HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2013!

Assalamualaikum,

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy New Year. I've got a list of new year's resolution again this year. Hopefully can achieve all :) 

Another new year and new challenges ahead for us, Muslimah. And being a muslimah, whether you are a student, a housewife or a career woman, of course you want to look beautiful and stylish. 

We can be stylish and trendy. But we have to follow the written rules.

First requirement, you have to remember, you can only show your face and palms. The rest of your body must be covered. And you keep on asking why?? Why must I observe HIJAB (covering of head and body)?? The answer is simple...it is because Allah has told you so. "O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed..." (Qur'an 33:59)

Second requirement is looseness. The clothing must be loose enough so as not to describe the shape of the woman's body. One desirable way to hide the shape of the body is to wear a cloak over other clothes. However, if the clothing is loose enough, an outer garment is not necessary.

Third requirement is thickness. The clothing must be thick enough so as not to show the color of the skin it covers or the shape of the body.

Fourth requirement is an over-all dignified appearance. The clothing should not attract men's attention to the woman. It should not be shiny and flashy so that everyone notices the dress and the woman.

The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) stated that in later generations of his ummah there would be "women who would be dressed but naked and on top of their heads (what looks like) camel humps. Curse them for they are truly cursed." (Muslim) 

Fifth requirement, women must not dress so as to appear as men. "Ibn Abbas narrated: 'The Prophet (S.A.W) cursed the men who appear like women and the women who appear like men.'" (Bukhari)

Sixth requirement, women should not dress in a way similar to the unbelievers (non-Muslim).

Please observe all the six requirements above. Compare that to what you have in your wardrobe. Do not be carried away in what you see in fashion magazine. Some things are not to be worn in public. Some things are to be worn privately at home or in your own room. So we have to know where and what to wear accordingly.

And by doing so, you're making a statement that we are Muslim. Anyone who sees you will know that you are a Muslim woman and have a good moral character.  

In the Quran: " And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof, that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, fathers, husbands' fathers, sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women or the slaves whom their right hand possess or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! Turn ye all together towards Allah(S.W.T) that ye may attain Bliss (Surah 24:31)

So, Muslimah, in this new year of 2013, let us make our statement as  Muslim women by flaunting our way of dressing to the world! We are proud to be a Muslim women. And observing the code of dress shows how strong our will and level of confidence as well.

Good luck to all of us. InsyaAllah, we can do it!

Me and my youngest son.

INTRODUCTION

Assalamualaikum,

Let me introduce myself. My name is Sakura Islam. This blog is for us to discuss about Muslimah and fashion. There are so many misunderstanding about what to wear and what not to wear. So I guess this is the place where we can openly discuss without prejudice towards each other. It is merely a place for discussion, giving opinion, giving advise in order to gain more knowledge and understanding.

Take it in a positive way. Everyday is a learning process. We might did or do mistakes before, now or in the future...but with a little help from all the friends around you...we can make the difference. 

I really welcome any topic for discussions, any questions that I hope we can sort it out together (2 heads are better than 1) or any comments. 

I never say that I'm very good in Islamic teaching. I am myself struggling to understand and I found out that going to 'Usrah' (classes) helps a lot and discussing with friends as well. I would like to have a discussion place where you can pop out anything in your head 24/7, at anytime without having to leave home. That's why, I think by having a blog like this, it is all that I ever wanted.

I want Muslimah around the world to become fashionable and yet never go against the Islamic teaching.  There are so many mistakes are being done out there, MasyaAllah, can't blame them, it's every Muslim's responsibilities to highlight about the mistakes and I hope, together, we can do it.

Till my next post. Assalamualaikum.

P/S Excuse for my not so good English. But I guessed it's ok, not an English exam after all..hahaha..

COMMON MISTAKES IN FASHION PT 3

Assalamualaikum to ALL,

Start your day with Bismillahhirrahmanirrahim and a smile. InsyaAllah, the day will be a happy one. 

To continue our previous discussion. Please refer to the pictures below:-

Picture 5

Referring to the photo above, back in my country Malaysia, this fashion is quite normal to be seen. Pity them who really didn't understand the meaning of Islamic code of dress.

4 mistakes here :-

1. The khimar (head cover) is not covering the chest area.

2. The shirt is too fitting and too short.

3. The pants is too tight.

4. Not wearing socks.

Picture 6

3 mistakes here :-

1. The sleeves are short. Please be reminded that the sleeves must cover the   

    hands. Only the palms and the fingers can be exposed.

2. The slit for the skirt. The slit will reveal the legs especially when you 

    started walking. Wearing a panty-hose with this type of skirt is also 

    forbidden. Even though the panty-hose will cover your leg, it is still wrong 

    and not allowed.

3. Not wearing socks.

There you go. I know that many of you have seen all types of fashion that is wrongly worn by Muslimah. Do not put your distance just because they misinterpreted the meaning of Hijab or Islamic code of dress. We have to get close to them and be their friends. By becoming their friends, we might show them a good example of Hijab and maybe later on can advise them regarding the right way of Hijab.

Ok, we've reached at the end for today's post. Got to go now. Duty calls :). See you in my next post. Assalamualaikum.

COMMON MISTAKES IN FASHION PT2

Assalamualaikum,

We meet again. We're continuing to discuss about the common mistakes in covering ourselves as Muslimah.

Picture 3

Only 1 mistake here that is the khimar (head cover) is not long enough to cover the chest area. The sleeves are ok. The skirt - long enough and loose. Surah An Nur (24:31) in the Quran states, "They (the believing women) should draw their head coverings over their bosoms..."

Picture 4

3 mistakes here :-

1. The blouse is a tight fitting until you can see the curves of the woman's body.

2. The blouse is too short. 

3. The sleeves are short.

Sometimes we did not aware that some part of our clothing exposed some part of our body/figure. Some women thought, to cover themselves is just to cover the hair. It is not as simple as that. We have to ensure that every part of our body except face and hands are not visible to other men except for our husband and muhrims.

InsyaAllah we'll continue in another post. Assalamualaikum.

COMMON MISTAKES IN FASHION PT1

Assalamualaikum,

Again we'll discuss about the common mistakes that are being done today by Muslimah in fashion and style. Of course, further in my blog, I'll try to put up suggestions of latest fashion for us.

Picture 1

There are 3 mistakes here.

1. The khimar (head cover) is not long enough to cover the chest area.

2. The skirt is not covering up until the ankle. The Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. 

    said " You should make it longer, not shorter".

3. No socks.

Picture 2

There are 4 mistakes here.

1. Again, the khimar is not long enough to cover the chest area.
2. And again, the skirt is not covering up until the ankle. 
3. And again, no socks.
4. The sleeves are too short.

By this point, you can see that there are many important aspects of wearing hijab that go far beyond the clothes themselves. I do understand that it may take quite some time and money to make your wardrobe more Islamic. My advice (and they way I did it) is, as soon as you begin to consider covering, even though getting the other aspects in place is far off, start slowly adapting your wardrobe, and your style of dress. 

I began by not wearing shorts outside the house, then no short- sleeves, then wearing un-tucked long shirts with pants, and eventually adding the scarf and more modest clothing, after I had worked through all the previously mentioned factors.You will know when you are ready because you won't be able to stand going out uncovered anymore and doing what you know is right is more important than what anyone else thinks. Changing your wardrobe in this manner is easier on your pocketbook, as well as for you and your family to get used to. 

Hope this post is a great help to you who follows my blog :)

Any additional infos or comments or corrections are most welcome.

to be continued.....

HEAD COVERS OR KHIMAR & HIJAB

Assalamualaikum,

Alhamdulillah, I'm free to write tonight. All my boys are asleep. This is the time where I can be alone with my laptop and write. It's been my dream to write, even though I'm a little bit nervous about it, but I'm comfortable with what I'm doing now. My own blog! It was my 2012 new year's resolution...i know it's towards the end of 2012...but I did it. :) Mission accomplished.

Our topic tonight is 'Head Covers' or 'Khimar' & 'Hijab'. 

Khimar refers to your head covers while Hijab is the overall dressing from head to toe. 

Covering your hair is a must for Muslim women (Muslimah). And covering your head doesn't mean that you only cover your hair. This is where many people make mistakes. Please take note that you have to cover your neck and chest as well. And the khimar must be loose. 

The word "hijab" comes from the Arabic word "hajaba" meaning to hide from view or conceal. In the present time, the context of hijab is the modest covering of a Muslim woman. There are 3  main reasons why.

1. It's because Allah told us to do so. "O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed..." (Qur'an 33:59)
2. Other secondary reasons include the requirement for modesty in both men and women. Both will then be evaluated for intelligence and skills instead of looks and sexuality.
3. A Muslim woman who covers her head is making a statement about her identity. Anyone who sees her will know that she is a Muslim and has a good moral character. Many Muslim women who cover are filled with dignity and self esteem; they are pleased to be identified as a Muslim woman.

When to start wearing a proper hijab? The following is a Tradition of the Prophet: "Ayesha (R) reported that Asmaa the daughter of Abu Bakr (R) came to the Messenger of Allah (S) while wearing thin clothing. He approached her and said: 'O Asmaa! When a girl reaches the menstrual age, it is not proper that anything should remain exposed except this and this. He pointed to the face and hands." (Abu Dawood)

Refer to the photos below. 

 Correct khimar

Correct khimar

Correct khimar

This is the right one. A very simple khimar, with 'not bright' colors which is advisable because it does not attract attention to oneself. Fashionable still! Sweet! And the most important thing, it follows the guidelines. Believe me, hijab does not make anyone less attractive - that is one most haunting thoughts in women's mind. True or not? 

And below are the examples of WRONG khimar style which are consider up-to-date to certain people. MasyaAllah, we have the responsibilities to correct them if they are wrong. If you have friends or relatives that are still confuse about the meaning of a proper khimar, please share these information. Do not keep it to yourself.

Wrong!

First mistake. Of course this one looks so nice. The color, the ruffles and the beads. Do not get carried away. This is not called khimar at all. It never covers the chest properly. This is wrong. You're paying for a sin! My fellow Muslimah, some things are very nice and yet they are not meant for us as Muslim. This is a must go item from your closet if you have it or you can pass it on to your daughter if they have a very small frame and not so very tall yet, and as long as it fully covers her chest, it's hers to keep till then.

Wrong!

The second mistake. The scarf covers just the hair. The neck and chest are fully exposed. This is not considered as khimar at all. Again, the fashion is totally not meant for us Muslim. 

The third mistake is the hair bun. It is not to be worn so up high and can be seen so big like a camel's  hump. It is strictly prohibited even if you wear it with a long hijab. Your hair must be tied as low as possible.

Wrong!

Wrong!

 The fourth mistake. The khimar is being tighten around the neck area. The guideline says that the khimar must be loose. By tightening it around your neck makes it wrong. So please be aware. 

So dear friends, please ensure that we and our love ones wear the correct hijab once we step out from our house. Till we meet again. Good night. Take care and Assalamualaikum.

BASIC FASHION FOR MUSLIMAH

.

Assalamualaikum,

Alhamdulillah we meet again. Before we proceed to our topic which is related to the photo above..let me tell you something else about myself. I'm new to this blogging and stuff. So at the moment, I really don't know how to design my blog so that it will look much more attractive and pleasant. Hrmmmm...lots of things for me to learn but nevertheless I'll try my best to upgrade this blog to the best I can do :) .

Okay back to the photo above...those are the guidelines to the proper way of dressing as Muslimah. Like it or not..we must comply! Of course it is hard for some people...don't look far...I take myself as an example. I didn't cover myself until the age of 36. I was aware that it is sinful not to cover and now I've my regrets.

1) The head cover or tudung must be long enough to cover your neck and your 

    chest. It must not be made from a transparent material.

2) Your sleeves must be long enough to cover the whole arm till your wrist. 

    Wearing an inner is a good additional choice as sometimes your sleeves  

    might roll up.

3) Your shirt or dress must be loose and long enough to cover your thigh. Must 

     not be transparent.

4) Your skirt or pants must be loose and long until it covers your ankle.

5) Socks must be worn.

6) Shoes - up to you...flat heels or stiletto heels...as long as the sole of your 

    shoes doesn't make any loud sound while you're walking. Go for rubber 

    sole.

There you go, only 6 basic steps on what to wear. These are the guidelines. Of course you can wear something trendy as long as you go according to these guidelines.

Well, are we abiding these guidelines then? Look into the mirror each time before you step out from your house and go through your checklist. InsyaAllah you'll not do any mistakes.

This reminder is not only for you, but for myself as well.

Any additional info are welcome to be shared among us. Of course what I have here is just the basic. And we shall discuss more in my next post, InsyaAllah :)