Allah’s Names: Ar-Raheem and Al-Ghafoor March 24, 2009
Posted by ummibraheem in Qur'an Reflections.Tags: Allah's Names
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I mentioned earlier about Allah’s (subhaana wa ta ‘aala) beautiful Names Ghafoor and Ar-Raheem. Now I’ll mention another amazing gem that ustaadh shared with us about Allah’s beautiful Names …
Allah’s most beautiful Name ﺍﻟﺭﺣﻴﻢ (Ar-Raheem) means that He is Merciful. Alhamdulillah. Because of the ﻱ in the middle, it means that He is Merciful at all times or that He is forever Merciful.
The Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said that Allah divided Mercy into one-hundred parts. He kept its ninety-nine parts with Him for the Day of Judgment (with which He shall be Merciful to His creation). He sent down one part sto earth, and because of that one single part, His creation is Merciful to one another. Even the mare lifting up her hoof away from her baby, lest she trample it, is considered in that one part of mercy. [See Bukhaari, 8/73/29 and Muslim 37/6630]. Imagine that – even the mercy of the Prophets would be considered in that one part; the mercy of all the mothers for their children since the beginning of time!
The Name ﺍﻟﻐﻔﻮﺭ (Al-ghafoor), however, does not mean that He is always/forever forgiving. If that were so, then there would be no hell. Because of the ﻮ Allah is exceedingly forgiving. Allah forgives beyond what any of us could expect.
Allah is also ﺍﻟﻐﻔﺎﺭ which means that He is repeatedly forgiving.
SubhaanAllah, such subtleties in the difference of meaning with the change of just one letter!
Menstruation and Lochia: Update March 23, 2009
Posted by ummibraheem in Women and Islam.Tags: lochia, menstruation
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I finished that class from SunniPath, alhamdulillah. There were about 10 questions on the exam relating to one concept that I didn’t fully understand correctly. So once I clarify that with either my instructor or someone else knowledgeable, it may be a week or two before I can post up the rest of my notes.
I’ll try to put up the basics, inshaAllah.
Eyebrow Plucking & the Muslimah March 22, 2009
Posted by ummibraheem in Women and Islam.Tags: eyebrow plucking, Muslim women, tattoo
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I was never much into make-up and the like when I was a teen, but even I had considered shaping my eyebrows at some point. I just thought that they looked neater that way. And thank God my mother stopped me from doing that. “Your eyebrows are fine,” she’d say. “Pluck them once and you’ll have to pluck them forever.”
Later on, I came across a hadith in the Sahih that says Allah curses three women: a woman who threads her eyebrows (the ahaadith I found actually say “the woman who plucks hair from her face”), a woman who tattoos herself and a woman who files her teeth for beauty (apparently they did that way back when…)
Alhamdulillah Allah blessed me with ok eyebrows! I never considered plucking them after I read that hadith. That is quite a strong punishment – to be cursed by Allah! We love Allah and should love what He loves and hate what He hates.
I realize some sisters have very heavy eyebrows and I feel bad for them as they are in a tough spot. Beauty today dictates that a woman have thinly plucked, gracefully arched eyebrows. But we should care whether Allah loves us or not more than if people find our appearance acceptable.
Know that if you leave something for Allah, you will get something better in return inshaAllah. I know a sister who has been amply blessed with hair 
SubhaanAllah, she did her eyebrows a few times (maybe once - I can’t remember). She left plucking them for Allah and mashaaAllah her eyebrows remained very nicely shaped!
Also – a few side notes. You are allowed to thread between your eyebrows, i.e. if you have a unibrow (see links below). And you can always try an eyebrow comb/brush if it’ll help.
Some fatwas on facial hair-plucking and some hadith relating to it.
And I do realize that woman in the picture is not having her eyebrows plucked
Make-up & the Muslimah March 18, 2009
Posted by ummibraheem in Women and Islam.Tags: Islam, make-up, Muslim women
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I really wish khateebs would address the issues facing the community today. For example, hijaab. I don’t think women really understand what it is sometimes. Nothing irritates me more than seeing a woman pairing a scarf on her head with a shirt so tight I can make out every curve and jeans so low that I can see her underwear in sujood. Do they really believe that those things conform to hijaab? You’d do better wearing loose clothes and no headscarf. Hijaab isn’t just in the hood.
Then there’s the eyebrow plucking and overly sprayed perfume, but that’s another issue….
Those kind of things seem pretty obvious to me, so I’m going to address an issue that even a lot of sisters who wear hijaab – in terms of clothing - think is ok.
Make up.
The vast majority of Muslim girls seem to wear it. It most often comes in the form of eyeliner/kohl (from what I’ve seen anyway). But make up is make up. We wear make-up to beautify ourselves.
We shouldn’t beautify ourselves for anyone except our husbands. Allah tells the believing women:
And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed. (24:31)
I was reading this up on Islam Q&A, and there was actually a question froma woman who wanted to wear make-up in front of a suitor (or prospective spouse/rishta).
We should and are encouraged to beautify ourselves in front of our husbands. Wear it at home all you want – and even more in front of the hubby, but just not in public. 
Gift Giving March 15, 2009
Posted by ummibraheem in Uncategorized.Tags: gifts, Islam
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I love to give gifts. Love. Not like. I really, really, really love to give people things I don’t know why, but it makes me happy. And since I get such a kick out of it, I have decided that it is an ‘ibaadah as well 
Allah says that we will not truly believe until we love for our brother what we love for ourself. And who doesn’t love a nice present out of the blue? Why wait on birthdays or some other appointed day to receive something? We should be able to express our love year round!
The Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam also encouraged us to give gifts to another to increase the love between one another.*
Gifts are also a nice way to say sorry without saying sorry 
I think gift giving is a great way to express to someone that you love them. You don’t have to spend a whole lot of money, or make it difficult on yourself. Here are a few things to do to keep it simple:
1) Jot it down: Notice when your loved one says that they like something. Even if it’s something inexpensive or trivial to you; if they like it, log it away. They’ll appreciate you noticing and remembering!
2) That’s another thing - it should be important to them. Although we should give what we love, it’s equally – and probably more – important to give them what they want … and need.
3) Give practical gifts. My mom is a pro at this. She always remembers something I mentioned about “Man, my toaster broke!” or “I wish we had more glasses at home.” I’m always so happy that she remembers my needs.
4) Wrap it up nice. I don’t know about everyone else, but it’s so fun to get a present that’s beautifully wrapped. And – for me – wrapping it is even funner You don’t necessarily have to buy gift wrap, if you think it’s a waste. If your present is small, put it in a resuable, sturdy box. I love Hobby Lobby’s and JoAnns’ photo storage boxes.
5) It doesn’t have to be expensive. A few weeks ago, I made a present out of post-its (don’t ask…..) Just be creative. It can even be cheesy. It could be…let’s see…a bookmark. Or a glitter pen. Whatever. If you’re crafty, home-made presents are awesome.
6) Be random. Give them when your sister/mom/husband/kid is feeling down. Getting a present - even a small one - might just make their day.
7) Buy in advance. If you find something really great on sale or clearance (if you’re like me…), pick it up and stow it away. You don’t know when it’ll come in handy!
* heard this hadith at a khutbah that was right before ‘Eid once, but I couldn’t find an exact reference
Sisters March 2, 2009
Posted by ummibraheem in Writing.3 comments
I used to write like crazy before I got married. This is probably only the second or third thing I wrote after marriage.
Sister
You think I left
Found new life
Became too busy
With family of my own
Perhaps forgotten
Old ties outgrown
But I wait
All the time
For the days
back at home
where I find my friends
my family of old
Because in your eyes
I find unconditional love
In your presence
I find laughter and youth
In your arms
I find a steady truth
I remember a time
When I too was a child
I remember a day
When I too had a mother
Do not think
I have forgotten
Because in you
My baby sisters
I find myself again
