Interesting Concepts in HeadScarves: Review of Hijab-ista Pushing Hijab

I recently received a complimentary Hijabista Blue Petal Pushing Hijab in turquoise; it was a case of "choose whichever headscarf you like from our website".  I chose a unique one.

It is an interesting concept in headscarves, especially useful for those of us who are floral patterns shy, however still crave the floral concept.

The fabric is the headscarf friendly 100% viscose, perfect for all year.

You can wear it in four  different ways

1. Plain portion  on head with floral decoration on neck
2. Plain portion on head with stripes of floral around neck creating the illusion of layers
3. Floral pattern on head with plain portion of cloth on neck region
4. Floral pattern on head with plain stripes around neck

The crinkle effect lends it a casual look.  It is a double layered scarf, like a open-ended cylinder,which adds to its uniqueness.

Demonstration of sunlight passing through...to give you an idea the level of transparency and translucency. If you choose to layer the plain portion on your head, the floral patterns underneath would be visible; this concept makes it a subtle piece. A 'peek-a-boo flower of sorts thingy'.

The floral portion has bold colors: lime green, red, orange and bright blue. On careful examination the colored portion incorporates VIBGYOR without making the scarf appearing like a rainbow. 

Plus there is a lime green portion in it. Trendy!

Pairings:  Denim skirt  with any neutral colored top; the scarf goes with most basic pieces.

The headscarf is available on Hijabista in two other colors: Pink and Red.

Delivery: Super fast; it was a complimentary scarf yet I received it in less than three days, which speaks volumes about the customer service quality.

Thanks a volume, Hijabista !!!

:)


(Tip/Disclaimer...lol): Accompany the above look with an outer cloak/abaya as prescibed in the Quran  33:59

O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognised and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.

Makers of simple yet stylish and sophisticated abayas, the Barakah sisters interview coming soon on this blog.

Embarrassed by the Athan Software

Aaah... the benefits of the portable athan.... Not!

The athan software recently went of during a job boot camp session at my uni. It went off uptil 'Allaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh.......' after which I quickly pressed the mute button on my laptop.

The north indian and south indian girls  next to me gave me a "are-you-crazy-out-of-your-mind" look. I have my doubts anyone in the room made any sense out of what had emanated from my laptop. A bunch of guys did giggle; however they were muslim guys and hence quickly understood what I had set off.

It recently went off on my iPad while I was on the subway.  However the volume was set at low and I acted like "it wasn't me".

My friend said it once went off while he was giving a presentation. Another friend said it went off while he was taking a Skype video interview and he ended up apologizing because the software had hung up, but the athan voice was intact; the interviewee suddenly felt at ease during the course of the interview due to the pause in the interview.

I have limited its installation to my home computer.

Have you been in a similar situation?  Please share in the comments below.

Embarrassing Eid Moment

Occasionally, it happens in your life; a khutbah that sweeps you off your feet. You wish you could revisit that khutbah again and again.

On Eid morning, a khutbah that changed my life landed on my ears.  I stepped out of the masjid prayer place, still dazed by the rich content and now thoroughly motivated to land my hands on the essay.

I walked up to a "regular" girl at the masjid. Here is the conversation that ensued.

Me:Excuse me, would you know the name of the imam?
Girl:Yes, it's ABC.
Me in my thoughts: Great, a Google search will lead me to his blog, or maybe its already there on Khutbah.com..
Me:Umm...does he have a blog?
Girl: No, he already has a bride. He is married to a 19 year old hafizza.


!!!!

How the Haute Hijab Luxe-Bora Bora Silk Headscarf Reminded me of the Verses of the Quran

The Haute Hijab Bora Bora Silk  headscarf came in a sweet smelling perfumed wrapping paper.

The sealing of it is (with) musk; and for that let the aspirers aspire. Surat Al-Muţaffifīn, 26

 At 60% Silk, 40% Polyester it has a 100% silky touch, look and feel.
Gardens of Eternity will they enter: therein will they be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls; and their garments there will be of silk. Surat Fāţir, 33

At 72" x 19" it provides ample frontal coverage and a decent amount of back coverage.
...and to draw their veils over their bosoms…Surat An-Nūr, 31

So what is "bora-bora", I wondered. A “Bora Bora” Google image search returned these images.

O ye who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance: In the hope that your Lord will remove from you your ills and admit you to Gardens beneath which Rivers flow ...Surat At-Taĥrīm, 8

Disclaimer: I am aware the headscarf is merely an earthly matter, but I couldn't help but draw parallels. I am not making a mockery of religion. If I am, then I seeks Allah’s forgiveness.

I was inspired by the following verse of the Quran:

 “When they are given fruit there as provision, they will say: "This is what we were given before." But they were only given a simulation of it.”...Surah Baqarah, 25

In other words, when I wear silk in Jannah Inshallah, I will probably say, “Hmm, this reminds of the Haute Hijab Bora –Bora  headscarf  that I was given on Earth.”

:)

Inshallah.

#positive # hope #optimism  #maybe overtly optimistic #faith

My review of this product I hear you ask? Well if its thoughts distracted me as I read the Quran, may Allah forgive, then I must really like it.

 Items laid out for Eid morning: Scarf, skirt,black top, turquoise undercap and all. Maxi skirt: Kohls, chiffon top: Kohls.

 And, yes, I do. The print comprises of feathers and involute swirls (which my five year old son calls Spideman's web). If you are looking for a non-floral scarf, but enjoy the busyness of a floral, then this is the one. It is not shiny to look at; it has a matte finish. Best of all, the scarf frames the face really well. May I say, it provides a face-lift to this adult acne sufferer.

:) :)

O children of Adam! We have indeed sent down to you clothing to cover your shame, and (clothing) for beauty and clothing that guards (against evil), that is the best. This is of the communications of Allah that they may be mindful. 

                                                                                              Surat Al-'A`rāf -26

(Tip/Disclaimer...lol): Accompany the above look with an outer cloak/abaya as prescibed in the Quran 33:59

O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognised and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.

Image Source: https://www.facebook.com/barakahabaya

When Wearing a Garment and Before Undressing

When Wearing a Garment, say:

'All Praise is for Allaah who has clothed me with this garment and provided it for me, with no power nor might from myself.'

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Before Undressing, say:

'In the name of Allah'

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We Believe In The Clear and Unclear Verses (Quran 3:7)

(Ignore the background music.)

It is He Who has sent down to you (Muhammad SAW) the Book (this Quran). In it are Verses that are entirely clear, they are the foundations of the Book [and those are the Verses of Al-Ahkam (commandments, etc.), Al-Fara'id (obligatory duties) and Al-Hudud (legal laws for the punishment of thieves, adulterers, etc.)]; and others not entirely clear. So as for those in whose hearts there is a deviation (from the truth) they follow that which is not entirely clear thereof, seeking Al-Fitnah (polytheism and trials, etc.), and seeking for its hidden meanings, but none knows its hidden meanings save Allah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in it; the whole of it (clear and unclear Verses) are from our Lord." And none receive admonition except men of understanding. (Tafsir At-Tabari). Quran 3:7

An incomplete list of unclear matters:

• The essence and nature of Allaah’s attributes
• The essence of what is with Allaah of the delight of the people of Paradise 
• The torment for those who disobey Him. 

Summary of Quran 3:7

Whatever the case, let him say (interpretation of the meaning): “We believe in it; the whole of it (clear and unclear Verses) are from our Lord”

Further Reference : http://islamqa.info/en/ref/103146

Honesty

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Expect The Expected and The Unexpected

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Rabia Z Duster is The New Cardigan.

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How I Keep My Vanity in Check

"O Allah, just as You have made my external features beautiful, make my character beautiful as well".

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Rabia Z Ensemble - Print on Print Action!

Rabia Z Ensemble: a possible eid outfit. The print on the top and the print on the scarf complement each other.

The drape on the skirt mimics the drape in the top. Stylish and sophisticated yet simple.

My Rabia Z Shopping Cart Items

1. Abaya: Rabia Z
2. Scarf: Rabia Z
3. Top: Rabia Z

Yay! for free shipping :) (for orders that exceed $ 200)

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Ugly Killings - There are Victims That Get Killed and Then There Are The Victims Loved Ones

I offer my deepest condolence to  the families affected by the the massacres in Colorado and Wisconsin.
As always, I hope this is the last of such crimes.

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Both these images are replete with sadness, one of a son and the other of a father.

Dark -Entry : Your Last Word On Earth

A town in Massachusetts will apparently fine you $20 for littering the air with cuss words. Makes me wonder the reason why remembrances such as InshaAllah, MashaAllah, SubhanAllah, Alhamdullilah and the like were put in place: because humans use words to vent anger. And might as well meet adversity with the Creators name. So as a muslim, next time you drive your car into an accident, and you feel the urge to drop an F-bomb, remember the remembrance of God. You never know it maybe your last word.

Google search keywords "taj mahal breath away"

Dear Muslim, 


Do you find the Quranic Paradise ridiculous and unbelievable? 

• "Houris reserved in pavilions" [55:72] 
• "and(as for) those who believe and do good works - We tax not any soul beyond its scope - Such are rightful owners of the Garden."[7:42]
•  and "for them are built lofty rooms, one above the other, under which rivers flow."[39:20] and "and beautiful mansions in Gardens of everlasting bliss"[9:72].

 And yet a similar thing on earth literally takes your breath away.

Source: google.com via Amused on Pinterest

App Review : QuranWorks

In the wake of the month of Ramadan I brought an Ipad app called QuranWorks.

Price: Juz 30 free to try. 10 $ for the entire Quran.

The UX/UI aspect of this product is the most appealing feature. The interface is very soothing -- pages that flip at the slightest brush of the fingertips. One can easily read the Quran for hours together without an eye strain.
Since it is an Ipad app, you don't need a rayhal (though I love a wooden rayhals'  filigree work) and neither will your hands tire of holding the hard copy version.

However, I wish the app had the "finger-cursor" feature. If I were to place my finger on a word, the word alone should be be recited. This would be a useful feature for people of the indian subcontinent whose Arabic comes in fits and starts -- those of us who made the art of  reading the Quran a.k.a tajweed the least of our priorities.

Also I wonder why the voice recitation has a white noise in the background when it can be easily removed using free tools like Audacity.

Also in the voice recitation mode I would love to see a  word highlight feature as opposed to a sentence highlight feature. A developer from Kerala, whose company is called Sha Plus,  has a Quran software that has a  word by word meaning display for Surah's 78 to 114. So far Sha Plus is the only Quran product that I have come across has the unique word by word feature.

However, I would highly  recommend Quran Works  for its soothing interface. It is in the true likeness of the Quran.