Issue 2 by mymuslimveil magazine

MY MUSLIM

FOR THE WOMEN OF FAITH

& HONOR

MAGAZINE

Natural Cosmetics & Masks

HALAL Skin Care

Staying

Beautiful &Healthy

Weight loss TIPS + HEALTHY EATING

CONTENTS WELLNESS 06 Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle Aysha-Anastasia Izgagina

09 Get in Shape this Spring Natalja K

BEAUTY 13 Natural Cosmetics for your Skin

Hafsa Issa-Salwe

15 Halal Skin Care

MOTHERHOOD 17 Work & Family: ways to Balance a Busy Life Aaapa

MARRIAGE 20 Top Tips to Obtain Happiness as Muslim Wife Ponn Sabra

FAITH 23 Power of Dua: the Greatest Delight Amatul Wadood

STYLE

25 Adventures in Online Shopping: When Fashion & Modesty Meet F. R Hasan

MY MUSLIM VEIL

www.mymuslimveilmagazine.com

SPRING ISSUE 2012

REMINDERS

VOICES

27 Life Lessons from Khadija(RA)

33 Muslims Do That Too!

Zaynab Ansari Abdul-Razacq

Sana Hamed

BOOK REVIEW

CRAFTS

30 You can be the Happiest Woman in the World

35 Spring Craft with your Kids: Shukr Pot

Aysha-Anastasia Izgagina

Nida Mujahid

RECIPES 31 Zucchini & Carrot Soup Yvonne Maffei

CONTRIBUTORS

WEBSITE www.mymuslimveilmagazine.com

PUBLISHER & FOUNDER

Aysha-Anastasia Izgagina

aysha@mymuslimveilmagazine.com

MY VEIL Writers

ADVERTISE

Zaynab Ansari Abdul-Razacq

info@mymuslimveilmagazine.com

Aaapa F.R. Hasan

WRITE FOR US

Natalja K

write@mymuslimveilmagazine.com GUEST Writers SUBSCRIPTIONS

Sana Hameed

$24.99 Annual

Ponn Sabra Yvonne Maffei,

Make checks payable to My Veil LLC Mail to :

Hafsa Issa-Salwe

My Veil LLC PO box 38645 Germantown, TN 28183

Amatul Wadood

Arts & Crafts

Or subscribe on the website

Nida Mujahid MY MUSLIM VEIL

www.mymuslimveilmagazine.com

SPRING ISSUE 2012

Letter from the Editor

Alhamdulillah by the will of Allah, the Almighty, we have completed our second Issue. This Issue goal is to be an inspiration for your growth and improvement physically and spiritually. Spring is the season of renewal and I pray that this Issue will bring you a spring mood, a fresh start, positive thinking and inspiration to improve yourself, your families, and the world around you. Physical and spiritual health is important for our well being. Good health is an important part of our lives, as this helps us to be more active in our daily routine as well as ibadah (worshipping Allah, Praise be to Him the Most High). As Muslims, staying healthy and eating healthy should be high on our list of priorities. The better care we give to our bodies, the better care we can then give to the other aspects of maintaining a healthier lifestyle. To get you more into a Spring mood, we have shared some tips on healthy eating and diet, taking care of your beauty, the best Islamic online stores and much more. For spiritual uplifting we have shared with you a story about Khadija (may Allah be pleased with her) that we may learn from and apply to our life. Also we discuss the power of Dua (Supplication) and knowing its meaning, tips on how to be a good wife and ways to manage a busy lifestyle. We are thankful to Allah for giving us the ability to produce this magazine for Muslim women of all ages and backgrounds. I pray to Allah, that He may accept this work and make us successful in communicating the messages of Islam. We hope to bring positive images of Muslim women and at the same time showing how beautiful being one can be. We appreciate receiving meaningful comments and suggestions to improve the upcoming issues. You can email us at info@mymuslimveilmagazine.com and be sure to check out our website www.mymuslimveilmagazine.com. Your Subscription helps us to keep this magazine running. May Allah reward you for supporting us on this mission.

Sincerely, Aysha-Anastasia Izgagina Director and Founder of â&#x20AC;&#x153;My Muslim Veilâ&#x20AC;? Magazine

Many thanks to all the Contributors. May Allah reward you! Together we all can make a difference.

MY MUSLIM VEIL

SPRING ISSUE 2012

MAINTAINING a healthy lifestyle by Aysha-Anastasia Izgagina

WELLNESS

Health as we define it today is a state of complete physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being. Good health is formula to a healthy mind, spirit and body. One important factor for maintaining a healthy lifestyle is choosing our food wisely. The Prophet, peace be upon him, assigned top priority to good health. He instructed us in his hadith: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ask Allah (Glory to Him, the Exalted) for forgiveness and health, for after being granted certainty, one is given nothing better than health.â&#x20AC;? (Related in Tirmidhi)

Brown Rice Brown rice is full of carbohydrates, which are necessary for maintaining energy levels. They also contain plenty of fiber, which aids in digestion. Brown rice can help lower cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, gallstones, diabetes, and obesity. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition underscores the importance of choosing whole grains such as brown rice rather than refined grain, i.e., white rice, to maintain a healthy body weight.

MY MUSLIM VEIL

Spinach Spinach is a source of iron, vitamins C, A, K, and antioxidants, which can shield against heart attacks, strokes, colon cancer, osteoporosis, and arthritis. Bananas Bananas contain a lot of potassium, which is needed for muscles (particularly the heart) to remain strong and healthy. It also lowers blood pressure. Bananas help to prevent cardiovascular disease, and they neutralize acid so they're useful for treating heartburn. Other sources of

potassium are lentils, sardines and dried apricots. Research published in the International Journal of Cancer has shown that daily consumption of whole fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, is highly protective to kidney health. Salmon Salmon is rich in omega-3, which reduce cholesterol, protect against some cancers and prevent blood clots. Studies have shown that salmon can help ease depression and prevent memory loss. If possible, eat fresh or tinned salmon at least three times a week.

SPRING ISSUE 2012

Eat of what is lawful and wholesome on the earth. (2:168) Eat of the good things which we have provided for you. (2:173) Eat and drink, but avoid excess. (20:81)

Therefore, it is no wonder that we find in the Qur‘an and in the traditions of the Prophet, peace be upon him, many statements which help to protect and promote health. Eating healthy is not just about staying slim and giving up the foods you love. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through managing what you eat makes you feel great and leaves you feeling more energized. When we take care of our bodies, it allows us to do the things that take care of our mind with greater ease. It is important for us as Muslims to take care of our health and our bodies, as we will be asked about everything on the day of Judgment. “No one will be allowed to move from his position on the Day of Judgment until he has been asked how he spent his life, how he used his knowledge, how he earned and

Herbs As we get older, our sense of taste declines, and the easiest way to make the food tasty is to add salt, but salt increases blood pressure, so it is best to add herbs and spices in the food instead. The taste of fresh herbs is more pleasant and many herbs come with their own health benefits. Blueberries This small berry contains antioxidants that help prevent cataracts, glaucoma, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, stomach ulcers, heart disease and cancer. Blueberries

MY MUSLIM VEIL

spent his money and in what pursuits he used his health.” (Related in Tirmidhi) Let us first take a look at the manners of eating taught by the Prophet, peace be upon him. “Nothing is worse than a person who fills his stomach. It should be enough for the son of Adam to have a few bites to satisfy his hunger. If he wishes more, it should be: one-third for his food, one-third for his liquids, and one-third for his breath.” (Tirmidhi, ibn Majah and Hakim) "Do not drink water in one gulp (or one breath) like a camel, but take it in two or three installments (with breaks for breath). Take the name of Allah (recite "Bismillah") when you start drinking and praise Him (say "Alhamdullillah") when you finish." (Tirmidhi)

(necessary for proper nutrition) help to reduce brain damage after a stroke and reduce inflammation of the digestive tract, helping to fight constipation and diarrhea. A compound in blueberries has also been found to prevent colon cancer, according to a 2007 study jointly conducted by scientists at Rutgers University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The study's lead researcher, Bandaru Reddy, PhD., said, "This study underscores the need to include more berries in the diet, especially blueberries."

“Food for one is enough for two and food for two is enough for three and food for three is enough for four.” [Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasaa'I, Ibn Majah – Hadith sahih] There is an obvious theme in all of these ahadith: moderation. All too often we are wasteful, which is not allowed in Islam. Allah provides us with food and drink and this is a great blessing with which everyone should be grateful for. Think about those who do not have food on their tables, and then consider how much we have. We live in a time where many nutritious items are at our fingertips. Here are just a few food items that we could easily add to our regular diet and the health benefits would be enormous.

Garlic There are great benefits in garlic. Garlic can help prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease, and reduces the risk of stroke. It has anti -inflammatory effect, helping to reduce pain and swelling in arthritis. Garlic is very useful for people with diabetes.

SPRING ISSUE 2012

Along with the foods mentioned previously in this article, there are some foods in which The Prophet, peace be upon him have taught to be beneficial to us. Olive Oil Allah‟s Messenger, peace be upon him, said, “eat olive oil and anoint yourselves with it, for it comes from a blessed tree.” Hadhrat Abu Hurayra narrates that Rasulullah, peace be upon him, stated, "Eat the olive oil and apply it (locally), since there is cure for seventy diseases in it, one of them is Leprosy." (Abu Naim) (Mishkat, Narrated Abu Usayd al-Ansari, transmitted by Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and Daarimi) Black seed From Abu Huraira, (may Allah be pleased with him) the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "This black seed is a cure for every disease except Al Saam." Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) asked: " What is Al Saam?" He, peace be upon him, answered: "Death". (Narated by Muslim)

Brown Rice

Honey The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “Honey is a remedy for every illness and the Qur‟an is a remedy for all illness of the mind, therefore I recommend to you both remedies, the Qur‟an and honey.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

Spinach Bananas Salmon

As Muslims, staying healthy and eating healthy should be high on our list of priorities. The better care we give to our bodies, the better care we can then give to the other aspects of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Take this beautiful advice from our beloved Prophet, peace be upon him:

Herbs Garlic Blueberries

"Take advantage of five matters before five other matters: your youth, before you become old; and your health, before you fall sick; and your richness, before you become poor; and your free time before you become busy; and your life, before your death."

Honey Olive Oil

(hadith of ibn Abbas(may Allah be pleased with him)u reported in the mustadrak of Al-Haakim, musnad Imam Ahmad, and others, with an authentic chain of narration)

MY MUSLIM VEIL

Black Seed

SPRING ISSUE 2012

Tools For Success

    



Faith in Allah, and continuous Dua (Supplication) to help you in your weight loss challenge Strong Will and Positive Attitude Digital kitchen scale Measurement cups ( various sizes) Food diary or sign up for a free account with www.caloriecount.com or similar website that keeps track of your daily calories Vitamins

How I lost post baby 50+lbs in just a few months As long as I can remember, I have always struggled in maintaining a healthy weight. Stress, busy routines of every day life, family, college and just overall tiredness and carelessness put healthy eating and exercising on the bottom of the priority list. However, after having my first baby, I completely blew out of the proportion. Being so unusually huge 6 months after delivery, of course, was depressing. I did not like what I saw in the mirror, none of my clothes would fit and shopping for new, larger clothing was an even sadder event. I felt helpless and pretty miserable—I wished to have all that weight just disappear. After a visit to my OB, where they politely reminded me that I am overweight, as they returned to me my really bad blood test results, is when I decided— ‖That‘s it, I had enough. This extra weight has got to go !‖. I could no longer handle not liking what I look like and on top of it losing my health. MY MUSLIM VEIL

As Muslims, we believe that we have the right for our soul, and we also have the right for our body. “..Your body has a right over you, your eyes have a right over you…” (Sahih Al Bukhari, Volume 7, Hadith 127”) I knew that I had to loose weight for my Deen (religion), for myself and for my family, and the time for doing it was— right now! So, there I was. At home. My baby went for one hour nap and I had to come up with a diet plan. My next blood test was in six months, so I had a deadline to work with. It’s not a secret that healthy diet plus good exercise equals normal weight. The question was, how to make it work for my lifestyle, and even more, how to make it last? 9

Knowing myself, I figured my transformation had to be painless, with elements of enjoinment and with rewarding results. Pushing myself to do something I hated would result in a failure, and failure was not an option. I needed a plan that I would have control over, with projected results, so I could live up to certain expectations. I did some quick homework, and found out interesting information: 3,500 calories equals to 1 pound, a pound that can go in either one direction. Meaning, that if a daily intake is exceeded by a total of 3,500 calories , at any given time, one will gain it as a pound. But, if a daily intake is limited by a total of 3,500 calories, at any given time, one will lose that as a pound, accordingly. Needless to say, intake of required daily calories without output will break even, meaning you will not gain weight, SPRING ISSUE 2012

neither you will loose any weight -you will just maintain the weight you have at this time. Daily intake is unique for any individual, and is calculated based on your sex, age, height and current weight. You can calculate your normal daily intake online, on www.caloriecount.com. The minimum calorie intake for women, however, is advised to be no less than 1,200 calories per day ( for men, it is no less than 1,500 calories per day). From those basic bits of information, I decided to just go cold turkey and do it. I committed myself to the lowest healthy diet intake for women, the 1,200 calories per day, supplemented by an energetic walk with a stroller for an hour or more ( which is supposed to burn about 200 calories). To burn even more calories, I added weights to my ankles, and tried to stay active throughout the day with daily chores. Also, I incorporated creative exercises using my own baby. I kept track of my calories and activities on the free website www.caloriecount.com, which also allowed me to see the end of the day breakdown on nutrients/nutrient deficiencies in my diet, so I could adjust accordingly. I took vitamins, to make sure

MY MUSLIM VEIL

unhealthy deficiencies did not occur. With my personal healthy daily intake being approximately 1,800 calories, cutting down to 1,200 plus a walk meant loosing approximately 800 calories per day. With those numbers in mind, I expected to melt one pound in about 4 days. ( recap: 3,500 calories = +/- 1 lb ). And, MashaAllah, that‘s exactly what began to happen. I was so thankful to Allah (Praise be to Him the Most High) for answering my Dua( Supplication) and providing me with courage, patience and not letting me loose hope during weight loss challenge. I was thankful for staying in the right state of mind with commitment to change. I was thankful for the amazing results. Few months later after losing more than 50 lbs, not only was I able to wear my old clothes, but I had to get new clothes— smaller ones! I was absolutely thrilled. What a wonderful feeling it was to go shopping and trying on Mediums instead of Extra larges. Alhamdulillah! With weight loss, not only I got a better body, but I also got a better health—my blood test results came out good, and generally, I felt more energetic and happy. As a result, I learned about healthier lifestyle, and in order to maintain my weight I practice these healthy choices, but without calorie restrictions , to this day.

Sample Day Out Of My 1,200 cal Diet Plan: Breakfast (TOTAL 195 cal) Sugar free coffee mate (3 tbsp) ……………..45 cal Sara Lee reduced calorie bread (2 slices)…..90 cal Reduced calorie cheddar cheese (1 slice.)..….60 cal Lunch ( TOTAL 350 cal ) Home made Vegetable soup (1 cup) ………..150 cal Special K cereal ( 1 cup) ………………………..110 cal Skim milk ( 1 cup) ………………………………….90 cal Dinner ( TOTAL 455 cal ) Tilapia fish , baked ( 2 files ) ………………….200 cal Broccoli, steamed (2 cups ) ………………………60 cal Salad ( cucumber, tomato, lettuce) …………...30 cal Spinach, boiled ( 1 cup ) ………………………….30 cal Reduced calorie bread ( 3 slices ). …………….135 cal Snack ( TOTAL 200 cal ) Chocolate fudge ice cream …………………….100 cal Banana …………………………………………………. 100 cal __________________________________ GRAND TOTAL ………………………… 1,200 cal

Top 10 of My Diet “Enemies” 1. 2. 3. 4.

Rice ( except wild ) Chicken or turkey legs/thighs Pita bread Oils ( olive, vegetable, canola etc.) 5. Potatoes ( especially fried ) 6. Dough / dough products ( pies, pizzas, breads ) 7. Croissants / pastries 8. Red Meat other than 90% lean cut 9. Sugar/ sugar products 10. Candy, chocolate, sweets

SPRING ISSUE 2012

ISLAMIC

SISTERHOOD ASSOCIATION www.sisterhoodinislam.com (901) 878-9117

Weight loss is never easy. I had my own bumps on the road toward a healthier weight. The first few days of 1,200 calorie diet are the hardest ones. Similar to fasting during Ramadan, gradually the stomach shrank and got used to smaller portions. My taste buds adjusted to cooking without oils and I began to enjoy supplementing my eating experiences with spices, lemon juice and herbs. At first, it was difficult to chose the right foods. For me, the right food was something that was low in calories, because this way I could eat more of it, fitting more food volume into my 1,200 calorie daily allowance. I called those ―miracle foods‖. Then, if I needed some special food really bad, I would allow myself to eat it, but I would limit quantity. For example, if I was craving pizza, I would only have a slice. If I wanted chocolate, I, of course, would have a small piece, weigh it and write the calories down. I also had a ―diet enemies‖ list, which included foods that are high in calories per low volume. I tried avoiding those because I could not eat a lot of it—and not eating a lot meant I would go hungry, which consecutively would just crash my diet ( not an option). Ironically enough, my ―diet enemy list‖ is almost comprised of ethnical foods, common in Arabic or Asian cuisines. You just have to make sacrifice, and losing weight makes it a totally worthy cause! Of course, spouses and American lifestyle of eating out could be very distractive to the strict 1,200 calorie diet. Sometimes a meal is so complicated, that you can not break it down to ingredients and weigh things out to get exact caloric measurement. On the days that you feel tempted not to diet—don‘t diet. Take a break and just count your calories—make sure you are not overeating by staying in you daily caloric limit. This way you will not lose or gain the weight, and pick up where you left of on the next day.

MY MUSLIM VEIL

At the end, people gain weight for many different reasons : stress, hormones, predisposition, pregnancy, or it just happens. But, whatever is the reason, one should realize the importance of maintaining healthy weight not only for aesthetic reasons, but for health reasons and for your Deen( religion). Losing weight is a challenge, but if I could do it, you can do it, too! Set your mind on the goal, make a plan, act upon it and watch those pounds melt away. Never give up and if things do not work out from the first try, try again. Most importantly, have faith in Allah (Praise be to Him the Most High) and have faith in yourself. May Allah grant you amazing weight loss results!

“Islamic Sisterhood Association” (I.S.A.) – an organization where Muslim sisters of every race, country, city, economic background and level of education can come together to strengthen the ties that bind us.

"...And lower your wing for the believers (be courteous to the fellow-believers)." (Al-Hijr 15:88)

Top 10 of My Personal Favorite “Miracle Foods”: 1.Spinach 2.Mushrooms 3.Bread (reduced calorie) 4.Tilapia/other fish 5.Broccoli, squash, zucchini, peas, carrots 6.Spices and garlic 7.Chicken tenderloins or breasts 8.Lemon juice 9.Cucumber 10.Melon/watermelon

Find us on Facebook and visit our website www.sisterhoodinislam.com

SUPPORT YOUR SISTERS IN ISLAM ! 11

SPRING ISSUE 2012

Natural Cosmetics for your Skin

Staying By Hafsa Issa-Salwe

Be a Mixstress! BEAUTY

With the current economic climate, we‘re all having to make sacrifices with the luxuries that we‘d usually be purchasing. Food, clothing, rent, travel and other expenses take precedence over our beauty regime. But fear not, you don‘t need to burn a hole in your wallet to look good ladies! A mixstress is a woman who takes what she has and turns it into something quite amazing. Got olive oil and salt? You‘ve just got the ingredients for a basic body scrub! Avocado? Hair mask! You see where I‘m going with this. ―Allah ‗brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you‘ (Surah Baqarah: 22).‖ There‘s nothing better than the natural plants and fruit thats Allah blessed us with. Reading the ingredients in your favourite body lotion is like reading another language because of all the chemicals. Mixing up your own products not only is beneficial for your bank account but, you‘re cutting out a lot of the rubbish that you find in usual products. You can make almost anything from scratch; be it a body cream, eye cream, scrub or a coloured lip balm. Looking and feeling beautiful is within easy reach! It may be a little daunting to begin with however.

Nourishing Argan Eye Cream This is the best thing I‘ve ever made. An eye cream is essential for women; if you don‘t use one, I suggest you start now! Your usual face cream should never be used around the eye as the skin is a lot thinner therefore, your cream can be too thick. This eye cream however, consists of Shea butter and Argan oil. Two ingredients you‘ll find in almost everything now. They‘re extremely popular, mainly because of their moisturising properties and the ability to help with aging and many other concerns. The problem though, is that in commercial products, you will barely find a product that contains more than 10% of the ingredient. This eye cream however, is almost 50% of both Shea butter and Argan oil! Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of Shea Butter 2 tablespoons of Argan Oil 2 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil (will preserve the eye cream) Directions: Fill a pan 3/4 full with water. Boil the water, then place the bowl over the pan. Place the Shea Butter and Argan Oil into the bowl and stir so it can melt. When it‘s fully melted, pour the mixture into a small container (preferably an old cream jar). Place in the fridge for 2 hours or until the mixture has become thicker. MY MUSLIM VEIL

SPRING ISSUE 2012

Beautiful! Hibiscus and Yogurt Mask This is a great mask for ladies looking for a gentle exfoliation. Hibiscus is widely used in the north and east of Africa in countries such as Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia, mainly boiled and drunk as a tea. It‘s rich in AHA‘s (alpha hydroxy acids) helps to exfoliate the skin naturally, which in result helps to rejuvenate the skin. Yogurt contains lactic acid which is an ingredient used in all of the expensive skin peels on offer nowadays. The yoghurt is gentle enough to be used on sensitive skin and alongside the hibiscus, you‘ve got yourself wonderful facemask that doubles up as a gentle scrub whilst you‘re rinsing it off. Ingredients: 1 heaped tablespoon of Greek yogurt 1 hibiscus teabag Directions: Rip the teabag and pour its contents into a bowl and mix with the yogurt. When you‘ve got a paste, apply to the face and leave it on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water in circular motions to exfoliate the skin.

Honey Skin Scrub For me, honey is the best natural ingredient Allah has blessed us with. I absolutely love adding honey to everything as it has a drastic affect on the condition of my skin when I use it regularly. Honey is an extremely versatile ingredient since it benefits all types of skin, therefore this recipe can be used on acne prone to the driest of skin. Honey is also known for its antibacterial properties, making it an essential ingredient for those with acne. The scrub also contains baking soda. Sugar tends to be quite a harsh exfoliant and can break the skin, therefore I wouldn‘t recommend it. Rather, baking soda which is much finer is gentler on the skin; it‘s coarse enough to remove dead skin however, it‘s nowhere near as coarse as sugar. Sugar is an exfoliant that one should only use on the body. Hafsa Issa-Salwe is a British beauty blogger, blogging for Muslimah Beauty. She had been shortlisted for awards from both Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire magazine. She is also brand founder of Hawaa, a natural luxury bath and body range.

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of honey 2 tablespoons of baking soda What to Do: Mix both the honey and baking soda in a bowl until the two are well mixed together. Cleanse the skin and leave it slightly damp for the scrub. Apply a generous amount of the scrub onto your face and gently scrub it into the skin in circular motions. The thickness of the honey will soon disappear as the water will dissolve it. When the mixture is dissolved, rinse it off with warm water. MY MUSLIM VEIL

SPRING ISSUE 2012

One Pure

By Sana Hamed You turn on the TV and you see a new commercial for a skin care product promising you anti aging results. You add it to your list of things to buy and use as part of your daily regimen but do you ever stop to wonder what the products we use are made of? There are many Skin Care Products available on the market today and as Muslims we are required to be not only be very careful about ingredients used in the food but we also need to know what ingredients are used in cosmetics and skin care products. Think carefully about what you put on your skin. Many skin care products are not only filled with harmful chemicals, but even more, some of them contain the ingredients which are Haram (prohibited) for us to use.

MY MUSLIM VEIL

Halal Skin Care Alhamdulillah for a new line of products that is specially developed for Muslim women who are concerned about their cosmetics and whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s in them. Layla Mandi, the CEO and Founder of OnePure is a devoted Muslim convert who cares about beauty and has long believed that beauty and religion need not be a conflict in our daily lives. Layla worked as a makeup artist in the USA and Canada for over ten years. After scouring the ingredient list of beauty products, Layla found that most skincare lines contain Haram ingredients. Layla believed it was possible to have skin care consisting solely of non-Haram ingredients, which inspired her research. She has been collaborating with a chemist and dermatologist in Canada for two

years developing and perfecting the skin care range. This also included products that suit Middle Eastern skin types and the extreme weather conditions our skin has to face every day. The key to OnePureâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s worldwide recognition has been its mission goal. OnePure is committed to providing an alternative of Halal (permissible) certified products for discerning Muslims who value excellence and having a peace of mind. The retail line has been launched with the famous French department store galleries, Lafayette. OnePure has ambitious expansion plans. They plan to launch more unique products across the beauty sector in the near future including body and hair care ranges ensuring that observing our religion need not be a compromise on quality.

SPRING ISSUE 2012

OnePure is certified Halal by prestigious, authorized Halal certification agency. Similar to Halal food certification, an Imam comes to the factory to insure excellent standards of cleanliness in the processes, also approving that no animal or pork ingredients, or genetically modified organisms are to be found in the factory or included in any of the products.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;...OnePure is certified Halal by prestigious, authorized Halal certification agencyâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;?

Haram ingredients There are many but to name a few of the most common you can look out for are: Collagen is found in Moisturizers, Exfoliants and Cosmetics. Elastin is found in Moisturizers, Masks. Hyaluronic Acid is found in Body lotions, Moisturizers, Cosmetics. Lauric Acid is found in Cleansers, Exfoliants and Moisturizers. Oleic Acid is found in Moisturizers, and Cosmetics. Keratin is found in Moisturizers. Palmitic Acid is found in Moisturizers, Masques, and Cosmetics. Gelatin is found in Moisturizers Cosmetics. Stearic Acid/Stearyl Alcohol is found in Moisturizers, Cleansers, Cosmetics, Toners, and aftershave. Glycerin/Glycerol is found in Cleansers, Moisturizers, and aftershave. Allantoin is found in Toners, Moisturizers and after shave. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is found in Moisturizers, Cleansers, Cosmetics, and Masques. Many companies use these ingredients because they are inexpensive. One Pure currently has 13 Products. They are focusing on whitening and anti-aging products. All of the products contain lots of antioxidants to combat the harsh elements of pollution, sun heat and wind. There are two cleansers that are especially created for the Gulf consumer, made to gently remove make-up from the face and eyes and to be especially skin -softening. One Pure also provides a perfect toner, to rebalance PH levels, and an eye cream and eye serum that are designed to alleviate dark circles. Also available are two fabulous moisturizers targeted for special consumers. Both provide moisture without oiliness, and have a special formulation that keeps working even in humidity! One Pure also has four different target serums for many individual skin concerns, a mask to use weekly and the best eye cream ever!

Product information taken from www.onepurehalalbeauty.com

MY MUSLIM VEIL

SPRING ISSUE 2012

MOTHERHOOD

WORK & FAMILY Way to balance a BUSY LIFE By Aapa

I was almost scared to write this article. We are so confused with how to manage life and time. Many of us have to work. We take our children to school. We get stuck in traffic jams. We come home dead tired and the new job, the one that never ceases, starts. The cooking and the cleaning and the ironing and the folding and the homework, the school projects, the bake sale goodies, the baths and dishes, and oh so and so called for a party, oh I forgot, take the kids to the sporting events, my feet are killing me and I am tired. Somewhere in between that is Salat (prayer). Got the picture? How am I supposed to look beautiful and please my husband? Where do I find time to let go of the daily stressors that drive me crazy. Sometimes it MY MUSLIM VEIL

feels like the calling of the dunyna ( worldly life) has sucked me up and I am tired. My Quran teacher, Sister Nabila, had a discussion with me. She is very knowledgeable. She told me that our bodies, our husbands, our children, our parents, our jobs and Allah (Praise be to Him the Most High) have rights over us. Things started to make sense once I understood the meaning of this. I am going to limit this for the married sisters. For the rest of us, Inshaâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Allah, we can gain some benefit. We have been given the blueprint of how to balance our lives in the Sunnah. Our Mothers of the Believers and the wives of the Pious Predecessors set the way. It is that easy. We have to let go of some of the 17

demands of the duyna (worldly life). We have to stand up and live by the rules of Islam. I did a little research. I needed to write what is the correct way to balance a busy life. I am capturing some suggestions from the universe of Islam that assists us in living a good and happy life. One number on the list is obedience to Allah (Praise be to Him the Most High). We wish to please Him, as His faithful slaves. Number two on the list is to please your husband. Yeah, I know. But that is the correct behavior. He is your gate to heaven. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: â&#x20AC;&#x2022;If a woman prays her five daily prayers, fasts her month (of Ramadan), obeys her husband and guards her SPRING ISSUE 2012

chastity, then it will be said to her: ‗Enter Paradise by whichever of its gates you wish.‘ This is important. This is the big key to balancing your daily struggles. We, as Muslims, must adhere to what the Prophet, peace be upon him, recommended. You must always remember that your husband and family are more important to you than any other relationship. Your focus has to be the family. Support him; be beautiful when he comes home. ( I know that is hard when you to get ready to be the cook and maid, but be presentable). Give him the joy of cooking every other night. I can not but help think of the daughter of the Prophet, peace be upon him. She complained about her hands and her husband asked the Prophet, peace be upon him, for a slave. The Prophet, peace be upon him, told his daughter that reciting Alhumdullilah(Praise and Thanks be to Allah) 33 times each night was more beneficial than having a servant. That made me think, a little.

This hadith sums it up well: One of the most famous and most beautiful of these texts was recorded by ‗Abd al -Malik ibn ‗Umayr al-Qurashi, who was one of the outstanding scholars of the second century AH. He quotes the words of advice given by Umamah bint alHarith, one of the most eloquent and learned women, who was possessed of wisdom and great maturity, to her daughter on the eve of her marriage.

MY MUSLIM VEIL

Abd al-Malik said: ―When ‗Awf ibn Muhallim al-Shaybani, one of the most highly respected leaders of the Arab nobility during the jahiliyyah (time of ignorance before Islam), married his daughter Umm Iyas to al-Harith ibn ‗Amr al-Kindi, she was made ready to be taken to the groom, then her mother Umamah came in to her, to advise her, and said: ‗O my daughter, if it were deemed unnecessary to give you this advice because of good manners and noble descent, then it would have been unnecessary for you, because you possess these qualities, but it will serve as a reminder to those who are forgetful, and will help those who are wise. ‗O my daughter, if a woman were able to do without a husband by virtue of her father‘s wealth and her need for her father, then you of all people would be most able to do without a husband, but women were created for men just as men were created for them. ‗O my daughter, you are about to leave the home in which you grew up, where you first learned to walk, to go to a place you do not know, to a companion with whom you are unfamiliar. By marrying you he has become a master over you, so be like a servant to him, and he will become like a servant to you. Take from me ten qualities, which will be a provision and a reminder for you.

SPRING ISSUE 2012

These beautiful words deserve to be inscribed in golden ink.

The first and second of them are: Be content in his company, and listen to and obey him, for contentment brings peace of mind, and listening to and obeying one‘s husband pleases Allah.

‘The third and fourth of them are: Make sure that you smell good and look good; he should not see anything ugly in you, and he should not smell anything but a pleasant smell from you. Kohl is the best kind of beautification to be found, and water is better than the rarest perfume. ‘The fifth and the sixth of them

are: Prepare his food on time, and keep quiet when he is asleep, for raging hunger is like a burning flame, and disturbing his sleep will make him angry.

The seventh and eighth of them are: Take care of his servants (or employees) and children, and take care of his wealth, for taking care of his wealth shows that you appreciate him, and taking care of his children and servants shows good management.

The ninth and tenth of them are: Never disclose any of his secrets, and never disobey any of his orders, for if you disclose any of his secrets you will never feel safe

MY MUSLIM VEIL

from his possible betrayal, and if you disobey him, his heart will be filled with hatred towards you. ‗Be careful, O my daughter, of showing joy in front of him when he is upset, and do not show sorrow in front of him when he is happy, because the former shows a lack of judgment, whilst the latter will make him unhappy. ―Show him as much honor and respect as you can, and agree with him as much as you can, so that he will enjoy your companionship and conversation. ‗Know, O my daughter, that you will not achieve what you would like to until you put his pleasure before your own, and his wishes before yours, in whatever you like and dislike. And may Allah (Praise be to Him the Most High) choose what is best for you and protect you.‘‖ She was taken to her husband, and the marriage was a great success; she gave birth to kings who ruled after him. I could not find better words for us to remember what is important. We have it in front of us. We are given this life to enjoy. Hard work is a fundamental characteristic of a Muslim woman. The duyna tries to assault us with how we are inferior to ourselves. We are always chasing something and running and out of time and behind and ungrateful. The

Islamic perspective is the opposite. We are given opportunities to better our beings. We have to have patience. We have to be steadfast in all that we do. Each task we have is an opportunity for us to show our love for Allah( Praise be to Him the Most High). We take pride in being able to take our responsibilities seriously. As we accomplish the chores we can use this time to dhikr. We can take this time to excel in all that we do without feeling lost or struggling for nothing. What I am trying to say, and feel I am not doing a good job, is we as Muslims cannot compromise any deed that is set before us. When we have many tasks we have to evaluate what we do not need. We have to seek knowledge of what the correct behaviors are and we emulate those by finding examples from our rich history. In summary, if Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet, peace be upon him, was told by her father not to complain about working hard; who are we to complain that we have too much to do. Insha‘Allah, these words will inspire my Believing sisters to appreciate the blessings Allah (Praise be to Him the Most High) has bestowed upon us. An Excerpt from the Book “The Ideal Muslimah: The True Islâmic Personality of the Muslim Woman as Defined in the Qur‟ân and Sunnah”) By Dr. Muhammad „Ali Al-Hashimi

SPRING ISSUE 2012

TOP TIPS MARRIAGE

To Obtain Happiness

As a Muslim Wife

MY MUSLIM VEIL

SPRING ISSUE 2012

“...you should appreciate the great blessing for solely being responsible for what is inside the home, your children and wealth….’

Ponn Sabra,

Best-Selling Author & Founder of AmericanMuslimMom.com

arriage is fulfilling half of one‘s religious duties in Islam. Therefore, learning to be a confident, supportive, loving, wise and righteous wife should be a top priority for all Muslim women once they are married. And, in doing so, Muslim wives have the profound power to offer much happiness to this world, as noted in the sayings of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, “This world is nothing but temporary conveniences, and the greatest joy in this world is a righteous wife”. (Sahih Muslim). Learning new methods to help Muslim wives fulfill their duties and responsibilities to their husband, family and household are also seen as completing critical acts of worship to Allah, may He be glorified. Listed below are some tips for a Muslim Wife striving to reach new levels of happiness for herself and her family. 

Understand your duties, roles and responsibilities as a Muslim Wife. MY MUSLIM VEIL

Understanding that your husband is the Imam, spiritual leader, of your family should give you great peace of mind. The ultimate responsibility of providing for the family financially, spiritually, physically, morally, and emotionally lies on his shoulders. And, the consequences of his abilities to do it appropriately and righteously are weighed on his scale of good and bad deeds. His inability to advise or provide correctly may incur sins by Allah because he is failing in his duties as the Imam. For example, if he advises you or your children to do something unacceptable in Islam, and you obey his wishes, he incurs the sin for teaching you wrongly as well as your sins for doing the sinful act. Therefore, you should appreciate the great blessing for solely being responsible for what is inside the home, your children and wealth. 

Strive to be your husband’s partner in this life deserving of the hereafter. 21

You should strive to reach the highest level of heaven, furdose, together. Offer him the comfort and joy to do the difficult yet extremely rewarding acts of worship. For example, be his alarm clock for fajr, make sure he does not miss his prayers or jummah (congregational prayer on Friday). Prepare a healthy suhoor (breakfast before fasting) and have iftar (meal after the fast) ready on time. Help save money for Hajj, encourage giving random charity throughout the year beyond the prescribed zakat (alms-giving) and accept a more modest lifestyle in return. Offer to make Qiyam al-Lail (night prayers) together in the third

part of the night, and strive to be the most caring, compassionate. 

Be his trustworthy confidante.

SPRING ISSUE 2012

Listen intently to his secrets. Be proud of your unique and special bond. Accept the responsibility that you share his inner most visions, goals, hopes, dreams, worries, and pain. Offer him the support that no one else can offer, simply because you are the only one that knows and understands him to his fullest. Mediate in kind tones when you sense he needs an advisor and bestfriend. Take pride that you are his chosen confidante, so continue to foster an environment so he always turns to you first. Know that it is haram (prohibited) to share family secrets, especially private acts and words shared by a married couple. 

Apply the art of influencing positive moods during difficult times.

Being the sunshine to your husband‘s rainy days is difficult and tricky, yet one of the most treasured skills. Learn to listen patiently even if his anger makes you uneasy--know that your happy mood is what you want as the outcome, not his continued anger. Offer happiness to brighten his sadness. Rush to please him during times of frustration. Be a balanced, respectful leader so he values your strength, but beware that arrogance does not overcome you. Be kind and gentle often enough, without showing you are incapable or weak. Be confident and aggressive enough to teach him something new, yet not rude, abrasive or hurtful in the process. Be his wisewoman...second to his mom. [Be aware that you and your mother-inlaw have completely different relationships with your husband. Resisting competition shows your level of self-respect and dignity--qualities he yearns for in a pious wife.]

MY MUSLIM VEIL



Strive to have your home his chosen place of comfort and leisure.

Cleanliness, organization, brightness and clutter-freedom keep a home happy and fun. A creative woman can find her family‘s comfort zone and preferences. It is possible to find tones that are naturally colorful and lively yet calming. Beyond the overall pleasing appeal of your home, you need to be refreshing to him close-up too. Allow your bodily fragrances and breath to always be worth being a cheek apart. Allow him all the reasons to rush home because it is safe, healthy, and peaceful and fun--his getaway from the daily stresses of work, and outside forces. Make a lifetime goal to establish and share all your favorite halal (permissible) past-times together. From fixing cars, cooking exotic meals, playing family board games, reciting Qur‘an, learning nasheeds (Islamic songs), and grocery shopping--family time is sacred treasured time. Be your family‘s Leisure Leader 

Strive to be the best personal chef you possibly can.

Be keen to please all his senses, which the beauty of food has the ability to do. Be patient and try to learn how to master the art of offering a refreshing scent to your nose, pleasurable texture to your fingers, appealing display to your eyes, and the peaceful silence to your ears--all in one tasty meal. Remember that this is possible with the least of foods. For example, some of the favorite foods of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, were milk, olives, olive oil, bread, cucumbers, and dates.



Be timely and aware.

Organize a schedule tight enough to maintain a healthy routine and regularity to your life; yet flexible enough to allow for surprises and randomness. Know that the dunya (this life on Earth) is very short, and that every positive act is one step closer to the akhira (hereafter), inshaAllah (God willing).

Strive to please Allah and Allah Alone, may He be glorified. 

Make pure intentions in all that you do, especially when you are ultimately doing something ―just‖ for your husband, children or household. Know that these are your duties as the Muslim wife, and be thankful that no good deed will ever be overlooked or under appreciated by our One Beneficent Creator. Do not strive for the temporary conveniences of this life (such as, ―Thank you‖ gifts, or words of praise). Be aware that you can be the greatest joy in his life and worthy of great things in the hereafter. Ameen.

Read more: "Balancing Life as a Muslim Mom" Ebook: available for free download at AmericanMuslimMom.com

SPRING ISSUE 2012

POWER OF DUA By Amatul Wadood

FAITH

The Greatest Delight ―The supplication of every one of you will be granted if he does not get impatient.‖ [Bukhari and Muslim] One of the most beautiful avenues of communication with our Creator is through the avenue of dua (supplication). We are all aware of the technicalities of dua (supplication) but do we ever reflect over the concept itself? Dua (supplication) is a mercy, a gift given to us by Allah (Praise be to Him the Most High); can you imagine anyone in a position of authority wanting to reward you for asking anything of them so that they can grant it? It is indeed an undervalued possession and an underestimated weapon, and if ever we were to take the full advantage of this ni‘mah( blessing) we would realize its true essence, which is coming closer to our Rabb. MY MUSLIM VEIL

The first dua (supplication) is one that pertains to our akhirah (Hereafter); specifically asking for the greatest pleasure one can ever receive, the opportunity to see Allah (Praise be to Him the Most High).

ous.‖ [Saheeh Muslim]

The Prophet of Allah, peace be upon him, narrated, ―When those deserving of Paradise would enter Paradise, the Blessed and the Exalted would ask: Do you wish Me to give you anything more? They would say: Have You not brightened our faces? Have You not entered us into Paradise and saved us from Fire? He (the narrator) said: He (Allah) would lift the veil, and of things given to them nothing would be dearer to them than the sight of their Lord, the Mighty and the Glori-

Allahumma Innī As‘aluka Ladhdhata an-Naẓari ilā Wajhika wash Shawqa ilā Liqā‘ik

The Prophet, peace be upon him, narrated this dua (supplication) in a hadeeth in Sunan an-Nisaa‘i (authenticated by Shaykh Albaani):

O Allah, I ask You for the delight of gazing at Your Countenance and the eagerness of meeting You.

SPRING ISSUE 2012

Innī: indeed I. Innī is a combination of ‗inna‘ (indeed, a word for emphasis) and ―ni‖ (I)

Word for Word Translation and Analysis Allahumma: O Allah. Allahumma is a combination of: Ya and Allah. Instead of using a ―ya‖ in the front to call upon Allah, the ―meem‖ is added at the end. ―Allahumma‖ is unique with the Name of Allah, it is not bound by this rule of using the ―ya‖. This rule does not appear anywhere or with anyone else, even in pre-Islamic poetry. When we say ―Allahumma‖ we are affirming and emphasizing the uniqueness of our Lord; He does not even share a dua with His creation, as well as incorporating all of the Names and Attributes of Allah (Praise be to Him the Most High)

As‘aluka: I ask You. Ladhdhaħ: Sweetness, delight, pleasure. Ladhdhaħ comes from the root which means something that pleases a person, satisfies their senses and has no harm in it. an-Naẓri: The look. ―Naẓara ilā‖, such as in this dua (supplication), means to look or gaze to something/ someone. Allah (Praise be to Him the Most High) says in surah Qiyaamah ayah 23:They (faces) will be looking to their Lord. ilā: to/towards Wajhika: Your Countenance. Wajh means face but also carries the meaning of the whole self/being in Arabic. For example, Allah (Praise be to Him the Most High) says in surah Baqarah ayah 112: Whoever submits His whole self (wajhahu) to Allah and is a doer of good,- He will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. wa: and ash-Shawqa: Longing, eagerness. Shawq is a strong desire in one‘s nafs for something. ilā: to/towards Liqā‘ik: Your meeting. Laqiya means to meet or an occurrence. Points of Benefit

“..May Allah bless us with the delight of gazing upon Him, make our best deeds our last, and make the best day of ours the day that we meet Him Ameen..”

MY MUSLIM VEIL

By asking Allah (Praise be to Him the Most High) for the opportunity to see Him, we are indirectly also asking for Jannah (Paradise). The scholars state that one of the worst punishments of the people of Hell-Fire is being abandoned by Allah (Praise be to Him the Most High) and not being able to see Him. Many times when we think of Jannah, we think of the mansions, the rivers, the hoor, the fruits, golden goblets and cups, but we forget that having the opportunity to see Allah (Praise be to Him the Most High) is greater than all of these bounties. Allah (Praise be to Him the Most High)

praises the believers for worshipping Him ―bil ghayb‘, in the unseen, and in the Akhirah (Hereafter) Allah will reward them for this with seeing Him. The believers will enjoy seeing Allah and it will be the most beloved thing they will receive in Jannah (Paradise). May Allah make you and I among them. The Prophet, peace be upon him, told us in many narrations that the Believers will see Allah (Praise be to Him the Most High) with their own eyes as clearly as they can see the sun and moon. Abu Hurayrah mentioned that some people said, ―O Messenger of Allah! Will we see our Lord on the Day of Judgment?‖ The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, ―Are you harmed by seeing the sun and the moon when there are no clouds beneath them?‖ They replied, ―No.‖ The Prophet, peace be upon him, then said, ―Then you will surely see your Lord like that.‖ [Bukhari and Muslim] In another hadeeth, Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated, ―The Messenger of Allah looked at the moon on a night when it was full, and he said, Verily, you will see your Lord just as you see this moon! So if you are able to avoid missing a prayer before the rising of the sun (Fajr prayer) or before its setting (Asr prayer) then do so. [Bukhari and Muslim] Wanting to meet Allah does not mean you don‘t fear death. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, ―Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him and whoever hates to meet Allah, Allah hates to meet him‖. ‗Aisha, or some of the wives of the Prophet said, ―But we dislike death.‖ He said: It is not like this, but it is meant that when the time of the death of a believer approaches, he receives the good news of Allah‘s pleasure with him and His blessings upon him, and so at that time nothing is dearer to him than what is in front of him. He therefore loves the meeting with Allah, and Allah loves the meeting with him. But when the time of the death of a disbeliever approaches, he receives the evil news of Allah‘s torment and His Requital, whereupon nothing is more hateful to him than what is before him. Therefore, he hates the meeting with Allah, and Allah too, hates the meeting with him.‖ [Saheeh Bukhari]

SPRING ISSUE 2012

ADVENTURES in Online Shopping STYLE

By F.R. Hasan

In many places throughout the world, Muslim ladies can acquire clothing that suits both their style and their religion fairly easily. North American sisters, however, are faced with the dilemma of either traveling a great distance to urban areas to visit stores that sell specifically Muslim clothing or they must channel enormous amounts of creativity towards meshing the western fashions available in department stores to promote their internal Islamic values. Seasons, style and fashion can often become obstacles for Muslim women, especially when they first embark upon the task of looking good for themselves, but dressing modestly for the sake of Allah (Praise be to Him the Most High). Items such as under scarves, hijab pins, and sleeve guards are often needed to alter outfits, but finding these items was once quite the challenge. We say ―was a challenge‖ because Alhamdullilah for the Internet! With convenient delivery and a wide range of styles, Internet shopping offers Muslim women a perfect solution that saves them time and helps develop creative ways to express Islamic identity.

When FASHION & MODESTY Photo credit www.n-ti.com

Meet

In this issue, “My Muslim VEIL” aims to highlight three exceptional Internet sites designed and marketed to the very specific needs of Muslim women. MY MUSLIM VEIL

SPRING ISSUE 2012

www.shukronline.com

www.hijabgirl.com

N-TI

Shukr Online A thriving online business since 2001, Shukr operates in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. This online store offers high quality clothing that is extremely fashionable as well as durably made. Furthermore the site explains that the company is committed to operating under an Islamic business model which accounts for fair trade and avoids interest based financing. While the store offers clothing for men, as well, women will find that a myriad of items from jilbabs to western inspired skirts are available. Furthermore, the site offers shoppers the opportunity to shop by specific ―looks‖ they‘d like to achieve such as ―feminine‖, ―professional‖, or ―urban casual.‖ Those who are new to the concept of Islamic fashion will definitely find inspiring ideas for how to update and construct their wardrobe.

Hijab Girl This store offers a wide array of accessories and hijab styles with flat rate shipping to anywhere in the United States. Whether AlAmira or simply square, this site uses high quality materials to offer its customers many choices when it comes to fashion. Additionally, the site offers an ―Internet low price guarantee‖, citing that it will not only offer a refund for the difference, but will also give 10% off towards your next purchase if you find the same hijab for less anywhere else. For sisters whose interests lie in athletics, this site offers sport hijabs, as well, which are a rare find.

Have you been online shopping for some time now or are you just getting started? Do you have an online shop aimed at serving Muslim women's clothing needs?

MY MUSLIM VEIL

www.n-ti.com

Operating as a brick and mortar business in Montreal, Canada since 2007, Nti is currently expanding to Toronto. A strong element of their business model relies on capitalizing on local talent by offering items that are both designed and fabricated in Canada. As the business expands, its online presence is expanding as well. While N-ti offers everything a Muslimah would need, from underscarves to abayas to long fashionable tunics, those who are in a time crunch or seeking out new looks will find their hijab selections incredible. With over 250 types of hijabs available, both printed and plain, N-ti is a definite stop for women wanting to keep their wardrobes fashionable and modest. For those new to wearing a hijab, the jersey style or light chiffon materials are not only comfortable, but very easy to wear.

These three sites aren‘t the only ones on the Internet, but for women who are just getting their feet wet in the world of online shopping, these places are great to start off with. There are several ways to research new sites, such as typing in key words like ―hijab,‖ Islamic fashion‖ or ―Muslim clothing.‖ Additionally, for people who are new to online shopping, it‘s always a good idea to review shipping policies and thoroughly investigating the procedures taken by the site owners to ensure the security of your transactions. Most reputable sites will have a phone number that customers can call with questions. Have you been online shopping for some time now or are you just getting started? Do you have an online shop aimed at serving Muslim women's clothing needs? If so, please send our editor your suggestions for sites that we should review.

SPRING ISSUE 2012

REMINDERS

Life Lessons from Khadija May Allah be pleased with her

Faithful Muslim, Generous Wife, Devoted Mother By Zaynab Ansari Abdul-Razacq

MY MUSLIM VEIL

SPRING ISSUE 2012

Her Background Khadija bint Khuwaylid (ca. 554-619 CE) was the first love of the Prophet Muhammad, the Final Messenger of God, peace and blessings upon him. She was his wife, the mother of six of his seven children (his last child was from Mariyam al-Qibtiyyah), and the first person to believe in him. She was his economic support, his spiritual counselor, and his best friend. Born to a noble family of Mecca, Khadija, at the time she became acquainted with Muhammad, was a wealthy widow. Having heard of the young Muhammad‘s honesty, reliability, and business acumen, Khadija invited him to lead a caravan of her merchandise north to markets in Syria. Ever the wise woman, Khadija assigned a trusted servant, Maysara, to accompany Muhammad and observe how he conducted business. Khadija, herself, had a chance to meet with Muhammad, when, after returning from Syria, he and Maysara reported to her house, apprising her of the success of their journey and giving her what they had earned on her behalf. Khadija was entranced at the handsome Muhammad and immediately decided to propose marriage. Muhammad‘s decision to accept Khadija‘s proposal would alter the course of humanity. Upon being consulted by Khadija, Waraqa ibn Naufal, a Christian cousin of the noblewoman of Quraish, predicted that Muhammad was the long-awaited prophet of his people. Indeed, it was within the context of the union of Muhammad and Khadija that God the Exalted sent down the Archangel Gabriel to the Mountain of Light wherein Muhammad was worshipping. It was Khadija to whom Muhammad, now a Prophet of God, turned when he doubted himself. It was Khadija who never wavered one moment while others reacted to Muhammad‘s call with skepticism, derision, and abuse. And it is Khadija who speaks to the modernday Muslim woman like none other.

Three Timeless Lessons from the Life of Khadija Faithful Muslim: Although fourteen centuries intervene between the first Muslim woman and Muslim women today, Khadija‘s strength of faith is a timeless lesson for all. Imagine for a moment the leap

MY MUSLIM VEIL

of faith it took for a woman with wealth, position, and lineage to marry Muhammad, a man fifteen years her junior, orphaned, and from a noble, but poor, clan. Materially, the young Muhammad was not able to offer much, but, spiritually, he was, as Martin Lings describes in his famous account of the Prophet‘s life, luminous. Khadija saw this light and wanted to partake. When Muhammad rushed home, shivering and shaken, from his encounter with the Archangel Gabriel in the heights of Mecca, saying, ―Cover me, cover me,‖ she did not pepper him with questions, but, instead calmly and quickly brought him his cloak. Once the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, began recounting his momentous experience, confiding in his beloved wife, ―I fear that something is happening to me,‖ (that is, he feared for his sanity and wondered what God intended through sending upon him such an experience), Khadija replied, ―Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your family, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones.‖ (Bukhari) From this moment, the light of faith entered Khadija‘s heart and she was convinced that her husband, Muhammad, was the Messenger of God. Indeed, she was the first person with whom the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, bowed down in prayer to the One God, Allah the Exalted.

Generous Wife: Modern-day Muslim literature on marriage and gender roles places a great deal of emphasis on men‘s financial responsibility and women‘s domestic and childrearing duties to the extent that some women behave as if it is antithetical to Islam‘s teachings to help their husbands. For this reason, Muhammad‘s and Khadija‘s marriage is quite intriguing. Nowhere in the sources does it suggest that Khadija held onto her wealth and had the attitude of ―what‘s mine is mine and what‘s yours is mine.‖ How many of us know of women who feel a sense of entitlement to their husband‘s wealth yet would never think of sharing their own money? How many women self-righteously proclaim when they see their husbands struggling and their children wanting for basic provisions, ―Islam does not require women to work. Any money I make is my own.‖ This attitude is nonexistent from what has been

SPRING ISSUE 2012

narrated about Khadija. She was generous until the very end when the vicious economic and social boycott of the Prophet, Allah bless him and give peace, depleted her wealth and health. Although the Prophet worked very hard to support Khadija and their six children (two of whom died in infancy), Khadija was always the wealthy one. She was the one who gladly placed her resources at the Prophet‘s disposal so he could proclaim the Oneness of Allah and invite their people to Islam. She did this lovingly, willingly, and graciously, and never reminded Muhammad of her generosity nor asked to be paid back! So moved was the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, by Khadija‘s munificence, that he honored her memory by donating to her relatives to the extent that Aisha, the Prophet‘s second wife after Khadija, said, ―I was never jealous of any woman the way I was jealous of Khadija when I heard him mention her. If he sacrificed a sheep, he would send it to her friends. Her sister (Hala bint Khuwaylid) asked for permission to enter and he was happy to see her. A woman came to him and

he received her with kindliness and asked after her very considerately. When she left, he said, ‗She used to come to us when Khadija was with us. Maintaining ties is part of belief.‘‖ (Bukhari)

Devoted mother: Not much has come down to us from the historical record that tells us about Khadija‘s relationship with her children. However, one can infer from the stories of her surviving children, Zaynab, Ruqayya, Umm Kulthum, and Fatima, that she raised strong women, faithful slaves of Allah, all good wives to their husbands and loving mothers (Umm Kulthum may not have had any children). All four daughters of the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, believed in his message and made the Hijra from Mecca to Medina to join the nascent Muslim community, a decision which had a serious impact on their intimate relationships and social standing in Mecca. For example, Zaynab, the Prophet‘s eldest daughter, was married to Abu l-‗As ibn alRabi‘, son of Khadija‘s beloved sister, Hala. Although Zaynab and Abu l-‗As had a good marriage and Abu l-‗As refused to divorce her when she became

Sources ‗Abduh Ghalib Ahmad Isa, Nisaa‟ Mu‟minaat (Believing Women) (Cairo: Dar al-Hadith, n.d.)

Muslim, despite being pressured to do so by the Qurayshi overlords of Mecca, he did not embrace Islam with his wife. In fact, Abu l‗As ended up fighting against the Muslims during the Battle of Badr (624 CE, 2 AH) and was captured by the Prophet‘s soldiers only to be let go when Zaynab, still in Mecca, sent in her own jewelry to ransom her husband. The jewelry that secured Abu l -‗As‘s release was none other than a necklace which Khadija had gifted to Zaynab on her wedding day. When the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, saw what Zaynab had sent, his heart was filled with memories of Khadija and love for their daughter. He sent Abu l-‗As on his way, making him promise to send Zaynab to Medina. Abu l-‗As kept his promise and Zaynab reached Medina. She remained a patient and faithful wife and, in the eighth year after the Hijra, Abu l-‗As joined the Muslim community and was reunited with his beloved wife. Through it all, Zaynab bore her separation from her husband with patience, and although her mother was not with her to support her through her pain, one can only imagine Zaynab drawing on her mother‘s great example of faith, generosity of spirit, and love. Perhaps the best words that describe Khadija are the tender memories of the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, when he said, ―She believed in me when everyone else disbelieved, she held me truthful when everyone else called me a liar, she provided me with resources when everyone else cut me off, and God gave me children through her when He did not give me children from any other woman.‖ (Ahmad). I pray that each and every one of us can learn from the life of this great woman, the beloved of the beloved of Allah.

Mahmud Ta‘meh Halabi, Nisaa‟ Hawl al-Rasul (Women around the Messenger), (Allepo: Dar al-Hayat, 1997) Martin Lings, Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources (Vermont: Inner Traditions, 2006) Musnad of Imam Ahmad Qadi ‗Iyad ibn Musa al-Yahsubi, tr. Aisha Abdarrahman Bewley, Muhammad Messenger of Allah: Ash-Shifa of Qadi „Iyad (Inverness, Scotland: Madinah Press, 2006)

MY MUSLIM VEIL

SPRING ISSUE 2012

You Can Be The Happiest

Woman in the World

A Treasure Chest of Reminders BOOK REVIEW

Book review by Aysha-Anastasia Izgagina

―You can be the happiest woman in the World ― is a wonderful book which creates a structure for understanding the reality of this life and how to find that happiness within it. Sometimes we worry about things that are out of our hands; where in reality we need to improve what we have in our capacity. This book is a good reminder for everyone, no matter the age or personality of that fact. It has many lessons on the purpose of this life, how to overcome calamities, poverty, sadness, depression and how to appreciate what we have. It reminds us to have a strong faith that nothing is impossible in life – and that life is very short, so by worrying about all of our problems, we only make it even shorter. This especially comes in handy in regards to us women. The book contains many vital reminders about day to day situations we face, which often make us forget the value of what we have. It encourages and prompts us to have patience and face reality with steadfastness and brings the realization that sometimes in our focus on this Dunya (worldly life), and our families and households, we forget the importance of our ‗Ibadaah (worship) to Allah (Praise be to Him the Most High).

MY MUSLIM VEIL

Book Excerpts “A woman may turn the home into a paradise or into an unbearable hell .” Analyze yourself and ask: are you the woman who makes her family happy and who is content and happy with everything she has, or are you the woman who constantly complains and criticizes everyone and everything around her? This is a wonderful reminder to work on our character, our manners and challenge the way we think … “Real beauty lies in beautiful behavior, manners and mind.” “Make your house a paradise of tranquility, not a noisy playground, for quietness is blessing.” “In order to be beautiful your thoughts should be so.” The author also gives advice to each of us on how to achieve a happy life, and what it truly means. By this book, the reader is empowered to realize that we should take this life as it comes with its difficulties and success, not regretting its past and not worrying about the future, and to have a goal in life, as it will provide motivation. Let‘s all learn from these beautiful reminders and try to change ourselves inshaAllah. I recommend every sister to read this book.

SPRING ISSUE 2012

By Yvonne Maffei

RECIPES

Use one of spring’s best vegetable to make this soup a healthy, seasonal delight. Carrots blended with zucchini add texture while the dried herbs add earthiness to a dish that is perfectly paired with a salad or sandwich.

Zucchini & Carrot Soup Serves 4 Ingredients 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon olive oil ½ cup onion, diced 3 carrots, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 3 cups zucchini, roughly chopped 2 tablespoons dried parsley 1 tablespoon dried basil leaves 1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, to taste 1 tablespoon crème frâiche or heavy cream Directions In a medium size Dutch oven or sauce pan over medium heat, warm the butter. Once

MY MUSLIM VEIL

it begins to froth, add the olive oil and heat gently before adding the carrots. Sauté the carrots until they begin to soften, about 3-5 minutes. Add the onion and sauté until translucent. Next, add the zucchini and sauté until the pieces have browned slightly. Add 2 cups water, the dried herbs, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 20 minutes. The liquid will be reduced slightly. If desired, use an immersion blender to puree at least half to three-fourths of the soup mixture. Blending will extract more liquid from the vegetables.

Just before serving, add 1 tablespoon crème frâiche or heavy cream and stir thoroughly. Remove from heat and serve. Yvonne Maffei is the Publisher and Editor of MyHalalKitchen.com, a blog about halal food and cooking. She writes about food, teaches cooking classes, gives lectures on healthy eating, and consults schools on how to source healthy, halal ingredients to create tasty healthy and halal recipes for their school lunches. She resides in Chicago, IL.

SPRING ISSUE 2012

VOICES

“...This book will show that Muslims come from different backgrounds, upbringings, education, and beliefs. It will show that we, Muslims, “Do That

MUSLIMS DO THAT TOO! By Sana Hamed Post 9-11, Muslims have been scrutinized by the media. The media paints pictures of the Muslim terrorists, the so called oppressed Muslim women and the extremists. The media rarely shows the real Muslims. People are led to believe that there is only one type of Muslim, that the actions of one group of Muslims represent the whole Muslim community. One day, I was with a group of friends at a bake sale raising funds for our senior class at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) in my last semester as an undergraduate and I realized people were staring at me. I assumed it was something they did not see often – a Muslim girl wearing the Hijab surrounding by non-Muslim girls, laughing and joking while participating in a bake sale. And it hit me--- they don‘t see us as regular people. At that moment I knew I had to do something. . Muslims Do That Too! was born.

MY MUSLIM VEIL

SPRING ISSUE 2012

The goal of Muslims Do That Too! is to give Muslims the medium to share their feelings, their work and at the same time make a small difference. Also, I hope this book can help nonMuslims realize that we are people too. We go through heartaches and pains. We love, cry, and laugh. This book will show that Muslims come from different backgrounds, upbringings, education, and beliefs. It will show that we, Muslims, ―Do That Too!‖

ily, finding yourself, prejudice or anything else you may have experienced. Personal stories, poems, art, and photography are all accepted.

The book was presented at UVI‘s Senior Humanities and Social Sciences Seminar in April 2011. The community of non-Muslims loved the idea and many were anxious to read the stories submitted. Currently, the book is approximately at 50 pages and submissions are still being accepted.

Like Muslims Do That Too! on Facebook.

Your story should be between 300-1500 words and be your original work. Please email your stories to sanahamed@live.com. Include your full name, location and age along with a short biography.

Sana Hamed, founder of Muslims Do That Too! is a freelance writer and editor. She received her BA in Communications and AA in Accounting from the University of the Virgin Islands. You can find her blog for Muslimahs at www.hijabiworld.com.

All topics are welcomed. It can be about struggles in school, fitting in, fashion, Hijab, the opposite gender, religion, culture, marriage, friends, fam-

“...The goal of Muslims Do That Too! is to give Muslims the medium to share their feelings, their work and at the same time make a small difference…”

Photo credit ”world through my eyes”, by Sundus

INSPIRATIONS

The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind, but the goodness of a person spreads in all directions.

MY MUSLIM VEIL

SPRING ISSUE 2012

By Nida Mujahid The Quran re-iterates the concept of gratitude again and again. Its very important to help children develop this sense of ‗shukr‘ (gratitude) for every blessing from Allah (Praise be to Him the Most High). With spring break around the corner here is a fun activity for you to do with your child … Plant your very own ‗Shukr Pot ‗.

CRAFTS

What you need : 1 pot, craft sticks, bird seed, white paper, glue, printed out flower template , scissors.

“…be grateful for every moment you have with your children…”

SHUKR POT

MY MUSLIM VEIL

What to do : 1. Have your child letter the word ‗ Alhamdulillah‘ on the pot in Arabic or English. 2. Fill the pot with bird seed. 3. Color the flower templates and cut them out 4.Paste the flowers on the sticks. 5. Insert the sticks in the pot. 6. Have your child write down a blessing every day to create a true sense of gratitude. Don‘t forget to leave your pot out for the birds. When they are done with the bird seed start over. You can get as creative as you want with the pot and the flowers !!! Enjoy and be grateful for every moment you have with your children . ALHAMDULILLAH .

SPRING ISSUE 2012

Subscribe today! $ 24.99 for

the whole year

Cut Here Subscribe for the whole year FOR ONLY $24.99 You will receive 4 Issues per year (in March, June, September, December). Plus, you will receive Ramadan Issue for FREE! Name: Make Checks payable to My Veil LLC Mail to: My Veil LLC PO box 38645 Germantown, TN 28183

Address:

City:

State:

ZIP

Email: Your subscription will start from next issue. To order back Issues please visit www.mymuslimveilmagazine.com

Or Subscribe Online at www.mymuslimveilmagazine.com