Beautiful Muslim Women in History

What comes to your mind when I say, "A beautiful Muslim woman"? Many
of us may think of a woman in hijab (headscarf) or modest attire.
Hijab is indeed beautiful, but by thinking Islamic beauty is only
because of hijab, we are perpetuating the idea that beauty exclusively
applies to an image.
While our religion teaches us to take care of our bodies and to
maintain a pleasant physical appearance, it also emphasizes the need
for every individual to developan inward beauty: a beautythat comes
with knowing Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala (exalted is He) and obeyingHim,
and that transcends the mere image of a person. This inward beauty
can actually become so radiant that it manifests in a person's
external appearance. It is for this reason that some of the righteous
people of the past would comment on the physical beauty of those who
prayed during the night or performed other righteous deeds.
OurProphet ﷺ (peace be upon him) mentioned again and again the beauty
of he or she who embodies good character. He ﷺ also emphasized to
those seeking marriage to look for the one who is beautiful as a
result of theircharacter and religion. In this way, Islam defines
beauty as something more profound than just the physical.
Our history is filled with beautiful women, women who were devout in
their service to God and who lived lives of purpose and meaning.
Their beauty is so much more than physical appearance; we see in them
the beauty of character, morals, deeds, speech and lifestyle.
While there are multitudes of incredible women to select from in our
tradition,I have specifically chosen not as well known women who will
shatter our narrow perceptions of beauty and break the stereotypes of
how a "righteous Muslim woman"should or should not be. Here is a brief
glimpse into their lives.
A West African Beauty: Princess Nana Asma'u
We begin with the story of Nana Asma'u, the daughterof Uthman don
Fodio, who was not only a renowned scholar of her time, but a poet, a
political and social activist, and a creative intellectual. She is
considered to be one of thegreatest women of 19th century Islamic
communities. She was bornin 1793 in modern-day Nigeria. A princess
with an impressive lineage, she was named after a hero in Islamic
heritage—Asma, the daughter of Abu Bakr, who was a strong woman in her
support of Islam. Shewas raised in a supportive Islamic household,
having not only memorized the Qur'an, but extensively learned the
Islamic sciencesand four languages as well.
Asma'u believed in women having a role in society andshe led the women
of her time by example throughout her life. One of her greatest
achievements was compiling the extensive collection of writings of her
father after he passed away when she was 27. The degree of respect the
scholarly community had for Asma'u is seen here because they chose her
to complete sucha monumental task. Not only did this job require
someone trustworthy, but also someone who was familiar with his
writings and was well-versed in the Islamic sciences.
When she was a mother of two and pregnant with herthird child, Asma'u
completed the translation of the Qur'an in her native tongue and also
translated her father's work into the various dialects of the
community. This shows herconcern for her communityand her desire to
bring the knowledge of the Qur'an and Islam to her people.
Asma'u saw a dire need for the teachings of Islam to reach the women
in her community and beyond the Sokoto region. She sawthat women were
absent from the circles of knowledge and stayed in their homes as they
tendedto their familial duties. Asma'u came up with a brilliant idea
to not only teach these women but to teach them in the comfort of
their homes. It was then that she gathered knowledgeable women in her
community and trainedthem as teachers. This group, known as jajis,
traveled to neighboring communities to bring Islamic knowledge to
secluded women. This movement was called the Yan-taru movement,
whichmeans "those who congregate together" and "sisterhood". Asma'u
taught the jajis to use lesson plans, poetry, and creative mnemonic
devices in their teachings.
Nana Asma'u, by the grace and guidance of Allah (swt), revolutionized
the way her community learned Islam. She brought the knowledge of the
religion to the people in aneasy to remember fashion and wrote in
their language. Her legacy is a legacy of scholarship and activism,
and her name is still used today in West Africa.

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Coup fears return to Pakistan

TRAPPED DEMOCRACY: Yousuf Raza Gilani leaves the Supreme Court
following a hearing in Islamabad in April this year.
~
Unrelenting pressure on government from judiciary,opposition parties
Always on the boil, the melting pot of conspiracy theories that is
Pakistan is now boiling over. Suspicionthat "hidden hands" were at
work in ousting Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani from office — reportedly voiced
by none other than the former Prime Minister at a closed-door meeting
— has given way to fears thatthe democratically elected government is
being encircled. When an arrest warrant was issued againstMakhdoom
Shahabuddin, the first choice for replacing Mr. Gilani, coup talk
returned to Pakistan full steam.
Many found the timing of the warrant suspect. The case had been
pending for sometime. To add to this, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) —
which is investigating this case — isheaded by a serving Army officer.
For a country all toofamiliar with military takeovers under one
pretext or the other, it wasenough to set alarm bells ringing.
Television anchorperson, Farrukh Pitafi, reflected the exasperation of
many when he tweeted: " Bhai , takeover kar lo (you might as well take
over)".
The ingredients were all there, raising the spectre ofthe 1990s when
politicianssparred often enough and so bitterly that it was easy to
play one against the other, the revolving door change of governments
ending with Pervez Musharraf's takeover that lasted a decade.
Despite the iconic aura it has gained since 2007 and the harsh words
it has used against the military ina couple of cases, the superior
judiciary's past has not been forgotten. Every military intervention
was validated by the judiciary and the present pantheon includes
judges who had validated Gen. Musharraf's coup. That has only added to
the apprehensions of a nation several times bitten.
The Dawn's editorial articulated these fears about the arrest warrant:
"Given the uncanny timing of yesterday's developments, we cannot rule
out the possibility thatthere are forces working behind the scenes to
prevent Pakistan's fledgling democracy from weathering the current
crisis."
Since the new PM-designate, Raja Pervez Ashraf, also has a fair
shareof cases against him, the joke in town was that efforts were on
to dig up dirt onQamar Zaman Kaira, the "cover candidate" introduced
into the fray by the Pakistan People's Party(PPP).
In any case, no one expectsthe new premier to have an easy run. As the
search for candidates for premiership was on, the bottom line was that
only those willing to be disqualified for five years need apply. It is
amply clear that the PPP is determined not to write tothe Swiss
authorities to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
Among the first tasks awaiting the new man in would be the Supreme
Court order asking that theletter be sent. Or go the Gilani way.
Halo fades
But the PPP too is determined to hang in for the remainder of its
term, which ends in March 2013, despite calls from political opponents
to call it quits. Ironically, the man who selects the new Prime
Minister is the same personas the court's real target in the
government-judiciary standoff – President Zardari. So, expect more of
the same in coming months The two have beeneyeball to eyeball since
thePresident dragged his feet over the reinstatement of Justice
Chaudhry from 2008 to 2009. Mr. Gilani got caught in the crossfire, as
the judiciary stood tall over an inefficient government bogged downby
controversies.
Some of the halo around the judiciary – that harks back to the
lawyers' movement for the reinstatement of judges removed by Gen.
Musharraf— has faded in recent weeks with the Chief Justice's son,
Arsalan Chaudhry, being accused oftaking millions from a property
tycoon for influencing cases. More than the accusations, the manner in
which the Court handled that case has dented its image.
Writing in The News , lawyer Babar Sattar said the judiciary had
"squandered a vital opportunity to salvage its reputation as a neutral
arbiter of the law" with its judgment in the case.
The court's decision to disqualify Mr. Gilani has also drawn its fair
share of criticism, not out of any love or appreciation for thePPP-led
dispensation but because of what it portends for Pakistan's fledgling
democracy.
Expressing disappointment, The Dawn editorial said: "Legally there
might have been a case against the Prime Minister, but it was best
forthe supreme judiciary not to have waded so deep into such obviously
political waters."
Questioning the decision toask the Election Commission to notify Mr.
Gilani's disqualification instead of just referring thematter to it,
The Dawn noted: "By doing so, it has both disrupted an existing
democratic set-up and set a worrying precedent for the future."

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6.6-magnitude quakeshakes Indonesia - just now

A 6.6-magnitude earthquake shook Indonesia's Aceh province on Sumatra
island Saturday, the Indonesian Meteorological and Geophysics Agency
said.
The quake was centred 24 kilometres northwest of Subulussalam City, at
a depth of 103 kilometres, according to the agency.
There were no reports of casualties or damage.

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How to go to Hajj when I have children?

Q :->I have some questions regarding my children.
I wanted to keep them in an Islamic boarding schooland perform hajj
after enrolling them in one but as i am residing in nagpur i could not
find one. so what should i do?
Second, I have 17 tolas of gold which was given to me in marriage and
i am due on zakaat for past 8 years. What to do regarding this?
Please help. khuda hafiz.
A :-> Sister, if you have your Mahram who is taking youfor the Hajj,
then ask him to convince his relatives tokeep your children with them
until you return from the Hajj. Else you can do so with your
relatives, and insha Allah, they won't deny this.
Moreover, it is best if you can take your children with you on Hajj.
But if you plan to go on Hajj without a Mahram, then it is not allowed
for you to do so. You can not go for Hajj, without a Mahram.
As for he who did not offer
the obligatory zakah, it is
necessary for a repentant to
Pay them for all previous unpaid years, for it is, fromone angle,
Allah's right, while from another, the poor people's right. (See
Madaarij Al-Salikin for further details).
(islamqa)
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Love for your partner what you love for yourself

To summarize the duties of brotherhood and sisterhood in Islam, we
should love for our brother and sister what we love for ourselves.
This is an incredible teaching that if implemented would go a long way
towards improving relations between us. This spirit of love is
especially important between husbands and wives, as we often treat
each other as abstract enemies as opposed to Muslims, first and
foremost.
- Imam Zaid Shakir
This is an excellent observation and insightful piece of advice. Many
of usare familiar with this hadith but have not thought of it in terms
of husband and wife.
When we want for our spouse what we want for ourselves, it takes our
marriage to a new level oflove. We begin to think about our partners
needs and wants, we pray for our partner just as we pray for
ourselves, we work for our partner's material and spiritual success as
much as our own.
We also forgive them for their mistakes just as we would hope to be
forgiven. We praise them for the good they do, thank them, hug them,
and when they need it we correct them in kindness. That's love, and
it's what agood marriage is made of.

Rights of the Husbandand Wife in Islam

First of all, we'd like to state that in Islam the marriage of a man
and a woman is not just a financial and physical arrangement of living
together but a sacred contract, a gift of God, to lead a happy,
enjoyable life and continue the lineage. The main goal of marriage in
Islam is the realization of tranquility and compassions betweenthe
spouses. For the attainment of this supreme goal, Islam defined
certain duties and rights for the husband andwife.
For a detailed account of these mutual duties and rights, we'd like to
cite thefollowing:
"Piety is the basis of choosing the life partner. Many are the
statements of the Qur'an and the Sunnah that prescribe kindness and
equity, compassion and love, sympathy and consideration, patience and
good will. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, says, "The
best Muslim is the one who is best to his family." Also, he says, "…
and the most blessedjoy in life is a good, righteous wife." (Reported
by At-Tirmidhi)
The role of the husband evolves around the moral principle that it is
his solemn duty to Allah to treat his wife with kindness, honor, and
patience; to keep her honorably or free her fromthe marital bond
honorably; and to cause her no harm or grief. Allah Almighty says:
"…consort with them in kindness, for if you hate them it may happen
that you hate a thing wherein Allah has placed much good." (An-Nisa':
19)
The role of the wife is summarized in the verse that women have rights
even as they have duties, according to what is equitable; but men have
a degree over them. Allah Almighty says, "And they (women) have rights
similar to those (of men)over them in kindness, and men are a degree
above them. Allah is Mighty, Wise." (Al-Baqaraqh: 228)
This degree is usually interpreted by Muslim scholars in conjunction
with another passage which states, among otherthings, that men are
trustees, guardians, and protectors of women because Allah has made
some of them excel othersand because men expend of their means. Allah
Almighty says: "Men are in charge of women, because Allah has made the
one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their
property (for the supportof women). So good women are the obedient,
guarding in secret that which Allah has guarded. As for those from
whom you fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart,
and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them.
Lo! Allah is ever High Exalted, Great." (An-Nisa': 34)

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In My Heart

When the coals of faith are cooling off inside you;
and you feel like all you do is act a part;
When you're desperate for one ember that's still burning -
you will find it, hot and glowing, in my heart.
When you've lost that smilingimage of yourself,
and you don't know where to stand or where to start;
When you're looking for your compass and your candle,
you will find them, safe and protected, in my heart.
When some people label you a failure,
and the accusation pierces like a dart;
There's one to whom you've always been an angel;
I still love you, I still see you, in my heart.
Everything that's good and sweet about you -
and there's so much, you're a living work of art -
is alive in me, I've kept it like a songbird,
soaring still and calling in my heart.

Resilience is Contagious

Amy Estrada. Sure, life comes along now and then and blows you off
your feet. That'salright. What matters is that you get back up.
You don't have to have the answers. You don't have to besuperman or
superwoman. When the thundercloud opens up, who among us can stop the
rain? When the hurricane blows, who can stayon his feet? No one.
When the storm passes, stand up. Dust yourself off, take stock, and
move forward in the name of Allah. If the storm has disoriented you
andyou don't see the way forward, look to the Quran. "And if there
should come to you guidance from Me – then whoever follows My guidance
will neither go astray [in the world] nor suffer [in the Hereafter]."
(Quran, Surat TaHa, 20:123). The Quran is a mighty book. Never
underestimate it. If youcannot speak Arabic and find the English
translations unwieldy, get one of the modern translations that are
easier to read, like those by Umm Muhammad, or Thomas Cleary.
When you get knocked down and then stand up tall, with strength,
others see it, and it rallies them. Your spouse seesit, your children
see it, your friends see it, and of course Allah sees it. Don't think
of it as showing off. Not at all. Think of it as brotherhood
andsisterhood, all of us helping each other, giving each other
strength, being good shepherds to our flocks.
Superman is no hero, he's impervious to bullets! Real heroes get hurt,
they get down on themselves sometimes, they're imperfect,they struggle
to pay the bills and raise their children, they struggle to be become
stronger in their faith, but they struggle! They don't giveup.
That's inspiring, and it's contagious, and maybe sometimes it will be
someoneelse inspiring you, and maybesometimes it will be you, getting
up after the hurricane,showing us all how it's done.
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Believe in Allah, Because He Believes in You

I believe in Allah because He believes in me… and He believes in you
too. Believe inHis plan for you, have faith in Him, trust His guidance
to you,because He has faith in you, and trusts you.
Some people might challengethis assertion that Allah believes in us
and trusts us. Tome, that's surprising. Allah created nothing in vain.
Everything He does has a purpose. His creation of humanity was done
with intent.
Why were we created? Many Muslims will automatically respond, "To
worship Allah." That's true, but why does Allah want to be worshiped?
Furthermore, why did He create everything else – the stars, planets,
forests, seas, mountains, animals?…
Without presuming to know Allah's intentions, and returning to the
realm of the human for a moment, I will make a simple observation. Asa
writer, one of the reasons I write is because the act of putting my
thoughts and feelings on paper satisfies something deep within me.
I've been writing creatively since I was a child, and to me it's not a
hobby but a calling. I'm a writer, therefore I write;and I am a writer
because I write.
The same is true for a painter or any other artist. I imagine ifyou
asked a painter why he paints, you might get many different answers:
*. "It makes me happy"
*. "It's my passion."
*. "To express my ideas."
*. "To make money."
*. "I don't know, I just do."
The bottom line is that it's thepainter's nature to paint; it's her
calling, her function. She is a painter, therefore she paints; or she
paints, therefore she is a painter. Same difference.
Allah is Al-Khaaliq, The Creator. That is one of His names, one of His
attributes. He expresses this attribute by creating. You are a part of
thatexpression, and so am I. So is a blue whale, Mount Kilimanjaro,
the Grand Canyon, a dolphin, a mouse and an amoebum. Everything that
Allah created is amazing in its function and awesomelycomplex in its
design. Everything that He created is beautiful and purposeful.
Including you and me.
To create is an act of love. It isan act of faith. The Creator loves
you and believes in you.Believe in Him, believe in yourself, believe
in humanity,and believe in the unique path that Allah has chosen for
you.

Allah First

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Allah first, glorified and exalted be He. Not career, money, savings,
stocks, investments, 401K, IRA. Allah first. Not family, because we
cannot serve our families wellunless we serve Allah first. Not
culture, nationality, "race", caste, tribe, clan, lineage, social
status (all of which are utterly meaningless).
Allah first. Not material, shopping, sales – people get up early for a
sale but can't wake up for Allah – smart phone, internet, computer.
Allah, Allah, Allah first. Not movies, shows, fake celebrities who are
worshiped like idols. Not sports teams, city, school, neighborhood.
Only when we put Allah first can we stay that we have understood "Laa
ilaha il-Allah" (there is no God but Allah) – this simple sentence and
testimony of faith, over which Prophets have been killed, believers
persecuted, and which has been so little understood even by Muslims.
This Laa ilaha il-Allah was the call of every Prophet and Messenger
from time immemorial. Allah says about it, "…and know that Laa ilaaha
ill Allah (there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah)…" [Quran
47:19, 20:8, 3:18, 59:22-3]
And Abu Sa`eed al-Khudri said, that the Messenger of Allah (S) said:
"Moses (AS) said: 'O Lord! Teach me something that I can remember You
with and I can supplicate You with'. He (Allah Ta'ala) said: 'Say 'Laa
ilaaha ill Allah', O Musaa'. He (Musaa) said: 'All of your servants
say this'. He (Allah) said: 'If the seven Heavens and those who dwell
in them other than Me and the seven Earths are put into one pan (ofthe
scale) and 'Laa ilaaha ill Allaah' is put into the other; 'Laa ilaaha
ill Allah' would be heavier.'" [Ibn Hibbaan and Haakim]
Laa ilaha il-Allah is the stuff oflegends. It is the calling card of
the Eternal Prime Mover. It has rights over us. It's a contract, an
oath, a promise tolove Allah before the people, fear Allah more than
the people, and to ask ourselves in every situation, "What doesAllah
want me to do here?" It's a vow to trust Allah beforethe people, call
upon Allah in times of hardship, thank Allah in times of plenty, and
know in our bones that our return is to Him.