Have you ever stood at the seashore and felt as if life, like the vast expanse of the ocean, was right there in front of you? Our lives often resemble the waves crashing one after another, testing us in various ways. It’s a series of challenges, each one following the other. Whether you practice devotion, serve a higher purpose, or impart religious education – life’s challenges keep rolling. This analogy holds true for everyone. For me, this may be a bit more geared toward women. The responsibilities of family and motherhood pile on top of each other for us.

But life’s connection with the sea is more than about the waves. The waves may seem relentless, but they provide an opportunity for those who remain alert. Life’s trials may come, and their intensity remains unpredictable. So, what is preventing these challenges from engulfing us? It depends on how firmly we stand, much as it does for the waves. The waves can be intimidating and may flood our way to uncertainty. If our beliefs and actions are strong, we can face the overwhelming waves of life that come as tests and trials. We may feel lost and drowning, yet the waves will not totally engulf us. As I stand by the seashore, I remember the moments of patience and endurance when I faced life’s tests. My resilience wavered, even though my faith and actions were strong. Yet, my Lord sustained me and gave me strength when I needed it the most. Even when I felt uncertain, I still had faith in His timing.

Allah says to us: “And rely upon Allah; and sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs” (Surah Al-Ahzab, 3). This verse alone can give so much hope to the believers. It advises believers to rely on Allah with all their confidence and faith. It inspires me to rely on Allah for support and guidance through every obstacle’s life has thrown over me. It motivates me to seek His help in times of need, and turn to Him for direction and guidance. My Lord then reassures me that HE is “sufficient.” This means that Allah is entirely competent, capable, and independent. Nothing is beyond His capacity because HE has all the strength and resources at His disposal. If a person puts his trust in Allah, they acknowledge that Allah is more than capable of resolving any issue or challenge. In essence, the phrase “Disposer of affairs” highlights Allah’s role as the one in charge of organising and managing everything in the cosmos. It emphasises His control over all that exists. As the ultimate Organiser and Planner, Allah is the one who determines how everything will turn out in the end.

This is the beauty of tawakkul (putting trust in Allah). It teaches us to rely on Allah in times of uncertainty, knowing that HE is enough to manage all of our affairs. Despite the efforts and plans we make as humans, the ultimate authority and control rest with Allah . In Him, we find comfort, strength, and guidance, amidst the challenges that life presents us.

My tawakkul doesn’t give me certainty.  Instead, it allows me to be calm in that uncertainty.  The trust stems from knowing that Allah is Al Wadud (The Most Loving) and Al Adl (The Embodiment of Justice). It means that even though I do not know what the future looks like, I know who has the power to decide it – Allah azza wajjal. I am certain of His justice and perpetual love: “And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose” (Surah At-Talaq, 2-3).

Suffering and anxiety often result from our futile attempts to hold the power in our grip. A task that is quite challenging given our inherent limitations as humans. Whereas knowing that the most powerful being, the Creator of the world, is the one curving the way brings peace and sakinah (tranquillity). Our Lord is always with us, leading us towards the best destination, even if it seems beyond our comprehension. 

We are believers, O our Cherisher! Forgive us our sins, pardon our wrongdoings, and take us among the righteous. Ameen.

About The Author:

Sumaiya Rabeya is a researcher and content writer. She is the co-founder of a Malaysia-based media-production company. Sumaiya is also a community volunteer, actively working on various projects related to Islamic dawah, social engagement and women. Born in 1989, she graduated with a degree in Politics and International Relations and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Gender Studies. Moreover, she has been working as a media content writer for over a decade. As a Bengali. young mother, she feels responsible in creatively contributing to society.

The post Lessons from the Shore appeared first on World Hijab Day.

Gratitude is life’s water. It is as essential to life as water.

Water that runs deep into the veins, bones and human breath is sometimes forgotten and fades from our awareness, even though our subconscious knows it is always present. Gratitude is a common sentiment. Many of us feel thankful for the life we lead, the family we have, the food on our tables, the comfort of hot water at home, and the satisfaction of settled bills. Yet, in the chaos of life, we sometimes fail to recognize the barakah (blessing) that each moment inherently carries.

Living is a miraculous process and our souls witness it every second they spend inside our bodies, which serve as their homes. We must acknowledge that living isn’t easy. People face a myriad of challenges, and everyone’s struggles are at different levels, zones, and dimensions, depending on their  unique circumstances. The design of our brains is wired and learns through comparison, which is both a blessing and a burden. We can relate with others by comparing, empathizing, and understanding, but we can also feel anxious, insecure, jealous, and judge others when we don’t understand or relate to other people’s lives. We might get consumed in the negative thought process and begin spiraling down.

Allah (SWT) said in the Quran :

4:79 “…. Whatever good, (Oh man!) happens to thee is from Allah, but whatever evil happens to thee, is from thy (own) soul…”

And He also mentioned that

31:12 “…Any who is grateful does so to the profit of his own soul…”

Gratitude, a strong tool, can help us escape the problems we create for ourselves.

We should practice being grateful not because we expect rewards in the afterlife, but because it benefits our soul and it’s the right thing to do. Living with gratitude is really the best way to live. Everything else corrodes our spirits and hearts.

Gratitude helps us to re-adjust our attention to the good things in daily life and add perspectives to see the bigger, better picture of our lives by acknowledging the small details and moments that enrich our lives. It is a rewiring tool that assists our brain in shifting towards a positive outlook and keeping negative thoughts in check.

But there is a catch: many people jump on the bandwagon and wield their gratitude like a sword, judging everyone along the way who does not appear grateful in their eyes. It is impossible to achieve gratitude by wearing it as a badge on one’s shoulder. We will forget, we will fall, we will tumble, and we will return to it; it is a lifelong practice. It is a continuous process in this life’s journey, and it has stages.

We may initially complain, whine, moan, and grieve, and after we have done so, we arrive at acceptance of life’s hard hits and blows, or misses or gains that never happened. Only during our acceptance phase does the emotional cloud lift and we see things for what they are: less or more complicated than we imagined; we begin to devise an action plan and set small goals to address it.

Allah (SWT) is patient with his subjects because he knows where we are in that stage; unfortunately, we are not patient with one another.

Some are complaining and crying because it hurts, and everyone’s pain and tolerance threshold is different. Instead of judging them and telling them they are complaining too much and are not being grateful enough in their lives, pray for them, be there for them, and make dua that they do not get stuck and that they reach acceptance, which is the doorway to deep gratitude. Only after we have passed through that stage can we be grateful to Allah for the pain and trials as well as the gift of life.

Another practice to cultivate a life centered on gratitude is to keep a daily journal of our blessings or simply make a mental note of them each day. Even on the rainiest, darkest days, we can be thankful that we’re dry, warm in our homes, well- fed, and that we are safe.

As time goes by, we learn to understand that even rainy and dark days are necessary for the earth and everything living on it. It’s a process that takes time, but we eventually gain that patience. We realize, after many cold winters, that they are crucial to experience the joy of the Sun.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sana Khan is a Motivational Speaker, Writer and a Coach. She has done her Engineering from Shobhit Institute of Engineering and Technology (now a Deemed University), Dr. APJ Abdul Kamal University (former UPTU) India and has a Masters in International Business from EAE Business School, Barcelona Spain and UPC Catalunya, Spain. She has recently written a motivational EBook. She has also co-authored 6 anthologies. When she is not reading or writing, she prefers to go walking in nature or sipping a coffee with her husband. She lives in Belgium with her son and husband. You can find her on her website TalkwithSana.com and on her YouTube channel  and FB page ‘TalkwithSana’ IG handle : Sanakrblogs

The post Deep Gratitude appeared first on World Hijab Day.

Self development is very popular nowadays because of its health benefits. Steaming from deep Islamic roots, such as from concepts of Tazkiyah —purification of the heart — self-development can be easier if we strive more against our own nafs. If the heart is sick, the whole body is sick, as we know from authentic Islamic texts. So, what can we do as Muslims to practice more self-development? For a start, we can work on becoming among the five groups of people mentioned in the criterion.

1. We can be of the seven types of people Allah ﷻ loves.

Who are they?

Allah ﷻ loves the Tawwaabeen; those who repent. — Quran 2:222

Why? The more you repent, the cleaner your heart will be. As a result, you pay more attention to the things that will cause you to sin or fall off the wagon. You apply yourself to acting better for the pleasure of Allah ﷻ.

Allah ﷻ loves the Muttaqeen; those who are mindful of Him and righteous. — Quran 9:4

If you fear Allahﷻ and know that He ﷻ is watching all your movements, especially when no one is around, you will watch your behavior carefully. This also translates into more self development on your part. It’s a win-win.

Allah ﷻ loves the Mutatahhireen; those who clean and purify themselves. — Quran 2:222

There is a strong correlation among organized people, tidy people, and clean people. Don’t you feel like you grew a little bit internally (happy with yourself) after cleaning yourself by performing wudu, ghusl, taking a shower, or cleaning your place? You feel a little more elevated, for sure. Alhamdulillah.

Allah ﷻ  loves the Muhsineen; those who do good. — Quran 3:134 

The good doers, when they do it right with pure intentions, feel like they have achieved another milestone in their own lives and hopefully in the sight of their Creator. Self-development is also an internal feeling of renewed or increased glow, serenity, peace, and contentment.

Allah ﷻ loves the Mutawakkileen; those who rely upon Him. — Quran 3:159

When affliction hits them, they pray and remain calm. This increases their self-restraint; thus, they self-develop more.

Allah ﷻ also loves the Muqsiteen; those who are just and act justly. — Quran 5:42

How many people do you know in your entourage who were just chosen to arbitrate a quarrel or a dispute just because they are fair in their day-to-day affairs? I am sure of many, starting with the Rasul ﷺ , the best of Creations and of Character. Their character simply elevated them in the eyes of the people around them. Alhamdulillah.

Finally, Allah ﷻ loves the Sabareen; those who are firm and steadfast. 

Just like the Mutawakkileen, their patience earns them high spiritual degrees, masha’Allah, and the love of Allahﷻ above all.

Our Creator is Al-Wadud, the All-Loving. So He ﷻ permitted self development in other ways, such as in the following groups:

2. We can self-develop by being of the believers.

The Mu’minun are people for whom Allah ﷻ has confirmed their belief. So, to maintain that belief, they have to maintain their hearts by self-developing themselves. Furthermore, the Mu’minun have several characteristics enumerated in the first eleven verses of the 23rd chapter of the Criterion. Amongst these criteria is the fact that they shun idle talk and remain chaste. Remaining chaste for the fear and pleasure of Allah ﷻ is another level of restraint and self development, especially if you are single, divorced, or widowed. This leads to the next point.

3. Self Development by Means of The Ibadur Rahman:

The Ibadur Rahman, or the special group of servants of the Merciful, and their criteria are mentioned in Surah Furqan, verses 63-77. They also shun idle talk and zina, amongst other things. For these reasons, Allahﷻ will reward them by making them leaders among the mindful.

4. Self Development by Means of The People of Rasul ﷺ:

As mentioned at the end of Surah Fath, those with the Rasul ﷺ are like a plant that grows, in which Allah ﷻ strengthens and surprises its planters (teachers, parents, etc.). They defend their religion as instructed in Surah Muhammad. They don’t let people disrespect their Lord. Kudos to the People of Rasul ﷺ in Sweden! May Allah ﷻ always succor you and make you firm, aameen.

5. Self Development by Being of The Ulamas:

Finally, we can develop ourselves by becoming one of The Ulamas praised in Surah Fatir and Surah Baqarah. By saying that they (the angels) know only what Allah ﷻ has taught them, Allah ﷻ made them Ulamas according to the tafsir. That is because they were humble and aware of their limits in ilm (Islamic knowledge) and origins.

So above all, as we seek knowledge, we need to first realize that we only hold a tiny piece of the iceberg. All we can do is convey the little information bestowed upon us as accurately as we can without self-amazement entering our hearts. Anything good from this post is from Allah ﷻ and anything bad is from me alone. Allahu alim.

May Allah ﷻ make us of the Ulamas, the People of Rasul ﷻ, of His Ibadur Rahman, of the Mu’minun, and of the People He ﷻ  loves, aameen. May He ﷻ  also give us the love of the People He ﷻ loves and help us perform the actions that will bring us closer to Him ﷻ. Allahummah aameen. 

For Allah ﷻ loves ihsan; excellence. And we can only achieve excellence by striving to be better people and Muslims, thus working tirelessly on our own self-development.

About the Author:

Papatia Feauxzar is an author-publisher who holds a one-year certificate of intensive Quranic Arabic from an accredited Islamic Seminary. She loves tea, coffee, and comfort food. A mother of one, she lives with her family in Dallas, Texas. 

Visit her blogs at papatia.wordpress.com or aducktrinormom.wordpress.com .

Find her @PapatyaFZ on Twitter, @papatia_feauxzar on IG, and at https://www.facebook.com/PapatyaFZ/ on FB.

The post Five Quranic Criteria Guide for Self-Development appeared first on World Hijab Day.

The word “healing” is indeed soothing and calming to the ears, but somehow there are people who have narrowed the definition of the word into only one meaning. For example, healing only applies to the young heartbroken couples. Moreover, there are also some people who take the meaning of healing to a whole other level, which is to apply the meaning of healing to all people, that everybody should embrace and practice it, including people who have been distant from the deen (religion), who have gone through trauma, who are physically or mentally ill and so on.

There are also people who preach the most on healing, but they are much more capable of spreading the words (of healing) and showing what healing is like, without they, themselves, embodying, manifesting, and executing the word itself. For example, we can talk about self-love, self-care, and self-compassion all day to other people, but we forget to incorporate those ideologies into our own daily lives.

The truth is, most of us rarely practice it on ourselves, especially in times when our souls need it the most, which is during times of hardship. The truth is based on my personal experience in the old days, when I was still young and an adventurer in the world of adulthood. That was when I thought that it was nearly impossible for me to see the progress of healing in any challenging moment. I asked myself questions like, “How do I heal during hardships when all we feel is pain? I mean, where’s the ease?”

After listening to the verses of the Quran: “So, verily, with every difficulty, there is ease,” (94:5-6), I still stayed ignorant or in denial in my early and mid–20s. For instance, I reacted emotionally, negatively to everything that had happened to me. I even thought of my hardship as punishment. Life seemed unfair. I was insecure and inferior. It led to serious mental and emotional distress. Still, I wanted to feel loved and like I belonged. There was a moment of darkness when I felt lost, confused and saw no way out.

Alhamdulillah, during that pitch-black period of my life, just when I needed a hand, Allah sent kind-hearted souls to help me navigate through the crooked road towards the light at the end of the tunnel. I was taught by wise souls to understand the meaning behind every trial and tribulation given to me by Allah. In time, my soul filled with warmth, love, hope, and faith and I felt a genuine belonging.

One of the practices that I find miraculous are nightly prayers. Subhan’Allah, my duas were answered when reciting Surah Al-Inshirah. I always recite this after my five daily prayers, including my sunnah prayers. These verses come across differently to me now compared to when I heard them as a young adult, because I feel more connected to Allah now. The surah is His promise that after rain, there is sunshine, that if we look closely enough even at the hardship itself, there will be a rainbow bursting vibrantly. We will be strong and courageous. Here are five things I have realized:

1. In all the loneliness, fear, frustration, insecurity and hopelessness, I learned to be gentle with myself and to allow myself to validate the emotions I feel, to be fully human. To be stuck in a moment of confusion and doubt does not mean we are forever incapable of moving forward in life. We can and will move forward.

2. A hardship exists not to punish us, but to notify us that we are about to grow wiser. After every meeting, a new test in life is given to teach us how to grow magnificently. With every test, our strength and courage grows. Our horizons open up and we are introduced to more good ideologies and perspectives on life. It’s like a whole new world!

3. Ease is felt when we know that Allah is there with us whenever we need Him. Know that He will always be near and will forever stay. Our source of strength and courage can only come from Allah.

4. Calmness can be felt during the nightly prayers, it’s a moment of beautiful, tranquil connection between us and Allah. In times of anxiety, depression, despair, grief, etc. nightly prayers help our dependence on and trust in Allah, grow; peace and love follow.

5. At our lowest point is where the pearls of wisdom can be extracted. We learn and earn wisdom and knowledge throughout the spiritual journey.

Thus, this is how I personally heal and that very special verse in the Quran has brought me an abundance of serenity, inspiring me to find ways to make progress in working on being mentally and physically well.

About the Author:

Sharifah Nadirah is a bestselling and award-winning author. She is a mental health advocate, a graphic designer, and a member of the media team at one of the mental health advocacy non-governmental organisations (NGO) in Malaysia. She is a content creator, a poet, a creator of visual arts, a bachelor of optometry graduate, and a locum optometrist. She has obtained certifications in psychology and philosophy.

The post That One Quranic Verse that Heals appeared first on World Hijab Day.

How often are childless women considered to be bombarding burdens?

According to gender research (cited below), women are more prone to social pressure and forcibly dictated life decisions than men are. It is as if it’s a crime she is committing when not able to become a mother. I wonder how it is often the woman put into moral custody for something she has no control over when a man is not?!

For a lot of women, it is a natural progression to dream of motherhood. Only someone who has gone through the struggle of conceiving can understand how agonizing and self-depleting the journey is.  In addition, if one hears about a child’s nonexistence repeatedly, the suffering intensifies. Unfortunately, the majority of our Muslim ummah has long forgotten the etiquettes of social interactions and feel free to inappropriately meddle in someone’s very private struggles.

Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ explicitly reminded the ummah: “I am not authorized to split people’s heart and become aware of their hidden and internal thoughts,” while in the Quran 49:12, it is stated, “Believers… do not spy.”

Moreover, being a mother is not the singular identity of a woman.  We all have limitations in our lives. Even if one has children, there will be some shortcomings in other aspects of the woman’s life. We need to remember, for example, Ayesha رضي الله عنه who had no children of her own, yet is regarded as one of the most respected and notable Muslims of all time. She is considered the second highest narrator of hadith or Islamic teachings after Abu Hurairah  رضي الله عنه. She dedicated her entire life to preserving and serving the knowledge of Islam after the demise of Prophet Muhammad

صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ. She is one of the core Faiqih for whom we have had the chance to know the Sunnah of our Prophet distinctively, after thousands of years. Great sahabas (companions of the Prophet صَلَّىٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ) of that time, male and female, took lessons from her and leaders consulted  her regarding grave ministerial decisions.

What’s more, Ayesha رضي الله عنه was eighteen years old when the Prophet صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ passed away. Even after the death of the Prophet صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ, she lived for about 47 years. Yet, there is not a single narration in Islamic hadith reporting where she prayed for a child to Allah or lamented to the Prophet صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ.

 Allah says in the Quran, “Wealth and children are the adornments of this worldly life” (18:46) and, “Your wealth and your children are but a trial” ( 64:15). Testing is a part of life on earth. There is no way to live here without taking the exam. Therefore, having children or not, are tests from Allah. Motherhood is only one phase of a woman’s life if Allah wills it; It is not the sole measurement of failure or success in life. She is a person with her own dreams, desires and talents. She will have to answer to Allah for all her blessings, children or not.

Most often, maybe a childless woman wants to be satisfied with Allah’s decision by counting other blessings around her, but the people in her community keep her from doing it. According to hadith, the community is supposed to hold their tongue or avoid excessive talk unless in remembrance of Allah. They are supposed to be the barren woman’s source of mental peace and reassure her of her  worth as a Muslim, first. Childlessness is not a crime, but it can be a blessing in disguise. Allah knows best.

Sources (aside from Quran and Hadith):

Elizalde, J. (2021). “How Gender Roles, Social Expectations Affect Female First-Generation Students.” Texas A&M University College of Education & Human Development.

https://today.tamu.edu/2021/09/24/how-gender-roles-social-expectations-affect-female-fi

rst-generation-students/

 Flores, L. Y., Settles, I., McGillen, G. G., & M.Davis, T. “Critical Contributions to Scholarship on Women and Work: Celebrating 50 Years of Progress and Looking Ahead to a New Decade.” Journal of Vocational Behavior, 2021.

Hakim, C. “Women, Careers, and Work-Life Preferences.” British Journal of Guidance and Counseling, 2006.

Rahim, N. A., Mohamed, Z. B., Amrin, A., & Mohammad, R. “Women’s Dual Roles and Career Growth: A Preliminary Study of Malaysian Female Talents in Science, Engineering and Technology.” Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2019.

About the Author:

Sumaiya Rabeya is a researcher and content writer. She is the co-founder of a Malaysia-based media-production company. Sumaiya is also a community volunteer, actively working on various projects related to Islamic dawah, social engagement and women. Born in 1989, she graduated with a degree in Politics and International Relations and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Gender Studies. Moreover, she has been working as a media content writer for over a decade. As a Bengali young mother, she feels responsible in creatively contributing to society.

The post Childlessness is Not a Crime appeared first on World Hijab Day.

“When she is a mother, paradise lies under her feet, when she isa daughter, she opens the door of Jannah for her father, and when she is a wife, she completes half of the deen (religion) of her husband,” said Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Islam places women in a great status that even a person’s entry to paradise may depend on her.

Likewise, Islam recognizes the role of women in society and in nation building. During the early Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ life, women played big roles toward the Prophet’s success in inviting people to Islam and the establishment of Islam. Some of these famous and remarkable women in included Khadijah رضي الله عنه, Fatima رضي الله عنه, and Aisha رضي الله عنه.

But in this article, we will get to know a wife of the Prophet ﷺ, who isn’t a household name, Hafsa bint Umar رضي الله عنه. She was responsible for the foundation and core of Islam, the Noble Quran.

It hasn’t been long since we celebrated the anniversary of the Quran. Many of us spent the last ten nights of Ramadan, awake and doing different forms of ibadah, Arabic for “worship,” hoping to catch Laylatul Qadr or the night of power.

It was during the month of Ramadan when the Prophet ﷺ was 40 years old, while in the cave of Hira, when Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) first came to him conveying the words of Allah. This marked the period of Muhammad’s ﷺ Prophethood that would last 23 years. Allah gradually sent down revelations to the Prophet ﷺ, through his dreams, inspirations and through Angel Jibreel.

During the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ and even after his death, the Quran was not yet compiled. Rather, it was only memorised by heart by the companions or written on woods, on rocks or leather. Umar رضي الله عنه, one of the four rightly guided caliphs, suggested to Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه to have the Quran compiled in one mushaf (written copy). It was Zayd Ibn Thabit رضي الله عنه, who was given the duty of scribe to the Prophet ﷺ. When he passed away, the mushaf was passed on to Umar رضي الله عنه and when he died, the mushaf was kept in the house of Hafsa رضي الله عنه. Therefore, the first Quran that was compiled together was kept in the house of Hafsa رضي الله عنه.  

She was the eldest daughter of the second greatest man in Islam, Umar ibn Al-Khattab  رضي الله  عنه and her mother, Zaynab bint Al-Madh’un, sister of great companion Uthman ibn Madh’un  رضيالله عنه. Hafsa رضي الله عنه was born five years before the first message was revealed to the Prophet  ﷺ.

At a young age, she was first married to Khunais ibn Hudhafah al-Sahmi  رضي الله عنه, one of the companions of the Prophet ﷺwho witnessed the “Battle of Badr” and “Battle of Uhud” wherein he died later, succumbing to battle wounds. Hafsa  رضيالله عنه became a widow at the age of twenty-one.

As a widow, she was overcome by sadness. Heartbroken from seeing his daughter so sad, Umar رضي الله عنه offered her hand in marriage to other companions, Uthman رضي الله عنه and Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه, but both refused because they secretly knew that she was meant to marry the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

A little after a year of her widowhood, she married Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. She got along well with the other wives especially with Aisha رضي الله عنه. For one reason or another, the Prophet ﷺ divorced Hafsa رضي الله عنه when Allah sent down Angel Jibreel with a message to revoke the divorce and to reconcile because of Hafsa’s رضي الله عنه nobleness and because she would be his wife in paradise. The Prophet ﷺ immediately conformed with the command.

Although Hafsa رضي الله عنه was known for her jealousy, she was also “one who fasted and prayed a lot.” She possessed the qualities of strength and intelligence of her father, Umar رضي اللهعنه. She often engaged in discussions with the Prophet ﷺ and was one of the few literate women of her time. She was from the fuqaha or Islamic jurists who were experts in fiqh or Islamic jurisprudence and Islamic law. Moreover, she was so knowledgeable that her brother, Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنه , learned from her.

Hafsa رضي الله عنه had the honor of memorizing the entire Quran by heart. She inspired other women to memorize the Quran. After the first written form of the Quran was produced, the text was given to Hafsa رضي الله عنه for safekeeping during the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan  رضي الله عنه while the standardized copy of the Quran was being produced. It is indisputably thanks to Hafsa that the Quran was so beautifully preserved in both its oral and its written forms.

She was credited with the protection of the Holy Quran for all future generations. This important duty shows that if a woman was given the responsibility of safeguarding the very words of Allah, then women are certainly viewed highly by and respected in Islamic society.

Whenever Hafsa رضي الله عنه spoke, her words were few, but profound and deep. She learned a lot from the Prophet ﷺ , she taught many how to recite the Quran and she narrated around 60 hadiths (Islamic stories). Indeed, Hafsa  رضي الله عنه was a woman of great nobility and virtue, who protected the Quran until her death on the 41st or 45th after hijra.  

Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOSRH9LLDSM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRfkl9KllRo

https://themuslimvibe.com/muslim-lifestyle-matters/women/10-inspirational-women-from-islamic-history

About the Author

Sherina Benito has years of experience as a Jurist Doctor, in the legislative department of a local government unit in the Philippines. With a BA in Law and passing the bar as a Sharia Lawyer in the Philippines, Sherina also co-authored a soon-to-be-published book, entitled “Thorns into Crown.” She lives with her mother and younger brother.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_overthinkween

Facebook @https://www.facebook.com/sheynbent

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Many were injured and continue to be injured as violent riots break out across Sweden following “Quran-burning” demonstrations.

The police were criticized for issuing a permit to notorious Danish-Swedish politician and racist, Stram Kurs Paludan, who led the protests. Authorities claimed that it was Paludan’s right to express his opinions, which is not illegal in Sweden. Although, as Sweden is known for abolishing censorship and allows freedom of speech, child pornography, hate speech and libel are still prohibited under Swedish law. Therefore, Muslims across Sweden are petitioning for Paludan’s act of burning the quran to be considered a “hate crime.”

Paludan is part of a far-right group and has been burning qurans during racist demonstrations in Sweden, since 2020. Paludan has a history of racist offences that have earned him jail-time in Denmark, in the past. He plans on running for government, but is still short on the votes necessary to become a candidate in the elections.

His “Quran-burning” protests have taken place in the past week, during Easter holidays, Passover and Ramadan, across the Swedish cities of Malmö, Norrköping and Linköping. The outrage against all police has even reached Stockholm. As the violence continues, authorities and experts are debating whether or not Paludan should be allowed to demonstrate at all, whether or not this is considered a “hate crime” and whether or not he should be charged for burning anything in the first place, leading to hazardous fire spreading across neighborhoods and destroying vicinities.

In the process of these protests, not only have there been violence, but also, the burning of the Quran has led to the fire spreading across vehicles and nearby buildings including the Rosengård School, also known as the childhood school that world-famous Swedish footballer, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, attended.

Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq are just a few of the Muslim countries asking Sweden to condemn the “Quran burnings.”

According to the Swedish Radio and SVT News, Paludan’s main goal is to provoke Muslims into reacting in a violent manner. It is unfortunate that he has succeeded in doing so especially during Ramadan, which is meant to be a peaceful holiday. However, it is also unfortunate that while Denmark put Paludan in jail for his racist remarks, we have Sweden allowing him to continue with his hate speech. That is not to justify the actions of those inciting or getting involved in violent clashes against the police. That is simply stating the facts!

I urge Muslims to practice sabr, the Arabic word for “patience” and respond to provocation with prayer and petition.

Trust in God’s plan. After all, it is stated in the Quran, 49:10, “Humanity is but a single brotherhood: So make peace with your brethren.”

My fellow Swedish Muslims, if you have gotten the petition to sign which dubs Paludan’s action as a “hate crime,” then sign it. If you have not gotten it yet, DM me. I will send it to you إِنْ شَاءَ ٱللَّٰهُ (God Willing).

Help us raise awareness:

1. Donate to the World Hijab Day Organization this coming Ramadan. Your contributions will help our efforts to end hijab discrimination globally! One who gives alms during the month Ramadan will be multiplied in rewards to 10 until 700 folds. Don’t miss this opportunity! Donate here.

2. #FastForUnity: Fast for a day, two, ten or all 30 with Muslims to experience how Muslims fast and go on a spiritual journey of self-reflection and self-discipline.

3. #Hijab30: Wear the hijab for 30 days in Ramadan to take a stand to end discrimination against women in hijab and respect individual choices.

4. #HearOurHistory: May is “International Muslim History Month.” Take this opportunity to learn more about Muslim men and women from the Golden Age up until now, who have shaped humanity as we know it.

Tag us @worldhijabday

About the Author

Rumki Chowdhury is Editor of World Hijab Day Organization. Moreover, she has her own editing services. She is an award-winning published author. She has an MA in English Literature from Queen Mary University of London, a BA in English Writing from William Paterson University of New Jersey and an English Subject Teaching Degree from Gävle Högskolan in Stockholm, Sweden. She speaks Bengali and Swedish fluently! She has years of experience in the media and publishing worlds. Rumki lives with her husband and their three daughters. Follow her journey on Instagram @rumkitheauthor

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I reverted to Islam on  April 24, 2015. And I started wearing the hijab two weeks after I took my Shahada (testimony of Islamic faith). It wasn’t easy for me because my family is against my decision to become a Muslim. One of my daughters even told me that she doesn’t want to have anything to do with me. My mom cried and begged me to leave Islam. But I know Islam is the true religion and I thank Allah that I have been chosen to be one of His servants.

I believe that one day my family will accept me and insha Allah they will be reverted too in Islam. I am proud to be a Muslim and I show it by covering myself and using my hijab.

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My Hijab.

My Hijab is my crown.

I am a queen, and like a queen I don’t shake hands with strange men.

My Hijab.

My Hijab is peace.

This piece of cloth that covers my body.

Is serenity.

A sign of submission.

They say it’s a sign of submission to my husband.

I say:        No.

Submission to Someone much more important.

Omnipotent.

Allah.

Lord of the Worlds.

My Hijab.

My Hijab is a reminder.

A reminder to myself to behave in the manner I am supposed to:

With integrity.

Peacefully.

Respectfully.

Honestly.

Auspiciously.

Humbly.

Modestly.

My Hijab.

My Hijab may serve as a reminder to other people of how to treat me:

I am not an ornament for your eyes.

My beauty will not be cheapened by using pieces of my body to sell your:

Body wash

Cars or

Power tools.

I will not be used in some misogynists’ music video.

No.    You may not have my number.

All that man covets is hard to reach;

Gold and Jewels must be mined.

Oil must be drilled.

Pearls lie

Sealed

In shells

At the bottom of the sea.

Why is my body any different?

My Hijab, believe it or not, has nothing to do with you:

Your laws to ban it.

Your opinion that I’m oppressed.

Your view on my style of expression or belief system.

Your hateful heart and your hands that rip it from my head.

Your not in charge of my fate

My destiny.

My.          Maker.          Is.

My Hijab is my Piety.

My non con formation to mainstream.

I will NOT let YOU make me AFRAID.

This is who

I AM.

Before you made it something for people to fear.

And attached words like “Terrorist” to it.

Before you attempt to

Try to make me

Take it off,

or Assimilate.

My Hijab:

Get used to it. It’s not going away.

My Hijab is happiness:

Tranquility.

Serenity.

I am here.

I am empowered.

My Hijab is a liberation.

The Flag in the Muslimah Liberation.

The first movement of ‘feminism’;  started by the Prophet Muhammad.

May Peace and Blessings be Upon Him.

I declare these streets

Any streets

My Hijab’s country.

My Hijab’s Universe.

We are free and answer to God Alone.

But mainly

My Hijab and everything under it Is mine.

Mine

Mine

Mine.

My God Given Right.

My Freedom.

My Protection.

My Liberation.

My Dedication to My Maker and

No One Else.

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I am a born Muslim who never practiced Islam before even though I still loved Allah more than anything! I always had an urge to wear the hijab but was never strong enough to go with it. Alhamdulillah, I started reading the Quran and  started to question my life style 24/7. It came to a point where I was listening to a lecture and this Sheikh (scholar of Islam) said if you were to die today and face Allah, what  you got to present in front of Him saying here I did this for you? I took a moment to think what I had to offer and honestly, I couldn’t think of one thing.

Yes, I’m a loving, caring, helpful person with a huge heart but I felt like this question had a deeper meaning. So I said if I didn’t have anything ’till today to offer Allah, I’ll start by this, and I wore my hijab  on January 26, 2015. And I have  never been happier in my life. My life makes sense now. I don’t feel lost anymore. I have a purpose now. I see how different I get treated by the brothers -with so much more respect, even from strangers. If someone offered me 50 million dollars to remove my hijab, I would never in a million years take it off. My hijab, my pride! Salam (peace) to every sister who is on the right path! May Allah be pleased with us. Ameen.

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