Ramadan Charities

Salaam aleykum and Ramadan Mubarak!!

InshAllah your fasting is going well. One thing strongly encouraged during Ramadan is to give charity and lots of it! In case you're having trouble finding worthy causes, we're compiling a list of various Islamic charities that could really use your help. Comment if you have a charity you'd like to see featured! We will update this list regularly, inshAllah.

Feed a Syrian Family

Help Omar Ahmed get a new kidney


Islamic Help: General relief fund


Islamic Relief USA: General relief fund



Muslim Aid: General relief fund

Muslimah's Covered With Care: To help American Muslim women with modest dress needs and also life crisis assistance.


Ramadan TV: An online/on-the-air TV channel that teaches anyone and everyone about all things Ramadan.


Save an Orphan: Orphan assistance fund

SOLACE UK: To help UK Muslim women converts with learning about Islam and life crisis assistance.

The Well Project Ramadhan: Donate to help fund 30 wells built during Ramadan - one for each day!

May Allah accept and reward your generosity!

N&Z

Changing the wardrobe!

Salaam aleykum!

It's a pretty big change to put hijab on, but it all doesn't need to happen at once. Even though hijab is fard, you need to understand that it is a commitment and once it's on, it should be on for good. We thought you would be interested in the tips and tricks we have for changing the wardrobe from non-Islamic to a more modest, hijabified closet!

1. Take a deep breath, and take it slow! There's no specific time frame for when you need to be completely hijabbed. Set a goal for covering up a little bit more of your body as you go along. You'll know when you're ready for the next step. Make plenty of dua'a as you go along. Some people will take a month, others will take years. Allah knows what is best for you, so don't forget to include Him in this very important journey of your faith.

2. Stop wearing sleeveless shirts. This is simple and really quite unnoticeable by friends and family, especially if you're a revert who doesn't want your family to find out right away. T-shirts are really easy to get away with. There are also a lot of tops made from lighter material that still cover the upper arms without making you sweat.

3. Stop wearing shorts/short skirts. Instead, opt for jeans, maxi dresses and maxi skirts. Also, some companies make awesome gaucho pants that are super comfortable, flowy, and stylish. These items can stay with you even after you don hijab, so they're a worthy investment!

4. Start wearing long sleeves instead of t-shirts. Yes, even over the summer. Doing this for a year has worked out really well for me (Zahra). You'll start to figure out what outfits look good together. You'll figure out which tops are suitable over jeans (i.e. covering the bum) and which are more suitable for a skirt. Also, at this point you may want to consider starting your scarf collection if you already haven't. Buying a few at a time will make the investment a lot smaller every month instead of purchasing an entire wardrobe's worth of scarves the week you decide to wear hijab!

5. Wear hats! Beanies are a great way to get used to having something on your head, plus nobody's going to say anything if you show up to school with a beanie on one day, and your hair curled the next. You should also practice wrapping your hijab and getting the hang of doing it. Once you're comfortable with how some styles look on your head at home, you'll feel more confident wearing it out in public.

6. Set a date and wear your hijab out in public! Figure out which setting makes you most comfortable. Tell a friend and have her go out with you, or get your group of friends together and surprise them with your new commitment! By setting a date, you'll build up excitement as the day comes closer to wearing your hijab and you'll have a special day that you can celebrate each year as your hijab-iversary comes around.

Another thing we recommend is to purchase Islamic clothing as you go along. If you prefer shalwar kameez, abaya, jilbab, or jalabiya, look around and find ones you like. As you move closer towards full hijab, start making an investment here and there of an article of clothing you really like. Having special pieces of clothing saved in your closet will help you get more excited about wearing it when you take that final step.

Of course, these steps won't necessarily help everyone. Some people go from being a non-Muslim, one day wearing shorts and a tank and the next day wearing an abaya and khimar. That's perfectly fine, but not everyone can run straight to that kind of Islamic wear right away. Anyone who wants to dress more modestly can follow these steps. Modify them as you need to for your particular religion. InshAllah these steps and tips will help ease any anxiety you may have about covering for the first time and break it down into much more manageable goals.

Until next time,

N&Z

Status update: Zahra

Salaam aleykum!

So I'm just over a week of being a hijabi, and I have to say I'm really not feeling too different. Al7amdullilah, it feels so natural to wear hijab. Of course, it's taking time to ignore the occasional stare, but that comes with patience :)

I have found that it is really hard to go to the gym or do outdoor workouts with hijab on. I get hot really easily when I'm doing any type of physical activity, especially cardio, and with a hijab on it seems like it's ten times worse. This will certainly be something to experiment around with. I will try to keep you posted on what I find that works for me!

Please continue to keep me in your dua'as as I continue with my journey. I love you all so much and thank you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers!

Until next time,

Zahra

Conversion Story: Lauren A., Part Two

Continued from Part 1...

So, one evening I was preparing to get ready for a big function at one of my aunt’s house. So, I finally wrapped a super-cute hijab around me correctly. I would no longer tie my hijab behind my head. I would no longer feel guilty for being Muslim. I wanted people to see me for who I had become. I thought to myself on the way there on how scared I was inside. I was freaking out. I was going crazy. I was everything except for calm. Upon exiting the car I went into my aunt’s house and went where the party was- downstairs. Everyone was there. I was freaking out to the fullest extent. I was melting inside. My heart felt as if it would just drop out of me at any minute. It did. My aunt’s husband had laughed and said that I looked like a Muslim. In looking back at that I was embarrassed because everyone laughed with him. I gave that fake smile and just ignored the faces and the staring eyes. I went to say hello to my aunt. She gave me a hug and told her husband that I was Muslim.  After that clarification, I felt out of place almost. I saw how I was different. I was no longer just like anyone else. I stood out among others. The music, the lewd dancing, the smoking and drinking got to me. In being in that environment I recognized the beauty of being Muslim. I found solace in knowing that Islam frees an individual from the evils of the world. It seemed like a reality-check for me. I came into afraid and scared, but I came out realizing the beauty of Islam.

On the other hand, I was dealing with life at home. Home was a hard place for me. It was a hard place until I left for college. I would have my arguments at home with my parents about different aspects of Islam, but eventually I stopped. I found our relationship being strained by Islam and Islam doesn’t teach us to argue. When there is ignorance we should simply walk away.  Walking away doesn’t make you a loser, but it makes you the stronger person. The prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told us that the strong person isn’t the one that can wrestle an individual down to the ground, but the person that can control their anger. I soon told my parents that I wasn’t going to take the disrespect anymore and that I was Muslim. I wouldn’t tolerate the treatment I was receiving. Interestingly, my father became interested in Islam. He would ask me questions and even listen to lectures with me. He would say how Islam seemed like a peaceful way of life and how he was proud of me. He told me he had seen such a positive change in me. I didn’t understand what he meant, but I guess he saw it. So, I was accepting of such a compliment.  In dealing with life as a Muslim convert, I found myself growing in different ways. I found myself walking away from ignorance. I found myself feeling firm upon Islam. I wasn’t going to allow anyone to disrespect me or my way of life. I began seeking knowledge of the religion on a daily-basis, so that I could grow to understand myself as a Muslim. Nonetheless, this time of growing was lonely at times, but years later…extremely necessary.  I no longer hear mocking comments about Islam or Muslims. I no longer fear having my hijab or abaya stripped from my closet. I no longer fear hearing how I will be an occupant of the hell-fire. I came to love Islam and even love my family more. It seemed as though Islam has helped me in recognizing the important things in life. Family is definitely one of them. Islam wants you to keep the ties of kinship and to maintain them. In looking at Asma, the daughter of Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him), she had told the prophet Muhammad (May peace be upon him) how her mother wanted to be in her presence, but she didn’t want to see her mother since she was not Muslim.  The prophet Muhammad told Asma to entertain her mother and to be with her since she wasn’t an enemy to Islam. Islam doesn’t want us to leave our families, but wants us to strengthen the ties we have with them- Muslim or not.

So, in my experience of being a convert I appreciated the trials and the lessons learned. My story may sound sad, but it really isn’t. It’s a story about growth. It’s a story about self-realization and what it means to be a Muslim. If you seek out Allah as your protector then he will protect you, inshALLAH. In the last five years I have found myself extremely fortunate because I have seen the beauty of trials and tribulation. In addition, I have even seen the beauty of seeing my father becoming a Muslim.

We offer our sincere thanks and appreciation to Lauren for sharing her story with us and with our readers. If you'd like to share your story, please e-mail it to us at therevertshijab@gmail.com

Conversion Story: Lauren A., Part One

Finding myself alone at the local library after giving myself the shahada was exciting, but frightening. I had the immediate adrenaline rush, but I had the realization that I would be going back home to my family. I was only 16 years-old at the time of my conversion. I didn’t have any scarves to drape myself with properly except for one that could only be tied up in a bun behind my head, thus exposing my neck and ears.  I didn’t have a clear understanding on proper-dress, but I was willing to cover up as much as possible. When I went home I rushed to grab anything that resembled a scarf and tied it on my head. I was proud to finally wear hijab.  I didn’t know that it was an obligation, but I saw plenty of other Muslim-women doing the same thing.

Upon the arrival of my parents returning home I was in the bathroom performing my prayer in fear that they would catch me. Of course, they did. I was humiliated and degraded. I felt less than human at some points of my initial conversion to Islam. I would often feel ashamed out in public because I knew the intense hate my parents had for Islam. I knew in their eyes and in their comments that having a Muslim daughter was not a part of the plan. I found myself hiding from my parents when I performed my prayers. I would even try closing the door to my bedroom, but my mom would interrupt me. On the other hand, I would go to school to be around friends that were Muslim and they would openly accept me. However, I had to come from that comforting space to a place of horror in many respects. I became more conscious of my Islam and began reading more and listening to lectures every chance I got. I would raid the local library for books about Islam. Sadly, I later realized that many of the books I read were deviant on different levels, but that was the only real source of Islam for me. I would talk to other Muslims and begin going to classes online. I found strength in being around other Muslims. I even listened to how other converts dealt with family and I learned that I had to be firm. I began covering fully in my junior-year of high-school. I didn’t care anymore. I wanted to please Allah. Of course, I had my bumps along the way, but I was certain that I wanted to be known as a Muslim and be seen as a Muslim.

Stay tuned next week to see Part Two of Lauren's story, inshAllah...

The countdown begins for Zahra.

Salaam aleykum,

It seems like only yesterday that I was simply dreaming about the day that I would become a full-time hijabi. Now that day is so, SO close (inshAllah). I don't have a set date yet, but inshAllah it will be either the 17th, 18th, or 19th of May.

Finally, everything is falling into place. Al7amdullilah.

Until next time,

Zahra

We will not be moved.

Asalaam aleykum/Peace be with you,

The recent tragedy in Boston has led many Muslims to once again speak out against the false association between terrorism and Islam. We're jumping on that bandwagon as well. Islam is all over the news once again and violence toward Muslims is skyrocketing all over the nation. We call upon Americans and people around the world to educate themselves about Islam and learn that Islam literally means "peace."

I don't know how many times anyone has to say that ISLAM DOES NOT PREACH TERRORISM! In fact, the Holy Qur'an states that "whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely." (Qur'an 5:32). It also has a commandment to obey the laws of our host government (so long as it doesn't go against our religion).

We did not turn to Islam because of the violence and horror that we saw on the news. We didn't become Muslims so we could have a good excuse to run through the streets screaming "Death to America!" No, in fact, it was the peace and joy that it brought into our lives that made us Muslims.  It was the respect that is demanded of us to others and of others to us. It was the love that our dear Prophet ﷺ had for Allah that made us want to love Allah as much as he ﷺ did.

To those of you who continue to choose to terrorize undeserving Muslims, we want to make this clear:

We will not be afraid.

Our faith will not waiver.

Allah (God) will keep us strong.

Until next time,

N&Z