by request: Meerah's dusty rose jilbab

Jana over at her blog http://hijabstyle.blogspot.com/2008/08/party-abaya.html put together this look a long time ago. All I've changed from her set is the shoes and I've added a niqab. Meerah, if I find a plainer abaya of a similiar shade I'll edit this post and add it here so keep checking this post.

Sommia abaya £44.95, Alkaram Direct; silk pashmina £14.99, Scarf World; gem clutch bag £12, Debenhams; carved flower ring £7, Dorothy Perkins; flats, Lanvin; Niqab http://www.zainabsboutique.com/brown-3-layer-niqa3.html for $15.99 USD.

Meerah's Inspiration: a munaqaba from Bosnia, pictured below

SUITCASE STYLINGS: for Majda, Hawaii

My take on the "blue Hawaiian"---- A blue Hawaiian doesn't always have to be haraam----of course the alcoholic cocktail IS, but not this blue wonder. Surf's up Majda in this turquoise and coconut-brown floaty frock from CHIFFON PEACOCK ABAYA (AQUA) for $59.49. I know you [M of the Island] requested coloured niqab and abaya sets and it is hard to find stores that sell specific matched sets that aren't just navy, brown, light blue, grey, olive, and in my luckiest case, aubergine, so the key is finding a good match. This brown niqab from http://caravanxpress.com/Qstore/Qstore.cgi?CMD=011&PROD=1100172788 for $17.50 USD makes a cute addition along with this coconute-skin shadeded shayla http://yhst-17428391916310.stores.yahoo.net/ob5335.html. I JUST LOVE IT with the turquoise sunglasses. Hope you do too. For the rest of you, I'll leave you with my inspiration for Majda's concoction: my favourite Vogue shoot in Hawaii (um, unlike Canadian model Daria Werbowy, please leave your bathing suits and short skirts and shorts and tops and things under your abayas):

Glasses and Hijab

I always wear sunglasses with my khimar when I go outside. They are my niqab when I am not wearing a niqab. But inside at my work, I cannot veil my face or wear dark tinted glasses (though sometimes I have taken clients and forgotten about the sunglasses perched on the top of my head). I work for a non-muslim bank in the advice/customer service department and I am the only hijabi in my entire work designation and often the only person who can answer questions about Islamic banking. There is no Islamic bank in our province so people have to use non-Islamic banks, including the Islamic charities here. Anyways, I love glasses, and yesturday bought a pair of pink fashion frames from Claires. These I can wear indoors. I love them. I have an important interview with a non-bank related entity (make dua for me---this job is 100% halal and could involve helping people without me being in a war zone getting shot at), since my job is only okay depending on what scholar you ask. Most banks profit off of riba (interest) but in a non-muslim country the lack of no alternative has given us some fatwas of what we can and cannot do with or for these companies. Since I am ale to help Muslims select products that don't earn them riba, or get them into debt, I am morally okay with explaining what I am doing with Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala. But I have made dua for so long because I am not okay with how most big companies profit on riba. But so did the fashion store I used to work for through its investment system. Anyhooooo, please make dua for me that they find a position for me (I can't talk about the job, that's one of the requirements) but this job would let me keep my citizenship, help people, and make hirjah. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!! InshaAllah, if it is what Allah wants for me, it is where I will be.

"You can't wear Keds!!!" ... "What about my vintage Converse, my Vans?"

I think niqab is mustahaab but I think our girl Boxie just WANTS too look like a ninja-------hiiiiiiiiii yaaaaaaaaa! InshaAllah soon you'll get to see some more of her vivid punky-cute personality hijab style vids. Especially when she shows you her active-girl styles:D I am not really sk8ter chic, and I never went through a Gothic-Lolita phase. I was always very blase-euro with an African sportif and now I am a part-time niqabi working my way to breaking it to family and friends that I might be a full-time one when I come back from the Gulf (I love a very girly glamorous look while Boxie look is all about what she loves).

Boxie knows what I've been reading and she's my travelling partner for when we go to UAE, Oman, Yemen (inshaAllah) and Morroco, and in UAE she plans to wear niqab too, and since she never deals well with the heat, she's been practicing wearing niqab when we go eat, experiencing what it is like to eat out in it (tonight we went out for thai). AND she's been getting used to the people that think ou lose your hearing when they can't see your face. Like you become an object. First, a man tells us, this is Canada, we don't have to "wear that here". We say, we know, we're Canadians, we choose to wear it, we like it. I mention it is a respectful symbol of my feminity, that I am to be taken as a woman but not judged for that and all the things a woman is supposed to be. Boxie mentions it is way more comfortable than high heel shoes. Fellow says, "but I am sure you two girls are beautiful under there." We say, yes, we are, and that is why we cover. Every woman is beautiful, but the beauty that counts can't be covered by any piece of cloth. The man seems to nod in agreement. "So that way you are judged for your minds and not your bodies." He seems to give us his blessing and dispearses. The woman sitting next to us seems happily surprised.

The next bus ride and more ignorant kind of man seems to say ``Didn`t know it was halloween yet. That isn`t necessary in this country`` and this is the kind of man it isn`t worth talking to because he is talking about you, not to you. But Boxie does. She says, `excuse me, I`m Canadian. This is my country too. I`m French, English, Scotish and Native. I choose this-`` ... The woman behind her says, ``So you are a true Canadian``. Everyone on the bus starts to glare at the prejudiced man. He stammers ``I didn`t know you were ``real muslims``. I though it was some kind of halloween costume.`` He only says that cuz he`s about to get a smack down from a group of people who won`t tolerate his kind of behaviour.

A bunch of women ease drop on our convos. They smile at us, and seem to realize we are not as limited or ignorant as they suppose. We like fashion, we speak Canadian politics, we travel, we understand pop culture references, we like to laugh at ridiculous social behaviors. Some girls ask us where we buy our abayas. They a ren`t Muslims, but they have dated Arabs, and want to learn about Islam. We exchange phone numbers and plan to meet for coffee, inshaAllah.

We run into some Saudi sisters, pray together, then are offered free icecream from a friend of my husband since he owns an icecream shop. I couldn`t eat another bite. I leave. Boxie encounters one more ignorant comment from some drunks that call out `derka burqa`` but she isn`t wearing a niqab anymore. If I was there I might have gone up to them to explain what a khimar is, what a niqab is, what a burqa is, what an abaya is, ect... so at least if they want to mock something, they know what they are mocking. But I have gone home.

Next day, we encounter no ignorance till some group of drunk skater boys tells us to go back to our country. Boxie and I chase after them. We tell them we are Canadian and Boxie`s part Metis-Native American (we leave out the rest of her mixie-ness) so she`s more Canadian than they are. The girl that`s with them tells them they are embarrassing her, and one of the guys tells his friend to stop being so prejudiced. Then the same one that spoke the first time tells us to get our own culture, that we`re white. Well duh. He says Boxie shouldn`t be wearing Keds sneakers. What about all her vinatge Converse I`m wondering. She can probably skateboard better than you... His girl says just what I`m thinking: ``He`s just upset that you`re wearing Keds.`` LOL Can`t a niqabi skateboard... PindZ (aka Boxie) in her 80s pink rimmed sunglasses, black Saudi strong niqab, skinny jeans, punky t-shirt, and too-short abaya over top.

Below is what I`m wearing. Of course, skirt and short sleeves under abaya. I get on my bus and the bus driver asks me where I get my clothes from. This one, I say, is from London. My answer surprises him. I go on, it is common with the Pakistani community there. But I rush to add, I wear clothes from all over the world, as long as they are modest. I say I love bright African prints, black Gulf abaya, and then he asks me about Western clothing. I say I wear Western clothing under my modest clothing most of the time, and that I love designer coats from Jacobs, and long maxi dresses from Guess but that most of the time Western clothes are designed too hot. That loose robes are lighter if you want to wear girl tighter clothes underneath. He asks me if I ever cover my face, and I say yes, if I am wearing too much make up to be modest otherwise, or if I feel safer that way. He asks why I wear make up in the first place and I say that I am going to an all woman`s party where we girls dress the way we like to. I tell him I also like to dress up for my husband, and even to go pray. He asks me where our Mosque is, why men and women are seperate there, why I like a seperation for men and women in the Mosque.... He practically stops the bus to ask me when and if he can come to see the men`s mosque and ask some of the men some questions.

Niqab actually gives me more oppurtunities to speak about Islam. Yes, ignorant people are drawn to those who wear it like a magnent, but aren`t those the people that need the truth the most... Afterall... I was one of those once.

BTW, Boxie and Megan, I had fun and am sooooooooooo full. InshaAllah we can keep a look out for the bus driver on friday!

Q&A: Should I wear niqab/hijab part-time?

A sister left this question in the comment box and I thought I would write a long response to it sp I might as well do a whole seperate post since this is something I have contemplated myself before, when I started to wear hijab, and now that I have decided that there is a good chance that niqab is part of the jilbab (for myself---please no one feel that I am pushing that, this site isn't a fatwa site like Islam Q&A okay). Here is her very valid question:

Q. I'm considering wearing niqab 3 months during my summer holidays, as I'm going to spend it inshaAllah with my husband, who is abroad. But does it makes sense if i know that i'll take it off afterwards?

It wholly depends if you believe the niqab is fard/ wajib (an obligation---and part of what Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala requires of your dress) or if you believe it is mustahaab (there is reward if you do it). When I first started wearing hijab I didn't think hijab was a fard requirement. I hadn't read the Qu'ran yet but I saw Muslim women wearing it when they prayed so I tried it on from time to time. When I read the Qu'ran and learnt the hijab was a requirement, I put it on and did not take it off. Same with when I read about jilbab. As soon as I had enough money to buy a jilbab, I always wore that also when I left my home. If you believe niqab is an obligation on you, then it is a sin for you to leave it off. If you simply believe it is a good deed for you to do, that is pleasing to Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala then if you only do it for a day, that day is still pleasing to your Lord. If it is easy for you to wear it abroad, then you should wish to do those things that are pleasing to Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala that you are able to. But, Allah's Messenger (sallalhu alahi wa salaam) said: "The most blessed of deeds is that which is done consistently, even if it is a minute one" [Sahih Bukhari]. So with mustahaab acts doing the act conistantly is more beneficial than doing it rarely, or intermintently. Of course, any good we might do, even if it is only one day, or one week, or three months in our lives, is good for us, should Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala accept out intentions, knowing they are for His glory and mercy and love alone.

RULES FOR DRESSING FOR JUM'A

This is my little sister, who is a non-muslim, dressed appropriately to go to the Masjid. Styled by Aalia and I. She is wearing a wide assortment of stuff from our closests, including her own old plain black abaya [that she wore with a blue pashmina when she visited the grande mosque in Oman] that I refurbished into the keffiyah one. I think it is funny that my non-muslim sister who has no interest in Islam whatsoever, has more respect in dress and decorum at the masjid (with the exception of her yawning during the khutbahs) than many sisters who think it is okay to let their kids run wild, disturbing the salat, or wearing clothing or perfume or nail polish that invalidates their salats. Below is a pic of J positively boiling in Oman.

1.) For Friday prayer at the Masjid a woman should preform Ghusl (i.e have a bath of shower). 2.) She should not perfume herself because the woman who wears perfume to the masjid, her salat is not accepted of her until she goes home and washes it off, and then continues her prayer.
3.) She should make sure her breath is fresh smelling since she does not want her breath to offend the angels or others of the ummah congregation. The Prophet sallalahu alahi wa salaam advised us to refrain from eating food this day that might make our breath smell anything but sweet.

4.) If her masjid is actually a women's side (musalla) not connected to the building of the masjid proper itself, she may attend to listen to the khutbah and since she is not praying, she has no issue with nail polish [this is the ONLY situation when such a thing is halal]. The woman who IS praying cannot wear nail polish because it invalidates her wudu.
5.) She should put on her cleanest, nicest clothes (the Prophet sallalahu alahi wa salaam used to put aside his best garment and only wear it on fridays) and remember and thank Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala who provided those clothes with no effort or might from the person wearing them, praising and thanking Allah.6.) The woman should then put on a clean jilbab that is a good piece of clothing but nothing ostentatious since the Prophet sallalahu alahi wa salaam said no woman should leave her house without wearing this garment and if she does not have one, her sisters in Islam should loan or provide her with one so she may attend. If one is a brand spanking new practicing sister, don't worry about this, but remind the community to provide you with a jilbab should you have need of one. Her hair, neck, ears, and chest should be covered by her khimar appropriately and she should have no images of living things on her person or her salat will not be accepted.7.) The sister has carefully remembered to put together her appearence so it is pleasing to Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala and her sisters in Islam. Let her not forget to ask for Allah's protection when leaving her home; "In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no might or power but with Allah."
8.) Since the Prophet sallalahu alahi wa salaam has said it is beneficial for women to attend the Masjid so that they might listen to the khutbah, but best is their salat when they pray at home, let a woman examine her true intentions for going to Jum'a by reciting this du'a (supplication) as she hastens to the Masjid [on time BEFORE THE KHUTBAH, leaving behind anything that will be distracting to others including children that cannot be quiet or herself if she cannot]: "O Allah, place within my heart light, and upon my tongue light, and within my ears light, and within my eyes light, and place behind me light and in front of me light and beneath me light. O Allah, bestow upon me light." The request for light by the Prophet sallalahu alahi wa salaam is a metaphor of seeking wisdom and guidance from the visit to the Masjid.

Jum'a Wear-an olive jilbab from spring to fall

Sunny day walking to the masjid....

Rainy day walking to the masjid. Only thing missing from this collage is my umbrella. And of course I am not wearing the nail polish if I am praying that day, duh. But I needed something to fill in the composition. Forgive.

Olive jilbab from http://bintq.com/bq0088c.html for $45.00 USD. Matching olive triangle/turkish hijab http://bintq.com/kimtri0004.html for $8.00 USD. Matching olive headband niqab http://bintq.com/niqi0002.html for $8.00 USD. I like to pin my hijab and niqab a certain with with cute brooches. Butterfly crystal broach from http://www.avalaya.com/product.php/2509/B00439/Dazzling_Olive_Green_Crystal_Butterfly_Brooch.html

for $14.95 GBP, and tiny crown brooch from http://www.yesstyle.com/Product.aspx?pid=1013068450&SSAID=256758 for $32.00 USD. And I love these floral printed tights from http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=19551&storeId=12556&categoryId=59926&parent_category_rn=42317&productId=1182813&langId=-1, and this scarf would look so cute arranged in a more dressy style with the olive set advertised above http://www.scarfworld.com/online_store/ruffle-chiffon-neck-scarf-spring-1963228.cfm.