Motherhood in Islam reflects the innate nurturing side that all mothers have for their own children.

Salaam my lovelies! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend inshallah. In the United States, yesterday was Mother’s Day, so I hope my fellow Muslim moms felt the love from their children and families.

One of the things that I noticed in our community is that there is a deep divide about celebrating Mother’s Day. While I have written posts about how it is not permissible for Muslims to celebrate holidays like Halloween or Christmas (based on scholars), it is typically because these are holidays based on other faiths. However, many Islamic scholars have deemed it permissible to celebrate Mother’s Day. And why would we not want to celebrate Mother’s Day? It is a day where we can honor our mothers like Allah (swt) and the Prophet (saws) recommend!

In fact, in the Quran, Allah (swt) states: Allah says: “And We enjoined upon man concerning his parents. His mother begot him in weakness upon weakness and his weaning is in two years. Give thanks unto Me and unto thy parents. Unto Me is the journeying.” (Qur’an, 31:14)

We all know this hadith: Abu Hurayrah relates that a man came to the Messenger of Allah and said, “Which person is the most worthy of my excellent companionship?”

He replied, “Your mother.”

The man asked, “Then who?”

The Prophet said, “Your mother.”

Then the man said, “Then who?”

The Prophet replied, “Your mother.”

Then the man said, “Then who?”

The Prophet said, “Your father.”

(Bukhari and Muslim)

While we know this, did we ever stop and think about the meaning of this ayah and hadith? First, let’s look at the ayah. Allah (swt) mentions how the mother had “weakness upon weakness” when she has a child. This refers to the weaknesses of pregnancy and delivery. Yes, motherhood starts with pregnancy’s trials too. Once I got pregnant, I realized how my mother must have endured countless sleepless nights as a pregnant woman as well as countless days feeling the lovely waves of nausea from morning sickness. Alhamdulillah, motherhood is one of those rare moments where the very being taking your strength and energy becomes the very being you love even before you see him/her!

The hadith also indicates how important mothers are because of the difficulties of pregnancy and delivery as well as parenthood. If you notice, the hadith lists your mother 3 times over your father. Why is that? This is because your mother carried you for 9 months, had to endure childbirth, and then helped raise you versus a father who helps raise a child. Fathers are still important, but it shows Allah (swt)’s mercy on and fairness on mothers.

I actually overheard an older man complain about Mother’s Day asking why not celebrate fathers too? Well, in the United States, Father’s Day is celebrated in June. So both parents have a day to be recognized. That being said, Islam elevated the status of mothers because mothers have this extra portion of parenthood. So why not take the time to appreciate our mothers? While we should do this every day, doing something extra for our moms on this special day makes her feel appreciated and we gain reward. What better way to earn Jannah? I think its easier than doing any extra form of ibadah (worship).

So make sure to show your mom some love. And fellow Muslim moms, remember that while Mother’s Day is important, even if you didn’t get break, Allah (swt) sees all your hard work and will reward you accordingly inshallah. So keep being that awesome mom!

Nancy Hoque is a trailblazer looking to empower hijabis worldwide with her brand Sixteenrscarves.

When I first started wearing hijab in 1994 in New York City, I have to say we did not have any options for hijabis other than a plain black triangle hijab. It was a very challenging time for a hijabi to have any sense of style, let alone think about hijab style or hijab fashion as a stand alone concept. I remember having to make the trek from Queens to Brooklyn to even find a hijab that had any color in it or wait until the Muslim Day Parade came around in the late spring. I am so glad that times have changed and we have wonderful designers who have taken the time from their lives to help enhance the wardrobes of hijabis every where!

One such designer is Nancy Hoque, the whiz behind the hijab brand Sixteenrscarves. If you are a hijabi who doesn’t follow the pack (but which hijabi really does?) then this is the brand for you. Her designs are artistic, yet very wearable. Considering the ethnic mix here in the Bay Area, I can see a hijabi hipster totally rocking a scarf from her brand in the Mission right here in San Francisco. I got to meet with Nancy and ask her a few questions to get to know the woman behind the brand. She is just a lovely woman mashallah and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us lucky hijabis next. Here is my interview with Nancy. Read on for more about the brand, how she got her start as a designer, and what every hijabi should have:

1) What does the name sixteenrscarves stand for?
I used to live on the corner of 16th and R street in Washington DC. Thats where sixteenR came from.

2) How did you get into design and modest fashion?
When I started wearing a headscarf and even before that, I always tried to dress modest and have it look cool at the same time. I’ve always been into the arts, sketching almost everyday, painting, creating crafts. I would flip through fashion magazines and be inspired by the different ways women can dress. Of course the way Muslim women approach dressing is very different from how we see dressing presented in the mainstream fashion world. That aspect of this “under ground” modest fashion movement which has been underway with Muslim women the last 5 years is what inspired me to start designing and create sixteenR.

3) What is the most important piece of advice about design that you have received?
Knowing what type of material you use for a scarf is really important. Whether or not it is easy to wrap or not.

4) If you could collaborate with any designer who would it be and why?
This is a really hard question because I love too many designers! I would collaborate with Prada, because I love their creativity on how they present their clothes. They look into the past and take certain design elements, but their designs end up looking into the future. I also love Diane Von Furstenburg. Her story and stance on feminism is very inspiring and would totally be awesome to work with.

5) What are your top 3 essentials that every hijabi should own?
1. Under scarf. Either a headband or inner scarf.
2. A hair band to tie the hair.
3. A lot of self-confidence

6) If you could dress anyone, who would it be and why? (could be someone who is not alive)
I would love to do a photoshoot with Yuna Zarai and style her. I would also love to dress Ibtihaj Muhammad or Nour Tagouri.

7) What part of our faith that inspires you the most?
The part where it teaches you to be confident with your faith despite what others may think or say. The part that encourages to connect with your Muslim sisters and be a part of the community and to contribute.

8) You’re not only a fabulous designer, but a mom too. How do you balance work and family?be
Time management and going to bed really late. My family supports me and gives me time to work. Otherwise it would be impossible to do. I am blessed allhumdulilah.

9) What is one thing your fans may not know about you?
I’ve lived in 5 different cities, in 3 different states, in 2 different countries the last 5 years.

10) What beauty product do you swear by?
Black pencil eyeliner.

Salaams my lovelies! I hope you are having a great week inshallah. I wanted to write a post to help my single hijabi sisters out.

I wanted to let you know that as a hijabi since 1994, I had my share of naysayers. Lots of people tried to tell me that as a hijabi I wouldn’t find a guy interested to marry me.

In my early 20s I was indignant. How dare they tell me I can’t get married? But as my late 20s rolled in, I panicked. I started to notice my non hijabi friends get snapped up and married. I was starting to notice looks of sympathy amongst the auntie set.

Let me tell you, it’s not easy. But stay strong hijabis! It may seem like even the “religious” brothers are marrying non hijabis, but Allah (swt) has written who you will marry. It’s only a test. Remember that if you stay strong, you will be rewarded by Allah (swt).

I can tell you that in my own experience, I had patience and alhamdulillah I found the perfect spouse for me. He supports my professional life and nurtures me spiritually. So stay strong sisters! It does get better. In the meantime keep being your awesome selves. Sending some love and duas your way. You are definitely not alone.

Dalali AlDoub is a hijabi blogger with a style inspired from unusual places.

Jumah mubarak my lovelies! I hope you are having a wonderful Friday inshallah and that you are looking forward to the weekend. I know I am! I plan to attend a bridal shower and see some of my old friends in San Francisco which is always nice. I don’t regret leaving city life at all for suburbia, but it still is nice to visit the city once in a while.

As you know, I do a Follow Friday post every week on a hijabi fashionista/hijab blogger who I love to follow on Instagram. I want to introduce you all to @Dalalid. She is a beauty blogger from Kuwait. Her pictures are so mesmerizing mashallah! She has a certain trademark look with her doe eyes in terms of the same winged liner look, but she changes the color of both her liner and lipstick so she never looks boring. I love how she mixes up her colors and draws from inspiration from stationery to even graffiti art when she plans her makeup looks. It is also nice to see a hijabi who is on the curvy side be part of the trend setters.

Dalali AlDoub has a keen sense of fresh feminine style.

I definitely look at her pictures for beauty inspiration for my own party looks. One key takeaway I have definitely implemented is that in order to look flawless with makeup, you have to have good skin from the beginning. That means always staying hydrated, washing your skin before bed to ensure that your pores don’t get clogged, and using a moisturizer and sunblock that is right for your skin type. Check out @dalalid on Instagram for more hijab fashion and hijab beauty ideas.

Smokey eyes are a great way to dress up your look for evening.

The eyes have it! While some hijabis are all about the bright lippy, I am and always will be devoted to my eye makeup for a dramatic look. Beautiful eyes enhanced with kohl have been a quintessential part of Muslim women’s beauty routines for years. In fact, the Prophet (saws) used to use kohl himself. Aisha (ra), the Prophet’s wife once said: “I used to pack Allah’s Messenger’s things for him. I would pack some oil lotion, a mirror, a pair of scissors, a kohl jar and a tooth stick.” It was also said that the Prophet also took with him a kohl jar as part of his toiletry. Back then, kohl used to protect the eyes from sand and the sun’s glare as well as enhance the beauty of your eyes by emphasizing your eyes’ brightness.

While you have to be careful of kohl that may contain lead, you can always recreate the smokey eye look with a few products from your local drugstore. It is the perfect way to transform tired eyes from a hard day’s work into sparkling eyes! I recommend keeping the rest of your face clean and simple. I actually take off any makeup and just soften my skin using rose water. I then add a gray shadow all over the lid coupled with a darker black shadow to contour my crease. I finished with liquid gel eyeliner and mascara.

What is your go to look? Are you a lippy hijabi or a smokey eye hijabi?

The cronut is a delectable cross between a croissant and a doughnut.

Salaams my lovelies! I hope you are having an amazing week inshallah. So I know that I claim Hijabi Life is a Muslim lifestyle blog, but I feel like a bulk of my posts are very beauty/fashion/life driven and that I have not devoted nearly as much time to halal eats for you. So to remedy that, I wanted to introduce you to the latest dessert craze: the cronut. It sounds like a science fiction/Greek myth character, but I assure you that this pastry is a lot more delicious than the name. It is literally a hybrid of a croissant and a doughnut. You get the flaky layers of a croissant melded with the deep fried goodness of a doughnut. How can you not love this? As for me, I curse this invention because I was being so good with my sugar intake.

However, I do think that once you try one, it’s hard to binge on it. Plus, Ramadan is right around the corner, so I am sure that we will all be able to keep ourselves in check soon enough iA! Stay tuned for my own version of an at home cronut soon. I am in the process of trial and error, but once I get the recipe down pat, you will be the first to hear all about it!

Flapper style meets hijabi style in this collage!

Salaams my lovelies! I hope you are all doing well inshallah. I have been dying to see the movie The Great Gatsby. It is a complex novel with no real heroes or heroines. Just extremely wealthy but human characters who make sometimes fatal mistakes. One of the things that drew me to the recent film adaptation was the dazzling array of fashion looks worn by the characters. It makes me want to go back in time just to wear some of the clothes!

That being said, then reality struck me. First off, there were no such thing as flapper style hijabis back then. The Prohibition brought out the worst in people, there was the impending Depression coming, and you need to have a stick skinny body in order to actually look good in flapper fashions. Good thing there are newer options for hijabis to embrace the fashion from The Great Gatsby without looking like you traveled back in time. As you can tell from my styled collage, curvy hijabis can work the flapper look with a fishtail gown and a nice shrug in a contrasting color.

I was inspired to create this look based on what Amena Khan from Pearl Daisy wore to a tea party a few weeks back. Here is her look:

Amenakin blends the old with the new in a lace dress and silver accents.

As you can tell, I modified the dress for a curvier hijabi. I also took liberties to add a more flapperesque headband and an art deco lariat versus a traditional Hyderabadi satlada.

What is your favorite look at the moment?

Curvy hijabis can look fab too!

Salaams my lovelies! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend inshallah! I had a great one too. I spent my weekend catching up on reading all about how empowered hijabis are becoming. In fact, the rise of fashion hijabi bloggers caught the eye of The Daily Beast. It was wonderful in every single way except when I looked at all of the hijabi bloggers featured, none of them were even close to a size 6 or up. I love all of my hijabi sisters no matter what size they are, but it was so disheartening to see the lack of inclusion of any hijabis who are curvy or even plus sized.

It is already challenging to be a hijabi, now try adding curves to the mix! There are so many times where I will see a hijabi fashion blogger look absolutely darling in an outfit only to try it on and discover I look like an elephant in the very same outfit. Or I look a little TOO good for a hijabi… It’s a fine line to walk modesty with fashion if you have a fuller chest believe me. There isn’t a maxi hijab in the world that can cover my chest so I typically have to wear a cardigan or jacket to cover my assets up! It can be hard to see why a curvy hijabi would bother with trying new fashion trends. But, those trends can sometimes help you enjoy wearing hijab and feel empowered to talk to others about Islam. Fashion isn’t just about looking good, its about the confidence you get. It allows you to transform yourself into an intelligent human being who has something to say. It is definitely not about hiding in a sea of boring clothes, so take heart if you have as hard of a time styling yourself as I do.

Fellow curvy hijabis, I am here for you. It is all about taking a trend and making it your own. Are there any hijabi fashion trends that you would like me to modify and blog about? Let me know. In the meantime, keep reading for hijabi fashion tips that work for all sizes here!

You can jazz up any outfit with these affordable flats from Aldo!

I am currently loving all of the latest accessories not only being in metallics, but having a high shine mirror finish. All that glitter may not be gold, but they are still a fashionable hijabi must! If you want to update your wardrobe for the white hot days of summers, one of the coolest pairings are metals with brights, or whites and pastels. Basically, metallic accessories are versatile. What hijabi doesn’t like that?

If you live in flats like I do, then one cool way to embrace the high gloss metal look is to rock these Aldo cap toe Elak flats. They are perfect for Muslim moms on the go who need a polished update. As a busy mom, I need all the help I can get to look polished in a matter of seconds. They are also a very affordable $50 (USD) versus my beloved Tory Burch Revas. I will warn you ladies that if you have big wide feet like I do, just get a half size up. Also, you need to break them in so they may pinch the sides of your feet. My quick tip is to add insole cushions so that your inner sole doesn’t start rolling up either.

Other than those tips, I love my flats! What are your quick tips for moms on the go?

Indah Nada Puspita captures a fresh almost anime style for hijabis

Salaams and jumah mubarak my lovelies! I hope you are having a wonderful Friday inshallah. As you know, I typically do a Follow Friday blog post on a hijabi that I think is inspirational on Instagram. Today I want to introduce you to Indah Nada Puspita. a super cool hijabi blogger from Indonesia. She launched her own fashion line in 2012. One thing that really struck me was the theatricality of her styling. I guess that isn’t surprising since Indah Nada Puspita’s secret dream is to be an opera singer or Broadway actress.

I love her Instagram account because it illustrates how transformative hijabi style can be. Sometimes, Indah Nada Puspita is almost unrecognizable to me with her style transformations. So that is why I love to follow her and see different ways to shake up my own wardrobe and makeup so I don’t fall into a style/beauty rut. Make sure to follow @indahnadapuspita on Instagram for all sorts of fashion fun and let me know who you think I should feature next on my Follow Friday post!

Until then, keep living well and remember me in your prayers!

Haute Hijab creates a stunning new collection for hijabis who want a polished look to their wardrobe

Salaams my lovely readers! I know I have been terrible with posting lately, but I have been in the midst of the summer rush. As you all know, its summer time which means it is now time for graduations, end of school festivities, and weddings! Lots of weddings! I promise I will post about a hijabi’s summer wedding must haves and what is in my own arsenal so that you can be ready for your own wedding season circuit inshallah! I also have some more fun projects in the works that I will share with you all soon. I am so excited about all of them! Lastly, I have recently started a teen halaqa at my masjid so with that, I feel like I have been neglecting you all. I am so very sorry about that and will keep posting when I can so you can get the scoop on what’s hot in hijabi fashion, beauty and lifestyle.

As you know, Fridays is when I do my traditional Follow Friday posts. I have decided to still do my Follow Friday post, but with a twist. Today, I would like to introduce you to Melanie Elturk, the designer behind the elegant Haute Hijab fashion house. Her istagram account not only documents the wildly popular designs of her fashion house, but a sneak peek into her life as a hijabi designer. Since 2010, she has been designing hijabs and modestwear. You can follow her at @hautehijab.

Recently, under her direction, Haute Hijab launched their Spring/Summer 2013 collection Tuesday, June 18, 2013. The line can be viewed on their online store, http://www.hautehijab.com. The line focuses on modest clothing catered to Muslim women but is intended for all who admire impeccable design and modest options. The new launch coincides with the unveiling of a new website, complete with a live instagram and twitter feed, updated product views and a new blog interface.

The new Spring/Summer collection includes skirts, dresses and tops in exquisitely elegant designs featuring stunning baroque lace and of-the-moment stripes and polka dots. The line’s main attraction features a long-sleeved evening gown in both black and ivory. CEO and Chief Designer Melanie Elturk is influenced by vintage designs and feminine silhouettes from times past. “I wanted this line to be a continuation of the last collection, with elegance, sophistication and cutting-edge design being the common thread that weaves our pieces together.”

We can certainly see how Melanie was inspired by the past. We love this elegant baroque skirt which is a stunning black brocade with ruffles in the back that would make even Queen Regent Cersei from Game of Thrones give up her thirst for power for a chance to wear. From polka dots, to brocade, there is something for every type of hijabi in this new collection. Make sure to check out Haute Hijab’s Facebook page for sneak peeks at more of the new collection!

I also recently participated in a blogger for charity project with Haute Hijab! Check out my own Instagram @hijabilife for more details on that.

Ramadan is an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth. Make sure you take advantage while you can.

Ramadan is a time where Muslims all over the world refrain from food, drink, and physical relations during daylight hours. While most people tend to focus on the food aspect of Ramadan, this holy month is a great opportunity for Muslims to transcend animalistic needs and instincts and focus on spiritual growth.

I know I tend to gain weight in general (even during Ramadan), so I will make sure this year to keep my body healthy so that I can focus on my worship versus slaving away in the kitchen. We all know that Ramadan is not easy, but here are some of my own tried and true tips to ensure you have a productive Ramadan this year too!

Avoid Negative People

We all have toxic people in our lives. They are the people who are naysayers, make fun of your goals, or just plain don’t like you. Well, try to avoid those types of people this Ramadan. Not only will it make you happier, there is an added bonus of avoiding the huge sin of backbiting. It will also help you hunker down and focus on achieving your goals for Ramadan too.

Eat Suhoor (pre fasting meal before dawn)

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Researchers have shown that people who eat breakfast are less likely to be overweight. Can you imagine the benefits of eating a nice balanced suhoor before you embark on your fast? I plan to alternate between oatmeal plus fruit with egg whites and veggies. Eating suhoor ensures you will have the energy to the face the day of fasting and free your mind to reflect on deeper thoughts.

Have a Plan

While these tips are generally helpful, we should all have specific goals in mind for Ramadan. Is it to complete the Quran? Pray every night of tarawih at the masjid? Whatever your goal may be, make sure to map out a plan of success. For example, if you want to complete the Quran, break up the Quran in blocks each day to read. If you want to be at the masjid every night, make sure you plan out your meals and arrange for things in your home to be taken care of. Whatever your plan is, ask for help so that you can reach your Ramadan goals inshallah.

Avoid Idle Talk and Engage in Dhikr

When I am fasting, I find it easier to avoid the typical chit chat. I am still friendly, but avoiding unnecessary conversations has kept me from being distracted from what I really wanted to accomplish during Ramadan. Another bonus is that I have found that I am super focused on my work at the office and that leads to efficiency which is a win win. Doing dhikr also keeps remembrance of Allah close at hand too.

Go Easy on Iftar (post fast meal)

While its normal to want to binge eat after you break your fast, try to avoid over indulging. While traditional foods for breaking fast are deep fried, just eat a few dates and drink some milk. This way you can pray without having a bloated belly! After that, you can try some light protein with a few veggies. That way, you get healthy nutrients and you can avoid losing lean muscle mass.

I hope these tips help you have a productive Ramadan inshallah. From my family to yours, we wish you a wonderful Ramadan!

The Taffeta Tree sells a variety of stunning hijabs like this beautiful NEVA scarf.

Salaams my lovelies! I hope you are having a wonderful Ramadan so far inshallah. Since it is Ramadan, I am sure a lot of us are spending more time in the masjid or at home donning a hijab even if we don’t wear one normally. Or, if you are a regular hijabi like me, you want to look your best while you are doing extra acts of worship. So what is a girl to do? One quick way to help look your best this Ramadan is to refresh your hijabi wardrobe with a few new hijabs. Since there are not many hijab stores where I live, I tend to resort to buying hijabs online. While some sisters are nervous about online hijabi clothing, I have found most Muslim vendors are not only legitimate, but go above and beyond for their customers.

The online hijab store The Taffeta Tree decided to send me a few scarves to try out. Please note that I will always let you know when items are gifted to me, and I will not review all companies who gift me items unless I absolutely recommend them to my readers. The hijabs that were sent by The Taffeta Tree were not just stunning, but also very comfortable. In fact, I am wearing the NEVA shawl in Ocean Blue as I type this blog post. I was also sent a jersey hijab in Dark Purple, and two vicose hijabs. All of them are light and easy to wear. They are also true to the pictures posted to the site. They ship items using Priority Mail, so if you live in the United States, you can be rest assured to get your package fairly quickly. Make sure to stay up to date by following the Taffeta Tree Facebook page here.

All in all, The Taffeta Tree should be a shopping destination for all hijabis. In fact, I love my scarves so much, I want to give one away to a lucky Hijabi Life reader! If you are on Instagram, make sure to tag @hijabilife in your welcome Ramadan photos and you could win one of the beautiful hijabs sent to me from The Taffeta Tree! I hope you all enjoy your Ramadan and wish you luck in your Ramadan goals and this giveaway!

Forgive others in this life like you want God to forgive you in the next life.

I have a terrible confession to make: I hold grudges too long. I don’t know why, but even as a child I remember thinking about different ways I had been hurt by people and writing them off quickly. In fact, my childhood best friend nicknamed me The Grudge! It was only recently I realized just how self destructive this flaw can be. I am writing this post to tell you lovelies that holding grudges; no matter how justified you are, is not good for your mind, body and soul. I hope that the way I dealt with my flaw will help you too.

Let’s start with dealing with hurtful people. While you are right to feel hurt, if you hold a grudge against the person who has hurt you, you only hurt yourself. There is a popular saying that: “Holding a grudge is like drinking poison and hoping that the other person dies.” I can attest to that fact. Every time you revisit what a person has done to hurt you, you allow that person to hurt you over and over. Does it really feel better to discuss that pain over and over again? For me, it only made me sad and upset. The other thing to note is that by allowing this person to hurt you after the fact, you are indeed allowing them the pleasure of hurting you more. You are better than that. Don’t give hurtful people that much power over you.

Forgiveness is not a weakness, it is empowering. This is why the best of Creation, Muhammed (saws) forgave those who hurt him in his life. He forgave Hind (ra) for being ruthless after his beloved uncle Hamza (ra) was killed, he forgave the Quraysh even after their boycott lead to the death of Khadija (ra), etc. When you forgive, you actually free yourself from the hurt that the other person caused you. That same childhood best friend (she is a very wise lady mA) told me that when you forgive someone, it is like setting a prisoner free and realizing that prisoner was you. You will find yourself at peace after you forgive someone.

So now that we spoke about forgiving someone, how do you do it? If you can, let that person know you forgive them whether it is in person, a call, or even text. Say that life is too short and that you forgive them and that you also hope they forgive you. One thing to note is that you should not have expectations from this person to respond. In fact, if they have hurt you, they may very well continue in their campaign to be hurtful. But you can be rest assured that you did everything you could so that you can meet God on your terms. In Islam, the way you treat others in this life is how God will treat you in the next. What better way to meet God than as a forgiving person? We all want God’s mercy, but how can you expect his mercy if you are not merciful with his Creation?

Lastly, it helps to focus on the bigger picture and help others. Volunteer, give to charity, or even spend time with your family. It helps puts things into perspective. What are your tips on forgiveness this Ramadan? Share them with me in the comments below!

Ever since I saw the cute polka dot dress Kate Middleton wore in a gentle nod to the late Princess Diana to debut her darling baby boy, polka dots have been every where! While not all of us can be princesses, we can all certainly look like princesses in some gorgeous polka dot pieces ourselves. Here are my favorite hijabi polka dot pieces that you can rock to get that timeless classic look yourself this summer:

Hijab-ista does the cutest green ombre polka dot hijab

Hijab-ista never fails to disappoint me when it comes to their quick shipping and excellent customer service. You can imagine my excitement when I saw this ombre green polka dot hijab! It’s perfect for summer and combines two of my favorite trends: polka dots and ombre.

Haute Hijab creates the perfect summer polka dot maxi skirt

My next favorite comes from the design house Haute Hijab. This darling polka dot skirt reminds me of something Audrey Hepburn would wear on a hot summer day in Paris while rocking her signature kerchief around her head and some cool sunnies to finish off the look. What do you think of the polka dot look? Let me know in the comments below!

Showing off is one of the diseases of the heart that every Muslim should try to avoid.

**Disclaimer: The last name in the title is not a specific family, it is just a common Muslim name used to illustrate a point (it was also close to Kardashians which is why I selected it).**

It is the last ten days of Ramadan and I am terrified. Why is that? There is the strong possibility that even though I strove very hard to commit good deeds during Ramadan, there is a disease of the heart that could essentially wipe those good deeds away. Now what can possibly be so harmful that is can obliterate a whole month’s of hard earned good deeds?

It is called ar riyaa. For those of you who don’t know this term, it is an Arabic word that means to be a show-off. Specifically, it is someone who does something in order to gain the praise of others.  In this day of social media, it is easier than ever to fall into this without even realizing it. In fact, in American society, we are encouraged to step with our best foot forward. Just take a look at what rappers say and you can get the gist of what ar riyaa at a superficial level is. It is all about their swag, their game, how many people of the opposite sex want them, etc. However, this post is not about rappers. This post is about American Muslims. Muslims who strive to be better people and may not even realize when they are showing off. Sometimes, we Muslim Americans can overdo even good deeds and fall into the trap of showing off.

Now what does Islam say about showing off? Why is it so bad for us?

According to a lecture by Suhaib Webb, the Prophet Muhammed ﷺ said, “The one who prays and wants people to see them has committed shirk. The one who fasted and they want the people to know about their fasting has committed shirk. The one who gave sadaqah (charity) and wants people to know about their charity has committed shirk.”

The Prophet ﷺ even said that  it’s so dangerous that it’s like the black ant on the black rock in the night with no moon.

If you question why showing off is harmful, just think about how you feel when you see someone else showing off. Yes, you are happy for that brother or sister, but doesn’t a part of you think to yourself with an eyeroll, “yeah okay hot shot.”? How does that promote the sisterhood or brotherhood that Islam wants to foster in our community? Even non Muslim communities are not really too kind about people who show off. There are terms like “keeping up with the Joneses” and countless stories of regular people eyeballs in debt just to show people they have a fancy house, car, clothes, etc. This disease of the heart transcends time. It was present in ancient times as well as present day. In fact, even the ancient Greeks created stories of tragic heroes whose downfall was hubris (pride) which is one of the rooted causes of showing off.

So this is why I get scared, I am human and I like to share snippets of my life with all of you. I like praise too, However, do I like that enough to literally wash away all of my good deeds? Not really. I don’t want to be the next Kardashian in the sense that I want people to emulate what I do unless it is for the sake of Allah (swt)’s pleasure. So this Ramadan, please pray for me and for yourself that we don’t trip ourselves up with this very human flaw.

Imane Asry’s unique Swedish take on hijab is refreshing.

Salaams my lovelies! Jumah mubarak to you all! This is the last Friday of Ramadan this year which always makes me a little sad since there are countless blessings on days like today but they are gone before you know it. Let’s make this Friday count inshallah! As you know, I typically do a Follow Friday post on my favorite Instagram accounts. Today, I would like to introduce you to Sweden’s Iman Asry, aka Fashion With Faith (@fashionwithfaith). Why do I love Imane so much? She is definitely not a hijabi who takes herself too seriously. She posts amazing photos of her funky style, yet she also posts real life pictures of her time with friends and family. Did I mention she has a wicked sense of humor too? Her silly faces pictures are just as interesting to me as her “high fashion” pictures on her account. She makes being a stylish hijabi that much more accessible to regular hijabis like me. That is not to say she isn’t stunning. I mean look at her pictures! She has a fresh faced beauty that is refreshing to look at.  It is hard to find someone who does not resemble any one else in the hijabi vlogger world, but Imane is able to stand out with her mix of vintage with high fashion pieces.

She also makes me realize I have a wealth of stylish options in my closet already. With her styling, you can certainly come up with outfit combinations that you may have forgotten about. Her recent pictures reminded me I can reuse my Doc Martens from the 1990s with stripes versus the flowers I had paired it with in the past. Who says you can’t bring back fads?

Make sure to check her out on Instagram @fashionwithfaith and let me know what you think!

As a working mom, sometimes you have to make a quick yet nutritious meal that doesn’t require too much effort; especially on a work night.

I have found this Ramadan to be especially squeezed for time with the later Iftar timing as well as late night tarawih plus an early suhoor time.

So last week, instead of making traditional items like pakoras and samosa, I decided to base our Iftar around one kitchen staple: Greek yogurt. You see, non fat plain Greek yogurt is amazingly versatile. You can replace sour cream with it (as evidenced by my taco night photo). It is also very soothing to eat after a whole day of fasting.

Greek yogurt sort of coats your grumbling tummy with a nice cooling sensation. It’s also delish! I used it to also make mango lassi. For those of you who have not tried mango lassi, it is almost like a rich, thick, mango smoothie. The richness in my lassi came from ripe mangoes and the Greek yogurt. It feels sinful like a milkshake, but it’s definitely much better for you!

Try it for Iftar and let me know what you think.

Mango Lassi Recipe

Ingredients
2 ripe, sweet mangos
1/2 cup of milk
1 1/2 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon (optional)
2 cups ice

Directions
1) Peel and dice the mango and puree in the blender.

2) Add the rest of the ingredients and puree until the ice is crushed and the drink is a smoothie consistency.

Yes, we have all been there!

Now that Ramadan is coming to a close, I am actually getting a really sad. When else do so many Muslims collectively get together, overlook shortcomings, are generous, and just have a sense of community like we do in Ramadan? This morning at fajr, I actually wept over the fact that there are only a handful of days of this sacred month left. So I did what any girl with a broken heart does….I tried to think of things I won’t miss in Ramadan to fight back the sadness. Here are my top 5 reasons on why I won’t miss Ramadan (at least this is what I tell myself):

Ramadan Breath

Admit it, you avoid talking to your work colleagues at all costs when you are fasting. You talk to your toddler only to have your toddler scrunch up her face and say “ewww Mommy!” You pretend to turn your head to peruse magazines when you ask a cashier a question. Yep, you have kung fu fighting Ramadan breath. And while you know that it smells sweeter than musk in theory, you also know that you would prefer not to have to speak with anyone in the practical sense. I will not be missing my Hubs’ Ramadan breath as he asks me when Iftar will be ready! Sorry Hubsy. I still love you, Just at a distance.

Lax Bedtimes

Perhaps it is because of my toddler, But I am not a fan of how my toddler insists on staying up with me while I did my tarawih and Quran recitation at night. I am also no spring chicken, so going to bed late only to wake up a few hours later did not give me a “Ramadan glow,” but more like Ramadan bags under my eyes. Trust me, at my age, staying up late definitely is apparent. But was it worth it to get closer to Allah (swt) in my own way? Definitely yes. But for the sake of the kids at my daughter’s preschool, I am glad I won’t be scaring them with my zombie appearance any more.

Fatty Foods

Okay, so this one is totally my fault. In my parents’ native Bangladesh, we welcome Ramadan with deep fried goodies like beguni (eggplant fritters), samosas, and piyaji (lentil fritters). I could have said no to making these fatty fried items, but it just didn’t feel like Ramadan to me without them. So I am glad to bounce back to my clean eating ways. And I am making a Ramadan Resolution to fight against the urges to serve fatty dishes during Ramadan next year inshallah. Pray for me, since this one will be a toughie!

Lack of Exercise

I am going to be real: it is near impossible to exercise during Ramadan. Yes, I know some of you fitness buffs can do it, but us regular mortals need to find the time between iftar and suhoor (which means sacrificing precious time from tarawih and extra worship such as tahajjud or Quran recitation). Yes, our body is an amanah (trust from God), but will Allah (swt) really ask me about my triceps (no, so I choose the extra worship hands down). That being said, I definitely need to get back to shape after Eid inshallah. No more fried foods!

Fighting Over the Moon Sighting

Okay, this is more about Eid, but I will be happy to see those masjid goers who love to fight at the masjid take a chill pill. This one always gets me because we all know that the real reason we don’t know when Laylatul Qadr (Night of Power) is was because there were Muslims arguing! So why are we not learning that important lesson of NOT fighting?

This list is silly, but really, no matter what I say, I will miss Ramadan. You never know if this will be our last Ramadan, so please make the most of these last days. And make sure to pop a mint after you eat Iftar!