al-firaushah

The Firaushah Hijab/Tudung Survey

Firaushah would like to know more about what women look for in hijabs and tudungs. Of course we have our own ideas about what makes for a beautiful hijab or tudung, but we’d like to find out what you think too. Please take a few moments to answer our very short questionnaire. In appreciation for your taking the time to fill out our survey, we’d like to offer you a FREE wallpaper for your computer desktop!

An Exemplary Ummah

Khutbah from the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
2 June 2006 / 5 Jamadil Awal 1427
Dear Brothers

Let us maintain our taqwa to Allah (swt) by doing all that He commands and avoiding all that He forbids. And InsyaAllah, we will become the best Ummah.

Allah says in surah Al-Imran (3), ayat 110:

You are the best of Peoples evolved for mankind. Enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong and believing in Allah.

From the verse that has been quoted just now, Allah (swt) has clarified that Muslims are the best community that Allah (swt) has created. Muslims not only believe in Allah (swt), but also invite others to believe in Allah (swt), doing all the good deeds, stopping and avoiding one’s self and others from doing bad things.

It is very clear from the verse that Muslims are supposed to be an inspiration and model to the others. Muslims should guide and bring others to righteousness, to Islam and to believe in Allah (swt), whether in a direct way or by giving good examples by doing good deeds.

That was what our prophet Muhammad (saw) and his companions were doing.

Our Prophet (saw) was born in a Jahilliah society that was full of cruelty and injustice. It is very easy for someone who is born in such a society to be influenced and get involved in all kinds of negative and bad deeds.

However our Prophet (saw) did not let himself become influenced. He became a model to be followed. Our Prophet (saw) became a leader that led his society to righteousness, starting with his own family members, his relatives and, later, to his close companions. He became a model to be followed from his character, practices and leadership that changed the Jahilliah society.

What about us today? Are we leaders and models for others to follow? Or are we ourselves following the non-Islamic values and lifestyles? We don’t need to form a committee or do research to find the answer. It is very clear and obvious that we are not ahead, we are left behind in many fields. We are merely followers and not being role models.

In fact, in good behavior, we are not role models. By right we are supposed to be followed in our good behavior, because we are given the blessings of Islam that is filled with good values.

Just look at how our teenagers are dressing and socializing, and the crimes they are involved in. In addition, there are some Muslims participating in mungkar entertainment and partying in public places without feeling shy. It is done in the name of entertainment.

These are the challenges of Dakwah today. The Prophet Muhammad (saw). faced this in his time. Such that he prayed:

“Then the Messenger will say: ‘O my Lord! Truly my people took this Quran for just foolish nonsense.’ Thus have We made for every prophet an enemy among the sinners, but enough is your Lord to guide and to help.” (Surah al-Furqan 25:30-1)
Dear Brothers,

It is not surprising to hear from non-Muslims, saying that Islam is the best religion in this world but Muslims are not role models. If that is the opinion of the non-Muslims about us, because of our attitudes and actions that do not comply with our religion and not being role-models to the others, just imagine how Allah (swt) sees us after giving us the blessing of Islam.

If we Muslims do not lead and are not being followed by others in doing good deeds and promoting universal values, but only being followers, sooner or later we Muslims will be part of the society that we are following.

So, from now on, let us have the determination to be leaders in righteousness and promoting good values. We must be a role model to others and let us call and invite others to Allah (swt) by showing good deeds.

In every field that we are doing, we must always strive very hard to achieve excellence. For example, we as parents should show good examples to our children. As workers, we should work hard and consider our work as an amanah. In behavior or akhlaq, Muslims have to show kindness and good akhlaq to all. For surely, good akhlaq builds trust and wins respect from others. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said,

I have been sent to complete the best of akhlaq.

In our relationship with other races, Muslims must always be kind to neighbours, friends, and colleagues. We must be gentle and show kindness to them because this is what Allah (swt) taught us in Surah Mumtahinah (60), ayat 8:

“Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for your Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just.

In summary, every Muslim must be a role model, a qudwah hasanah. Hopefully through this, it will create a healthy environment for our families and, later, for our society.

If we read the history of our Prophet Muhammad (saw) and his companions, we will find that a lot of non-Muslims converted to Islam after witnessing the behaviors, actions and attributes of our Prophet Muhammad (saw) and his companions.

Let us be the Ummah with good behavior. Be an excellent Ummah that is a model and inspiration to all. Follow all the Islamic values. Let us be leaders, leaders in good behavior, leaders in promoting good values. By this we will be a model Ummah, the best Ummah and a community of excellence.
Glossary:
Akhlaq: The practice of virtue. Morals.
Amanah: The trust. Of all creation, only human beings carry the “trust,” which is free will.
Dakwah: The call to Islam. Also known as Da’wah.
InsyaAllah: The Bahasa Melayu spelling of Insha’Allah, meaning, “If God wills” or “God willing.”
Jahilliah: The time of ignorance before Islam was realized. Describes polytheistic religions.
Mungkar: Things or actions that would be displeasing to Allah (swt).
Qudwah Hasanah: To lead by example; to be a role model.
(saw): These letters are abbreviations for the words “Salla Allahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam,” which means, “may the blessing and the peace of Allah be upon him.” When the name of Prophet Muhammad is mentioned, a Muslim is to respect him and invoke this statement of peace upon him.
(swt): These letters are abbreviations for the words of “Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala.” When the name of Almighty Allah is pronounced, a Muslim is to show his respect to Him by reciting this. The meaning of this statement is that Allah is purified of having partners or a son.
Taqwa: Piety, fear of God, righteousness; goodness.
Ummah: The global community of all Muslim believers; international personhood of Islam.

Free Wallpaper @ Firaushah.com

The past week has been somewhat busy for me, in part because I was playing catch-up after the trip Milady and I took last weekend to Kuala Lumpur. The trip was quite nice, alhamdulillah. Milady and I stayed at Le Meridien Hotel, which is just across the street from KL Sentral, the main train station for the city. (Milady and I have always taken the train when going up to KL; while it’s a rather slow trip, it’s comfortable and the price is *very* reasonable.)

Up in KL, we took quite a few photographs at the various places we visited. For this trip, we visited two masjids: Masjid Putra, which is located in Putrajaya, the administrative capital of Malaysia, and Masjid Blue (it’s real name is Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, but everyone just calls it the Blue Mosque because the masjid has a blue and white color scheme). Both masjids were very impressive in their architecture and beauty, although I must say that the Blue Mosque was simply stunning. It is, without any question, the most spectacular masjid I have ever been in to date.

Which leads me to my wallpaper offer: I’ve created what I hope will be the first of many FREE desktop wallpapers available at , insha’allah. All I’m asking is that you sign up for the firaushah mailing list. When you sign up, I’ll e-mail you with a link to a webpage that will allow you to access the current wallpaper (available in four sizes: 800×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, and 1280×1024), insha’allah. This month’s wallpaper is from one of my photos taken at the Blue Mosque. The wallpaper came out beautifully (in my not so humble opinion ), and gives you an idea of both the size and beauty of the masjid’s dome.

Toward An Excellent Society

Khutbah from the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
2 June 2006 / 5 Jamadil Awal 1427

Maasyiral Muslimin rahimakumullah,

Let us fear Allah (swt) by doing all that He commands, and abstaining from all that He forbids. Let us be faithful and obedient Muslims, who realize our position as His Servants, who are obligated to perform all the teachings of Islam. With this, hopefully we will succeed in this world and in the hereafter.

Success in the Hereafter by gaining entrance to paradise. And success in this world as a happy and excellent individual, and an excellent and developed society.

My beloved brothers rahimakumullah,

Saidina Umar (ra) was narrated once to have said as translated: “Allah (swt) has honoured us with Islam. Hence, if we find something else besides Islam, we will be disgraced by Allah (swt).”

We can see it here, that Saidina Umar (ra) was very conscious and aware of the key towards an excellent ummah. It is the steadfast hold on the teachings of Islam, and at the same time, being able to move together with the changing times. Saidina Umar (ra) was a person who understood deeply the essence of Islam. Islam does not focus only on ritualistic worshipping, but Islam is a religion of entirety and completeness. Islam touches on all aspects of human life. Islam does not focus on any group of people or at any age. Islam is suitable for all people and for all ages.

Islam does not remain stagnant for a certain people or at a certain time. Instead, Islam is flexible. Islam remains relevant to be practised by any people, and at any time.

However, when it is said that Islam is flexible, it does not mean that the principles in Islam can be changed in accordance with the needs of time and the needs of the people. The principles in Islam remain unchanged. They cannot be changed by anyone at all. No creation of Allah (swt) has the right to change the principles of Islam. These principles remain as the rights of Allah (swt). So there is no place for anyone to modify these principles.

But mankind is created in nations and races. There is a variety of traditions and customs. And civilizations change through the times. Because of this, with Allah’s (swt) Knowledge which is most vast, Islam is created as a religion in which the principles do not change, but the implementations of these principles can change in accordance with the times.

For example, the principle of giving alms remains unchanged. It does not change with time. However, the implementation of this principle may change. From the procedure of giving alms directly to the poor, to the set-up of a center for zakat administration. Everything may change with time. This is what is meant when it is said that Islam is unchangeable, and its principles remain unchanged, but it is flexible in its implementations.

Blessed Friday congregation,

If we understand this, as how Saidina Umar (ra) understood this, then we can be confident of building an excellent ummah; it is not something that is impossible.

There is one key. To be proud of Islam. To be proud that this religion that we believe in is a complete and all-encompassing religion. It is all-inclusive. And if we feel proud of this religion that we love, it will be followed by a desire and need to practise all the teachings of Islam. To not adopt anything out of Islam which contradicts the principles of Islam.

Allah (swt) says in Surah Ali Imran (3), verse 85:

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.”

That is why, to be an excellent ummah, we must return to Islam. Let us practise all the teachings of Islam, and not just a part of Islam. Some of us focus only on the rulings of the rituals, without thinking about the spiritualistic aspects of the ritual itself. Some of us are concerned only about the physical aspects, such as attire and clothing. But they forget about the aspects of akhlaq or good mannerism, which is something of great importance in Islam. There is also a group of Muslims who think too much of the hereafter, that they forget their responsibilities to develop and contribute to this world.

Allah (swt) does not teach us to remember this and to forget that. Because everything comes from Islam. All the rulings of rituals, the essence and spiritualistic aspects, the physical characteristics of Muslims, and also the psychological characteristics of Muslims. Allah (swt) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2), verse 208:

“O you who believe! Enter perfectly in Islam (by obeying all the rules and regulations of the Islamic religion) and follow not the footsteps of Shaitan (Satan). Verily! He is to you a plain enemy.”

Therefore, to achieve excellence in our life, and for our society, we must practise Islam in its entirety. We need to be particular in performing all the rituals that have been ordained upon us. But we must also ensure that our worshipping ritual fulfills its objectives, by performing it sincerely and meticulously.

We must also ensure that our physical self goes together with the demands of Islam, by covering our awrah. At the same time, we need to be conscious of our mannerism and our character, so that they are in line with the teachings of Islam.

We should not forget our objective, which is the life in the hereafter. But we cannot forget our responsibilities in this world as the vicegerant of Allah (swt), to develop the world, to ensure its progress, and to make it a safe abode for all the creations of Allah.

Allah (swt) says in Surah Al-Qasas (28), verse 77:

“But seek, with that (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of lawful enjoyment in this world; and do good as Allah has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allah likes not the Mufsidun (those who commit great crimes and sins, oppressors, tyrants, mischief-makers, corrupters).”

Blessed Friday congregation,

We must be an excellent ummah. This is the demand of Islam on us. And this will happen naturally as a result of complete obedience to the teachings of Islam. Let us all return to the teachings of Islam and practise them. Insya-Allah, we will be an excellent ummah in this world and in the hereafter.

Glossary:
Akhlaq: The practice of virtue. Morals.
Awrah: The part of a person’s body that must be covered before everybody but a spouse. It may also be used to refer to what must be concealed of a woman before non-related men.
Insya-Allah: The Bahasa Melayu spelling of Insha’Allah, meaning, “If God wills” or “God willing.”
(ra): Short for Radhiallahu ‘anhu. This is an expression to be used by Muslims whenever a name of a companion of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) is mentioned or used in writing. The meaning of this statement is: “May Allah be pleased with him.”
(saw): These letters are abbreviations for the words “Salla Allahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam,” which means, “may the blessing and the peace of Allah be upon him.” When the name of Prophet Muhammad is mentioned, a Muslim is to respect him and invoke this statement of peace upon him.
(swt): These letters are abbreviations for the words of “Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala.” When the name of Almighty Allah is pronounced, a Muslim is to show his respect to Him by reciting this. The meaning of this statement is that Allah is purified of having partners or a son.
Ummah: The global community of all Muslim believers; international personhood of Islam.
Zakat: Alms, tithe as a Muslim duty; Sunnis regard this as the fourth Pillar of Islam. Neither charity nor derived from Islamic economics, but a religious duty and social obligation.

Abayas Turning Trendy

There’s an article from the Associated Press about how abayas in the Gulf states are becoming trendy. (Actually, I suspect that abayas have long been trendy, just that no Western reporter has noticed until now. Anyhoo…) One interesting passage, near the end of the article:

But advocates of fancier versions are convinced they can combine fashion and modesty.

…

Never mind that his elegant consort, sporting an abaya decorated with golden metal and matching head cover, could cause more heads to turn than a less attractive woman in a short skirt.

“Abayas are now both decent and fashionable. Everyone follows the fashion nowadays,” Mohammad said.

This is what Milady and I believed in when we started firaushah, that Muslimahs can wear modest clothing that is beautiful and fashionable.

Strike back at these ignorant non-Muslims who say you are oppressed! Wear beautiful clothing - clothing that’s better looking than theirs - and ask if “oppressed” women wear as fashionable of clothing as your own.