes you change yourself is what you are truly and utterly at the mercy of. I really do hope then, that your prospective employers are all-merciful and infinitely compassionate.

(Just a side note: I've had quite a few interviews over the past 4 or 5 years and the only time I have been rejected was once, about a year before I put on the hijab.)

Review: Neva Style

I was recently sent 3 scarves to review from 'Neva Style', a Turkish hijab company that sells a wide range of polyester and silk scarves, mostly with lace detailing. 

Here are the three scarves I was sent:

All of them are a polyester and viscose mix, measuring 63 by 180cm. My favorite is this black and white one:

The quality of the scarves is very good. Good stitching, no loose threads, nice, soft fabric. An innate problem with the material though is that it creases very easily, which isn't good news for someone like me (i.e. lazy) who doesn't have the time or energy to iron a scarf. 

I really like the lace detailing and I think that it looks very chic on (check their website out for more photos). These are the sorts of scarves that could make a simple outfit look smart, Turkish style. One thing I'm not keen on is the shininess of the scarves, mainly because it means they slip off quite easily unless you wear an under-cap and use straight pins. 

These scarves go for around $25, depending on the style. Real silk versions sell for $50. I think these are reasonable prices. 

My mum took a liking to the red one so she nabbed it.. 

Overall I think that the scarves are nice, they are of a good quality and are reasonably priced. I recently wore the black and white one as a neck scarf with a plain hijab and a black blazer, I thought it looked good if I do say so myself. I would post a picture but I'm not into the idea of posting 'outfits of the day', not sure why. Anyway, I would highly recommend you take a look at their site, there is a massive selection of colours and some really nice Turkish outfit pictures. If you want to place an order, you can email them at info@neva-style.com. 

(Just to clarify, I do not and will never recommend a company that I would not purchase from myself. I actually don't respond to most of the review requests I get because if I think I'm not going to like the item or I think it's too overpriced, I'm not going to pretend to recommend something just because I was sent it.)

...

 

Inside the Saudi Kingdom

I found this BBC documentary, in which a Saudi prince agrees to let an English journalist follow him around, very interesting. It is an hour but if you're bored, I'd recommend it :)

I wonder what she's saying...

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"Oh no you di'ent."

Worst prayers ever

This made me laugh out loud xD
 

The random sajda LOL 

12-12-12

This post is about nothing. There's just no way I could not publish something on such a significant day. Soo.. yes, here's my acknowledgement to a date combination that none of us will ever see ever again. Ever. How weird is that?!



















I'm going to go and get a life now.

"The difference between the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not is like the difference between the living and the dead."

- Prophet Muhammed -

My non-hijabi style

I have no idea what to post about in terms of hijab style these days so I thought I'd show you what I wore the other day to a surprise party I went to for this adorable 11 year old girl who had just come back from hajj. Obviously the stuff is not exactly the same but it's very similar. I'm pretty unadventurous when it comes to non-hijabi fashion, I don't really like crazy dresses so I tend to always go for jeans + t-shirt + heels.

 

Peplum by stylishmuslimah

 

Love peplum tops :)

The fundamentals of happiness

I came across a list of 29 things to remember if you are in a time of hardship in the book 'Don't Be Sad' by Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni. I liked it so I wanted to share the extract :)

1. Know that if you do not live within the scope of today, your thoughts will be scattered, your affairs will become confused, and your worrying will increase:

"When you are in the morning, do not expect to see the evening, and when you are in the evening, do not expect to see the morning."

[Hadith]

2. Forget the past and all that it contained. Being absorbed in things that are gone is sheer lunacy.

3. Do not be preoccupied with the future. Because the future is in the world of the unseen, do not let it bother you until it comes.

4. Do not be shaken by criticism; instead, be firm. And know that, in proportion to your worth, the level of people's criticism rises.

5. Faith in Allah (swt) and good deeds: these are the ingredients that make up a good and happy life.

6. Whoever desires peace, tranquillity, and comfort can find it all in the remembrance of Allah (swt).

7. You should know with certainty that everything that happens, occurs in accordance with a divine decree.

8. Do not expect gratitude from anyone.

9. Train yourself to be ready and prepared for the worst eventuality.

10. Perhaps what has happened is in your best interest (though you may not comprehend how that is so).

11. Everything that is decreed for the Muslim is best for him.

12. Enumerate the blessings of Allah (swt) and be thankful for them.

13. Remember that you are better off than many others.

14. Remember that relief can come from one hour to the next.

15. In both times of hardship and ease, one should turn to supplication and prayer.

16. Calamities should strengthen your heart and reshape your outlook in a positive sense.

17. Indeed, with each difficulty there is relief.

18. Do not let trials be the cause of your destruction.

19. Indeed, remember that your Lord is Oft-Forgiving.

20. Do not be angry... Do not be angry... Do not be angry.

21. Life is bread, water, and shade; so do not be perturbed by a lack of any other material thing.

And in the heaven is your provision, and that which you are promised.

[Qur'an 51: 22]

22. Most evil that you think will happen never actually occurs.

23. Look at those who are afflicted and be thankful.

24. When Allah (swt) loves a person, He makes them endure trials.

25. You should constantly repeat supplications that the Prophet (bpuh) taught us to say during times of hardship.

26. Work hard at something that is productive, and cast off idleness.

27. Don't spread rumours and don't listen to them. If you hear a rumour inadvertently, then don't believe it.

28. Your malice and your striving to seek revenge are much more harmful to your health than they are to your antagonist.

29. The hardships that befall you atone for your sins.

 

I like numbers 4, 6, 8, 16, 27 the best.

11 things I really love

 

I thought I'd balance out the '11 things I really hate' post with one equally self-centred :D

 

1. My mum. Obviously :)

2. Have you ever met someone and liked them instantly, like you've been friends with them forever? I've only ever had that with one person, but it's the nicest feeling.

3. Music. Cliche perhaps, but I love it. 

 

4. Do you know when you laugh until your cheeks and tummy hurt so much that you just can't anymore? That's so fun! Although for some reason it rarely ever happens now I'm 22 :(

 

5. The films Pride and Prejudice, Atonement, Shawshank Redemption and

Apocalypto

6. If I have a problem, I sometimes open the Quran randomly. I've found it almost always opens at a very insightful iya, it's so comforting.

7. Clothes, bags, shoes.. in case you haven't noticed..

8. eBay, Amazon and ASOS - probably where I do 99% of my online shopping

9. Those clear, crisp, fresh mornings that you get in Autumn   10. When you get to the till and the thing is cheaper than you expected. I probably get a bit too happy to be honest.   11. If this blog was not about fashion, it would be about cars. I. Love. Cars.   If you have a blog and are bored, do this post and then link it in the comments, it'd be interesting to read other peoples! Also, I'm not feeling very inspired in the way of fashion post ideas, so if you have any please do them leave too. Hope you're all having a good weekend :)

Fluffy fur

 

I am really liking the fur collar trend at the moment, but it is a bit difficult to pull it off with a headscarf. Or so I thought. Here are some pretty pictures that I wanted to share :)

 

 

I found these the other day and have none idea of their sources so if any of the photos belongs to you just let me know.

Just to get some things straight

In light of some recent comments made across this blog I want to set the record straight on a few things:

1. This blog is not intended to tell you how you should or should not wear your hijabs, or doing anything else for that matter. Quite frankly, I don't care if you choose to walk around in a headscarf and a mini skirt or a full-on tent.

2. I personally dislike the niqaab, I think it is unnecessary and purely cultural - I will always hold this opinion so please deal with it somewhere outside of the comments section.

3. I don't hate Jews or any single group of people. I do hate anyone that oppresses another human being, be they Jewish, Muslim or anything else.

4. If you feel that music, style, perfume, makeup, colour and/or non-abaya-wearing hijabis are haraam, don't tell me about it. I have better things to do than read and reply to your essay.

 

5. If you feel that my blog is haraam because I am encouraging people to "copy kafirs" and wear "haraam clothes", don't tell me about it. I have better things to do than read and reply to your essay. Like figure out which colour stilettos will best go with my jeggings that day.

May Allah (swt) grant the Palestinians patience and victory, returning their land and wiping their oppressors off the face of the planet. Ameen.

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