I sometimes agree with Rumi...

He whose intellect overcomes his desire is higher than the angels; he whose desire overcomes his intellect is less than an animal.
~Rumi 

Unhappy to meet God...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgi1Q-o8gMk

A Beautiful Thinking Mind: Dr.Periyar Dasan Abdullah

From polytheism to atheism to Buddhism to Islam

http://vimeo.com/16336758

The Uncertainity of The Nothing

The audience at the time of revelation of Quran were mainly theists and polytheists. However the Quran did address the questions put forth by present day atheists.

Hmmm...strange....as a poorly practicing Muslim my tongue goes on auto-pilot and says, "SubhanAllah"


Image Source : CNN

Lawrence Krauss,""I can’t prove that God doesn’t exist," , but I’d much rather live in a universe without one."

Of rain showers and lightning...

Your good deed will not cause a rain shower and your bad deed will not summon a lightning strike on your head.

However it alters your personality.

If you unknowingly do something wrong it changes your personality in a subtle way and if you knowingly do something wrong you alter your personality in a drastic way.

Everything you do is either making your brain or breaking your brain.

Each one of us is imperfect; those of us born with normal beautiful perfect bodies realize it late.

How To Find Out If An Online Shop Has Lowered Price of an Item you Like

Not all online shops send out a Facebook notification whenever they lower a price. Here is an easy way to be personally notified  a.k.a via email whenever the price of an item you are eyeing is reduced in price.

1. Goto http://www.changedetection.com/
2. Fill details for page address and send alert to.

You will get notification whenever the webpage changes, whenever the prices are lowered or increased.

The Perfect Black Dress Of The Muslim Woman

Indian Clothing Trivia: Did you know that not just the muslim woman's cloak but even the salwar kameez has been referrred to as the "tent"? I can't quite remember the piece of literature, but the salwar kameez wearing heroine was a case of 'pink and green flowery tent'.(Vikram Seth's Suitable Boy was it?) And ofcourse, how many times have he heard the cliched phrase 'yards and yards of fabric' coupled with the sari?

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. Quran 33:59

Shopping for an abaya, the tradititonal black cloak of the muslim woman is no easy task, as these days majority of the pieces are sold with bling on them. I have nothing against bling; however what about the consumer that wishes to wear it plain and simple? For example contrast the themes: black embroidery in the black backdrop, and: the night sky and here are the stars, up-close and within reach.

I recently asked my Dubai based sister-in-law to go abaya shopping for me specifying "no bling" as the most important factor. She forwarded me these three choice and I settled for the simple one nestled in the middle.

 I thoroughly enjoy abayas which have minimalistic add-ons: subtle pieces like lace, embroidery, crochet and sequins in moderation (like food) which add class without making it glitzy.




Creating the cloak of the muslim woman while keeping the looseness intact and without making it look like a maxi dress is no ordinary art. The general public may call it a tent, but the muslim woman whose heart has taken to the looseness and flowy attire, simply gushes at the sight of this perfect black dress. Yes people, this is our version of the perfect black dress.

I recently came across the UK based 'Barakah'. Their wall photos on Facebook comprise of abaya's that give importance to the drapery, the material, loose fittedness and most importantly add-ons that are subtle yet sophisticated. They also have a blog with a very interesting name : Shewasvain.blogspot.com

(Keep reading to find out the reason behind the interesting name.)

I got curious about the makers (I believe behind beautiful artworks are beautiful-at-heart people). Who are these designers who don't seem to be following the mainstream fashion trend of glitter that hurt your eyes?

Following is the interview of the lovely sisters. I have italicized 'lovely sisters' because I have never met them; the interview is the outcome of a mere email exchange; an old fashioned letter-writing-pen-friends concept of sorts. Lovely is the reply they sent forth; just like the artsy work that spills of their hands. Mashallah.

The Interview

Q:Congratulations while keep the modesty factor in the abaya intact. Its difficult to find abayas that dont cling to the body and sans sparkles. Is this a conscious choice you make when creating your pieces, to keep within the limits as set by religion. For example, I have noticed even when you cinch in the waist, you add on drapery to keep the loose fit intact, Mashallah.

 Barakah: JazakAllahu Khair, at the beginning it was kind of conscious as we aimed to make loose fitting garments and keep the rules of keeping the abayas modest, but as we started making more, it just kind of became second nature.

Q:I am impressed you are not following the mainstream bling-bling abaya fashion. What keeps you motivated to create these pieces when the majority of the consumers suffer from excessive-rhinestones and swarovski crystals disorder?
 Barakah: We've never really been into the whole excess swarovski crystal style abayas. What keeps us motivated is the abayas we design and make are ones that we see ourselves wearing. We try to make unique and classical pieces that sisters may feel comfortable in but we also want our abayas to be seen as works of art.

Q: Do you have other hobbies/interests, (like writing poetry)..do you sense a correlation between the two or get inspired by the other?
 Barakah: Yes we do have other hobbies, some of which are; photography, interior design, baking, art and painting, mostly creative things. Yes we do see a huge correlation between them which makes the design process much more exciting being able to get inspiration from things you enjoy.

Q: How many days does it take to create a single piece; the ball park range of the journey from the drawing board to the mannequin.

 Barakah: The days it takes to create depends on how complicated the design is and making adjustments can extend the process. The days also vary from the drawing board process to the mannequin depending on how quickly we get inspiration. Some days we might just drape fabrics on a mannequin to see what we can create. 

Q: Future plans...I really hope you have a clothing line in the works, Inshallah. The world needs simple yet sophisticated abayas. 

 Barakah: Insha'Allah we hope to expand in the near future, maybe get a website and open a boutique.

Q: Lastly, is there a story behind naming your blog "She was vain"?
 Barakah: "She 'WAS' Vain" suggests that it is in the past tense so she used to be vain, so She Was Vain is the girl that cared too much about her clothes, but changed and chose modesty.

https://www.facebook.com/barakahabaya
shewasvain.blogspot.com

Top View of an Anti-Eggitarian Breakfast

Fruit: Champagne grapes and cantaloupe
Cheese: Babybel
Juice: Orange juice fortified

For picky eaters and anti breakfasters.

:)

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

Source

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.

Ken Shouldn't Beat Barbie and Barbie Shouldn't Beat Ken

Among my followers the best of men are those who are best to their wives, and the best of women are those who are best to their husbands. - Prophet Muhammad 

Countering Evil Eye

It is indeed true,

I hear the stigma

Called Evil Eye.

So brute, I sigh.

The ailing trauma

No dots, only coma.

I (eye) spy your health

Your wealth

Lather it with envy,

And lo behold!

I am so told

you have taken to bed

And buried in debt.

Evil eye is “the look that supposedly causes harm”. The fear of the evil eye is present in all societies. And the props to protect oneself from the afflictions of  evil eye are numerous. The Indian subcontinent is deep in belief in nazr (evil eye). Lime , chili, salt and other condiments are” prayed upon” and then circled around the traumatized person’s body – head to toe. The mixture is then burnt and the soot buried. The performer of the ritual then claims money for the “cure” performed.

Novelty stores across the world sell beady eye bracelets and Hand of Fatima amulets amongst other crafty items. As a means of adornment they may be acceptable but consciously or subconsciously entrusting the protection of our lives and good fortune in flimsy elements is nothing but idolatry and in bad taste.

Evil eye is a fact mentioned in the Quran in Surah Al-Qalam verse 51, “And those who disbelieve would almost trip thee up with their eyes.”

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said “The effect of an evil eye is a fact.”(Bukhari)

It is normal to harbor feelings of jealousy and envy at the good fortune of another. Evil eye is like a two way sword as it may cause harm to befall upon us or on the other person who possesses the thing of our desire. These are of course normal human feelings which are invoked in us intentionally or unintentionally. But we must curb them in an effective manner.

The Holy Prophet used to place his grandchildren Hasan and Hussain under Allah’s protection by saying, “I commend you two to the protection of Allah’s perfect words from every devil, every poisonous reptile and every evil eye.”

There is nothing more powerful than a verse from the Quran or a dua prescribed by the Holy Prophet to seek protection from evil eye. It is a good habit to recite Surah An–Naas regularly. It should  always be remembered that there is no greater force that Allah (swt) and that evil too is a part of his vast domain. All power rests in the hands of Allah (swt) and He alone has monopoly over all matters. If we like something that belongs to another it is best ask Allah (swt) to bless the person and say Maasha Allah, meaning it is Allah(swt) alone that has willed it to be so good. With so powerful an expression we project ourselves as a well wisher and most importantly protect ourselves as well as the other soul from the vicious effects of evil eye.

Did You “Shura” Today?

Consultation, be it in the medical, law or corporate arena is a billion dollar industry. But did you know that the Quran has prescribed mutual consultation for conducting our daily affairs?

Shura means mutual consultation. Miscommunications, disagreements, misunderstandings are part and parcel of everyday life. They can be taken care of by shura. Shura is for surety. So why not try it for the smallest institution you know of: your family? Sometimes our best therapists are simply the ones around us, those who know us well.

 “…consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).” (Quran, Chapter 3. Verse 159)

So try it: shura with your spouse, kids and parents. It is a good chance to practice not just communication skills but also active and patient listening skills.

 Shura is not limited to the family alone. Sometimes we may need to consult our neighbors and colleagues in reference to a task at hand. Always remember there is no compulsion in Islam. Enjoy the dialogue and the resultant hearty conversation. Simple is the idea of council but a crucial building block of not just nations but families too.

Prayer for Guidance - Al Istikharah

There are times in our lives we may feel confused about a decision. Consultation may bring forth ideas, but certain situations may still leave us feeling indecisive and hesitant. Wavering can be a very uncomfortable feeling.

The prayer for guidance, Al Istikharah, was instructed by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It is a beautiful prayer where one calls upon The Creator and seeks His counsel.

Oh Allah, I seek Your counsel by Your knowledge and I seek Your assistance by Your power and I ask You from Your immense favor, for verily You are able while I am not, and verily You know while I do not, and You are the knower of the Unseen. O Allah, if You know this affair ( mention affair here ) to be good for me in relation to my religion, my life and aftermath, my present and future, then decree it and facilitate it for me, and bless me with it, and if You know this affair to be ill for me concerning my religion, my life and end, my present and future, then remove it from me and remove me from it, and decree for me what is good, whatever it may be, and make me satisfied with it.

Follow this prayer with a decision that you are inclined to, and be assured that you sought counsel with not just your near and dear ones but also with The Provider who is nearer to you “than your jugular vein.”

Consult, decide and trust. Make a decision with peacefulness and assurance that all those who mattered, including God has been consulted.

Queenly Treatment of Women – A Law?

A regular topic in women’s magazines, talk shows, and health and parenting magazines is the self-neglect of women. Most often the point that is stressed is that women as hardworking as they are need to put themselves first. That women need to take care of themselves and a healthy dose of self pampering and selfishness is necessary. It is indeed true, given the stress of everyday lives. Add to it circumstances of postpartum, menopause, or pre and post menstrual periods. Often the example of the airplane oxygen mask is given where travelers are advised to put the mask on themselves first before attending to children or others. As rampant as this advice is, for most women an element of guilt always accompanies the self indulgency.

The religion of Islam contrary to popular belief and practice pampers the woman with many rights. Some of the God given rights of a  muslim are woman  are testification in court, pursual of education, earn, marry, divorce, gain custody of children amongst many other rights including but not limited to the right to good conduct from her husband. Little known is the fact that Islam grants the woman civil, political, social and economic rights.

Financial Obligations of a Muslim Woman – None!

The Quran says,”…to men is allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn…” (4:32).

 A Muslim woman has complete rights over their property: inheritance, gifts or earnings. She may choose to use her property as she pleases. If she does wish to spend on her family, she may do so although she is not obliged to. 

The Quran says, "And give the women (on marriage) their dower as a free gift; but if they, of their own good pleasure, remit any part of it to you, take it and enjoy it with right good cheer" (4:4)

The responsibility of providing for the family falls on the shoulders of the man. The man is obliged for the upkeep of his wife and children.

The Quran says, “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women” (4:34)

 and

 “And it is on the father - to him their food and their clothing with fairness” (2:233).

This frees up the woman in terms of finance. So what do you do with the money? How many times have you come across something and wondered, “I wish I could buy that” or “If I had a little bit more, I would help.” With complete control over your money you could spend, save, invest or give; whatever be on your mind: be it chocolates, cars, or charity!