When I was very young around 7 or 8, I started having doubts about God and religion. I didn't understand how God could be 3 things rolled into one. I asked my Mom about it one time while walking in the town where we lived and she couldn't answer me. I asked her if she thought Jesus was God and she said yes. I just couldn't understand it... How and why would God let Himself be born and then die on the cross? Just didn't make any sense. I still believed in God at that time but was very confused. continues...
As I grew older I was less interested in religion and the questions that I had. Then when I was in 9th or 10th grade I decided there must not be a God since i couldn't agree with Christianity and I didn't know anything about other religions. When I was in 10th grade I took a class called Religion and Human Culture... That class changed my life forever! I even took it again in 12th grade because I liked it so much :o) It was in this class that I learned about Islam and Muslims and so-called Muhammadans. I decided to read up more on Islam and liked what I read but I still didn't know very much. continues...
The summer I got out of high school I was invited to a wedding reception with some friends, another night I'll never forget. I wasn't going to go since just that day I had sprained my ankle but I went anyway. Right when we got to the reception I saw my now husband and knew he was the one. He had noticed me too :o) Anyways, he came over and asked my friend to dance and she said no and I said no as well. He came back later and asked me again and I said ok. We danced a little bit and then sat down and started talking. continues...
First we told eachother our names and then he asked me a question... What religion was I? I told him I wasn't in any religion but was studying Islam. He told me he was studying Islam as well! :o) We were together ever since then. (He also hadn't planned on going to the reception either I found out but masha'allah!) continues...
My husband got moved around a lot due to his job so we never stayed in one place. The 2nd place he got moved to was a suburb of Detroit Michigan. This is where we took Shahada :o) We were studying more and more and decided to take shahada and get Islamically married. We did this on July 12, 1995. I was scared that day yet excited too. I wasn't sure I was ready but I knew I had to do it. Of course I was also nervous since we were getting married at the same time! But masha'allah it all worked out and here I am! A Muslimah, a Mother and a Wife, Masha'allah! Khairiyah bint Tom
Jazak'allah khayrin sister Tara for your article on hijab vs. niqab. I sometimes wear niqab because I like to, but have been burned terribly by some militant pro-niqab sisters. I have had to remove myself from their influence because it affected my iman, which just isn't worth it. Thank you for your clarifications.
Assalaamu alaikum, "Also, the dress should not be decorated, making it more beautiful than what is covered. Allah commands the believing woman to "not display their beauty" (24:31). and he orders us to " not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments" (24:31). We are not to show the decorations we place on ourselves or even to allude to that which we hide. Therefore, the things which do show, the jilbab and the khymar should be devoid of decoration or ornamentation. Now we have a dress which is plain, long and wide and a plain scarf which covers the head, shoulders and bossom." This was taken from the article by Sharrifa Carlo quoted in sister Tara's article titled 'why I wear the hijaab and not the niqaab'
II wear the long khimar that reaches past the wrists, of dark colors. This type of khimar covers the neck and chest far better than the triangular type, & dark colors are less eye-catching. I personally follow the opinion that it is a rewardable act to wear niqab, but I will never force anyone into wearing it, (ISA). I encourage the sisters who do wear it, that inshaAllah you will be rewarded for your modesty. Wa alaikumus salaam
Asalaam Alikum Sisters, May Allah reward you all for your modesty and commitment to him, the most gracious and most merciful. I live in a totally non muslim area, i reverted about one year ago, i was never really into religion, niether was my family. When i first met a muslim, she was very kind, and gentle, i thourght i don`t know any non muslims like this. I started studying Islam and soon i recited my shahada, Subhan`Allah. I am now considering Hijab strongly, my family do not really mind, but as i live in a non muslim community i am a bit reserved, but Insha`allah i will soon. I have bought two and i tend to wear them around the house to get used to them!!! Jazat Allah to all you sisters who took that step!! Wa salaam Sister Aisha :)
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