Atelier
Atelier
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15 Tips on How to Style and Wear Maxi Dress, Skirt or Palazzo Pants in Fall / Winter 15 Tips on How to Style and Wear Maxi Dress, Skirt or Palazzo Pants in Fall / Winter
No! NO!! NO-O-O!!! You do not need to wear jeans to live through the cold weather! You can easily buy a new maxi dress / skirt / palazzo pants for autumn or winter or simply style your existing summer maxi dress to feel warm and comfy in autumn or winter.
We usually hear that Ramadan is the best time to put your hijab on for 1st time hijabi sisters but I would like to add Fall season to it too: headscarf is just so well matching with ponchos, leather jackets and coats that you will love this new head covering of yours right away in sha Allah! Lots of layering provides the perfect covering of the body! But surely hijab comes 1st and foremost from your devotion to your Lord!
To cut a long story short, let's go straight to the fall/winter styling of maxi dresses.
I will be editing pictures to this blog every other day so shortly each styling tip will have a photo to it.
Here is one basic summer cotton dress (Alessia in Blossom from our store) and how one would usually wear it in spring or summer days.
And below are my tips to warm you up beautifully in fall or winter.
1. Simply add Brown Boots to your maxi dress. It will make the outfit cosy fall one right away. Do not forget to wear warm legging under if the weather is to chilly.
2. Ponchos are a staple item for every hijabi. And also add lots of Chunky Accessories like big ring I wore here or chain design bracelets or a beautiful necklace.
3. If the dress or skirt I wear is of colourful print, then I prefer to have boots and in the Matching Colour so as the whole outfit looks as a one nice ensemble.
4. I will be adding images to each of further below styling tips.
5. Pair your maxi with a sweater. You can also accessorise it with a loose belt.
6. Add a long cozy cardigan.
7. Wear a denim jacket for a perfect fall outfit.
8. Simply wear your winter or autumn coat!
9. A warm scarf added to your maxi dress will not only keep you warm but also ensure that "covering chest is the best" postulate is fulfilled by you :-)
10. Wear a faux fur vest with your maxi to look super chic.
11. A blazer makes the look of your maxi more professional. Great tip for working hijabis.
12. Leather jacket is hijabi's all time favorite when it comes to fall/winter styling of maxi dresses and skirts.
13. Wear a super wide maxi scarf as a poncho wrapping it with a belt.
14. Add a floppy hat over your headscarf.
15. Do not forget to ... wear your heart closer to our creator as we always must strive to ihsan. Winter and short days are a believers' season!!!
“The best season to a believer is the winter, its nights are long for those who wish to pray, and its days are short for those who wish to fast.”
- Hasan Al Basri (May Allah have mercy on him)
No! NO!! NO-O-O!!! You do not need to wear jeans to live through the cold weather! You can easily buy a new maxi dress / skirt / palazzo pants for autumn or winter or simply style your existing summer maxi dress to feel warm and comfy in autumn or winter.
We usually hear that Ramadan is the best time to put your hijab on for 1st time hijabi sisters but I would like to add Fall season to it too: headscarf is just so well matching with ponchos, leather jackets and coats that you will love this new head covering of yours right away in sha Allah! Lots of layering provides the perfect covering of the body! But surely hijab comes 1st and foremost from your devotion to your Lord!
To cut a long story short, let's go straight to the fall/winter styling of maxi dresses.
I will be editing pictures to this blog every other day so shortly each styling tip will have a photo to it.
Here is one basic summer cotton dress (Alessia in Blossom from our store) and how one would usually wear it in spring or summer days.
And below are my tips to warm you up beautifully in fall or winter.
1. Simply add Brown Boots to your maxi dress. It will make the outfit cosy fall one right away. Do not forget to wear warm legging under if the weather is to chilly.
2. Ponchos are a staple item for every hijabi. And also add lots of Chunky Accessories like big ring I wore here or chain design bracelets or a beautiful necklace.
3. If the dress or skirt I wear is of colourful print, then I prefer to have boots and in the Matching Colour so as the whole outfit looks as a one nice ensemble.
4. I will be adding images to each of further below styling tips.
5. Pair your maxi with a sweater. You can also accessorise it with a loose belt.
6. Add a long cozy cardigan.
7. Wear a denim jacket for a perfect fall outfit.
8. Simply wear your winter or autumn coat!
9. A warm scarf added to your maxi dress will not only keep you warm but also ensure that "covering chest is the best" postulate is fulfilled by you :-)
10. Wear a faux fur vest with your maxi to look super chic.
11. A blazer makes the look of your maxi more professional. Great tip for working hijabis.
12. Leather jacket is hijabi's all time favorite when it comes to fall/winter styling of maxi dresses and skirts.
13. Wear a super wide maxi scarf as a poncho wrapping it with a belt.
14. Add a floppy hat over your headscarf.
15. Do not forget to ... wear your heart closer to our creator as we always must strive to ihsan. Winter and short days are a believers' season!!!
“The best season to a believer is the winter, its nights are long for those who wish to pray, and its days are short for those who wish to fast.”
- Hasan Al Basri (May Allah have mercy on him)
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Miswak - a forgotten Sunnah. We give free miswak! Miswak - a forgotten Sunnah. We give free miswak!
I want to start with a little story that happened long ago when Muslim army was fighting against Persian Empire. The Muslims were defeated in the 1st few rounds of the battle, so their commander, Sa'd ibn Abi Waqas (radiyallahu anha) gathered his men to re-evaluate their resources and position. All seemed under control: the Muslim army had a great number of fighters and good resources; so what was the problem then? Sa'd concluded that this defeat must be a punishment from Allah for their sins, so he ordered each of them to repent and ask Allah forgiveness and check for any misdeed that he had committed or any acts of worship that he had forgotten to perform. All of the men were good Muslims, with sincere intentions and the true will and power to fight the enemies. Still, he insisted, they went through obligatory and the non-obligatory acts of worship, and then through the entire Sunnah of the Prophet to find their weak point. Finally, Sa'd realised that they had been neglecting the Sunnah of siwak, They were not using siwak as our Prophet used to do before prayer. How strange it seems: mean at the battlefront who thought that their weak point was that thye were not brushing their teeth five times a day!
Sa'd ordered for the siwak sticks to be distributed to each Muslim in the army and asked them all to follow our Prophet's Sunnah. No one argued, no one questioned his commander's reasoning; no one asked what siwak had to do with winning or loosing the battle against the strongest army of the face of the earth.Meanwhile, the Persian army had sent spies to check on he Muslim's camp. The Persians at that time looked upon the Arabs as a primitive, uncivilised nation, so when the spies reached the Arabs' camp and saw them rubbing their teeth with sticks, they failed to understand what was going on, until one of them shouted: "They are sharpening their teeth to eat us alive, they are cannibals!"The Persian army spies ran back to their camp and the news spread like wildfire. The whole army panicked, and most of the Persian fortresses were abandoned and fell easily into the Muslims' hands.Do you see the moral of the story? Do not underestimate even seemingly insignificant orders from Allah and His Messenger (sallalahu aleihi wa sallam) (the Quran and the Sunnah), even if you do not understand the wisdom behind it. Do not get me wrong, though: we should still try to search for the wisdom and the meanings behind everything we do. We are required to learn, explore and experience, we should seek scientific knowledge in all fields and apply this knowledge in our everyday life. Even if we don't find an answer, we should still believe that our Islamic teachings are the best source of health and happiness for our body and soul.Let us start the 1st blog in the series of Prophetic Medicine and Sunnah Beautification with SIWAQ (or Miswaq).Sunnah of using SiwakTeeth whitening kits which promise you Hollywood smile in just 15 minutes are so popular these days. Veneers are sold in huge numbers every day by dentists. We love our smile to look the best! But we should love oral hygiene not only because it is beautiful but also because Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us that month is the pathway of the Quran and therefore we should keep it clean. He always commenced his ablution with the use of a tooth-cleansing-stick (sewak). He said: " Had it not been difficult for my followers, I would have ordered them to use the swim before each prayer" (Bukhara, Muslim, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Nasa'i, Ibn Majah and Ahmed). He also said: " The use of the siwak purifies the mouth and pleases Allah" (Bukhara, Nasa'i, Ibn Majah and Ahmed).How does it look like?
Siwak comes from Arak tree which mainly grows around Makkah and Madinah Al-Munawwarah, as well as in some areas in Africa. Thus you will find that most of miswak sticks are made in KSA. The siwak - is a part inside the roots of the tree; it is prepared by being dried and kept in a dry place.So what are the chemicals that siwak contains?- Trimethyl amine - which lowers pH of the mouth (which is one of the important factors in growth of germs) thus the opportunity for these germs to grow is lowered.- Chloride and silica - these will be your favourites I bet because they help to increase the whiteness of the teeth.- Sulfur - it has been proved that it is effective in stopping the growth of bacteria in the mouth.- Vitamin C and sitosterol - which are very important in strengthening the capillaries that nourish the gums, thus enabling sufficient amounts of blood to reach them, in addition to the importance of vitamin C in protecting the gums from infection.- Fluoride which we all know is essential in hardening tooth enamel and preventing decay.In addition to these advantages, siwak has an agreeable scent that gives the breath a naturally fresh smell.When to use it?
1. Before each salah or after wudhu as in the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him), who reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Were it not for the fact that I did not want to make things too hard for my ummah, I would have commanded them to use the siwaak at every time of prayer.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 2/299 and Muslim, 1/151). According to another report narrated by al-Bukhaari, he said: “…at every time of making wudoo’.”2. When entering the home to be with one’s family. ‘Aa’ishah was asked what the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did when he first came home. She said, “When he entered his house, the first thing he would do was to use the siwaak.” (Reported by Muslim, 1/220).3. When getting up from sleep. Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) got up during the night, he would clean his mouth thoroughly with the siwaak. (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 1/98 and Muslim, 1/220)How to use it?1. Wash it after use. The siwaak should be washed after use, to get rid of any dirt that may be on it. ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to use siwaak, then he would give it to me to wash it. I would use it first, then wash it and give it back to him.” (Reported by Abu Dawood, 1/45).
2. Renew it regularly. Simply cut off the used tip of the twig to expose new fibres as it loses the effective antibacterial action over time. You can feel its effectiveness as long as it still has a slightly sharp, mustard-like flavour and mild aromatic fragrance.3. Use it regularly as well. The use of siwak is most effective when the deposits on the teeth are still soft. If the plaque hardens, the efficiency of siwak will be reduced (as will be the efficiency of any toothpaste), and that is why it is crucial to use it regularly as we were taught by our beloved Prophet (sallalahu aleihi wassaliam).4. Store it in a toothbrush or alike container as miswak dries out quickly. You can also cut the stick into little pieces suitable for using. Keep the cut pieces in water (you can use glass or container) and take out 1 at a time when necessary to use. Wash after use and return to the glass / container. Renew regularly as mentioned in point 1 in this paragraph.If you want miswak to be included in your next purchase, simply add such a note in the comment box when placing order online.I want to start with a little story that happened long ago when Muslim army was fighting against Persian Empire. The Muslims were defeated in the 1st few rounds of the battle, so their commander, Sa'd ibn Abi Waqas (radiyallahu anha) gathered his men to re-evaluate their resources and position. All seemed under control: the Muslim army had a great number of fighters and good resources; so what was the problem then? Sa'd concluded that this defeat must be a punishment from Allah for their sins, so he ordered each of them to repent and ask Allah forgiveness and check for any misdeed that he had committed or any acts of worship that he had forgotten to perform. All of the men were good Muslims, with sincere intentions and the true will and power to fight the enemies. Still, he insisted, they went through obligatory and the non-obligatory acts of worship, and then through the entire Sunnah of the Prophet to find their weak point. Finally, Sa'd realised that they had been neglecting the Sunnah of siwak, They were not using siwak as our Prophet used to do before prayer. How strange it seems: mean at the battlefront who thought that their weak point was that thye were not brushing their teeth five times a day!
Sa'd ordered for the siwak sticks to be distributed to each Muslim in the army and asked them all to follow our Prophet's Sunnah. No one argued, no one questioned his commander's reasoning; no one asked what siwak had to do with winning or loosing the battle against the strongest army of the face of the earth.Meanwhile, the Persian army had sent spies to check on he Muslim's camp. The Persians at that time looked upon the Arabs as a primitive, uncivilised nation, so when the spies reached the Arabs' camp and saw them rubbing their teeth with sticks, they failed to understand what was going on, until one of them shouted: "They are sharpening their teeth to eat us alive, they are cannibals!"The Persian army spies ran back to their camp and the news spread like wildfire. The whole army panicked, and most of the Persian fortresses were abandoned and fell easily into the Muslims' hands.Do you see the moral of the story? Do not underestimate even seemingly insignificant orders from Allah and His Messenger (sallalahu aleihi wa sallam) (the Quran and the Sunnah), even if you do not understand the wisdom behind it. Do not get me wrong, though: we should still try to search for the wisdom and the meanings behind everything we do. We are required to learn, explore and experience, we should seek scientific knowledge in all fields and apply this knowledge in our everyday life. Even if we don't find an answer, we should still believe that our Islamic teachings are the best source of health and happiness for our body and soul.Let us start the 1st blog in the series of Prophetic Medicine and Sunnah Beautification with SIWAQ (or Miswaq).Sunnah of using SiwakTeeth whitening kits which promise you Hollywood smile in just 15 minutes are so popular these days. Veneers are sold in huge numbers every day by dentists. We love our smile to look the best! But we should love oral hygiene not only because it is beautiful but also because Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us that month is the pathway of the Quran and therefore we should keep it clean. He always commenced his ablution with the use of a tooth-cleansing-stick (sewak). He said: " Had it not been difficult for my followers, I would have ordered them to use the swim before each prayer" (Bukhara, Muslim, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Nasa'i, Ibn Majah and Ahmed). He also said: " The use of the siwak purifies the mouth and pleases Allah" (Bukhara, Nasa'i, Ibn Majah and Ahmed).How does it look like?Siwak comes from Arak tree which mainly grows around Makkah and Madinah Al-Munawwarah, as well as in some areas in Africa. Thus you will find that most of miswak sticks are made in KSA. The siwak - is a part inside the roots of the tree; it is prepared by being dried and kept in a dry place.So what are the chemicals that siwak contains?- Trimethyl amine - which lowers pH of the mouth (which is one of the important factors in growth of germs) thus the opportunity for these germs to grow is lowered.- Chloride and silica - these will be your favourites I bet because they help to increase the whiteness of the teeth.- Sulfur - it has been proved that it is effective in stopping the growth of bacteria in the mouth.- Vitamin C and sitosterol - which are very important in strengthening the capillaries that nourish the gums, thus enabling sufficient amounts of blood to reach them, in addition to the importance of vitamin C in protecting the gums from infection.- Fluoride which we all know is essential in hardening tooth enamel and preventing decay.In addition to these advantages, siwak has an agreeable scent that gives the breath a naturally fresh smell.When to use it?1. Before each salah or after wudhu as in the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him), who reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Were it not for the fact that I did not want to make things too hard for my ummah, I would have commanded them to use the siwaak at every time of prayer.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 2/299 and Muslim, 1/151). According to another report narrated by al-Bukhaari, he said: “…at every time of making wudoo’.”2. When entering the home to be with one’s family. ‘Aa’ishah was asked what the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did when he first came home. She said, “When he entered his house, the first thing he would do was to use the siwaak.” (Reported by Muslim, 1/220).3. When getting up from sleep. Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) got up during the night, he would clean his mouth thoroughly with the siwaak. (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 1/98 and Muslim, 1/220)How to use it?1. Wash it after use. The siwaak should be washed after use, to get rid of any dirt that may be on it. ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to use siwaak, then he would give it to me to wash it. I would use it first, then wash it and give it back to him.” (Reported by Abu Dawood, 1/45).
2. Renew it regularly. Simply cut off the used tip of the twig to expose new fibres as it loses the effective antibacterial action over time. You can feel its effectiveness as long as it still has a slightly sharp, mustard-like flavour and mild aromatic fragrance.3. Use it regularly as well. The use of siwak is most effective when the deposits on the teeth are still soft. If the plaque hardens, the efficiency of siwak will be reduced (as will be the efficiency of any toothpaste), and that is why it is crucial to use it regularly as we were taught by our beloved Prophet (sallalahu aleihi wassaliam).4. Store it in a toothbrush or alike container as miswak dries out quickly. You can also cut the stick into little pieces suitable for using. Keep the cut pieces in water (you can use glass or container) and take out 1 at a time when necessary to use. Wash after use and return to the glass / container. Renew regularly as mentioned in point 1 in this paragraph.If you want miswak to be included in your next purchase, simply add such a note in the comment box when placing order online. -
Sunnah Of Pregnancy Sunnah Of Pregnancy
Having children is one of the blessings of Allah. God provides us all with different rizq (well-being), health and offsprings. All of these things are gifts from God and we should be grateful for what we are given and never complain for what we don't have.
It is sunnah to announce the birth of the child once the baby arrives but till that moment below are some beneficial practices for you and your child in sha Allah.
KEEP IT PRIVATE
If you are expecting a baby, keep thanking God for this gift and keep it private among close relatives. There is a general principle which should be paid attention to when telling others of blessings. The news should be given only to those who wish good for you and will rejoice over it, so as to ward off the evil eye and destructive envy (hasad). The evidence for that is the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Be discreet in order to achieve what you want, for everyone who is blessed is envied.” Narrated by al-Tabaraani and Abu Nu’aym; classed as sahaah by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 943.
@seymatje from Instagram wearing Print Mantel V2 during her 2nd trimester
BE THANKFUL
Be thankful to Allah for having chosen you for such a gift. The first trimester is hard for some women who suffer from nausea (morning sickness) and weakness; and the last weeks of pregnancy are exhausting:
Allah says in the Quran: “…His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness…” (Surah Luqman:14)
“…His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship…” (Surah al-Aĥqaf:15)
- even then, keep thanking Allah and believe that He will never burden you more than you can bear! He is indeed the best of planners and knows what is best for us!
FOLLOW THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MOTHER OF MARYAM
What a blessed mother was she who gave birth to Maryam! So why not follow her footsteps and make the same dua (supplication) she did when she was expecting as narrated in the Quran: “[Mention, O Muhammad], when the wife of ‘Imran said: My Lord, indeed I have pledged to You what is in my womb, consecrated [for Your service], so accept this from me. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing.” (Surah Aal Imran: 35)
With this dua, renew your intention every day that this baby would be a pious servant of Allah. Insha’Allah your intentions and prayers will have a positive effect in creating an innate bond between your child and the deen (religion) of Allah!
@miss_balde from Instagram wearing Aileen Dress at her 3rd trimester
WHEN RUH (SOUL) ENTERS YOUR BABY
It is narrated in a hadith by the Prophet (sa) that: “Each one of you is constituted in the womb of the mother for forty days, and then he becomes a clot of thick blood for a similar period, and then a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then Allah sends an angel who is ordered to write four things. He is ordered to write down his deeds, his livelihood, his (date of) death, and whether he will be blessed or wretched (in religion). Then the soul is breathed into him…” (Bukhari)
Based on this hadith, jurists have inferred that the soul enters the foetus at around 4 months/120 days after gestation, that is, the second trimester. As you enter your second trimester, make frequent dua to Allah to pre-ordain for your baby a life of unwavering faith.
RECITE THE QURAN FOR YOUR BABY
Around the 20th week, the baby in the womb gains the ability to hear. This is a great time to create a one-on-one, exclusive bond with your unborn baby by reciting the Quran every day. The sound waves of your voice will reach your baby and what better words than the melodious Quran for your baby to hear and get familiar with. Give your child a head start in creating a relationship and bond with the Quran even before he comes in this world. This is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your child!
READ UP
Perhaps one of the things that the woman should focus on during this period is learning about sound methods of raising children, reading books on this topic or listening to useful lectures by scholars on it, whether that has to do with moral upbringing, health, psychology, pedagogy, and so on, in preparation for the great mission with which Allah has entrusted the parents, which is the trust of raising and caring for the child, so that the parents may embark upon it with knowledge and insight and achieve the best results, and attain the pleasure of Allah in this world and in the Hereafter.
@m_naima from Instagram wearing Sequine Blossom Dress at her 3rd trimester
DUAS
As for the acts of worship that the pregnant woman can do, they are all the acts of worship that the Muslim does by day and by night, such as praying, fasting (so long as there is no fear of harm), giving charity, reading Qur’aan, regularly reciting the adhkaar that are prescribed in sharee‘ah, treating people kindly, visiting relatives, taking stock of oneself, and striving to attain the best attitudes, actions and words.
AVOID BIDAH
There are many fabricated duas, hadith and practices for pregnant women . Stay away from any innovation and always refer to the Quran and Sunnah. Sahaba women in time of Prophet (peace be upon him) did not do anything special rather then taking care of themselves and their unborn child and doing regular worldly and religious duties.
FOOD AND FITNESS
Meditation through prayer: Many people will guide you towards yoga and meditation, which are a great way to relax your overworked body. However remember that prayer is the best form of meditation and it will calm you and soothe your baby as well.
Keep checking in with Allah: Stay connected with Allah and talk to Him about your fears and difficulties. Make istikharah (guidance prayer) for all decisions, especially when choosing your doctor and your delivery options. Ask Allah to grant you a safe delivery, a righteous child, and an easy transition into motherhood.
Avail the maternity leave Allah has given, if needed: The Prophet (sa) said: “Allah has relieved the traveller of half of the prayer and of the duty to fast, and He has relieved pregnant and nursing mothers (of the duty to fast).” (Sunan an-Nasa’i; reliable) If you feel that you are unable to fast due to weakness or any other complication, you can leave your fast without any worry. However do remember to mark it somewhere so that you don’t forget to make it up later.
Eat beneficial foods: Add honey, milk, figs, and dates to your diet as all of these have been mentioned in the Quran or the hadith for their benefits.
May Allah make your pregnancy easy, and grant you a pious child who will be sadaqah-e-jariah (continuous charity) for you. Ameen.Having children is one of the blessings of Allah. God provides us all with different rizq (well-being), health and offsprings. All of these things are gifts from God and we should be grateful for what we are given and never complain for what we don't have.
It is sunnah to announce the birth of the child once the baby arrives but till that moment below are some beneficial practices for you and your child in sha Allah.
KEEP IT PRIVATE
If you are expecting a baby, keep thanking God for this gift and keep it private among close relatives. There is a general principle which should be paid attention to when telling others of blessings. The news should be given only to those who wish good for you and will rejoice over it, so as to ward off the evil eye and destructive envy (hasad). The evidence for that is the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Be discreet in order to achieve what you want, for everyone who is blessed is envied.” Narrated by al-Tabaraani and Abu Nu’aym; classed as sahaah by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 943.@seymatje from Instagram wearing Print Mantel V2 during her 2nd trimester
BE THANKFUL
Be thankful to Allah for having chosen you for such a gift. The first trimester is hard for some women who suffer from nausea (morning sickness) and weakness; and the last weeks of pregnancy are exhausting:
Allah says in the Quran: “…His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness…” (Surah Luqman:14)
“…His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship…” (Surah al-Aĥqaf:15)
- even then, keep thanking Allah and believe that He will never burden you more than you can bear! He is indeed the best of planners and knows what is best for us!
FOLLOW THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MOTHER OF MARYAM
What a blessed mother was she who gave birth to Maryam! So why not follow her footsteps and make the same dua (supplication) she did when she was expecting as narrated in the Quran: “[Mention, O Muhammad], when the wife of ‘Imran said: My Lord, indeed I have pledged to You what is in my womb, consecrated [for Your service], so accept this from me. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing.” (Surah Aal Imran: 35)
With this dua, renew your intention every day that this baby would be a pious servant of Allah. Insha’Allah your intentions and prayers will have a positive effect in creating an innate bond between your child and the deen (religion) of Allah!@miss_balde from Instagram wearing Aileen Dress at her 3rd trimester
WHEN RUH (SOUL) ENTERS YOUR BABY
It is narrated in a hadith by the Prophet (sa) that: “Each one of you is constituted in the womb of the mother for forty days, and then he becomes a clot of thick blood for a similar period, and then a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then Allah sends an angel who is ordered to write four things. He is ordered to write down his deeds, his livelihood, his (date of) death, and whether he will be blessed or wretched (in religion). Then the soul is breathed into him…” (Bukhari)
Based on this hadith, jurists have inferred that the soul enters the foetus at around 4 months/120 days after gestation, that is, the second trimester. As you enter your second trimester, make frequent dua to Allah to pre-ordain for your baby a life of unwavering faith.
RECITE THE QURAN FOR YOUR BABY
Around the 20th week, the baby in the womb gains the ability to hear. This is a great time to create a one-on-one, exclusive bond with your unborn baby by reciting the Quran every day. The sound waves of your voice will reach your baby and what better words than the melodious Quran for your baby to hear and get familiar with. Give your child a head start in creating a relationship and bond with the Quran even before he comes in this world. This is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your child!
READ UP
Perhaps one of the things that the woman should focus on during this period is learning about sound methods of raising children, reading books on this topic or listening to useful lectures by scholars on it, whether that has to do with moral upbringing, health, psychology, pedagogy, and so on, in preparation for the great mission with which Allah has entrusted the parents, which is the trust of raising and caring for the child, so that the parents may embark upon it with knowledge and insight and achieve the best results, and attain the pleasure of Allah in this world and in the Hereafter.@m_naima from Instagram wearing Sequine Blossom Dress at her 3rd trimester
DUAS
As for the acts of worship that the pregnant woman can do, they are all the acts of worship that the Muslim does by day and by night, such as praying, fasting (so long as there is no fear of harm), giving charity, reading Qur’aan, regularly reciting the adhkaar that are prescribed in sharee‘ah, treating people kindly, visiting relatives, taking stock of oneself, and striving to attain the best attitudes, actions and words.
AVOID BIDAH
There are many fabricated duas, hadith and practices for pregnant women . Stay away from any innovation and always refer to the Quran and Sunnah. Sahaba women in time of Prophet (peace be upon him) did not do anything special rather then taking care of themselves and their unborn child and doing regular worldly and religious duties.
FOOD AND FITNESS
Meditation through prayer: Many people will guide you towards yoga and meditation, which are a great way to relax your overworked body. However remember that prayer is the best form of meditation and it will calm you and soothe your baby as well.
Keep checking in with Allah: Stay connected with Allah and talk to Him about your fears and difficulties. Make istikharah (guidance prayer) for all decisions, especially when choosing your doctor and your delivery options. Ask Allah to grant you a safe delivery, a righteous child, and an easy transition into motherhood.
Avail the maternity leave Allah has given, if needed: The Prophet (sa) said: “Allah has relieved the traveller of half of the prayer and of the duty to fast, and He has relieved pregnant and nursing mothers (of the duty to fast).” (Sunan an-Nasa’i; reliable) If you feel that you are unable to fast due to weakness or any other complication, you can leave your fast without any worry. However do remember to mark it somewhere so that you don’t forget to make it up later.
Eat beneficial foods: Add honey, milk, figs, and dates to your diet as all of these have been mentioned in the Quran or the hadith for their benefits.
May Allah make your pregnancy easy, and grant you a pious child who will be sadaqah-e-jariah (continuous charity) for you. Ameen. -
"I want to start my own clothing line, can you help me please?" "I want to start my own clothing line, can you help me please?"
I do get these types of e-mails and messages a lot.
Most people who want to be entrepreneurs come up with the same reason for never getting started: "Where and how shall I begin?".
Below are more questions I want you to ask yourself.
Instagram Likes Don't Equal Success
You may be an absolutely famous designer among your friends and relatives, a bright blogger or IG star, but can you offer a commitment, be diligent, 24/7 hard-working and having no days off? If you say "no" to even one of the above questions, then your business should probably remain a hobby, not an income source.
Not Everyone Is an Entrepreneur
Can you live with uncertainty? Can you delay gratification? Are you persistent? Can you bounce back after disappointment? Can you find creative solutions to problems? Starting your own business is, quite literally, not for the weak of heart. You would need stamina to persevere in the face of the setbacks and failures they will inevitably face. Be honest about your desire to live the life of a not-yet-successful businessperson.
Even the Boss Takes Out the Trash
Working for yourself can be liberating - no boss to report to. But at the beginning there's also no receptionist to screen your calls, no cleaning service to tidy up your office and no technical support staff to solve your computer glitches. Can your ego handle the small stuff? If the answer is "no", then you may have problems adjusting to this new identity. I remember cleaning our 1st Annah Hariri office all by myself and never having an issue about it.
Is This All For Money And Likes?
If you main idea of starting own business is to have money or lots of likes and fame, then I would like you to re-think!
Forget about spending a little profit you (may) earn for Louboutin heels and a Prada bag. For minimum five first years of own business, you would need to invest all your savings and profits into the development and improvement!
For many entrepreneurs, success is about more than just making money. It’s about having an impact and doing something you love. When I reverted to Islam, I felt a deep need of doing something for this Ummah, of leaving a legacy. We are trying always to implement a fair trade at Annah Hariri. We support muslim brothers and sisters in need, offering them an opportunity to develop themselves and improve the situation of their families and extended relatives. We offer them fair salaries and comfortable working conditions with standard working hours, lunch breaks and holidays. Success isn't just a goal, it's a responsibility. And with your 100% commitment for the benefit of our Ummah, success will come from Allah.Can You Do the Ihsan?
I have a dream! This dream is to see a strong modest wear brand run by Muslims and this brand being famous worldwide for its quality and service. I would like YOU too to have this dream too. When opening your own store or clothing line, let us aim to do the Ihsan (the best) and not just being an Instagram account shop. Let us not be afraid of using models with head coverings, without make up and excluding provocative posing. If we deliver the Ihsan, non-muslims will be attracted to modest wear brands even if the advertising campaign has a lady in a hijab!
Anything you do and especially if you do this for the society requires a total dedication. We have started in 2012 as a family business and now we developed a proper set-up with administrative staff, tailors, pattern-makers, embroidery specialists and quality control. And this requires a lot of time, resources, money and thinking to be invested. I see the job I am doing as a serious project: the Islamic clothes market is an emerging industry with a huge potential. But unfortunately there is no single Islamic brand recognized globally and catering to the fashion needs of the Muslim population worldwide. Muslim designers and companies need to develop in this direction and to establish global Islamic clothing brands. And this challenging task is surely not an overnight idea.
Figure It Out Yourself!
I have not spoken about machines you need to purchase, how many meters of fabrics to buy for your 1st collection or how to market your products... Because if you answer "yes" to all the above questions, you will figure out these baby steps yourself. YOU and only YOU would know by means of trying and error what will work for you. You will keep trying until you find the correct way. You will not quit at the 1st obstacle and will not blame anyone but move forward. And last bust not least
Do Not Forget Istikhara!
In this day and age, people doubt the effect of Istikhaarah and do not give it due importance. This is a Sunnah and a metod through one asks Allah to guide his heart towrds that which is correct.
Sa’ d ibn Waqas reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “Istikharah (seeking guidance from Allah) is one of the distinct favors (of Allah) upon man, and a good fortune for the son of Adam is to be pleased with the judgment of Allah..."
Ibn Taimiyyah said, “He who seeks guidance from the Creator and consults the creatures will never regret it.”
I do get these types of e-mails and messages a lot.
Most people who want to be entrepreneurs come up with the same reason for never getting started: "Where and how shall I begin?".
Below are more questions I want you to ask yourself.
Instagram Likes Don't Equal Success
You may be an absolutely famous designer among your friends and relatives, a bright blogger or IG star, but can you offer a commitment, be diligent, 24/7 hard-working and having no days off? If you say "no" to even one of the above questions, then your business should probably remain a hobby, not an income source.Not Everyone Is an Entrepreneur
Can you live with uncertainty? Can you delay gratification? Are you persistent? Can you bounce back after disappointment? Can you find creative solutions to problems? Starting your own business is, quite literally, not for the weak of heart. You would need stamina to persevere in the face of the setbacks and failures they will inevitably face. Be honest about your desire to live the life of a not-yet-successful businessperson.
Even the Boss Takes Out the Trash
Working for yourself can be liberating - no boss to report to. But at the beginning there's also no receptionist to screen your calls, no cleaning service to tidy up your office and no technical support staff to solve your computer glitches. Can your ego handle the small stuff? If the answer is "no", then you may have problems adjusting to this new identity. I remember cleaning our 1st Annah Hariri office all by myself and never having an issue about it.Is This All For Money And Likes?
If you main idea of starting own business is to have money or lots of likes and fame, then I would like you to re-think!
Forget about spending a little profit you (may) earn for Louboutin heels and a Prada bag. For minimum five first years of own business, you would need to invest all your savings and profits into the development and improvement!
For many entrepreneurs, success is about more than just making money. It’s about having an impact and doing something you love. When I reverted to Islam, I felt a deep need of doing something for this Ummah, of leaving a legacy. We are trying always to implement a fair trade at Annah Hariri. We support muslim brothers and sisters in need, offering them an opportunity to develop themselves and improve the situation of their families and extended relatives. We offer them fair salaries and comfortable working conditions with standard working hours, lunch breaks and holidays. Success isn't just a goal, it's a responsibility. And with your 100% commitment for the benefit of our Ummah, success will come from Allah.Can You Do the Ihsan?
I have a dream! This dream is to see a strong modest wear brand run by Muslims and this brand being famous worldwide for its quality and service. I would like YOU too to have this dream too. When opening your own store or clothing line, let us aim to do the Ihsan (the best) and not just being an Instagram account shop. Let us not be afraid of using models with head coverings, without make up and excluding provocative posing. If we deliver the Ihsan, non-muslims will be attracted to modest wear brands even if the advertising campaign has a lady in a hijab!
Anything you do and especially if you do this for the society requires a total dedication. We have started in 2012 as a family business and now we developed a proper set-up with administrative staff, tailors, pattern-makers, embroidery specialists and quality control. And this requires a lot of time, resources, money and thinking to be invested. I see the job I am doing as a serious project: the Islamic clothes market is an emerging industry with a huge potential. But unfortunately there is no single Islamic brand recognized globally and catering to the fashion needs of the Muslim population worldwide. Muslim designers and companies need to develop in this direction and to establish global Islamic clothing brands. And this challenging task is surely not an overnight idea.Figure It Out Yourself!
I have not spoken about machines you need to purchase, how many meters of fabrics to buy for your 1st collection or how to market your products... Because if you answer "yes" to all the above questions, you will figure out these baby steps yourself. YOU and only YOU would know by means of trying and error what will work for you. You will keep trying until you find the correct way. You will not quit at the 1st obstacle and will not blame anyone but move forward. And last bust not least
Do Not Forget Istikhara!
In this day and age, people doubt the effect of Istikhaarah and do not give it due importance. This is a Sunnah and a metod through one asks Allah to guide his heart towrds that which is correct.
Sa’ d ibn Waqas reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “Istikharah (seeking guidance from Allah) is one of the distinct favors (of Allah) upon man, and a good fortune for the son of Adam is to be pleased with the judgment of Allah..."
Ibn Taimiyyah said, “He who seeks guidance from the Creator and consults the creatures will never regret it.” -
4 Secrets of a Muslim Wife for a Happy Life! 4 Secrets of a Muslim Wife for a Happy Life!
(Based on the e-mails I receive from sisters asking for an advise)
There are many articles and books written about importance of marriage in Islam, duties of a wife and husband and etc. I am sure most of you read those not once and I won't be repeating the same ahadith in this post.
1.
I would like to share a very different hadith which is usually not quoted when talking about this subject.After the Battle of Uhud, the Muslims returned to Madinah and were tasked with the unfortunate difficulty of having to tell those who stayed behind, namely the women and children, about the loved ones they lost.
One such person was the Prophet's (sallalahu aleihi wa sallam) cousin, Hamna bint Jahsh. Her mother and the Prophet's (sallalahu aleihi wa sallam) father were siblings. Hamna (may Allah have mercy on her) had it tough.
She was first told she lost her brother. Hamna responded with duaa and patience.
She was then told she lost her uncle, and also responded with duaa and patience.
After a little while, someone came to inform her that she also lost her husband, Mus'ab bin Umayr. Upon hearing this news, she screamed and began weeping.
When the Prophet saw her situation, he said something truly remarkable. “A husband has a very special place in the heart of his wife. Marriage is a very profound and strong experience... a wife loves her husband very much, more than even he may realise.”
When the quarrels and hardships of the day take over our lives, we usually forget that indeed Allah has placed an immense love between a husband and wife. It is indeed a miraculous gift how two far and unrelated people became so close and caring of each other.
So anytime you are upset with your spouse or a married life, just remember this gift that Allah has granted you. Do not follow the anger and Shaytan whispers, but rather remember that it is a blessing to be next to your husband and have him in this world.
2.
I receive many of mails where sisters would share their stories of dealing with a tough, not religious, not following his duties husband and they would seek an advise of how to change him. I would always reply that only ALLAH can change hearts. Instead try to change yourself (there is always a room for improvement), be the best example yourself and never forget your salah and making Dua for the best in this Dunya and Akhira. As you know, my parents are not muslims (yet) and many times I would loose hope completely that they would ever embrace Islam... but then one simple Dua - and their hearts get more soft with each time. Thus focus on yourself and your relations with Allah, perfect these relations and yourself and in sha Allah, our Lord will take care of the rest! When your husband realizes that you are being humble and trying to avoid conflicts he will do the same and will have a big impression about you.
3.
Do not compare your life to others especially those couples who are all over social media writing their love letters to each other in the comments over the Instagram photo. As they say the best sign of healthy relationship is no sign of it on Facebook / Istangram / Snapchat (insert the necessary).
We are all different and especially our men are different and surely second to none :-) Your husband may not be publicly writing poems to you on FB but instead he would be patient with you and this is how he shows his love. Or he would always make dua for your place in Jannah with him and none but Allah knows about it.We are all different and Allah has blessed each of us with our spouses in a unique way. Be grateful for the blessings you are given and thank your Lord every day and in sha Allah you will be increased!
And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; (Chapter (14) sūrat ib'rāhīm (Abraham). Sahih International)
4.
Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] said: "The woman who reads her five prayers, fasts in the month of Ramadhan, protects her chastity and is obedient to her I husband; such a woman will enter into Jannah from any of the doors she wishes to enter from’’
If you look at this list, it seems easy and difficult at the same time. We all do fast, pray and guide our chastity but how can we be obedient to our husbands at all times because most of the times they are simply not right? Well, noone said the Jannah is easy. Being obedient to your husband means a happy family. Happy family means happy children. The family is the nucleus of civilization and the basic social unit of society. Having happy and healthy families will make our ummah strong! And all this huge task is starting from an obedient woman sunhanallah! Indeed the only fair reward for this duty may be Jannah in sha Allah. How Just our Creator is!
So let these above 4 points be your secrets to a happier and righteous life.
Once you start living a life like that you see the change in your husband and yourself which would definitely make your love story like that which are read in books bidihnillah.Fe amanillah
A H
(Based on the e-mails I receive from sisters asking for an advise)
There are many articles and books written about importance of marriage in Islam, duties of a wife and husband and etc. I am sure most of you read those not once and I won't be repeating the same ahadith in this post.
1.
I would like to share a very different hadith which is usually not quoted when talking about this subject.After the Battle of Uhud, the Muslims returned to Madinah and were tasked with the unfortunate difficulty of having to tell those who stayed behind, namely the women and children, about the loved ones they lost.
One such person was the Prophet's (sallalahu aleihi wa sallam) cousin, Hamna bint Jahsh. Her mother and the Prophet's (sallalahu aleihi wa sallam) father were siblings. Hamna (may Allah have mercy on her) had it tough.
She was first told she lost her brother. Hamna responded with duaa and patience.
She was then told she lost her uncle, and also responded with duaa and patience.
After a little while, someone came to inform her that she also lost her husband, Mus'ab bin Umayr. Upon hearing this news, she screamed and began weeping.
When the Prophet saw her situation, he said something truly remarkable. “A husband has a very special place in the heart of his wife. Marriage is a very profound and strong experience... a wife loves her husband very much, more than even he may realise.”
When the quarrels and hardships of the day take over our lives, we usually forget that indeed Allah has placed an immense love between a husband and wife. It is indeed a miraculous gift how two far and unrelated people became so close and caring of each other.
So anytime you are upset with your spouse or a married life, just remember this gift that Allah has granted you. Do not follow the anger and Shaytan whispers, but rather remember that it is a blessing to be next to your husband and have him in this world.
2.
I receive many of mails where sisters would share their stories of dealing with a tough, not religious, not following his duties husband and they would seek an advise of how to change him. I would always reply that only ALLAH can change hearts. Instead try to change yourself (there is always a room for improvement), be the best example yourself and never forget your salah and making Dua for the best in this Dunya and Akhira. As you know, my parents are not muslims (yet) and many times I would loose hope completely that they would ever embrace Islam... but then one simple Dua - and their hearts get more soft with each time. Thus focus on yourself and your relations with Allah, perfect these relations and yourself and in sha Allah, our Lord will take care of the rest! When your husband realizes that you are being humble and trying to avoid conflicts he will do the same and will have a big impression about you.
3.
Do not compare your life to others especially those couples who are all over social media writing their love letters to each other in the comments over the Instagram photo. As they say the best sign of healthy relationship is no sign of it on Facebook / Istangram / Snapchat (insert the necessary).
We are all different and especially our men are different and surely second to none :-) Your husband may not be publicly writing poems to you on FB but instead he would be patient with you and this is how he shows his love. Or he would always make dua for your place in Jannah with him and none but Allah knows about it.We are all different and Allah has blessed each of us with our spouses in a unique way. Be grateful for the blessings you are given and thank your Lord every day and in sha Allah you will be increased!
And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; (Chapter (14) sūrat ib'rāhīm (Abraham). Sahih International)
4.
Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] said: "The woman who reads her five prayers, fasts in the month of Ramadhan, protects her chastity and is obedient to her I husband; such a woman will enter into Jannah from any of the doors she wishes to enter from’’
If you look at this list, it seems easy and difficult at the same time. We all do fast, pray and guide our chastity but how can we be obedient to our husbands at all times because most of the times they are simply not right? Well, noone said the Jannah is easy. Being obedient to your husband means a happy family. Happy family means happy children. The family is the nucleus of civilization and the basic social unit of society. Having happy and healthy families will make our ummah strong! And all this huge task is starting from an obedient woman sunhanallah! Indeed the only fair reward for this duty may be Jannah in sha Allah. How Just our Creator is!
So let these above 4 points be your secrets to a happier and righteous life.
Once you start living a life like that you see the change in your husband and yourself which would definitely make your love story like that which are read in books bidihnillah.Fe amanillah
A H
