Beautiful Recitation of Sourat Ar-Rahman

                           

The Government is a Reflection of Itself, Not the People

Why are there no-fly zones over Somalia and Darfur? The answer is simple. Self interest. Why would the U.S. intervene in a nation that has nothing to offer in return? Exactly why my studies of International Affairs are constantly reinforcing my beliefs that politics=corruption. If you don't believe me than watch the news. None-the-less, I love studying politics, just not engaging in it. That way it allows me to expose the truth. 

Fact: Every Year 1/3 of U.S. Foreign Aid goes to Israel. That's about $2 Billion. The U.S. spends only $300 million to fight AIDS in Africa. So, the U.S. spends 10 times more money supporting Israel, rather than fighting one of the world's greatest killers. 

Source

I left my ❤ [HEART] in Sudan

  As I'm writing my foreign policy paper on the Sudan referendum, I can't help but feel sadness for my country. My research tells me that the secession is for the best, but my heart tells me it's not. It didn't hit me until now what a great impact this will have the Sudanese people. I wonder what my late grandfather would have thought about this. I wonder what my uncle Allah Yirhamu would have reacted to this news. He gave his life for Sudan, and Sudan didn't repay him back for his efforts. It rather merely gave up and broke away. 

Photos that made me smile---Sudan ❤ 

There's nothing as beautiful as the essence of a Sudanese woman

Ancient Pyramids of Meroe in Sudan

Friday Sufi's (mystics) in Omdurman, Sudan [my hometown <3]

Michael Kuany, Founder of Rebuild Sudan 

Sudan is one of those places where strangers become like family in an instance

A woman and her child in Southern Sudan on the 6th day of the Independence referendum vote

P.S.--it was nearly impossible for me to find positive images of Sudan on the net, but luckily I found some after intense searching. That tells you something about the media. Sudan is a beautiful place, some people just like to highlight it's negative attributes only. 

Back to Africa

  I'll admit I haven't always been a fan of the turban style, but it's just everywhere today. Even my sister who doesn't wear hijab is rockin it.  I couldn't ignore it! Both hijabis and non-hijabis are doin' it. It's not the look for me, although some people can really work it. I know the looks posted here are not 100 percent hijab SO on that note, sistas, don't forget to cover your neck and ears and chest. It's really easy to dress modestly and look beautiful, so don't let the whispers of shaitan convince you that it's okay to show some body parts and to cover others. I'm not claiming to be perfect in that area, although I try my best to wear the hijab properly (God forgive me if I slip up). My point is, work the turban style if you please, but don't forget the reason your wearing the hijab in the first place.

   A lot of sisters get so caught up in trying to be "fashionable" that they neglect certain body parts that they should be covering.  If you continue to not wear the hijab properly, you'll notice your faith decreasing. Think about it this way---if you cover up properly for the sake of Allah, than your imaan will increase because you are pleasing Allah. I personally notice that on days where I feel like my jeans are tighter than usual or my chest isn't fully covered, my imaan drops. How do you expect to increase your faith if your not following the rules Allah has given you? 

  Anyway, I've digressed. but InshAllah I didn't offend anyone. I'm just trynna look out for my sisters and hopefully they'll do the same for me. 

Muslim Moment #16

Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world today and every year hundreds of thousands revert to Islam. There's a good reason for that---Islam is a very logical religion. It states that there is one God and that Mohammad is his last and final messenger. That is a concept that is easily understandable by many, which adds to the reasoning to why so many people have converted to Islam. I remember the first time I saw a shahada take place and I remember the feeling I had. It's such an incredible feeling everyone should experience. Seeing so many people revert to Islam encourages me to become a better Muslim, especially since I was born a Muslim alhamdulilah. The hardships that converts go through is not easy, so I try to take advantage of the fact that I already have such a great support system helping to strengthen my faith. 

Angelina Jolie [Global Humanitarian]

"Refugees have done more for my heart and my spirit than I can ever express in words. They have changed my life. They have shown me friendship and love and courage and loyalty. They have triumphed against enormous odds with unbroken spirit.This work has given me a voice and an understanding of our world. Once you have seen what you must do, how can you stop doing what you can, whatever it costs you?"

- Angelina Jolie 

Angelina Jolie is one of the most inspirational women today. As a human rights activist and a UN Goodwill Ambassador, she has traveled to over 20 countries, including Pakistan, Sudan, Chad, and Kosovo to personally speak with refugees. Her efforts were applauded when she was honored with the Global Humanitarian Action Award in 2005. She was also congratulated by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and former first lady, Laura Bush. The world can learn a lot from Angelina Jolie's selflessness and courage. For too long humanity has ignored the horrors occurring in third world countries, but because of Angelina Jolie, worldwide attention has been brought to these issues.  

"I hope that people will finally come to realize that there is only one 'race'-the human race-and that we are all members of it." - Margaret Atwood 

Springtime Photos

"Love of Beauty is Taste, the Creation of Beauty is Art"- Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Featured: Aqsa Z. 

I gave my friend a photo shoot today in what was supposed to be spring weather, but let me tell you---it did not feel like spring! Even though we almost froze to death, it was a lot of fun using my new camera. I love the outfit Aqsa is wearing in these photos. It's so simple and romantic--which is the definition of who she really is inside. She'll love me for that comment lol. I love the pieces she put together in this outfit, such as the pink jacket paired with the light pink flats, and the African bag. All in all, today's outfit was photo shoot worthy :)

Muslim Moment #15

 My sister in Islam once told me to always start every action with Bismillah because it is a constant reminder of Allah and a way to keep myself from doing something haram. At first I thought it was a little too much to say Bismillah to absolutely everything, but I quickly changed my mind on that matter. I mean could you imagine saying Bismillah and than beginning to backbit---no, so to keep yourself from doing anything haram say Bismillah. Before eating say Bismillah and begin eating with your right hand. Even before you have sexual intercourse with your spouse, say Bismillah no matter how silly that sounds. The Prophet said, "If anyone of you, when having sexual intercourse with his wife, says 'In the name of Allah. O Allah! Protect us from Shaitan and also protect what You grant us (offspring) from Shaitan.' And if it is destined that they should have a child, then Shaitan will never be able to harm him." (Sahih Bukhari, Muslim)

End Racism, Show Love

A white woman, about 51 years old, was seated next to a black man on an airplane. Obviously disturbed by this, she called the air hostess. "Madam, what is the matter?" the hostess asked. "You obviously do not see it," she responded. "You placed me next to a black man. I do not agree to sit next to someone from such a repugnant group. Give me an alternative seat." "Be calm please," the hostess replied. "Almost all the places on this flight are taken. I will go to see if another place is available." The Hostess went away and then came back a few minutes later. "Mam, I spoke to the captain and he informed me that there is also no seat in the business class. All the same, we still have one place in the first class." Before the woman could say anything, the hostess continued, "It is not usual for our company to permit someone from the economy class to sitin the first class. However, given the circumstances, the captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit next to someone so disgusting." The hostess turned to the black man and said "Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, please collect your hand luggage, a seat awaits you in first class." At that moment, the other passengers who were shocked by what they had just witnessed stood up and applauded.

Everything Prostrates to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala

"See you not that to Allâh prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth, and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the mountains, and the trees, and Ad-Dawâb (moving living creatures, beasts, etc.), and many of mankind?" [Sourat al-Hajj 22:18]
Sometimes I walk around campus and just stare at the sky or at the birds and I think about how everything in this world prostrates to Allah in all His Glory. The moon, the sun, the trees, the ants, the bees---everything in this world praises Allah and everything is also a sign for humanity. Some people believe that in order for them to believe in God, they must see Him, but the true definition of faith is to believe without ever seeing. Don't get me wrong, Islam doesn't encourage blind faith, which is why the signs of the existence of God surround us everywhere we go. Next time you step outside of your doorstep, take a moment and look at the birds, they are in fact praising Allah--what's more beautiful than that?

Modest Maxi

It's maxi dress season again! This year, look out for the long sleeve maxi dress, which is going to make hijabis worldwide very happy. What's more perfect than a long dress that is also long sleeve?! Alotta things, but lets not get into that lol.  I'm yet to see these dresses at the mall, but I'll definitely be looking out for them both in store and online. Also, before you decide to purchase any of these maxi's, make sure to either try them on or to get a size that won't be tight, because cotton has a tendency to be clingy. 

Pretty much the modernized abayah..i can dig it, especially the scarf wrapped around her head. 

My kinda maxi :)

This is so easy to assemble with some flats or heels, a scarf, some accessories, and you're out the door.

Free People <3

Which of the favours of your Lord will you deny?

And he (Jesus) went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed…(MATTHEW 26:39)

And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship… (JOSHUA 5:14)

And he (Elijah) cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees. (1 KINGS 18:42)

And they (Moses and Aaron) fell upon their faces… (NUMBERS 20:6)

And Abraham fell on his face… (GENESIS 17:3)

How Did Muslims Pray?

 O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good - that you may succeed. 

(Al-Quran, Surah Al-Haj Chapter 22 Verse 77)

SubhanAllah, how much more proof does humanity need? 

Imam ‘Ali ibn Abi Taleb (as) has said:

“If a praying person knew to what extent he was surrounded by His Mercy, he would never raise his head from (the state of) prostration

Bluepearl Blog Award

Wise, Miss Tweet Blue Pearl, JazakAllah Kheir for the Bluepearl Blog Award. I think its amazing how all the Muslimah bloggers are so supportive of each other. InshAllah I will post my favorite blogs soon so you all can check them out. 

I really appreciate all my readers for the sweet comments. InshAllah i'll do my best to stick by the words stated by this award. 

Muslim Moment #14

Live As Though It's Your Last Day

This world in comparison with the world to come, is the same as if one of you were to put his finger in the ocean. Consider how much you would have when you pulled it out.

— Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)

View from the Grave

SubhanAllah, this photo made me think alot, so I wanted to share it with you. Remember death often as it helps to detach you from the illusions of this world. 

"Everyone shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing)."

(Qur'an Al-Imran 3:185)

After the Prophet (saw) would bury the deceased he would stand by the grave and say: 'Seek forgiveness for your brother and pray that he remains firm, for he is now being questioned.'

Complete Your Deen

"The best love story FOR A MUSLIM IS FINDING ANOTHER MUSLIM WHO MAKES THEIR IMAAN RISE, WHO MAKES THEM WANT TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE AND BECOME MORE PIOUS. WHAT IS MORE BLESSED THAN THAT?" 

As Muslims we are encouraged to get married as early as we can for many reasons. Marriage will help us deal with the temptations of this world and it will ultimately "complete our deen."  We are also encouraged to choose a "pious" person as our companion in this world, in the hopes that our marriage to that person will help us reach jannah one day inshAllah. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi was sallam) said: A woman is married for four things, i.e., her wealth, her family status, her beauty and her religion. You should marry the religious woman (otherwise) you will be a loser. "(Bukhari) The Quran has many verses on the importance of marriage and in particular about the beauty of the relationship between a husband and wife. Allah loves those that love each other for the sake of Him only, so marrying a pious person will make you even more special in Allah's Eyes. Society tells us to marry a rich, handsome, fun spouse, but Islam teaches  us that piety is the most important trait in a mate. Think about it---if you ever get into a fight with your husband/wife, they know that it is only permissible to be angry (if at all) for three days. How many times have you seen couples not speaking to each other for weeks. Islam also requires that both spouses treat each other with love and mercy, which are qualities missing in many marriages. The possibilities are endless if you choose to marry a person who is close to Allah. May Allah provide us all with spouses that are among the best and that will lead us to jannah inshAllah. 

10 Tips on How to Be a Successful Wife

1) Be grateful to your husband. Remind yourself that it’s a tough world out there and your husband works very hard to provide for you. So whatever you do, don’t compare him to other men, unless it is favorably. Let him know that you appreciate his efforts, not just through your words, but also your actions.

2) Be sensitive to his moods, feelings and needs. For example, don’t start complaining or burden him with problems as soon as he comes home; rather, welcome him and make him feel good to be home.

3) Be cheerful and humorous, smile often, don’t feel shy to be affectionate with your husband and make him feel really happy to be around you. Express your love frequently and creatively, rather than waiting for him to do so first.

4) Make sure you serve him the foods he likes, remembering that variety is the spice of life. Try to eat together as this fosters companionship.

5) Dress up for your husband at home. Wear the colors and clothes that he likes to see you in and use makeup, perfume, jewelry - in short, whatever it takes to be attractive to him.
Do things together or at least allocate some time of the day to give him your undivided attention. Be sincere in appreciating him, show interest in his day, his activities, his thoughts and opinions. Give him advice and comfort him when needed.

6) Spend your husband’s money carefully and try to keep him informed of where his money is being spent. Remember not to spend large amounts of his money without his permission.
Show caring and concern for his relatives as this is a sure way of securing a place in his heart. Never object when he spends on them, as this is a source of abundance in provision and increase in life span.

7) Don’t fly into a rage when you have a difference of opinion or he criticizes you. Stay calm, control your tongue and don’t challenge your husband’s authority at that time. Use your wisdom, tactics and powers of persuasion later to try to explain your point of view.

8) Believe the best, not the worst about him. Be forgiving and accept apologies graciously rather than holding grudges and bringing up mistakes of the past.

9) Show respect for your husband by not divulging your private and confidential issues to others, or by complaining about him to people or discussing your marital problems with those who cannot help you.

10) Last, but not least, remember that your husband is the head of the family and as long as obedience to him does not entail any sin, it is your duty to obey him. Allah’s Messenger Sal Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: “Any woman who dies and her husband is pleased with her, will enter Paradise.’’

10 Tips on How to Be a Successful Husband 

1.) Dress up for your wife, look clean and smell good. When was the last time you went shopping for designer pajamas? Just like the husband wants his wife to look nice for him, she also wants her husband to dress up for her too. Remember that Rasulullah SAW would always start with Miswak when returning home and always loved the sweetest smells.    

2.) Use the cutest names for your wife. Rasulullah SAW had nicknames for his wives, ones that they loved. Call your wife by the most beloved names to her, and avoid using names that hurt their feelings.   

3.) Don’t treat her like a fly. We never think about a fly in our daily lives until it ‘bugs’ us. Similarly, a wife will do well all day - which brings no attention from the husband - until she does something to ‘bug’ him. Don’t treat her like this; recognize all the good that she does and focus on that.    

4.) If you see wrong from your wife, try being silent and do not comment! This is one of the ways Rasulullah SAW used when he would see something inappropriate from his wives Radiallahu Anhunn. It is something that very few muslim men have learnt or practice with their wives.   

5.) Smile at your wife whenever you see her and embrace her often. Smiling is sadaqah and your wife is not exempt from the muslim ummah. Imagine life with her constantly seeing you smiling. Remember also those Ahadith when Rasulullah SAW would kiss his wife before leaving for Salah, even if he was fasting.    

6.) Thank her for all that she does for you. Then thank her again! Take for example a dinner at your house. She makes the food, cleans the home, and a dozen other tasks to prepare. And sometimes the only acknowledgement she receives is that there needed to be more salt in the soup. Don’t be that person; thank her!

7.) Ask her to write down the last ten things you did for her that made her happy. Then go and do them again. It may be hard to recognize what makes her happy. You don’t have to play a guessing game, ask her and work on repeating those things in your life.    

8.) Don’t belittle her desires. Comfort her. Sometimes the men may look down upon the requests of their wives. Rasulullah SAW set the example for us in an incident when Safiyyah RA was crying because, as she said, he had put her on a slow camel. He wiped her tears, comforted her, and brought her the camel.    

9.) Be humorous and play games with your wife. Make her laugh, have little ‘inside’ jokes and moments with her. Honestly your wifes laughter is one of the best sounds in life. Make her smile keep & her happy. Look at how Rasulullah SAW would race his wife Aisha RA in the desert. When was the last time we did something like that?   

10.) Always remember the words of Allah’s Messenger SAW: “The best of you are those who treat their families the best. And I am the best amongst you to my family.” Try to be the best!

Boonaa Mohammed- Signs

Let me take a moment to show some kindness,

To the folks who blindness was a disease that effected the eyes alone,

I promise I won’t judge you, I barely know how to love you

And like fools we preach rules, but we don’t even follow our own.

Everybody needs comfort,

Some people find it in this; some people find it in that

And some people just don’t find it at all.

But this world is full of signs

From the moon to the stars in the sky

From the bees and the bugs, like a seed in your blood

Like a feen to a drug, makes you need to look up

And questions what’s up, why you deal with this stuff?

When your spirits are crushed and you trek through the rough

But like thunder it struck, said “Be” and it was

All the signs that were sent, they finally make sense

You feel the torment, so you need to repent

When your heart is cement, it’s hard as a brick

Cause your soul is worth more than the dollars and cents,

All the money in the world couldn’t buy you happiness

Cause “verily, it is in the remembrance of Allah, that hearts do find rest”

And do not get it confused,

I’m not a scholar or a preacher

I’m just a regular dude, who makes mistakes too

But we are reflections true,

So I cant talk about me without talking about you

And who knew?

We would end up in a place so confused

Where little boys wanna be like little girls and little girls just wanna be abused

Where the terrorize the truth, mentally arrest the youth

Even though there is no law but Allahs’ and momma didn’t raise no fool.

And who knew?

That expecting the world to treat you fairy because you think you’re a good person,

Would be a little like expecting a bull not to attack you because you’re a vegetarian,

You can’t begin to learn what you think you already know

In mans own ignorance we forgot that women once watched us grow

And before that you were a tiny ball of flesh without any bones

And before that you were just unknown, and now look behold

You have the arrogance to assume that you just made it on your own?

But what were you but a chewed piece of clot, before the grew

And who knew you would trace you ancestry back to a zoo?

You must have really come from apes with your monkey point of views

Even the devil believes in God, so what does that make you?

And it’s true

Sometimes I feel like Noah preaching to a packed empty room

Nobody wanna listen until we start rolling out two by two

I’m a big fan of Abraham; never break-up from Jacob

Joseph had the kind of beauty that you couldn’t find in makeup

Moses was to Pharaoh what stones are to arrows

And David to Goliath was truth is to silence

Following, Solomon I’d get down too

Contrary to popular belief, Jesus is my homeboy too.

So peace be upon the whole crew who came to teach what we never knew

Even though few caught the groove, the never turned blue

Never confused what was true even if it was a taboo

Never came for fame or praise but to praise who the prayed too

And who knew?

That an unlettered man from the middle of the desert,

Would change the whole world from darkness into heaven

You may have every title, every big shot degree

But you still can’t explain: Alif-Lam-Meem

And who knew?

There would be so many views and way to explain

That he’s closer to you than your jugular vein

So if you complain that God must be cruel

Can you give Allah, all that he gives to you?

From the breath that you breath, to the trees that you feed

From the eyes that you see, to the sea that you eat

If I cut you, you bleed, than you heal magically

Were the illest machines, manufactured for means.

The concepts extreme but this world is a dream,

It’s not what it seems filled with lies and deceit

The truth is serene so wake up smell the deen

Praises be to He, His Oneness, Supreme

Totally unique, in no need of sleep

Not like you or me, his greatness complete

No partners, no mates, no father, no sons

No discount 3 in 1, just Allah Azwa Jal

Even the birds sing his name,

The Lord of all the worlds

Glory be to He and to Allah is our return

Muslim Moment #13

Experienced it for the first time last Eid al-Adha. It was absolutely beautiful. Can't wait for next Eid inshAllah. 

Wasalu Muhammad Jaco

"

Although I try my best to avoid listening to music, sometimes I end up hearing it in the car with friends and what not. I have friends who are serious Lupe Fiasco fans and I never really understood why until now. MashAllah this brother has some very intelligent things to say. He tries to spread the message of Islam through his music, which I think is a good step although some people would disagree. I'm not trying to get into the debate about whether music is haram or not (lets leave that for another discussion), I just wanted to share with you all some of the things I found interesting in his new album. 

"Now you can say it aint our fault if we never heard it

But if we know better than we probably deserve it

Jihad is not a holy war, wheres that in the worship?

Murdering is not Islam!

And you are not observant

And you are not a muslim

Israel don’t take my side cause look how far you’ve pushed them"

Words I Never Said- Lupe Fiasco

Muslimah Directory

If your a Muslimah that blogs and would like to be featured in The Muslimah Bloggers Directory than contact Rabia Ashraf at rabiaaisrabiaa@gmail.com. 
Please include:
- Blog Link
- Blog Title
- Name: First or First and Last name
- Blog Category: Fashion, cooking, personal, random. 
if you can't think of a catergory i'll take a look at your blog and have one for you
- Age
- Country you're in or from
- any other interesting facts about you

Please tell any other Muslimah bloggers you know about this!

Reality of Death

The most intelligent statement ever made by this man

What's been on my mind for the past few days? Death--Death--and Death. SubhanAllah, although the thoughts running through my mind have been rather depressing, they were much needed. As humans we have a tendency to be very attached to this world, although it is guaranteed that this life will end at some point. It's unbelievable that we go about our days as though we are going to live forever. In particular over the past couple of weeks, death has been everywhere!--it's in Japan, Libya, Egypt..and the list goes on. We are constantly being exposed to death, but we don't stop for a second and think "my day could be next." Everyone needs to take some time and really think about their life and how they are living it because time is ticking. Visit a cemetery, read the Quran and hadith descriptions of death, go see a sick person, do what you need to do to remind yourself that death is imminent and inevitable. 

Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala said :

"Every soul shall have a taste of death; In the end to us shall ye be brough back."

[Surah Al-Ankabut 29:57]