Proper Hijab- Jilbab/Khimar/Abaya..??

Asalam Waliykum, 

I have been wanting to write about this topic for such a long time. It has been something I have put off for obvious reasons, I have done something similar on Facebook before and have been under attack by my fellow Muslim sisters and brothers which is sad. However, in the end I have decided it is my duty to give dawah, and although the truth hurts it needs to be said. I have been inspired by the sister who owns the One Chinese Muslimah blog. This sisters blog posts are always straight to the point, honest and truthful and she supports all her points with Hadith and Quran and views from valuable scholars and Sheikhs. Allah bless her and may she continue this good work, I recommend you do have a look at her blog.

What every Muslimah should take to Hajj/Umrah- Tips and Tricks

Asalam waliykum, 

In Sha Aallah, I hope to share with you a few tips and what a Muslimah should take when traveling for Hajj & Umrah. I was blessed to visit Mekkah and Medina and perform Umrah in the blessed month of Ramadan last year. Click Here to see my post on my travels there. 
As the blessed month is less then 20 days away I thought this would be a good time to share my experiences, tips and tricks. 
This will not be an exhaustive list, but just what I thought are vital to carry when in Mekkah or Medina. 

Before my trip, I searched online for tips and ideas for what a Muslimah should take with her. There were a few sites given advice to the brothers but not any for the sisters, that I could find anyway. So I did go a little crazy with the preparation and it took me a few days to decide what would be the key items to pack in my cross body bag. 
So, In sha allah this list will help sisters who are preparing to undertake the pilgrimage either for Ramadan to do Umrah or for Hajj. So lets begin! 

Overhead Abaya!

Asalam waliykum sisters,

Just wanted to do a post about the abaya. In particular a new style that i have become fond of over the last few months, its not new but it is new to me! Its the Overhead Abaya, I first came across this style while out and about in London. I saw many Somali sisters wear the black over head abaya, which has a long v neck, and sits on the head or ties behind the head. All the sisters i have seen wearing this wore black, and the material was very heavy crepe/polyester/nylony... looked nice and cosy for winter. One thing I disliked was how it dragged on the floor behind them. This is a thing that we should avoid as muslimahs and one thing which will ruin your abaya. Not to mention the obvious  hadith regarding dragging ones garment, it being a sign of arrogance, plus getting it dirty, tripping over it etc etc.

It is a very modest outfit and it complies with the verse in the Quran when Allah commands women to wear an outer garment when going out.

In the Quran, Surah al-Ahzab ayah 59 (33:59) says:

"Ya ayyuha an-Nabiyy qul li azwajika wa banatika wa nisa al-mu'minin yudnina alayhinna min jalabib hinna; dhalika adna an yu'rafna fa laa yu'dhayn. Wa kana Allahu Ghafur Rahim"

"O Prophet! Say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the faithful to draw their JALABIB close around them; that is better that they will be recognised and not annoyed. And God is ever Forgiving, Gentle."

"Hijab" tag.....

Asalam waliykum,

My first tag WOOHOO! this was from a sisters blog Stylish Muslimah, she has a great blog do check it out! Zawaji is doing a night shift, what a better way to pass some time then do my first tag!

Beautiful Paris

1) What was the first hijab you ever bought?

It was From H&M in Sept 2007! All those years ago at the peak of scarf fashion craze. I remember they had some amazing scarves that were wide, long and opaque.. now the quality of scarves they sell are not that brill and they do not have much of a selection anymore.

The scarf i got was navy blue, with rows of silver thread running along it length wise. It had the usual tassel's at either end and was polyester and medium thickness. I still own it and cost me £7!

2) What was the first hijab style you wore?

An awful one, it was so hard for me to wear hijab. The style did not suit my face at all. And moved about during the day. i did not know about under scarves then so used hair clips to keep my fringe back but still ended up having hair trying to escape from the sides! I remember using a good old safety pin under the chin and another at the side after wrapping the material around my head several times. Tight fitting and uncomfortable... but i stuck with it and learnt new styles Alhamdulillah

3) What is your favourite colour hijab, or what colour hijab do you have most of in your closet?

Favourite: My white ruffle hijab from hijab Obsessions, check them out on FB amazing, and here!!!!

Own the most of: Black, jersey and pashmina

4) Who is your favourite Hijab guru? Why?

Initially used to watch Amena from You tube for a few years. But, Since then I have been wearing Jilbab full time and I have not seen many sisters who wear Jilbab on blogs or you tube. So no fav guru at the moment. I guess I make up styles myself and things that are Muhajaba and jilbab friendly. 

5) Who was the first person you watched on You Tube who did hijab tutorials?

Wallahi i do not remember her name, i think one i can remember not the first but quiet early on in my hijab days was Amenakin... from Pearl Daisey. She had some really good styles. Ooh also i remembered now, the sister from Slice of lemon, she had a video blog called inside the closet or something similar. She did a style that i recreated and i wore for a couple years!

6) What is the beauty in hijab?

Having Haya, modesty the most liberating experience. Its a command from Allah, knowing that you are fulfilling a commandment from Allah each and every day. Mashallah

7) What does hijab mean to you?

Obeying Allah and his Messenger Prophet Muhammed (SAW)

8) What is your everyday hijab style?

One side shorter on the left, the long side wrapped to cover my chin over the head and pinned to the side of my head on the left or if longer hijab bought over to the other shoulder and pinned there. I always cover my chin, i like having the material there like a comfort thing i suppose. I like to create layers too. Nothing fancy but looks ok :)

9) What are your favourite hijab accessories?

I went through many stages, especially my early hijab days i liked blinging out my hijab with head bands, beads, broaches, fancy hijab pins etc. Now i keep those for women only events. I still love broaches which i suppose is my fav. But everyday i just keep it simple and use a straight pin which is plain and simple. I suppose my hijab has progressed and evolved from being a fashion statement to what it is meant to be, a modest and respectable outer garment. Alhamdulillah.

10) What is your favourite place to buy hijabs?

I like to support the sisters who are trying to start their businesses, even though H&M sell hijabs I have not bought one from them in 2 years. On a one off occasion i may go to Monsoon they do amazing ones, with huge price tags though. So i buy online from sisters stores. I love Hijab obsession my faaaav onlien hijab shop, Al-Mujalababa, MyscarfShop, Scarf World, and many more....

Inshallah i hope to do a few reviews on hijabs I have bought online and reccomendations :)

Please feel free to comment below, and answer the questions be great to hear what you guys have to say. Also feel free to tag yourself and add to your blog, share the love and all. (P.s i am still unaware of how to tag others that's why) :-/

Jazakallah khier

Hijab: My Scarf Shop

Cardigan: Wallis

Jilbab/Djellaba: Al-Mujalbaba

Ring: Gift from Morocco