Salam walaikum !!
Alhamdullilah- I'm pleased to say I will be contributing to the Islam channel website for the next few months inshallah!
My first article will be about the perception of Female Muslims in Britain and of course I ll be putting a link up once it's running!
Until then, may Allah bless you all :)
Showing posts with label muslim british. Show all posts
Showing posts with label muslim british. Show all posts
Friday, 1 February 2013
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
Dawah in Islam
Assalam Walaikum sisters!
Since January started, Alhamdulillah, I have managed to keep my 5 a day!
5 prayers that is - not fruit- unfortunately, that still needs improvement.
I cannot believe it to be honest. 9 days in a row of praying 5 times a day, when I used to find it difficult to pray even just once a day, every day!
Subhannallah, it shows what you can achieve when you do things in the name of Allah.
The decision was mine to make, there was no pressure from my peers, from my sisters, from my parents- most definitely not from my parents in my case!- not from my husband or in laws.
No, I decided that this was the step I needed to take to please God.
Faith should be just that, a relationship between the individual and God. I find it really sad that, around the world, and throughout the ages, religion has been imposed on others.
As Muslims, we should learn what Dawah is, but we should also know to leave matters to Allah once we have done what is in our power to invite others into Islam.
Especially true when you talk to new Muslims or non-Muslims. A lot of us westerners do not like to be told what to do or what to believe in.
I believe I can invite people to Islam better by showing a kind and understanding character rather than by trying to endlessly convince them by lecturing them.
That of course is my personal opinion. What do you think sisters? Let me know if you think differently...
Salams
Since January started, Alhamdulillah, I have managed to keep my 5 a day!
5 prayers that is - not fruit- unfortunately, that still needs improvement.
I cannot believe it to be honest. 9 days in a row of praying 5 times a day, when I used to find it difficult to pray even just once a day, every day!
Subhannallah, it shows what you can achieve when you do things in the name of Allah.
The decision was mine to make, there was no pressure from my peers, from my sisters, from my parents- most definitely not from my parents in my case!- not from my husband or in laws.
No, I decided that this was the step I needed to take to please God.
Faith should be just that, a relationship between the individual and God. I find it really sad that, around the world, and throughout the ages, religion has been imposed on others.
As Muslims, we should learn what Dawah is, but we should also know to leave matters to Allah once we have done what is in our power to invite others into Islam.
Especially true when you talk to new Muslims or non-Muslims. A lot of us westerners do not like to be told what to do or what to believe in.
I believe I can invite people to Islam better by showing a kind and understanding character rather than by trying to endlessly convince them by lecturing them.
That of course is my personal opinion. What do you think sisters? Let me know if you think differently...
Salams
Sunday, 30 December 2012
Can I be a practising Muslimah and have a career, here in the UK?
Assalam Walaikum sisters!
I've been thinking about the subject of work recently, as a Muslim, as a revert and as a British woman.
I got made redundant last month. After months of feeling financially unsafe and of work becoming more and more uncertain for 2013, my boss did what she had to do, and let go of some of her staff. That meant me.
I didn't feel that upset, to be honest, mashallah. I saw this sudden change as a blessing. For well over a year now, I had been thinking of a career change. I wanted something that allowed me to practice my faith, keep to my values, yet allow my creativity to be expressed.
I am seeing this as a sign of encouragement from Allah, subhannallah, to be brave and push myself to aim higher and gain greater achievements.
Although I am still unsure which direction to take, I have had some ideas.
But actually it isn't an easy and straight forward decision for reverts to Islam. There are many things to consider that we would not have had to think about before.
Will I be able to pray? Will I be working in a Hallal environment? Will I be ok to wear my headscarf there? Will I be regarded as good as any other employee?
To add to the equation, I have only ever worked and wanted to work in the media. How can I combine all of this together?
Inshallah.... That is the only Duah that comes to my mind.
We can sit and fret and worry, or we can leave it to the hands of Allah. It is quite a difficult thing to do, and further more difficult thing to explain to our families, being non- muslims, often non believers. They want us to succeed and cannot comprehend such as 'laid-back' attitude as they would see it.
But it isn't about being laid back, we will have to job search, apply for jobs, go to dozens of interviews. It is the outcome of all of these which we leave upon Allah to guide us with.
What I have noticed about a lot of sisters I have met over the past 2 years is an incredible sense of entrepreneurship. Mashallah.
Well, thinking about it, starting your own business that you can run from home is probably the easiest way to work as a muslimah. You chose your hours, you can pray when you want to, you keep to your principles and you do not have to worry about wearing your hijab or niqab. SubhanAllah.
And the Prophets' own wife (saw), Khadijah, is one of the most inspiring people to look up to in that prospect. She was a business woman of her own right, she ran her own business and was very successful, mashallah.
Inshallah, my next post will be about her and how we can aspire to be more like her Inshallah.
I've been thinking about the subject of work recently, as a Muslim, as a revert and as a British woman.
I got made redundant last month. After months of feeling financially unsafe and of work becoming more and more uncertain for 2013, my boss did what she had to do, and let go of some of her staff. That meant me.
I didn't feel that upset, to be honest, mashallah. I saw this sudden change as a blessing. For well over a year now, I had been thinking of a career change. I wanted something that allowed me to practice my faith, keep to my values, yet allow my creativity to be expressed.
I am seeing this as a sign of encouragement from Allah, subhannallah, to be brave and push myself to aim higher and gain greater achievements.
Although I am still unsure which direction to take, I have had some ideas.
But actually it isn't an easy and straight forward decision for reverts to Islam. There are many things to consider that we would not have had to think about before.
Will I be able to pray? Will I be working in a Hallal environment? Will I be ok to wear my headscarf there? Will I be regarded as good as any other employee?
To add to the equation, I have only ever worked and wanted to work in the media. How can I combine all of this together?
Inshallah.... That is the only Duah that comes to my mind.
We can sit and fret and worry, or we can leave it to the hands of Allah. It is quite a difficult thing to do, and further more difficult thing to explain to our families, being non- muslims, often non believers. They want us to succeed and cannot comprehend such as 'laid-back' attitude as they would see it.
But it isn't about being laid back, we will have to job search, apply for jobs, go to dozens of interviews. It is the outcome of all of these which we leave upon Allah to guide us with.
What I have noticed about a lot of sisters I have met over the past 2 years is an incredible sense of entrepreneurship. Mashallah.
Well, thinking about it, starting your own business that you can run from home is probably the easiest way to work as a muslimah. You chose your hours, you can pray when you want to, you keep to your principles and you do not have to worry about wearing your hijab or niqab. SubhanAllah.
And the Prophets' own wife (saw), Khadijah, is one of the most inspiring people to look up to in that prospect. She was a business woman of her own right, she ran her own business and was very successful, mashallah.
Inshallah, my next post will be about her and how we can aspire to be more like her Inshallah.
Wednesday, 12 September 2012
The Fashion Edit: 12-09-12
Salam sisters!!
This fashion edit is a short one, I put together an outfit which I wanted to share as I really loved it and made from all clothing articles I owned prior to reverting!
I like mixing trends and clashing textures, so for this one I mixed lace with leopard print. To keep it quite soft, I stayed in neutral colours.
The top is lace, and though this one is from China, you can buy lace tops in every shop at the moment. Primark have some really nice ones.
The cardigan is from my mum actually, but again, this you can find in a lot of stores. What I like about it is that it covers the arms but reveals what you are wearing underneath, so it works great with T-shirts and tops with details on them.
The leopard print scarves are everywhere at the moment too, I saw some cool scarves today in Rocket and in TK Max.
The pictures do not show this very well but I am wearing beige palazzo trousers with the outfit. The belt is actually from the trousers, but I chose to wear it on the hips to shape the silhouette slightly. This is a question of shape and of taste.
Sisters who wish not to show any form of shape would do well with this top otherwise, as it tight on the shoulders but wide everywhere else, making it less likely to make you look drowned.
I really liked how I tied the scarf as well... but not sure if I could do it again if I tried. It was really light and perfect for the lingering summer heat we are having this september.
Let me know what you think of it !!
xx
Salams!
This fashion edit is a short one, I put together an outfit which I wanted to share as I really loved it and made from all clothing articles I owned prior to reverting!
I like mixing trends and clashing textures, so for this one I mixed lace with leopard print. To keep it quite soft, I stayed in neutral colours.
The top is lace, and though this one is from China, you can buy lace tops in every shop at the moment. Primark have some really nice ones.
The leopard print scarves are everywhere at the moment too, I saw some cool scarves today in Rocket and in TK Max.
The pictures do not show this very well but I am wearing beige palazzo trousers with the outfit. The belt is actually from the trousers, but I chose to wear it on the hips to shape the silhouette slightly. This is a question of shape and of taste.
Sisters who wish not to show any form of shape would do well with this top otherwise, as it tight on the shoulders but wide everywhere else, making it less likely to make you look drowned.
I really liked how I tied the scarf as well... but not sure if I could do it again if I tried. It was really light and perfect for the lingering summer heat we are having this september.
Let me know what you think of it !!
xx
Salams!
The Fashion Edit: Accessorising your hijab
Assalam Walaikum sisters!
Today I wanted to upload a little idea I had a few months back. I have a lot of necklaces, when I say a lot, I mean a lot! But with wearing the headscarf, not that many are being seen or used anymore, so I've started wearing them on my headscarf!
You will need :
Some curby grips and crocodile grips
A plain head scarf
A short necklace.
I used the headscarf as an under-scarf as well as a hijab so Alhambdulillah, it wasn't too warm under there either.
First you grip your first layer (under-scarf) on to your hair. Then position the necklace so it fall on the forehead where it was disturb your vision. Make sure it won't disturb/distract you in prayer either. Grip it in place with the crocodile grip, grabbing some of the scarf with it. Then carry one wrapping the pashmina/scarf around your head as you would usually. Tadah!
I'll try with different scarves and different necklaces, inshallah, and let you see the styles we can achieve!
For Eid, I wore a pale pink scarf with a silvery necklace as ornament, it looked really nice.
Until then sisters!!
Today I wanted to upload a little idea I had a few months back. I have a lot of necklaces, when I say a lot, I mean a lot! But with wearing the headscarf, not that many are being seen or used anymore, so I've started wearing them on my headscarf!
Here's how to accessorise your hijab with a necklace:
You will need :Some curby grips and crocodile grips
A plain head scarf
A short necklace.
I used the headscarf as an under-scarf as well as a hijab so Alhambdulillah, it wasn't too warm under there either.
First you grip your first layer (under-scarf) on to your hair. Then position the necklace so it fall on the forehead where it was disturb your vision. Make sure it won't disturb/distract you in prayer either. Grip it in place with the crocodile grip, grabbing some of the scarf with it. Then carry one wrapping the pashmina/scarf around your head as you would usually. Tadah!
For Eid, I wore a pale pink scarf with a silvery necklace as ornament, it looked really nice.
Until then sisters!!
Beat the Chill!
Salam sisters! Hello Friends!
The chilly weather is slowly going to creep up on us this month and many of us will be swapping over our summer wardrobes for our winter ones!
Each year, I end up giving a lot of clothes to charity when I do my swap over: clothes that are too big, too small (I wish) or which I never wear anymore.
This year I want to put together a project that will involve all of you out there in an INTERFAITH project!
Let me give you a bit of background on this project: 3 years ago, in early december, A and I decided to reach out to the homeless by going around central London handing out christmas cards and a small gift. The idea behind that was to bring a sense of home and belonging to the unfortunate ones who do not have an address and therefore will not be receiving cards or gifts for the holidays.
What we learned was that there just wasn't enough socks, gloves and scarves that we could give them.
I really want to do something similar this year, the halal way of course, but involving our other communities, not just the Muslims!
So here it is girls : THE PLAN (Inshallah)
- Change your wardrobe over to winter/autumn mode.
-Put aside anything you think you could do without, even socks, blankets or hats.
(these must be in good quality- good enough to give as a present to a friend)
The warmer the better!
- Spread the word to your friends, muslims, christians, jews, atheists any one is welcome to join!
- Come along to the swap shop ( SUNDAY 25th NOVEMBER) and have some girly fun, swap some clothes with other sisters. Address will be provided when you confirm your attendance to therevertdiaries @ yahoo.co.uk
- Anything you haven't swapped will then go to the homeless in London. Stay back and help with the wrapping.
Teas, biscuits and cakes will be provided.
- Join the team going out to central to hand out the parcels on SATURDAY 1st DECEMBER. Details on the day will come closer to the date but one team can hand out teas, another can hand out packets, and another can hand out sandwiches.
-We will be followed/ accompanied by brothers for safety. I will get my then husband to lead a team of brother to collect donations too, so do involve your sons, husbands and brothers into this project.
Come on girlies! Come on sisters! London has a heart, lets prove it!
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Inspiring fashion
Salam Sisters!
I have found these really inspiring videos from a sister in the UK who has her own fashion blog.
I just wanted to share her talent and link you up to her youtube account.
Here is her Eid video
I have found these really inspiring videos from a sister in the UK who has her own fashion blog.
I just wanted to share her talent and link you up to her youtube account.
Here is her Eid video
Monday, 3 September 2012
Love, Weddings and Marriage.
Assalam Walaikum Warahmatullah dear
sisters.
I am sorry for the really long lack of
updates and articles. I have been busy and occupied this month with so many
different things.
A few of those things have led me onto a
path of thought and self reflection upon those three words: Love, Weddings and
Marriage. As close in appearance as these words may seem, they are actually 3
completely different concepts and as a sister, I think it is important to know
more about all three of those.
To compensate for the absence, I will
upload articles and videos following those 3 themes Inshallah, over the next
month, and hopefully, guide myself and you my beautiful sisters into a peaceful
and happy marriage, Inshallah.
First allow me to talk a bit about what’s
been going on in my head. Last night, I went to as sister’s Mehndi night. It
was a really nice evening with all the sisters chatting and dancing along,
eating some yummy food and getting some henna done. But one of the parts of the
party that marked me the most was one of the talks given by a sister. She spoke
about marriage, and how to make the marriage work islamically. That both
husband and wife must know their place and respect those rules for a smooth
functional marriage. She recommended
a book which exists both for husbands and wives: Winning The Heart Of Your
Husband/Wife by Ibraahim ibn
Saaleh al-Mahmud.
A wedding, sure is a beautiful occasion,
but the wedding party is superficial, and the real work needs to be put into
the actual marriage. As an engaged woman, I can testify that you tend to focus
so much on the wedding that you forget to work on the actual marriage which
could end up in disaster. And if some of us marry for love, others marry and
hope to find love, both being only achievable if a certain amount of work is
put into marriage. Love isn’t what will make your marriage work. Love is
sometimes what brought you together in the first place, or what grows in a
successful marriage. This is a truth I have only recently learned through both
experience and reading. No matter how much you love your spouse, it is going to
take work to make it last.
But this isn’t me being negative, on the
opposite. It is an adventure, where both side have to take risks, learn about
the other person, adapt where they can but more importantly it is also a
journey of self-discovery.
Here are some things to get us thinking:
-Don’t expect perfection out of your
spouse, as you are not perfect yourself. Seek self-perfection first, look at
your mistakes before judging your other half.
-Learn to speak their language. Most of us
speak what we can call “an emotional language”. That is the way you express
your love, and feel most loved in. Gary Chapman, a Christian couple councilor
wrote a very interesting book about this called “the 5 Languages of Love”. It
was recommended to me by a sister and have found it really helpful. Check out
their webpage to find out what your language is: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/assessments/love/
-Romance is what beginnings are made of. As
time goes by, we might forget to let our spouse know how much we really do
appreciate him. If he/she makes you a cuppa, show your appreciation. Any small
gesture if appreciated, can go a long way. And make sure you keep doing the
same on your side, little gestures of affection do speak louder than words.
Finally I recommend this series of videos from Lewisham Islamic Centre about marriage. Mashallah, they are very inspiring!
Hope this can help some of you my sisters,
these are my private musings, as you know researched in books and online so
please do forgive me if I have made any mistakes.
Salam to all.
And Mabrook to all of you recently or about
to be married sisters!!!
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
Dealing with abuse
As a revert, I guess it's something I expected at some point. I mean you hear stories of racism, parents denying their children, families being broken up... As a revert you just know that along with the blessings you receive, hardship is on its way!
You will encounter it, in some way or another and it is better to be prepared. For each bit of abuse received, ask Allah to help you and you will find strength.
A few minutes ago, I experienced my first verbal abuse. To be honest, in 1.5 years of being a Muslim it's surprising to have not been receiving this sooner.
A and I were on the bus after a nice evening out. I had a scarf loosely on my head, as I always do in the evenings. As we went to get off the bus, a woman yelled:
What the fu** has she got on her head? What does she think she s Indian or something?
I wasn't quite sure she was talking about me, but then I realised there was only us left on the bus.
Her and her other friends went off their way, not before screaming:
No matter how hard you try you ll never fit in anywhere! Or something along those lines.
By then I had picked up they were insulting me ( my brain chose to tune out the other stuff they were saying) I could really feel my temper rising. A just told me to keep walking and I started laughing.
Partly at their stupidity, partly because I didn't know what else to do. I wanted to talk back to them but that would have out me in danger ( they weren't the smallest or kindest looking people). In the end I felt shaky, A felt it was because they d seen me with him they d said that, but I think they just reacted that way because of fear, the fear of a phenomenon happening more and more in the UK: British girls are converting to Islam.
Allah somehow pushed us both home safe, we never talked back which we usually both would have, and it was best that way. Now I will pray that one of their loved ones converts. That will hopefully help them open up their minds to our beautiful faith and teach them a lesson in acceptance. I am shocked but not really upset. I did know this would come one day.
Subhanallah, God gave me strength to get past it safe, inshallah, I will carry on dealing with these things with wisdom.
Goodnight sisters, may Allah protect you all and make you impermeable to insults and abuse. Inshallah
Xx
You will encounter it, in some way or another and it is better to be prepared. For each bit of abuse received, ask Allah to help you and you will find strength.
A few minutes ago, I experienced my first verbal abuse. To be honest, in 1.5 years of being a Muslim it's surprising to have not been receiving this sooner.
A and I were on the bus after a nice evening out. I had a scarf loosely on my head, as I always do in the evenings. As we went to get off the bus, a woman yelled:
What the fu** has she got on her head? What does she think she s Indian or something?
I wasn't quite sure she was talking about me, but then I realised there was only us left on the bus.
Her and her other friends went off their way, not before screaming:
No matter how hard you try you ll never fit in anywhere! Or something along those lines.
By then I had picked up they were insulting me ( my brain chose to tune out the other stuff they were saying) I could really feel my temper rising. A just told me to keep walking and I started laughing.
Partly at their stupidity, partly because I didn't know what else to do. I wanted to talk back to them but that would have out me in danger ( they weren't the smallest or kindest looking people). In the end I felt shaky, A felt it was because they d seen me with him they d said that, but I think they just reacted that way because of fear, the fear of a phenomenon happening more and more in the UK: British girls are converting to Islam.
Allah somehow pushed us both home safe, we never talked back which we usually both would have, and it was best that way. Now I will pray that one of their loved ones converts. That will hopefully help them open up their minds to our beautiful faith and teach them a lesson in acceptance. I am shocked but not really upset. I did know this would come one day.
Subhanallah, God gave me strength to get past it safe, inshallah, I will carry on dealing with these things with wisdom.
Goodnight sisters, may Allah protect you all and make you impermeable to insults and abuse. Inshallah
Xx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)