Surah of the week

" The originator of the heavens and earth! When He decreeth a thing,He saith unto it only: Be! and it is.
(2:117)

Wednesday, December 31, 2008



"Help you, one another in al-Birr and at-Taqwaa (virtue, righteousness) but do not help one another in sin and transgression." [Soorah al-Maaidah (5): 2]


A good sister is more than a good friend.

She is a companion in this dunya, in this world. She gives naseehah (advice), shares her knowledge, keeps contact with her sisters in Islaam, does ibaadah (worship of Allaah) together with her sisters in Islaam. she protects the honour of her sisters in faith, she controls her tongue and does not spread rumours nor talks behind the back of her sisters. She is a trustworthy friend, a beloved sister.

These images below show all the things we do and experience together as sisters in Islam. We laugh, cry, get married and have children, protest, and most importantly worship Allah together!!

Sisterhood is a beautiful bond between muslimaat. Simplest way to spread love between us is to spread salaam as Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, has said,

Oh Muslimaat, be sisters.. uphold the ties of sisterhood


The bold was taken from article taken from muslimah connection (which is an awesome site Masha'allah) and the rest are my thoughts, With the new year descending upon us (and for some of us already here) we need to remember we are sisters in Islam.

Unfortunately, many of our sisters and brothers are experiencing turmoil in Palestine;lets make duas for them. Also, lets make an effort to uphold the ties of Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood in good times as well.

I am so grateful for all of my friends I have come to know since creating Inspired muslimah. Subhanallah, I have learned so much and I love you all for the sake of Allah. Halal Honey, Ange, Yasmin, Umm Travis, Beautiful Muslimah, A muslim Wife, Zaenab, Aalia, Lazeena Umm Yusuf, Random Muslima, Jana, Empress Anisa, OMG there are too many to name and now I feel bad because I did not name everyone, please forgive me, I have good intentions. The point was thanks to all who have contributed to my knowledge in Islam. I sooo appreciate you all. I love my sisters in Islam!!


This is such a beautiful video about a muslim wife. I am learning the qualities that will make a good wife,inshallah. I see which qualities I posses easily and those which will be a struggle. Faithfulness, loyalness, a good devoted partner, a friend, a sister leaning towards piousness, and most importantly a believer in Allah (s.w.t). Obedience does not come so easy for me. I am often told how disobedient I am. I find this hard to believe since I actually feel I am pretty obedient even though its not easy for me. If your habibi or future habibi doesn't agree, then you may have something to think about.

"Women mistakenly think, that in order to be strong, they should behave like men. They should fight for their independence. Their right to work and strive hard like a man. To be in the public domain. As a prior independent western woman, I can tell you, that role is seriously misleading. It is tiring, difficult, and takes away from a woman everything that is beautiful and sacred about her unique characteristics - her fitrah."

This was taken from one sister’s blog and I totally agree http://thelightwithin.wordpress.com who I believe is sister umm travis but I am not sure. If so, nice blog sis, Masha’allah!!

I think this sums up everything quite nicely. I want to be good wife to my future husband but Iam worried about a few things. I already know he worries about me being disobedient. I am very outspoken and I have always been. This is an area I need to work on. He wants a conversation to end when he says and I have a problem walking away. I may keep going with it, which results in an disagreement. I have a huge problem with feeling like I am being treated like a child. This may be due to the difference in our upbringing. He was born and raised muslim and I am a revert. He has a problem with my lack of respect and disobedience. Insha'allah I truly believe he is the one. These are just some area's we must work on before we are married. I found an interesting link off the sisters (umm travis ??) blog I linked above. Here are things we can think about as muslim wives (for those who are married) and for future muslim wives, insha'allah.

Islam is clear on the kind of wife you should be seeking. The Prophet (s.a.w) said: "A woman may be married for four reasons: for her property, her status, her beauty, and her religion; so try to get one who is religious, may you be blessed." This specifically defines just what kind of a companion we are seeking, for if we marry her for anything other than her religious piety, our marriage is bound to fall into misery.

"Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husbands) absence what Allah would have them guard"[s.4;v.34]

"A Muslim woman

A believing woman

A devout woman

A true woman

A woman who is patient and constant

A woman who humbles herself

A woman who gives charity

A woman who fasts and denies herself

A woman who guards her chastity

A woman who engages much in Allah's praise."

Iam honestly striving to be all of these things, Allah sees my efforts. I still fall short ofcourse. I have already thought about my dowry and marriage contract, however, I am not sure if it is sunnah to make things allowed in Islam to be prohibited as a part of ones contract. I wont share everything, but to make a long story short, I am not ok with my future husband taking a second wife and I would like to include this in our marital contract. I know polygamy is permissible in Islam. I am not okay with it and I have to do some major praying on this. Is it okay that I feel this way or am I wrong for trying to impose a rule on my future husband that Allah has allowed?? I will make an effort to wear hijab soon insha’allah (I plan on wearing hijab as of January 1,2009, but I am not sure my emaan is strong enough). I know these things are very important to my fiancé. MAJOR to him. I have no doubt he will be a good provider, leader, husband, and friend. I also know I can be a good wife to him, I know I can! Make duas for me, my sisters in Islam..Also, I have learned so much regarding becoming a good muslim wife from a muslim wifes blog and umm travis blog. If you need anymore advice on this please visit these sisters blogs,insha'allah. If anyone else has any advice on how to prepare for marriage and issues faced once married please feel free to post them here.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Salaams everyone, this was an interesting week for me. My family is christian and I am muslim. This was my first holiday season as a muslim it was hard. It was hard to be with them and not feel bad because of what christmas represents. I did have dinner at my family's house and I had a good time. I took that time to explain to some friends and family the difference of Islam and Christianity. They were very receptive and respectful of my religion,alhamdullilah!! Although I was with them I was able to leave feeling good about my position in islam and about being a muslimah. I tried to participate in as a little as possible of actual christmas activities. I am very close to my family and so having dinner with them was just routine for us. Insha'allah I will become a full time hijabi January 1. Please make duas for me. Interestingly enough, I feel as if I need new wardrobe for my transition. Reading other sisters blogs I can see how a hijabi in tight or revealing clothing is not really a hijabi at all (aka hojabi as I have recently learned). I dont consider my clothes too revealing what so ever but they are not islamic. I think I will have a lot of shopping to do in the upcoming months. The funny thing is before becoming muslim I considered myself a modest dresser.LOL. Iam not modest enough to be a hijabi, in my current wardrobe. I think I will have to spend at least $1,ooo to get myself together for my transition,and insha'allah I will do this in january. These are some basic tops I would wear with pair of jeans:



Tops for school by Inspired Muslimah

Now in my honest opinion, none of these tops are too bad but they wouldn't be appropriate with hijab. Would do you think?? They are too revealing for hijab?? I think so, however,these are the plainest simplest tops i have and I dont think any of these will work. Becoming a hijabi is not as easy as putting the scarf on. Its a way of life and your dress must be appropriate. I have a few items I can currently wear with hijab but not many(e.g button up tops), like this :

And my jeans are another problem. Here are some typical jeans I would wear( not with hijab):
I wouldnt dare put on any of these jeans with hijab. I find this all very stressful because I am having a hard time coming to terms with covering my hair, but thats not all. I wont be able to wear all my favorite jeans and I just feel like I wont be able to feel pretty any more. I know pleasing allah is number one,but giving up fashion for me is not easy. I learn so much from everyones blogs but the fashion is usually centered around an abaya, which makes it easier to be modest. If your not including an abaya, it is not as easy to pull off a fashionable hijab look in my opinion. Even most of post from polyvore include abaya.Insha'allah these growing pains wont stop me from doing what I need to do, which is wear hijab. I feel like I gaining so much in islam and losing my old identity at all once. Feeling lost isnt a good position to be in, and I find that Its very uncomfortable in the this middle stage. I also feel like I wish I could hire a stylist to help me through this conversion, which proper hijab and proper modest dressing. I am normally such a fashionable and cute dresser but I have no clue how to still be cute and modest, even with all the blogs I frequent. I guess its just going to take a lot of work and money and praying insha'allah!

Friday, December 19, 2008

The letter T

I been tagged by Empress Anisa and Halal Honey -Thanks girls :D


- Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following questions
- They have to be real place, names, things, nothing made up!
- Try to use different answers if the person who tagged you had the same 1st initial.
- You can't use your name for the boy/girl name question.


All things that begin with the letter T:
What is your name: T
4 letter word: Thankful
A boys Name: Taha
A girls Name: Tasiyah
A color: Teal
Something you wear: Turtleneck
A food: Taco's (yummy in my tummy)
Something found in the bathroom: Tylenol
A place: Taiwain
A Reason for being late: Traffic!
Something you shout: Thank-you!!!

Thursday, December 18, 2008



Life has gotten really hard for me lately and sometimes I feel as I am losing control. School has taken over my life and I dont even know what fun is anymore. If you knew me before, you would notice the difference. Iam anxious and uptight all the time from the stress of school. However, I find comfort in reading the hadith. As you may know Im struggling with some things in islam right now. However, I have been handling it the wrong way. I read the blogs of my fellow muslimahs and I think wow they make it look easy. I need to have the attititude if they can do I can do it too. I need to stop fighting all the things about this wonderful and complete religion and embrace it. This will be hard for me but insha'allah I will work hard at this. Narrated by Abu Musa: The Prophet said, "The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rain water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it and for irrigation of the land for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefits). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah's religion and gets benefit (from the knowledge) which Allah has revealed through me (the Prophets and learns and then teaches others. The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not take Allah'sguidance revealed through me (He is like that barren land.)" This hadith was striking to me!! Sometimes I read quran or hadith and I feel as if Allah is speaking to me directly. To all my sisters out there who find themselves overwhelmed take solace in this amazing hadith revealed for our beloved prophet (please and blessing upon him). And sisters, inshallah I will prepare to become a full time hijabi January 1,2009. Please make duas for me.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

5 Things :D

I was tagged by Yasmin and Halal Honey (Thanks guys)

5 Things I was doing 10 years ago

-In high school, living the goodlife!!
-Shopping and going to restaurants with my friends
-Cheerleading Go Tigers!
-Planning my life in 10 years...( I am totally type A personality and I plan ahead)
-Being a daddys girl! ( still am)

5 Things on my to do ( only 5??)

- Read more Quran
-Catch up friends
-Renew magazine subscriptions
-Get a pedicure and Massage
-Go to Bath and Body Works

5 snacks I love

-Rootbeer floats!!!
-Chocolate chip cookies (yum)
-Chedder and sourcream Lays chips
-Tuxedo and Key lime pie cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory
-Chai with soy and vanilla from Starbucks

5 Things I would do If I were a millionaire

-Pay off all family debts
-Travel the world
-Build my dream house
-Make a scholarship fund for my little cousins
-Donate Donate Donate to every charity I could think of

5 Places I have lived

-Suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio
-Pittsburgh, Pa
-Hampton,Virginia

5 Jobs I have had

-Bank
-Macys
-Gap
-Medical School
- Intern

5 People I tag



Monday, December 15, 2008

Islamic Survey

Taken from Aalia's blog and originally Lazeena Umm Yusuf..here is my answers for the islamic survey


Name: Currently in the process of exploring an Islamic name.

Location: USA

Background: Black,Indian and irish all in 1!

Spouse (if so, name and background): Currently engaged to a wonderful pious muslim man, from the USA, well traveled,educated in the process of going to medical school, speaks fluent arabic and is black and west indian.

How long have you been married? See above

Kids? None yet but very excited!

Are you a revert? Alhamdullilah Yes, I am a revert

Have you been to Hajj or Umrah? No not yet

How many masjid have you been to? Several in ohio

Have you ever been involved with a masjid? Unfortunately not yet

Who are some of your favorite lectures by? Anwar Al-Awlaki, Bilal Phillips, Yusef Estetes, lectures off the Icnyc lecture series via podcast.

Who are some of your favorite recitors? Abd Al Basit Abd As Samad

Some of your favorite Islamic books? Even angels ask: a journey to Islam.Currently reading the ideal muslimah, The Islam guide, and stories from the prophets. And you cannot go wrong with the Quran.

Describe your most memorable Eid:

This was my very first Eid and was symbolic because I am new Muslim and I spent it with my future in laws. His mother, sisters and sisters in law, spoke to me about Islam, gave me advice, we talked about hijab and abaya stores, and it was my first real connection with other muslimahs. It was just us girls, which is the most proper Islamic way. He was not there, nor his father or brothers. We were able to relax our hijabs and they showed me more ways to style my hijab and gave me several abaya’s and shaylas. I was extremely nervous and they were nothing but welcoming, alhamdullilah.

When did you first start fasting? This is my first year being Muslim, so I started fasting September 1,2008 on the first day of Ramadan.

When did you start hijab?

I have yet to commit to hijab full time. I wear it frequently but I still take it on and off. Hijab is very important to my future husband and his family also. His mother and 1 of his 5 sisters wear niqab. They have welcomed me with open arms but I know that I will need to commit to it full time. This is area of extreme stress for me as I struggle with hijab, but my fiancé will not marry a women who doesn wear hijab so…..

What's your usual outift like when you go out?

Jeans, scarf, and cozy cute sweater. Lots of accessories and a cute handbag. In time inshallah, I will incorporate the abaya into my wardrobe. My future MIL and sister in laws ALL wear abaya, hijab and some of them niqab.

What do you like about blogging

I love learning about that others are doing. I love learning about Islam through others and I love the connection I feel with my muslim sisters. Although hijab is something I struggle, I have learned so much through blogs about hijab and how I can learn to incorporate style into hijab, alhamdullilah!!

Describe your first feelings wearing hijab

Hijab: Very uncomfortable, I felt smothered and uncomfortable and I felt like everyone was staring at me.

Abayah: Have only worn them around the house, not yet outside.

Niqaab: I have never worn one and I dont own one, but Inshallah I will. I think they rock!

How do you pin your hijab?

shayla style and I am currently learning many more styles through the use of you tube video. I do not know the names of the various styles I wear.

What was on the last prayer mat you made salah on?

A green and gray one that was given to me as a gift, when I took the shahada,.

What's your ideal iftar? A nice tall glass of juice and a fruit salad.

What type of adhaan really gets to you? Not sure

What's something that annoys you at Jummah: Feeling like your under scrutiny.

What was the last surah you read? (not recited in salah) The prophets

Do you dry yourself after wudu? I always have a towel handy to dry off.

Do you brush your teeth for fajr salah? No, I just make Wudu

Whats the last Islamic thing you've been involved with?

Learning learning and learning! I will take online classed to learn more about starting in january,alhamdullilah!

What was the last convention you went to?

I haven’t been to an Islamic convention yet L

Have you ever been part of an Islamic matrimonial site? No

What color is the rug in the masjid you usually attend?

I don’t remember, I have only been a few times. I make my prayers at home and I can barely attend juma because I am in class during the time of jumah and the nearest masjid from my school is 30 min.

Is the masjid you usually attend separated? yes

Have you ever stood in a minbar?

Not sure what this is.

Have you ever washed a dead body before? No

What's the last thing you ate in the masjid?

Food that my future MIL prepared

Where's the strangest place you've seen a Muslim working?

In sams club in the meat department, only strange because they sell pork and I wonder how that works for him

Have you ever posted a flier in the masjid? no

Rate your masjid's bathroom: NA

Have you ever used a bidet for istinja?:

Don’t know what a bidet is. I have my own instinja bottle I carry.

What's the weirdest thing that happened to you in salah? Nothing yet I pray alone at home primarily.

Isn't it annoying when the imam tells everyone to shut off their cell phones and someone's phone rings in the middle of salah? LOL

What's some of the best halal food you've had (from a non Muslim country)?

The food at my future inlaws house!! She is an amazing cook and only cooks with all halal meats and ingredients. She wont eat anywhere not halal so I am learning a lot from her alahamdullilah.

What was it like when you found out skittles were haram?

Still sad over it. I was a big candy person and since my conversion to Islam, I have found out that all my favorite treats are haram…

What's something haram that you think most people don't know?

I am not sure. I find out something is haram everyday…and its discouraging,

What's the craziest hijabi fashion you've seen? Not sure

What did you like about this survey??

I learned a lot of about myself and I know somethings I need to learn and work on.

Monday, December 8, 2008

A weekend in NYC...

Nyc on newyears is one of my favorite places. I have been for at least 5 newyears and will probably go again this newyears. This is an outfit inspired for a weekend in the big apple.



Black is the new black and its my favorite color!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Eid Mubark Everyone

Allahu akbar Allahu akbar Allahu akbar, la illaha illallah, Allahu akbar Allahu akbar wa lilllahil hamd.
We ask Allah to bless us during these special days and to accept our good deeds.

Lets all do our best to remember Allah and strive to make sure that everyone action we take is for Allah. Make Dua's for all your brothers and sisters, in hopes they will increase thier iman. Try not to backbite or slander one another, for in the quran, this is referred to as eating the flesh of your brother.
We should remember Allah, praise Him and seek His forgiveness during these moments.

I really love juicy couture! Pretty much anything they make. I want a dog and this in this pic,is how I imagine my doggy to look,because I will get him or her,that little doggy outfit. I want the new juicy couture perfume in this picture "Viva La Juicy" , I have the "juicy couture" perfume already. I decided to make most of these items juicy. The charm-bracelet is so, so cute, I have that exact one. This is my outfit that I will wear today to go do what you ask?? Study ofcourse! Thats all I have time for!



I also love the color pink so I am always looking to incorporate it in my outfits. Missing is my pink scarf, I will wear as hijab. I couldn't find one like it on polyvore, so just use your imagination!


Winter blues

I dont know about you all, but winter is my least favorite season. Here its like we get 6 months of winter, from october to april. It will literally snow that much!! It snowed all weekend here it and its depressing. I hate driving in the snow, you have to plan for a much longer commute from a to b, its just a mess. I think Im going to trade my car in for a SUV. I dont plan on being here much longer but I need a suv to make me not go insane. The problem with SUV's is gas is soo expensive, although its unbelievably cheap right now, but how long with it last?? I totally have the winter blues. Iam totally not an inspired muslimah, I should change my name to uninspired muslimah. Eid is tomorrow and I have an exam,so most likely I cannot even attend the prayer. Thats the cost of being muslim in America though. It really sucks! I have 2 more weeks of school to wrap of this semester before I have 2 whole weeks off, alhamdullilah!! I cannot wait. I will work on my blog, read quran, rest, and just get rejuvenated. Eid Mubarak everyone, is what I should be saying instead of crying about my life, Iam just down right now. I think I am getting sick..I have had this sore throat for a few days now.Today I literally have a test to study for tomorrow,a paper to finalize, a paper to type and 2 other assignments that I need to complete...:( Iam so unmotivated,make duas for me everyone, I have a long 2 weeks coming up and I seriously need a boost.

I am a Muslim Women

I am a Muslim Woman

Feel free to ask me why
When I walk, I walk with dignity
When I speak, I do not lie

I am a Muslim Woman,
Not all of me you'll see
But what you should appreciate
Is that the choice I make is free

I'm not plagued with depression
I'm neither cheated nor abused
I don't envy other women
And I'm certainly not confused

Note, I speak perfect English
Et un petit peu de francais aussie
I'm majoring in Linguistics
So you need not speak slowly
I own my own small business
Every cent I earn is mine
I drive my Chevy to school and work
And no, that's not a crime

You often stare as I walk by
You don't understand my veil
But peace and power I have found
For I am equal to any male

I am a Muslim Woman
So please don't pity me
For God has guided me to truth
And now I'm finally free!

This poem is NOT by me,just thought it was cute..I am not sure of the author.

;;

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