Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Nursing Jilbabs

I haven't posted for a long time ,since I became Mom and been very busy with my little one..
Now there is something that I'm concerned about as a mother ,which is ,where to find Nursing Jilbabs ,that can be practical ,easy and fast to open and in nice colors.
I did some reasearch in online Islamic stores and I would like to share what I found with other sisters who are breastfeeding and also looking for Nursing Jilbabs ..


This is my first finding and my most favorite jilbabs ,because there are many beautiful colors to choose from including light blue ,khaki ,royal blue ,purple and more ..The Jilbabs are plain ,with no design on them ,that's exactly what I like about my clothing ,so it is perfect choice for me ..
Jilbab has a zipper and is made of peachskin fabric ,that is very practical and doesnt need much ironing.


This store also has varities of Hijabs in different colors and also Hijabs and Niqab matching sets in beautiful colors



2.Sunnahstyle.com

For the sisters who like larger style of abaya or jilbab ,these are excellent for Nursing .
These abayas have a zipper on the front and are very large and made of good quality lightwigt fabric ..

There are only two colors :black or navy blue



I think this is most interesting Nursing Jilbab I found .It seams to be very practical and easy to use when breastfeeding .
Basically this jilbab has a hidden zipper across your chest ..
Please click on the link to view the jilbab
It comes in navy blue and grey ..


This is all I found so far .Please share with me if you know any other store selling Nursing Jilbabs ..

Also Nursing Covers is a very good option .
Please ckeck this web site and use this coupn that I have to get a free cover " Family2010"
Pleas leave your comments!!!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Photographer captures the women who wear the hijab

 By SANDY ILLIAN BOSCH sbosch@pioneerlocal.com

Sadaf Syed of Willowbrook grew up in Los Angeles with dreams of becoming a teacher. She found a way to fulfill that dream, not with a teaching degree, but with a camera.
"I believe we're all here to educate one another," said Syed. Through her photo documentary, "iCover, A Day in the Life of an American Muslim COVERed Girl," she wants to show the world that a woman who chooses to wrap her head in a scarf is just like every other woman in America.
Walks of life 
Like Syed, all of the women in her book have chosen to wear the traditional head covering of the Muslim faith. Syed's book of photos, which has seen its first run, but is still being tweaked, shows Muslim women in all ways of life -- from mother to dentist to motorcycle enthusiast.
"It's something that I do for God," said Syed, who began wearing the scarf, or hijab, in early 2001.
She said the hijab is part of a commitment to live a humble, modest life. It also allows people to focus on a woman's inner beauty rather than her outward appearance.
But the public, especially in post-Sept. 11 America, has misconceptions.

Heavy weight 
"If there's one thing I know for sure now, it's that this light strip of cloth sure does carry a lot of weight," Syed wrote in her book's introduction.
She said some people see the scarf as a symbol of piety -- a sign that the wearer considers herself more holy than the rest of the world. Others believe it's a sign of a woman's submissiveness to her husband.
But the women in "iCover" are anything but subservient. They are boxers, surfers, U.S. soldiers and artists who choose to honor God by covering their heads.
Covering one's head in honor of God is not unique to the Muslim faith, Syed said. She notes that Mary, the mother of Jesus, is always pictured with her head covered. Most nuns still cover their heads, as do Orthodox Jews.
Syed said a Muslim woman's decision to wear or not to wear the hijab is an individual one made between her and God. For Syed, the scarf serves as a constant reminder of her relationship with God and of her commitment to try to be the best person she can be.

Access granted 
She said she's grateful to the women who allowed her to include them in her book, which when complete will be about 125 pages long.
"It takes a lot for people to invite you into their private lives," she said.
Syed found these women through modern day word-of-mouth. As friends e-mailed friends, they began suggesting women they believed would help Syed deliver her message. To photograph them, she flew all over the country, to the East and West coasts, to a dance studio in Texas and a courthouse in Baltimore.
Syed sees her book as a way to celebrate women -- like the Pakistani woman who drives a big rig and the Chicago teacher who challenged herself to complete her first triathlon -- and as a way to show the world that these women really aren't that different after all.
"It's just a piece of cloth," she said.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Free Islamic clothing from EJILBAB.COM

 I would like to introduce all my readers to this Islamic Clothing store www.ejilbab.com
I also would like to inform you about their unique campaign to support  Muslim women specially the newly converted ,  by giving them free Islamic clothing, Hijabs & Niqabs as a gift whenever they place a normal order at the store! 
 Please visit the store for more details www.ejilbab.com 
 and read the following.


NEWLY CONVERTED TO ISLAM?
FIRST TIME WEARING NIQAB (VEIL)?
FIRST TIME WEARING HIJAB (OUTFIT)?

MASHA ALLAH,
CONGRATULATIONS :)

WE ARE HONORED TO OFFER YOU THE FIRST ATTIRE IN YOUR FIRST STEPS ON THE RIGHT PATH
Kindly email us at info@ejilbab.com with your convert or revert story and we ask your permission to publish it (no names) so that other sisters can read and learn from it, in return we'll be glad to offer you a humble gift*** one or all of the following items: which may contain
  • Abaya
  • Jilbab
  • Isdal
  • Hijab - any or all kinds.
  • Niqab
  • Other gifts - books, CD's, Accessories ... etc.
*Gifts are packed within your order placed at ejilbab.com! you can also chose your gift from certain category/ categories when case approved and only after your original order is placed!
**There are many factors that help us decide what your gift will be! Each case will be studied separately.
Gifts are packed and shipped for FREE.
For more information please email us at: info@ejilbab.com
keep us in your prayer (Dua).
Jazakum Allahu Khairan
Fe Aman Allah

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Does the Hijab has to be black ? Is it a must for Muslim women to wear black?



Some people have misconception and confusion about Muslim women clothing .Most people think that Muslim women can only wear black .Even among Muslims there is misunderstanding about this ..For example ,I completely disagree with the rule in Saudi Arabia that Muslim women MUST wear black abaya ..
To clear this misconception I would like to post the following evidences that IT IS NOT A MUST TO WEAR BLACK ,BUT  MANY WOMEN CHOSE TO WEAR BLACK  not because it is obligatory, but because it is farthest removed from being an adornment. There are reports which indicate that the women of the Sahaabah used to wear black. 
And a reminder for myself first and all of us ,is that what we wear should not be an adornment itself .We have to be careful with wearing decorated Hijabs and clothes ,which is most common nowdays among us ..
Let's remember that the glitter of this life is only temporary ,and this life is the one way ticket with only one final destination Heaven or Hell...
 

A woman may wear whatever she wants, so long as she does not wear a colour that is only for men , and she does not wear a garment that is an adornment in itself, i.e., decorated and adorned in such a way that it attracts the gaze of men, because of the general meaning of the verse (interpretation of the meaning):

“…and not to show off their adornment…” [al-Noor 24:31]


This general meaning includes the outer garment, if it is decorated. Abu Dawood (565) narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not prevent the female slaves of Allaah from attending the mosques of Allaah, but let them go out unadorned.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 515.

It says in ‘Awn al-Ma’bood:

“ ‘Unadorned’ means not wearing perfume… they are commanded to go out like this and are forbidden to wear perfume lest they provoke men’s desires with their perfume.
That also includes other things which are forbidden because they provoke desire, such as beautiful clothing and visible and expensive adornment.”

What a woman must do if she appears before non-mahram men is to avoid clothes that are decorated and adorned, which attract the gaze of men.

 No offense to anyone ,but this is not Hijab

It says in Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (17/100):

It is not permissible for a woman to go out in a decorated garment that attracts people’s gaze, because this is something that tempts men.


It also says (17/108):

The dress of the Muslim woman need not only be black. It is permissible for her to wear any colour of clothing so long as it covers her ‘awrah, does not resemble men’s clothing, and is not so tight as to show the shape of her limbs or so thin as to show what is beneath it, and does not provoke temptation.

And it says (17/109):

Wearing black for women is not a must.
They may wear other colours that are worn only by women, do not attract attention and do not provoke desire.







Many women choose to wear black, not because it is obligatory, but because it is farthest removed from being an adornment. There are reports which indicate that the women of the Sahaabah used to wear black. Abu Dawood (4101) narrated that Umm Salamah said: “When the words ‘and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)’ [al-Noor 24:31 – interpretation of the meaning] were revealed, the women of the Ansaar went out looking as if there were crows on their heads because of their garments.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

The Standing Committee (17/110) said: This is to be understood as meaning that those clothes were black in colour.

It is natural for us women to like to adorn ourselves ,but we have to be moderate ,we have to control ourselves .We are following Fashion and Hijabi styles and etc.. but we forget sometimes the purpose of Hijab ..It is our duty not to create Fitna ,not to look tempting ,but what do we do ? We adorn ourselves as much as we can when we going out ..We are following our desires and forget the Commands of Allah ...
Let's remember our purpose on this earth and let's remember the purpose of Hijab ...

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Head-turning hijabs: Islamic fashion lets women cover up in style

London, England (CNN) -- Just because a woman covers up it doesn't mean she can't show off her individual style. That is the belief of a growing number of fashion designers in the Middle East who are cutting conservative clothes with fashionable flair.
Traditionally the Islamic headscarf is a symbol of modesty, but today more and more Muslim women are dressing in eye-catching outfits, albeit with their heads covered.
"Modesty is not the opposite of fashion, and fashion is not about showing more of my body," said Amina al-Jassim, a Saudi designer who makes haute-couture abayas, the long-black cloaks typically worn by more conservative Muslim women, which are also mandatory in Saudi Arabia.
Just 10 years ago it was rare to see women wearing abayas with bright colorful accents and intricate embroidery walking on the streets of the Gulf. Today, they are a common site and their outfits are becoming more more elaborate and bold as the market for such clothing expands.

"What we are seeing now is a generation of local women who are aware of western fashion, educated overseas. They are seeing a lot more outside the smaller communities they live in," said Kerrie Simon, Editor of fashion magazine Grazia in Dubai.
According to Simon the influence of expats has generated a demand for clothing that allows women to express their unique personalities.

 "We are seeing a move to accessorizing the abaya, anything from crystallizing to embroidery."
There is a "fine line," though said Simon, "They wouldn't belt them, or make them shorter, the idea is that the body is covered..
In other words the new popular new styles are not tighter fighting or more body accentuating, they respect the purpose of covering up.
"You can wear the colors of the season, the style of the season...you can get the traditions and principles right and still be fashionable," said al-Jassim. Along with many other designers in the region, al-Jassim also designs eveningwear and travel clothes that break Islamic dress code, but are still popular with local customers who spend time abroad.

Colorful trends, growing sales
Amina al Jassim is just one example of Islamic designers whose business has grown rapidly over the past few years. Today she has three stores in Saudi Arabia, sells her clothes at high-end boutiques across the Middle East, including Harvey Nichols and says she is making in-roads at Harrods in London. Al Jassim spoke to CNN from Lebanon where she had been flown to dress contestants on "The Gulf Star," an American Idol-like program on Dubai TV.

 In Dubai up-and-coming designer Amber Feroz is helping set the pace of the new styles. In October he showcased his Spring/Summer 2010 collection at Dubai Fashion Week, which included diaphanously flowing abayas with electric-colored trim.
"We have a very different way of working with the fabric...We came up with new techniques -- there is no seam. Our fabric is very lightweight. We use a lot of colors" Feroz told CNN. In his latest collection for the Miss Elegant Noura al Hashimi line, Feroz said he combined the concepts of jalabyas and traditional kimonos.
"We are expanding as a brand to sell all over Gulf," he said, adding that the company also had their eye on moving into European and Asian markets.

 In Egypt, where fewer women wear the abaya, but an increasing number are wearing the traditional hijab head coverings, Wegdan Hamza has become something of a national style star. Not only does she outfit local celebrities with her hijabs, but she appears on programs like Dream TV's "The Latest Fashion" to discuss current trends.
"God makes us beautiful and he likes the beauty, so we have to mix and match our outfit correctly, in colors materials and style," Hamza told CNN. "It is illogical for everyone to look the same."
"Not to see through or describe the body -- those are the rules. After that I have the freedom to put on whatever I want," she added.
Hamza's collection of hijabs include everything from the casual and cotton, to trendy -- embellished with flowers or coins, to bridal -- topped with crowns. Currently she says she's feeling the recession pinch, but business has been steadily growing for several years, particularly her online sales to Europe and North America.
Of the designers interviewed only Hamza acknowledged some cultural pressure or criticism to design less showy clothes, but said that she dismisses it completely. The other said women were waiting for their clothing.
When asked about it, Grazia Editor Simon said, "It's not so much a conflict, but an amalgamation of east and west that works quite nicely here."
 

What do you think about Islamic Fashion?
Do you agree or disagree? 
Should we have something like Islamic Fashion ,or should we just stick to traditional styles ?
Please leave your comments !!!

Friday, January 29, 2010

What Muslim women wear !

Many people think , that Muslim women who cover themselves do not care how they look like ,or they don't care about fashion and they don't know how to dress or how to look beautiful ..Most misconception is that Muslim women are forced to cover their bodies ,because men force them to do so ..
Well ,we all know that it is not truth .We all know that we look beautiful and care about our bodies ,about our personality ,our dignity and our respect ,that's why we cover .We conceal our bodies from the eyes of the strangers .We keep our beauty for our husbands .
As we know there is nothing wrong in dressing up and buying beautiful clothing ,but we should not go to extremes and be excessive .
So what do you wear at home or for women's only occasions?
I think many of us prefer Maxi dresses,but as for me I only wear them under my Jilbab or abaya
I wear cardigan on the top of mine ,or if its in the summer I wear abaya on the top of maxi dress and I take cardigan with me ,in case I go visit someone and have to take my abaya off...
 
  


You can find these cardigans  www.osptv.com


Pink palm print dress £40 Dorothy Perkins, Tribal maxi dress £55 Oasis, Yellow paisley dress £75 Warehouse, Red and black printed dress £45 ASOS.com.



I also prefer wearing pants and long tunics if going to someone's house for women's only gatherings.

$44.90
Of course if its summer I wear tunics with shorter sleeves,or light blouses  under my abaya,

I also wear skirts most of the time with tunics or blouses ..
Here are some beautiful skirts on this web site http://www.taqwaiman.com/Modest_Long_Skirts_s/20.htm
 
If I'm attending special occasion like a wedding and if its separated ,means no men around ,women only .
I wear some fancy salwar kameez ,jewelry and etc..
I know a lot of Muslim women who  love to dress up and its ok to wear something very beautiful on this occasions ..


http://figurafashion.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2

  
I love wearing jewelry ,especially big ,huge earrings and bracelets 
 
 


It also depends on the background of a person.
Muslims from different parts of the world have their own traditions and clothing preferences.
Also caftans are very common as a special occasion dress.


 



And of course at home and in front of their husbands Muslim women allowed to wear anything they want and Muslim woman has to look as best as she can in front of her husband.We are encouraged to wear most beautiful clothes ,make up ,perfume ,jewelry everything to beautify yourself for your husband .
This is the world of Muslim women ...
She makes herself beautiful for her husband by means of make-up, clothing, etc., so that she will appear more beautiful and attractive, and thus make her husband happy. This was the practice of the righteous women of the salaf, who used to devote their time to worshipping Allah and reading Qur’aan. Foremost among them were ‘A’ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) and others; they used to wear fine clothes and jeweler at home.
It is one of the teachings of Islam that a woman should make herself look beautiful for her husband, so that her husband should only ever see of her that which he likes. 
 
Please leave your comments ! What do you like to wear for special occasions or for women's gatherings or special occasions ?