I Answer to the King..

“With my veil, I put my faith on display — rather than my beauty. My value as a human is defined by my relationship with God, not by my looks. I cover the irrelevant. And when you look at me, you don’t see a body. You view me only for what I am: …a servant of my Creator. You see, as a Muslim woman, I’ve been liberated from a silent kind of bondage. I don’t answer to the slaves of God on earth. I answer to the King.”

--Yasmin Mogahed

Such a beautiful excerpt from a very well written article subhaanAllaah. You can find the rest of the article here inshaaAllaah.

May Allaah t'Aala grant us all the strength to stay firm on His religion. *Ameen*

Zaynab bint Jahsh bin Rayaab (radhiAllaahu 'anha)

Source: Great Women of Islaam by Mahmood Ahmad Ghandanfar (Book)


Zaynab bint Jahsh bin Rayaab(radhiAllaahu 'anha) was the cousin of the Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him). She was also amongst those who made the first hijrah. She married Zayd bin Haarithah --a former slave. This marriage occurred to eradicate the differences between men and women. To show that no man was above another except in piety. During the period when the proposal was sent to Zaynab bint Jahsh (radhiAllaahu 'anha), she didn't initially accept it and her brother, Ubayd-Allaah bin Jahsh rejected it. She had an aristocratic lineage which led to a high social status. She thought, "How could she accept this proposal from a former slave when she was a noble, high born lady?" However, because this matter was already decreed by Allaah (azz wa jal), as mentioned before (to remove the differences between men and women), Zaynab (radhiAllaahu 'anha) agreed to the marriage. This is the time when the following verse was also sent down to the Messenger (peace be upon him):

"It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allaah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allaah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in plain error."

--Surah Al-Ahzaab, verse 36.

This marriage lead to both, Zaynab (radhiAllaahu 'anha) and Zayd bin Haarithah being unhappy. Day in and day out they would come to the Messenger (peace be upon him) complaining of the other. Soon after, verses came down, cancelling the prior established practice . Jibreel ('alayhis salaam) informed Allaah's Messenger (peace be upon him) that Zaynab bint Jahsh (radhiAllaahu 'anha) will become his wife.

Allaah (azz wa jal) is very clear about the reason for this marriage:

"So that there may be no difficulty to the believers in respect of the wives of their adopted sons when the latter have no desire to keep them (divorce them). And Allaah's Command must be fulfilled."

--Surah Al-Ahzaab, verse 37

Due to this, the next time Zayd bin Haarithah came complaining, the Messenger (peace be upon him) permitted him divorce. After this, the Prophet (peace be uopn him) married Zaynab bint Jahsh (radhiAllaahu 'anha) when the waiting period after her divorce was complete.

She was often heard boasting about her marriage to the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying: "Your people gave you in marriage, but I was given out in marriage by Allaah from above His Throne." Perhaps this was Allaah's Blessing due to her obedience in marrying Zayd.


Also, the verse of hijaab came down at her instance. When Allaah's Messenger (peace be upon him) married her, after they consummated the marriage, he (peace be upon him) would send Anas bin Malik (radhiAllaahu 'anh) to invite people to a meal of bread and meat. Groups of people would come, eat, and then leave. A batch of 3 people remained chatting, when the following verse was revealed:

".. And when you ask his wives for anything you want, ask them from behind a curtain. That is purer for your hearts and for their hearts."

-- Surah Al-Ahzaab, verse 53

It established that such screening was necessary and purer for the hearts of everyone.

Zaynab bint Jahsh (radhiAllaahu 'anha) was truly an inspiring person. Her benevolence and generosity was well known. She was known as "The Mother of the Poor". The Prophet (peace be upon him)'s wife, A'ishah (radhiAllaahu 'anha) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to his wives: 

"One who has the longest hands amongst you would come after me (to die)." She further said, "After his (peace be upon him) death, we would stretch our hands on the wall to measure their length. We never ceased doing that until Zaynab died and she was a small woman so she could not have been the one with the longest hand. It is then, that we realized that what he (peace be upon him) meant was charity. She use to work with her hand, tan and pierce leather and that income she would spend on charity."

To conclude, A'ishah (radhiAllaahu 'anha) said of Zaynab bint Jahsh (radhiAllaahu 'anha):

"I have never seen a woman who was better in her religion, who feared Allaah more, who was more truthful in speech, who strengthened the ties of kinship more, and was more benevolent in charity than Zaynab. May Allaah be pleased with her."



One Autumn Day..

 It was another ordinary day at work. The sun was shining outside, the marvelous colours of fall had set in to the leaves, and there was just the slightest breeze. Both arms perched on the counter, Sara sighed as she stared at the empty aisle in front of her. Ofcourse she had to be stuck indoors working when she'd much rather be out enjoying the beautiful weather on such a day, she thought to herself. The hustle and bustle of people walking in and out of the store was normal for a weekend. Sara had gotten use to the crowds, especially the stares and glares she got from people sometimes. Many times she could feel their questionning eyes on her. It didn't bother her though. She knew the reason she got such glares was because she looked different in the way she dressed, and didn't conform to the rules of society, but to the Rules of Allaah (azz wa jal). Her uniform consisted of her donning the entire Hijaab ('abaaya and long headscarf) along with her workplace t-shirt (which would end up being covered by the long headscarf anyway). Even though they questionned her attire, they never dared to ask about it. Perhaps this was because they respected it.. or maybe they just couldn't be bothered. Whatever it was, she was grateful to Allaah (azz wa jal) she had not encountered any problems.

Today was different though. Today, as she was dealing with the few customers who had lined up at her counter, Sara noticed one particular customer; A fairly middle-aged lady, short white hair, with light blue eyes, just staring at her with a warm smile. Naturally, Sara returned her smile. As she continued to help the other customers, she kept glancing up at the lady, who she noticed kept a studying gaze firmly on her. When it was her turn, she walked upto the counter and Sara greeted her like she did all her customers. The lady greeted her back and engaged in small talk as Sara completed her purchase. At the end of her purchase, the lady thanked her and was turning around to leave when she paused and turned back to Sara. She leaned in on the counter as though she were telling Sara a secret. Oddly enough, there was noone else around to hear it even if she was going to do so. Puzzled, Sara listened closely and intently as the lady whispered with a smile, "Dear, you are such a young girl, why do you cover your hair with that? Why do you wear that black robe? You're young, you should take it off and live freely!". At first Sara was taken aback. She was shocked and just stared at  her for a moment. Noone had ever asked her such a thing. She was surprised, but also commended this lady's courage. So she took a deep breath, smiled and replied, "I cover my hair with this cloth known as a Hijaab, and cover myself with this robe which is known as an 'abaaya because Allaah has commanded me to do so. For me, this is my freedom. It allows me to be known and respected for my intellect rather than my appearance." The lady went on, "But you should have a choice. *insert hearty laugh*" to which Sara replied, " This is my choice though. I do this because I want to please my Creator, not out of oppression or because someone is telling me to do so." Needless to say, the lady just stood there and watched Sara for a moment. She shook her head from side to side ever so slightly and then, with her warm smile and a polite, "Ok dear, if you say so. Have a nice day", she walked away..


Here's a beautiful little excerpt, " My dear sister in Islam, I know that it is quite difficult for you to go out wearing Hijab in a society that mocks and torments you. I know that you, indeed, feel strange and out of place. However, if you knew the status of those who are mocked by the Kufar as well as the status of the strangers, you will continue to wear your Hijab (i.e. to cover your entire body with a Khimaar as commanded (24:31), as well as with a Jilbaab (33:59), with the exception of the hands and face; however, knowing the recommendation to cover those parts (as well) with dignity. Allah (Subhaanahu wa T'aala) says in His Book: “Verily! (During the worldly life) those who committed crimes used to laugh at those who believed. And whenever they passed by them, used to wink one to another (in mockery); And when they returned to their own people, they would return jesting; and when they saw them, they said: ‘Verily! These have indeed gone astray!’ But they (disbelievers, sinners) had not been sent as watchers over them (the believers). But on this Day (the Day of Resurrection) those who believe will laugh at the disbelievers. On (high) thrones, looking (at all things). Are not the disbelievers paid (fully) for what they used to do?” [Surah Al-Mutafifin 83:29-36] "

Allah’s (azz wa jal) words should serve as a support for you my dear sisters. Also, take comfort in being a stranger. Allaah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Islam began as something strange, and it would revert to its (old position) of being strange, so good tidings for the strangers.” [Narrated by Abu Huraira and Reported Sahih Muslim]

Indeed, all praises are due to Allaah, we praise Him, seek His Aid and beg for His Forgiveness. We ask Him to give us strength, make the hardships of all our brothers and sisters in Islam easier, and keep us all steadfast on this Deen. *Ameen*

The Jilbaab..

"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their Jalabeeb over their bodies. That will be better (for them), (so) that they shall be known (as free respectable women and) and not harmed. And Allaah is ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

--Surah al-Ahzaab [33]:59

The term 'Jalabeeb' mentioned in this verse from the Qur'an is plural for the word 'Jilbaab'. This clears the modern belief that Jilbaab is a new innovation. Contrary to that belief, it is instead an important part of the well known attire of the dress code for Muslim women.

Umm Salamah, the Mother of the believers said:

Clearly this is no ordinary peace of cloth. From the above stated verse and proofs, we can see it is actually fardh (obligatory) upon the Muslim women. 

Once we are told and given evidences regarding whether something is fardh what do we do? We do as the Salaf-as-Salih did -- 'We hear and we obey'.

May Allaah ('azza wa jal) fill all our hearts with steadfastness in that which He Loves. *Ameen*

*As always, I would definitely recommend doing your own research as well just for a stronger base for yourself as well as to strenghthen your own understanding on the conditions of Jilbaab.

“When the verse, "That they should draw their jalaabeeb close around them" was revealed, the women of Ansaar came out as if they had crows over their heads by wearing Jalaabeeb.” (Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 32, #4090)

Ibn Kathir (rahimullaah) has said:

‘Allaah (subhaanahu wa t'aala) commands His Messenger (peace be upon him) to command the believing women – especially his wives and daughters – to draw the Jilbaab over their persons’

In the Oxford Dictionary of Islam edited by John L. Esposito, it defines the term 'Jilbab' as:

‘A Generic term for women’s outer garment (shawl, cloak, wrap) in Arabian sedentary communities before and after the rise of Islam. The Qur’an (33:59) instructs Muslim women to cloak themselves as a mark of status and as a defensive measure against sexual harassment in public places.’

A Pearl of Wisdom..

Everything precious is naturally hidden and protected. Diamonds?Deep in the earth. Pearls? Deep in the sea protected in a shell. Gold? Deep in mines, well hidden. Your bodies are much more valuable than any minerals. Why expose them? Hijaab is not a different definition of beauty-- its the only one.