Keeping Things Interesting and a min rant

Salaam alaykom ramatullahi wa barakto all:

So we've been having some internet troubles---i.e we have no internet, neither Boxie or Aalia or me, so I have gone to this skeezy smoky internet cafe in a rat infested mall (not one of the hip Abu Dhabi ones I assure you---here there are a bunch of Emirati creepers skipping school with boushiya'ed bad girls (when they can afford to date the bad girls lol)) soooooo, sorry for the lack of cool posts, or me replying to comments, or even posting comments in the moderation section.

Other than lack of internet, there's been some interesting things. I have learned that alot of (local) girls here wear abaya inappropriately, open, with tights, super high heels, skinny jeans, or even mini skirts and cleavage and belly-button bearing tops underneath. The shayla can consist of the pouf clip and the shayla just draped there, neck and hair showing. Or the girls wear stylish abayas and gashwas that conceal everything but then lift the gashwa at cute local (Emirati) guys and give out phone numbers. Um, a hijab don't ladies. And all this just kinda makes one go, the hijab is better at my local Canadian masjid, and some of the sisters don't even wear the headscarf. I DO belive jilbab and khimar is fard, and that face covering is mustahaab (yaaaay I am a full-time niqabi now!!!!!), but here, the existance of abaya, sheila, and niqab can still mean that hijab is lacking in intention and adab.

For instance, near Al Marina Mall last night, walking home from the Emirati Heritage Center, Aalia, Boxie, baby, and me, saw a set of two prostitutes, one was Iranian, and the other was Sudanese. We know because we asked. The Iranian working girl wore open abayas with jeans and heel underneath. Her bangs her styled neatly out. The Sudanese prostitute wore a closed but somewhat fitted abaya and hijab that covered all her hair, but her sleeves were pushed up to reveal alot of bracelets. They looked stylish, I suppose, with a few tweaks here and there, they could have been very modestly attired women. But their intention was to stroll up and down the somewhat secluded beach front near the marina, while their pimp in the red vehichle (her "brother" and his friends) watched and spoke to the local Emirati creepers who made loops around the area. Groooooooooooooosssss!!!!!

And I won't even go into some of the non-Emirati hijab fashion in the malls. I have seen less camel-toes and butt cheeks in Canadain malls on non-muslims without scarfs on their heads!!!!!!

Of course, alhamdulilah, there alot of women, mashaAllah, Syrian, Lebanese, Morrocan, and Emirati, with great hijab, and great style, that still adhere to the shariah, and alot of niqabis with good adab, alhamdulilah. I just get mad at those who abuse the dress of a Muslim woman, the dress of the Prophet's wives and the women of the Sahaba (may Allah be pleased with them) and make a mockery of it, leading our non-hijabi Muslim sisters to say, why bother with hijab?

My New Shaylas

This one is from Abu Haleeqa and was waaaay over-priced but I fell for the cute kiwi and ruffles (which didn't photograph well) and splurged.
And this one is from Al Gwatwa (think I am spelling it right) and I love it cuz of the lace. It was affordable.

Bad Cell Phone Pics from our Travels

So these are some bad cell phone pics of the jalabiyias in Al Marina Mall. I kinda didn't know how to use the camera covertly (the shop owners glare at you when you take pics of their merchandise) and I got the glare from moving away too quickly. Ooooh, and this is an accessory shop that I liked.Yeah, and in case you haven't noticed, the composition of my posts kinda suck now because I am learning how to use a new computer.

InshaAllah sometime tonight I am going to post some pictures of the jalaibiyias in Marina Mall. Window shopping:D

So About Shopping Here IN UAE...

So of course on to the subject of shopping here in UAE... Every hundred Dirhams is worth roughly 30 Canadian dollars so I keep this in mind as I shop.

Our first shopping experience is the Souq, where one can buy lower end quality abayaat and sheila, underscarves, elastic half-niqabs, and Emirati accessories like perfumes, hair clips, and the notorious poufs (small ones should cost 5 dirhams and medium good quality ones 10-15, while large ones can run from 5-20 dirhams depending on quality). For everyday abayaat spend no more than 300-400 dirhams. Party ones---try not to part with more than 600 dirhams. Fancy party jalabiyia are a good deal if they cost 140-300 depending on the design. Don't spend no more than 10 dirhams one house jalibiyia and Emirati lounging dresses. As for abayaat, you are expected to barter. If the swarowski crystals are just glued on (they are not real swarowski crystals then) get a lower price. If the abaya is machine embroidered, get a lower price. If the quality on anything is lacking, get a lower price. DON'T GO ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT, as there is too much chance of being followed, stared at, and rubbed, lol. On Thursay and Friday the workers are banned from the malls by law due (fair or not) to some disturbances, so if you want to, visit the malls.

A warning about the malls, if you want to see a beautiful display of local abayaat and sheila and Arabic make-up but also alot of fitna, the locals (including guys on the hunt for girls, married or not---even with their poor wife in tow) come out in full force in the evenings in the malls. So Aalia prefers to go in the days (before Magraib). Even then, it is best to cover one's face. I was at Al Marina mall with Aalia and Boxie and my cheap souq abaya started to fall apart (I went really really cheap--Boxie's is still in one peice lol) and I ended up having to pin my niqab to my abaya to hold it together (yeah, it looked ugly) and we decided to go skating, and a bunch of locals were so lame as to try and get on the ice to skate to try and flirt. LOL, thankfully Kareem (the Moroccan manager of the ice rink) said their kandooras (aka dishdashes aka thobes) were too long. Our abayas were too, and it is against the rules there to wear abaya or thobe and skate but they let us hike our abayas up and pin them (because Aalia convinced them we were expert Canadian figue skaters). Only one guy kept trying and was actually go to hike his thobe up but a. our skat time finished (awww, I wanted to see him fall), and b. we pretended Abdullah was my son and my husband was upstair (uh, shopping for sandals cuz I couldn't come up with a lie very well, lol). Anyways, their skates were kinda sad in quality, and the ice was worn, so if skating, go in the morning. The ice would be fresh.

Back to shopping, Al Marina mall has alot of the higher end abaya shops. Aalia reccomends First Lady http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidGN_28072009_10335142/Luxury%20abayas%20attract%20high%20prices%20for%20their%20exclusivity/, which has good quality and some unique and pretty shaylas. This is also the place (the mall) to buy niqab and gashwa as you can find light non-see through quality ones here. Also Al Motahajiba http://www.almotahajiba.com/ is in Al Marina mall, Mouzan, and Habayeb abayaat. I have yet to visit a Hanayen store yet but will, inshaAllah. I didn't get a chance to check out the jalibiyias so stay tuned. But if you love maxi dresses and long skirts, this is the mall for you.Yesturday we went to Abu Dhabi mall, home to stores like La Reine http://www.thedubaimall.com/en/shop/la-reine (overpriced for the lack of uniqueness in design---I mean like 3000-4000 dirhams an abaya), Abu Haleeqa http://abuhaleeqa.net/m_s_data/n/m_s_p2.htm (I liked a shayla with a swarowski kiwi on it but they'd sold the matching abaya already and it was very expensive---equivelent to 120$ CAD for one shayla), and Arabesque. Arabesque is the only upscale boutique so far besides First Lady that designs I liked for abaya (and I MAINLY loved the shaylas in First Lady). In Arabesuqe I would wear every third abaya. They are expensive and might be my splurge before I come home. I also found a deal on jalibyias at the bedding store across from a perfume shop whose name I forget and bought a yellow house party dress for 140 dirhams---which is around $46.00 CAD. I liked more of them, but they were 240 dirhams. So I resisted.
That is my review of the shopping in Abu Dhabi for now.

My UAE look isn't very UAE (unless you are a rockin' Grandma)

I like overhead abayas and I just can't get away with wearing them in Canada (Canadian non-muslims think I look like some alien Beduoin-foreigner LOL, or they just get weirded out by them too much---and since I also think shoulder styles are more than perfectly halal...). So I asked Aalia to help me find one here. What I like best about them is they are airy underneath (so less sticky and hot), and no men follow you in them. I am serrious. We had an unexpected experiment that supported my theory. I have always loved Shaikha Sabeela of Bahrain's shiny satiny overheads. Anyways, women that aren't grandmothers here in UAE don't generally wear them. Foreigners definately don't wear them. Saudi women from the Nejd and near the Rub Al Khali, as well as Saudi grandmothers and teachers, do. Older generation Emiratis do. These two groups wear the open style abaya-raas, with a khaleeji thobe, or Emirati house dress (or party jalibiyia for special occasions) underneath. I wear my maxi dresses (pink and green) and a plain black shayla (with tonnes of chest coverage---down to my mid rib-cage to prevent flashing anyone if my abaya blows open) underneath. To wear my way, first I put on my underclothes (if I was wearing a modest jalbiyia I wouldn't need to style my shayla with as much chest coverage but in a maxi I do), then I put on my half niqab around my head not necessarily pulled up to my mouth yet (I have yet to buy a really nice flip one---I only have Saudi string styles). Then I put on the overhead. I like to pin it on the inside, on the shayla, on both sides of (above) my temple, for extra security, but you totally don't have to. My overhead from Madinat al Zayed is shiny satiny fabric so it can slip. Then I can pin some jewelry on my head for pretty look under the folds of the overhead (but I don't do that for walking around where lots of men are), and pull my half niqab up so it covers my face. I accessorize with a trendy purse and girly shoes. I like this look because it is so simple. And I have the excuse to buy pretty jalibiyias rather than abayas (which my husband would like). And it has the added bonus of being a deterent for men (I don't get mall stalkers while shopping when in an overhead and my face covered.). I intend to add a tassel-close to the collar bone height of the abaya-ras to make carrying my purse easier.

Typically though, the grandmothers either wear a band niqab or a gold birqa, like in the pic above (only no braids and hair sticking out). And only typically beggars (and religious pious Egyptian sisters but more commonly beggars) wear the overhead abayas here that are of a closed style. The open style is more local (though not of my age group). My maxi, stylish purse and shoes, give it a younger air. Somehow, because of all the fabric, I feel very high fashion, rather than dowdy.

WE'VE ARRIVED

Alhamdulilah, today I woke up hearing the fajr the adhan. Boxie (see her blog here and go to her profile for her travel diary http://and4somethingdifferent.blogspot.com/) and I have been here a few days now (since the 21st) and I LOOOOOOOVE the adhan so much. But ya'll already know that. For those of you that didn't (until now) hearing the adhan is what led me to Islam.

We are staying with our girl Aalia (from her blog Chasing Jannah). She met us at the airport stylishly attired, in a (stylishly tailored but not-too-tight) plain black front-opening abaya from "First Lady", a flash of a pink satin skirt at the ankles appearing with every kick of her foot's step. Gashwa down over her eyes and the corner of her pink satin trimmed shayla styled to hang down the back gracefully down from the pouf of the gashwa. She got my text from the plane saying that we'd be late and wanted to know why...

to read the rest of the story, follow this link http://desertdiaryuae09.blogspot.com/2009/09/weve-arrived.html

UAE (or Oman) National Day Outfit

By request, an outfit for a Gulf National Day. Though I myself am not big on Nationalism. My nation is al-Islam.

Abaya and matching shayla from http://abaya.zahras.com/Product_view_Abaya_10.html for $35.00 USD.

Personalized Abaya and Shayla

This website http://abaya.zahras.com/ is offering customized arabic embroidery on shayla and abaya. You can choose a name or a word and have it embroidered on your garment. They also make very good quality garments so it is worth the price. It is one of the few reliable online boutiques that gives you good quality (but it charges for it too). Back to the fonts, they have two kinds available for personalization:

There are two fonts available. Antique...and kiswah style. To make a request you must email in the word or name with your order.

DIY Style: Arabesque El Spanole

I bought this http://www.sunnahstyle.com/product_info.php?pName=side-tying-shoulder-close-abaya&cName=abayas-shoulder-close abaya (for USD $49.99) and transformed it with a little bit of purple and black lace into an Arabesque-esque look that will completely suit my a little bit of Gspsy style. Everything in my life is very eclectic but old world (and that's the way I love it). I already made the shayla with a tier of purple and black lace ruffles, and I have to say, it is very modest and yet wholly something non-muslims are 100% unintimidated by.

Barbie-Style Overhead

He he he. The store girls in Oman always referred to me as their Barbie, and forced me to try on every pink jalabiyia in the store. LOL. Anyways... just to let ya'll know, my shoes have less a heel than the ones shown in my collage---mine are kitten heels not stillettos. And I DO generally cover my feet---but with my jilbab not with socks. I MIGHT wear socks if I notice my feet causing men to stare at them, but you can ask Boxie and Um Khaled (I have some pretty ugly looking feet most of the time lol). Anyways...

I love SunnahStyle.com (they are THE best for plain black abayas that are somewhat affordable and really quickly delivered here in Canada) I recently wished to order this abaya http://www.sunnahstyle.com/product_info.php?pName=shaamilah-closed-overhead-abaya&cName=abayas-overhead from them (USD $50.99) since they are one of the few places I trust to get my sizes right, to wear with my new barbie pink kitten heels from Le Chateau in the Gulf with niqab and gloves (I've been told by numerous people to keep my eyes, hands, and face covered in the Gulf). Something like this for Saudi and Egypt--- ...and something way more like this for the rest of the Gulf (I like my eyes to breathe because while I see shapes and everything clearly, I don't see colours like I like to with mesh or sunglasses).
But since my habibi endearingly terms the overhead abaya "grandma style" (I like Grandma things----my grandmothers Victorian nightgowns, glove collection, and hat pins (make killer hijab pins) are to DIE for) I bought this butterfly abaya that with khimar and niqab, has much the same effect http://www.sunnahstyle.com/product_info.php?pName=black-satin-full-butterfly-abaya&cName=abayas-butterfly for $49.99.

Then, of course, I swore to myself, enough black abayas for you! You DO live in Canada, and your father resents religious wear of any kind, and sees black as especially "suspicious" so enough money spent.... Start saving more for hirjah and hajj and a new house (renting is not my favourite pasttime). So what do I go and do? I get mad at my messed up day and go out an buy another black abaya on impulse.... But hey, don't hate me. The abaya was $14.00 Canadian and I found it at a Thrift Store.

*and about socks and gloves for me: I will wear tights (probably) but if I don't I make sure my abayas always cover my shoes in case I am somewhere hot. I think gloves are not part of proper hijab at all since many authentic ahadith document the Prophet's wives hands exposed to non-maharam men (so I can't even find it to be a sunnah) but I do think it is respectful culturally in a Gulf state (and I HATE stalker/perverts). I personally don't think overhead abayas and gloves are proper hijab (I mean they are proper hijab but they are not the ONLY proper hijab) but really safe hijab. They definately do meet all the requirements of hijab to me (and this is always beautiful and something I admire) but other clothing does as well without be as intimdating to non-muslims. of course, in the end, we should only care what Allah S.W.T thinks. I personally like overhead abayas so lng as the niqab isn't tucked in (that looks kinda creepy to me while it may be practical I no likey) but gloves I only think fit a cultural, practical (warmth) or fashion purpose. There is no evidence of women wearing gloves as hijab in the days of the Sahaba that I have ever found. So I won't say gloves are part of hijab. But they are part of Gulf culture and fashion, and here in my country, I wear them for warmth.

What is going on now?

Since I am moving to the Gulf, I started a little travel journal called "My Desert Diary-Pixie Addition" (he he he, Aalia), which Aalia can totally amalgomate into her own after we come back to Canada (when our trip is done I'll delete it). If you click on my profile it is there under my blog links. Boxie started one too. I am too lazy to post the link, since it is there under my profile. I also decided, since the shortage of posts, to start posting all the Khaleeji related posts from BM. Hope you like!

WHY I haven't been posting

For those have you who have been following ILOVEHISHMA, you'll know that its author, Pixie, has been overloaded with packing for her move to UAE (short-term), switching flats back in Canada, and planning her (aka mine) Canadian civil service wedding (along with attending iftars and studying Islam during Ramadan). Soooo, I am glad to announce, alhamdulilah, the civil service is done, and I am officially lawfully married. These are some of the pictures from our special day. DO NOT RE-POST THEM ANYWHERE ON THE NET WITHOUT MY PERMISSION! Grrrr, lol. So, I sewed my own dress (it cost a total of $30.00 CAD but took over sixteen hours to make). Its a bit old fashioned and has a vinatgey feel to it. I hand beaded smoky topaz coloured swarowski crystals and seed-pearls on the lace applique, made my own veil out of tulle and silk and a vintage necklace, and borrowed Boxie's lacy embroidered hijab from Kuwait.I also gained ten lbs (alhamdulilah cuz I was a bit too underweight for a while and was starting to look like a prepubescent boy) before cutting the dress, so it was a little more modest when I began (since I didn't have curves lol) so if I had it to do over, I would loosen the waist seems and cut the belt, but since it was women and my family mainly, it wasn't really any big deal. But Boxie had fun doing me up and pulled a muscle (my Dad had to help lol). My sister Jane wore a Tiffany-box blue dress and pearls, and Boxie (I'll post a pic maybe later) wore hat hijab and looked oh-so fine in purple. My Daddy wore a tie for the first time since his own wedding way back, and the guests were a mix of formal and informal. LOL, one of the couples who attended were the owners of the school where my husband and I met, and they had brought a guest from Taiwan to show her a "traditional" Canadian wedding, and we all joked that she'd be rather confused because my wedding included, suit and tie, jeans and a t-shirt, thobe, salwar kameez, hijab, and white wedding dress, lol.

Explaining Canadian traditions (like smooshing cake into the face of the groom) to one Saudi sister, made her (and Y) quite horrified. Needless to say I left off on the cake smooshing. Mainly since my wedding cake was ice cream cake. That'd be a bit cruel. But I had fun, mainly taking pics before the getting together of everyone. Preparing the food in full formal wear was a bit stressful though. And the groom forgetting the marriage liscence and having to drive an hour into the city to go get it lol. ANNNNND the wedding cake melting because of this, so it had to be served up in one big bowl, lol. Icecream cakes do not make good wedding cakes ya'll, lol, even if they are yummy, he he he. So inshaAllah your Ramadan is going well, and I hope to write more soon inshaAllah.

I am tired of Non-Muslim women talking about how "the Muslim woman" feels

I am tired of non-muslim women (apostates count as this people along with Oprah et all) and especially Muslim AND non-muslim men, talking about how Muslim women feel. The speaker in this vid has the right idea. He's like, I am a man, and Barbara Walters and Hirsi Ali aren't Muslimahs, so go ask a Muslim woman how she veiws her life and her hijab.

EID Outfit for UAE

This jalbiyia (Arabic house dress) is by Alyshamac.

TAG RESPONSE: "Taraweeha Prayers Are Bidah?" and "There is No Such thing as Good Bidah"

So I was tagged by Cindi Epona'Bri from her blog (which for some reason is not showing when I try to open it I think she must have one with a lot of slideshows or something since my blogger apparently doesn't like those very much lol) to list 5 Ramadan posts by five different bloggers that I loved. Can I just re-post to my favourite Ramadaan post so far, lol? And another favourite post by a fellow blogger that I think is important for sisters to read? Cuz I am rather lazy at tags? I love it x5 so.... here is Sarah from S.O.S [Save Our Sunnah] http://saveoursunnah.blogspot.com/ with an interesting and informative post on how Taraweeha prayers are part of the Sunnah:

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Taraweeha prayers are bidah?

Some Muslim groups claim that Taraweeha prayers are bidah...this accusation is from a lack of understanding how Taraweeha prayers started & were organized. When Umar, raddi Allaahu anhu, was the Khalifah, he collected the Muslims to pray in congregation for taraweeha prayers, and said, "What a good bid'ah this is." [Bukhari] From this, they derive their belief of a good innovation. [the first article will explain how taraweeha prayers were part of the sunnah and not a biddah and the second featured blogger will explain how there is no such thing as a good bid'ah] Firstly, it becomes necessary to explain the context of what happened.

When the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam first emigrated to Madeenah, the Muslims prayed taraweeha individually, and then for three nights they prayed in congregation behind the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam. After this, he stopped them doing so saying, "I feared that it would become obligatory upon you." So after this the Muslims would pray individually or in small congregations throughout the rule of Abu Bakr, and the beginning of 'Umar's rule. Then 'Umar came to the masjid and saw the Muslims praying in small groups behind different Imaams, so he collected them together in one congregation behind one Imaam and made the aforementioned statement [Bukhari]. So how can this action of 'Umar be understood to be a new act of worship when the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam did it during his lifetime?

Secondly, the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam gave the reason why he stopped the congregational prayer, because revelation was still descending, and he feared that praying in congregation might become obligatory upon his nation and hence make the religion hard upon them. After the death of Rasulallaah sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, revelation ceased so this concern was no longer necessary. Hence Umar raddi Allaahu anhu reinstated the taraweeha prayer in congregation during his rule because he knew that his action could not be made obligatory upon the Ummah.

Thirdly, all the companions agreed upon this action of 'Umar, thus there was a consensus (ijma) on it. And the scholars of Usool (fundamental principles) have stated that ijma cannot occur except when there is a clear text for it in the Sharee'ah. So what is the correct understanding of 'Umar's words, "a good bid'ah"?

The word bid'ah here is to be understood in its linguistic sense, "something new," because taraweeha in one congregation was not present during the rule of Abu Bakr and the beginning of 'Umar's rule, hence in that sense it was something new. The Sharee'ah sense (defined earlier) cannot be understood here because it does not fulfill the conditions of being a new act of worship. Abu Yusuf said, "I asked Abu Hanifah about the taraweeha and what 'Umar did and he said, 'The taraweeha is a stressed Sunnah, and 'Umar did not do that from his own opinion, nor was there in his action any innovation, and he did not enjoin it except that there was a foundation for it with him and authorisation from the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam.'" [Sharh Mukhtaar as quoted from him in al- Ibdaa of Shaykh Ali Mahfooz p80]

To read the rest of the post, click here http://saveoursunnah.blogspot.com/2009/09/taraweeh-prayers-are-bidah.html .

And then this little gem of a blog on how people twist Umar's statement to allow anything they want to enter into Islam, even if it takes them from Islam (scarrrrrrryyyyyyy stuff!)Habayeb from "A Learning Muslimah", link here http://awakenedbytruth.blogspot.com/ .

Friday, May 8, 2009

"Good" Innovations?
As salaamu alaykum! I have always been confused when I see people promoting a Bida'a and calling it a "good" innovation. Innovations are innovations, good or bad. We have been given the freedom and opportunities to create innovations in our worldly affairs, yet we make innovations in our perfect Deen. I have been reading up on the topic and it's just so simply clear. Allah says that which translates as: “…This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as a religion…” (Al-Maa’idah:3) Imaam Maalik, rahimullah , said concerning this verse: "He who innovates a new Bid’ah in Islam considering it to be something good is in effect claiming that Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam did not fully convey the message of Islam… So whatever was not a part of the religion at that time (i.e.the time of the Prophet and his companions cannot be considered as a part of the religion today." Hudhayfah Ibn Al-Yamaan, radhiallahu anhu, said: "Do not perform any act of worship which was not practiced by the companions of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam because the early people (i.e. his companions) did not leave anything unaddressed…so follow the way of those who were before you." Sufyaan Ath-Thawri, rahimullah, said: "An innovation is dearer to Satan than a sin, for one can easily repent from a sin, but an innovation is not easily repented from (as an innovator thinks that he is on the correct path)."

The dangers of Bid’ah [and what bid'ah is] and their evil effects are as follows: bid’ah is a pre-cursor to disbelief, making unfounded statements on behalf of Allaah, correcting the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam or claiming that he had deficiencies, dividing the Muslim nation, abandoning the Sunnah, igniting disputes among the Muslims, accusing the Prophet of not completely conveying the message of Islam, competing with the Prophets in their prophethood, and altering the religion.

The claimed 'evidences' of the Innovators’ [on how a bid'ah can be good] and their refutations:

Claimed Evidence #1: Jareer Ibn ‘Abdullaah Al-Bujali may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Whoever introduces a good practice in Islam will get the reward of performing it and that of all those who perform it until the Day of Resurrection; Whoever introduces a bad practice in Islaam will get the punishment of performing it and that of all those who do it until the Day of Resurrection.” (Muslim).

Refutation: Imaam Ash-Shaatibi, may Allaah have mercy upon him, answered those who attempt to use this Hadeeth as evidence of the permissibility of innovating by saying: "Using this Hadeeth as an evidence (to innovate) implies that different evidences (Ahaadeeth) contradict one another (because in other Ahadeeth, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam unequivocally warned against innovating)." Then he said: "The context of this Hadeeth is that it was said in a situation where charity was being given, and charity is something already legislated. The proof of this is actually to be found in the very same Hadeeth, if you were to read it *all*, as Jareer Ibn 'Abdullaah Al-Bujali, radhiallahu anhu, said: "We were with the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam (in the Masjid) just after dawn one day when some people entered barefooted and clad in woollen matting (or covered with sleeveless woolen blankets) with their swords hung around their necks. Most of them belonged to the tribe of Mudhar. The face of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam turned pale due to their wretched condition. Then, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam went into his house, re-emerged and commanded Bilaal to call the Adhaan, and the Iqaamah and then he sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam led the prayer. After the prayer, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam stood up and addressed people saying (that which translates as): “O mankind! Fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men andwomen. And fear Allaah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allaah is ever, over you, an Observer.” (An-Nisaa’: 1) “O you who have believed! Fear Allaah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow – and fear Allaah. Indeed, Allaah is Acquainted with what you do.” (Al-Hashr: 18). Then, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Give in charity from (what you possess of) Deenaars (gold coins) Dirhams (silver coins) a Saa’ (a small measure of weight) of wheat or even a Saa’ of dates.” until he sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Give, even if it as little as half a date” Thereupon, a man from the Ansaar (residents of Madeenah) came with a bag of food which was so heavy that it was difficult for him to carry. Thereafter, people came successively until I saw two huge piles of food and clothes, and the Prophet’s face was bright as a glittering golden coin (due to his happiness). Then the Messenger sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Whoever introduces a good practice in Islam will get the reward of performing it and that of all those who perform it until the Day of Resurrection; Whoever introduces a bad practice in Islam will get the punishment of performing it and that of all those who do it until the Day of Resurrection.”" (Muslim). Therefore, it is obvious that this Hadeeth refers to deeds that are already legislated and proven to already exist in the religion, which in this case was charity given by a certain companion of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.

Claimed Evidence: ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, remarked upon seeing people playing Taraaweeha in congregation that: "This is a good Bid’ah." (Bukhaari). Refutation: Imaam Ibn Rajab, rahimullah said: "Any words from the Salaf considering something as a good Bid’ah were meant in the linguistic and not the Islamic sense, such as the saying of ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, when he saw people praying Taraaweeh in congregation, that "This is a good Bid’ah."

Claimed Evidence:Ibn Mas’ood, radhiallahu anhu, said: "What the Muslims see as good is good in the sight of Allah and what they see as bad is bad in the sight of Allah." (Ahmad) . Refutation: As-Sindi, rahimahullah: "It is obvious that he was referring to the companions of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and he was talking exclusively about those things that they had a unanimous consensus on, it does not include others. This is besides the fact that these were the words of a companion and not the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam."

Claimed Evidence: Al-‘Izz Ibn ‘Abdus-Salaam, rahimahullah, divided Bid’ah into five categories: obligatory, recommended, permissible, disliked and prohibited. Refutation: Ash-Shaatibi, rahimullah, said: "This categorisation of Bid’ah is something new which has no supportive evidence to it, moreover, it contradicts the definition of Bid’ah, because any deed which has an evidence which legislates it to be obligatory, recommended or allowed is by definition not an innovation, and it would have been included in the general recommendation of good deeds. Therefore, considering a matter to be a Bid’ah yet claiming the existence of an evidence to recommend it is a contradiction in terms."

Reasons behind innovations are as follows: ignorance of the religion of Islam, following ones whims, clinging to doubts, the sole use of ration with no reference to the Islamic texts (Qur'aan and Sunnah), Islamic Scholars not fulfilling their expected role, dependence on weak or fabricated Ahaadeeth, extreme reactions to others errors, the failure to limit ones understanding of the Islamic texts to that of the companions of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, blind imitation of the masses, not following the instructions of sincere scholars.

To read the rest of the post, click here

http://awakenedbytruth.blogspot.com/2009/05/good-innovations.html

Personal Jihad

During the month of Ramadaan Shaytaan the accused and his shayateen are all locked up, so any bad that we do is of our own personal naafs. We have no one to blame for them. So I find it is a good time to assess one's personal jihads and faith, and bump themselves up with a booster shot of knowledge and imaan before Shaytaan returns to peck away at us with his accursed nagging.

There was recently alot of controversy on Ange's Mama I Married a Masri blog (with some sisters being downright rude, profane, and catty all on two sides of the same subject) since she admitted she struggles to fast because she didn't like grouchy fasting people, headaches from dehydration, and being hungry. But she still fasts people. Personally, I don't like complaints without solutions also presented (or what is the point) but some people are asking for advice in the same breath as their complaint? You shouldn't freak. I know some sisters struggle with the jihad of hijab (ex. my head gets hot, people know I'm a Muslim if I wear it and I am not acting like a Muslimah yet ect), some people struggle with the jihad of praying on time (ex. fajr, ugh, I cannot meet you unless I stay up for you, and asr, you can be so easy to miss coming home from work), some people struggle with Ramadaan. Alhamdulilah, I have never had trouble with fasting. Sometimes I get colds and I have to work while fasting and that SUCKS, but other than that, it I eat a full meal at Magraib, drink a tonne of water after taraweeah time (I mean four bottles of) and eat say, a thing of Mr. Noodles for filler), then wake up for sahoor and eat a small bit of sliced peaches, a croisant, and three dates, and drink another bit of three medium glasses of water, I hardly get hungry at all, and I don't get thirsty. If you are eating overly salted food at 11 o clock at night you might anyways (sometimes I like to indulge in Saudi capsa oversalted cuz I love my salt) but fasting doesn't feel like jihad for me in the same way as learning Arabic is for me. Where I physically squirm and lose attention span pretty quick after my eyes start swimming in fluid script and a the KH I can't make in my throat without reducing any Arabic speakers present to a fit of girlish giggles. While I hang my head in shame. On the otherhand, I am TOTALLY one of those people that runs around skipping and jumping a month before Ramadaan comes singing, Ramadaan is coming, Ramadaan is coming, I can't wait!

Because on top of the rewards of salat and Qu'ran and the peace of the month, I feel an extended community spirit among my friends and other sisters, as well getting to eat lots of foods from different countries :p

What is difficult for us, often brings the most reward for us, so never call a sister out for saying something is difficult for her. Give her tips. Tell her what you do to make it easy for yourself. I know alot of sisters struggle with hijab and jilbab so they like to read this blog, and maybe some of my tips for that help, because these things are easy for me (if you've noticed, I haven't started a "learn to read Arabic perfectly" blog yet lol). I am still struggling to convince m husband that me wearing niqab here is a good thing because he's afraid that someone will hurt me or that being alienated by so many prejudiced people will make me less good at dawah because I might become resentful of non-muslims. LOL, make dua for me to become an Arabic whiz and to protect me in mind and spirit.

Also, Ramadaan is not just about food and drink. Swearing breaks your fast. Backbiting breaks your fast. Gossiping breaks your fast. Arguing breaks your fast (as in raising your voice and not being patient). (Now please don't be embarrassed but a brother on an online forum didn't know this) masturbating breaks your fast. Physically fighting definately breaks your fast. Lying breaks your fast. Cheating breaks your fast. After Magraib, halal things you refrain from for the duration of your fast such as legal (married) sexual intercourse, food, and drink, become available for you again, but unlawful (haraam things) such as alcohol, fornication (unmarried), lying, cheating, backbiting/gossip, arguing, swearing, ect (still remain forbidden for you during Ramadaan even after you are allowed to break your fast).

And if your break your fast in anyway, you STILL have to continue to fast the rest of Ramadaan, AND make up the spoiled day of your fast, AND to repent from the sin you have to free a slave (and if you cannot do that) you have to fast for two consecutive months (and if you cannot do that) you have to feed sixty poor persons ( and note, you have to fast the two months OVER feeding the poor people since that is mentioned first, if you are physically healthy enough to). So no more swearing and backbiting online my sisters!

Burnt Orange Niqab and Khimar

I would wear this (as a full-time munaqaba) [in case you didn't know, munaqaba is the correct term for a "niqabi" while niqabi is more the slang] to an formal fancy non-muslim event (where everyone is going to be in evening gowns). Such as some of my non-Muslim family's social events (weddings, work functions, charity stuffs).