More in Depth: Hijab

Hijab. We all have heard of it, haven't we? Some of us practice it, some of us don't. Some of us fulfill some of its requirements, some of us fulfill all of them.

I will take some statements from a link that can be found at the bottom, and I encourage everyone to read the entire article by clicking the link.

Hijab is the modest covering of the head and body of a Muslim woman.

"Oh, I'll wear it when I'm older." "I'm young, maybe when I'm married I'll start."

There is a hadith which can be read in its entirety by the link, which clarifies that a girl who has reached her "menstrual age" or had her period, must cover everything except her face and hands. I particularly like this Hadith because it states important information about the Hijab quite clearly.

Allah(SWT) has ordered us to wear it in the Holy Quran as well. Two of the relevant ayahs can be seen by clicking the link.

What are the requirements of the Hijab?

We know from the Hadith that it is everything except the face and hands. But that does not mean you can go out, covering everything, but wearing tight clothes that show your shape. It must be loose and modest. Details can be found on the link at the end. Please make sure you check it out; it is wonderful.
Now, let's think about make-up. Yes, let's cover, let's be modest, cover our original physical beauty, but let's wear make-up.
Logically, this does not make sense.
In addition, the hijab is not just the right clothing and that's it. It is also Hayaa', modesty. Insha' allah I hope to write a post about this important topic(Hayaa) later on.

I want to make this statement:
So many Muslims know that it is ordered by Allah(SWT), Allah Almighty, in the Holy Quran. The Holy Quran, the Hadith, yet still some are not doing so. Why?
-"I'm not ready."
-"I'm still young. Maybe when I'm older."

It's your choice. Your choice whether you want to obey your Lord.


http://www.themodernreligion.com/women/w_basic_hijaab.htm
(Let me know if you have any questions or concerns about the Hijab, from how you're deciding whether to wear it, to how you disagree about the make-up issue).

Voluntary Fasting

We all know that Ramadan is a month in which it is obligatory to fast; we are penalized if we do not fast it, and rewarded if we do.
Almighty Allah said: "You who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint."(Qur'an 2:183)

Six days in Shawwal ( the month after Ramadan); the Prophet (peace be on him) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan, then follows it up with six days in Shawwal, it is as if he fasted the whole (year).” (Muslim)
The scholars said that the reward of the good deeds are multiplied by ten. 30x 10= 300+ [6 days x 10]= 360 which is slightly longer than a lunar year, and next Ramadan he will fast again so it is as if he fasted his whole life.

Fasting the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and the day of ‘Arafah (the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah) (for those who are not performing Hajj); the Prophet (peace be on him) said: “Fasting on the day of ‘Arafah expiates two years of sins last year’s and next year’s and fasting on the tenth of Muharram (‘Ashura) expiates the previous year’s (of sins).” (Muslim and others)

Fasting Monday and Thursday. The Prophet (peace be on him) mentioned that: “The deeds of the worshippers are presented before Allah on Monday and Thursday, I like my deeds to be presented while I am fasting.” (Nasa’I)

Ashura
Fasting on the day of ‘Ashura, and its fasting is not mandatory on you, and I am fasting, so whoever wants should fast, and whoever wants should break his fast.” (Agreed upon).
And he (peace be on him) said: “If I live till the next year, I will fast definitely on the 9th ( the day before “Ashura).” (Muslim)
(This shows that it is preferable to fast an extra day long with the tenth, preferably the ninth, but, if not possible, then the 11th).

Announcement

Assalamualikum Everyone!
Previously, I have said I was going to be discussing Islam's basics.
But after some thought, I have decided instead to create another blog, particularly for Non-Muslims, which will cover Islam's basics, as well as it's relation to other religions such as Christianity and Judaism, as well as Ethiesm. I cannot say when this blog will be up, because now that school's started and all, my time is more restricted, and i do not want to be overwhelmed, or simply stop posting regularly on one of the blogs. I will announce and post the link to the future blog whenever I start it.
Hoping for many non-muslim participants in the future blog(and non-practicing muslims if they are interested),

Insha' allah I will be posting post on the basics of Islam, in addition to other topics you/I may wish to be talked about, for the benefit of both Muslims and Non-Muslims, but particularly Non-Muslims so that they can understand the fundamentals of Islam.

Convert to Islam

Gracie has commented on this blog and said that she has converted to Islam. May Allah(SWT) Bless and Guide her. Ameen.

For Mystery Dudettes

Most of the topics discussed here pertain to both genders, but if there is something in particular you wish me to talk about, please let me know.
Thanks!

For Pashma

Asalamualikum, Pashma.
Your question is a very intellectual one, I must say.
Now, sometimes religion is influenced by culture, and we have to be careful in those instances.
Specificly, I asked an adult about the arms in prayer thing, and she said this:
That in some culture, the women pray with their arms on the floor, sort of to emphasize modesty by being closer. HOWEVER, in all the Fiqh books she's read, they all say that there is no difference in how men and women pray. And why do you need to be modest in that way if you're praying alongside females, anyway?
As for the pictures, there is a controversy/range of opinions over that.
The important thing to consider is where you get your information, what are your sources. Do you get it from the Quran? Do you get it from Hadith? If so, how strong is that chain of narration? All these need to be considered. And as for Imams and Shieqs saying so and so, there was an Imam, or was it shieq, who said that hijab is not obligatory or something like that. So we must be careful. [And the very knowledgeable Muslim scholars(called Mufti(spelling might be wrong), say that Hijab is Fard, by the way].
Try your best to follow Islam, and Insha' allah God will guide and help you, and accept your good intentions and deeds.
[This may be sort of random, but I encourage Nasheeds, there are BEAUTIFUL ones out there, including Native Deen and Sami Yusuf.]