Urban Muslimahs

As salaamu Alaikum to all

Nothing says “official launch” better then a *FREE* giveaway contest!!! That said we at Urban Muslimahs are proud to share some of our products with you for no additional cost to you our newly found friend(s) regardless where you live around the world.

And all that U.M is asking for in return is YOU joining our mailing list so that you can be kept updated as to all of our newly added items, where we will be appearing via Souqs, Conferences and selling booths.

::: HOW TO ENTER THE URBAN MUSLIMAHS HIJAB GIVEAWAY :::

1. Send an e-mail to AHDIA@URBANMUSLIMAHS.COM
2. Subject header => February Giveaway Contest
3. Two(2) winners will be chosen on the last business day of February and they both will contacted on March 1st, 2010 insha’Allah
   

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh to all of my family in Islam.

*taking a deep breath*, so as it were I’ve been sitting here deliberating posting/blogging about this serious issue which has been pushed about without just cause and yet with due ignorance. It took me a bit longer then what I had originally expected because this article was composed from the first letter typed and was written with sincerity masha’Allah.

A lil historical lesson before I make my point insha’Allah:

Bilal ibn Rabah or Bilal al-Habeshi was of Ethiopian decent, born in Mecca during the ending period of the sixth(6th) century. Noted and acknowledged as a Akh(Brother) of African bloodlines; Bilal was also documented to one of the most loyal and trustworthy companions of Muhammad(peace be upon him).

Safiyya bint Huyayy was born in Medina somewhere around 610-670C; but was of Jewish decent was a Jewish woman who was captured from the Banu Nadir tribe at age 17 and not long after converted/reverted to Islam allowing her to become Prophet Muhammad’s(PBUH) 11th Wife.

Yusuf Ma Dexin was a “Hui” Chinese Scholar of Islam from Yunnan, known for his fluency and proficiency in both Arabic and Persian, and for his knowledge of Islam.  Yusuf made his journey in 1841 to Mecca for(to preform) Hajj which is one of the pillars of Islam.

After spending almost a decade in the middle east; Yusuf Ma Dexin return back to to homeland and started a uprising of sorts to bring awareness and to advocate to his fellow people under the collective title/name of Panthay Rebellion which comprised of Chinese Muslims in or around the year of 1856, was later executed for making a effort to attempt to serve as a mediator between the Government and the radical movement. Prior to his execution he was primarily responsible for translating the first(1st) documented Chinese version of the Qu’ran.

In the Caribbean; Islam played and still continues to play a major role in the locals; historically speaking over 60,000-75,000 once enslaved individuals of Indian and African decent were brought to the Caribbean from 1845-1917.  Muhammad Khan, who came to Jamaica in 1915 at the age of 15, built Masjid Ar-Rahman in 1957.

Another great example whom is highly regarded(and well known) would be that of the English-speaking(Jamaican born, Canadian bred) Muslim scholar, lecturer, author, editor, translator and professor by the name of Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips.

As early as 674 Islam was introduced to Europe via conquering certain areas within Europe, exploration and trade. (more information to be researched and added soon insha’Allah).

Approximately four to five years after Canada was founded(1867) there was already 13 Muslims who inhabited Canada according to the Canadian census, with the first Canadian Masjid/Mosque being built in 1938(in Edmonton, Alberta which during this period have several hundred Muslim inhabitants living within the entire Province).

During the earlier part of the seventh(7th) century; Islam was introduced to India as per Traders of Arabic decent who took interest primarily in the Malabar Region and it was this region which was the first within India as per which is documented to have claims of being the 1st converted/reverted community in India as such. It was around 628-629 A.D that the first mosque/masjid was built at the command of the Tamil speaking King Cheraman Peruma Bhaskara Ravi Varma(who was also the Ruler during/of the Chera Dynasty).

It was a enslaved(muslim) servant of African origins by the name of Mustafa Zemmouri(also known as Estevanico) who first introduced the United States of America to Islam.

Another introduction of Islam to America was that of Abdul rahman Ibrahim Ibn Sori was a Prince who resided in western Africa who was captured,  enslaved and brought to the United States, after spending four decades in captivity; he was released by the request/demand of Moroccan Sultan Moulay Sharif Abderrahmane which was granted by President John Quincy Adams.

Prejudice within and out of..Islam

Salaams everybody and in advance just wanting to apologize for only now getting to my point…

Being a Muslim.. isn’t about which Islamic or non-Islamic country we were born nor does it mean or require for us to feel lesser then by divulging how many years we’ve been reverts nor does it mean that if you see/meet a Brother or Sister who is of any of the various ethnicities and/or races; does that mean that they are to be questioned about their place as a Muslim(definition: One who submits to Allah(swt).

Islam isn’t something which is inherited, it is defined as submission to the will of Allah(swt), what is inherited however is the ignorance which is passed down generation after generation.

Countless times I have seen or been greeted by another in the Ummah, of course I would extend with “Assalamu Alaikum” or ” Wa Alaikum As-Salam” and instead of me being able to ask how they are doing or commence dialog( I am instead asked where I come from, where my parents come from and when I reverted(when I reverted I ask myself); who told you that I am a revert/what has given you the reason for thinking as much? – But again culture has overturned knowledge of religion simply by going over those series of questions, don’t get me wrong..I don’t mind being asked..but it is sequence in which is out of order. Astaghfirullah!!

We can not remove such obstacles without first and foremost identifying them and in order to do such more successfully, we need to open more honest dialog with one another in order to educate and elevate our way(s) of thinking. How are we to get angry with the Dunya for the stereotypes in which they create along with the Media and direct towards us when many of us do not contribute in a different manner other then the Dunya?!

We are one(1) Ummah and we cannot keep on merging religion with culture for they are two very different topics/subjects and if nothing else with this Blog entry; I just make dua and will continue to make dua that one day insha’Allah Sisters and Brothers will become more open-minded and not only stand with one another in the Masjids/Mosques, but also on a daily basis as we strengthen and gain knowledge in order to stand more united as Ummah.

In closing, change needs to be made and it needs to be made immediately insha’Allah, we represent one of the largest growing religions in the world; it is for us to pass along the aforementioned to our children and grandchildren insha’Allah so that the deprogramming and reprogramming can begin insha’Allah.

“To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:156)

Subhanallah

Written by Ahdia Reid-Adams

( Do not publish without permission, contact me ahdia@urbanmuslimahs.com)

Urban Muslimahs really endorses the following:

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About My Halal Kitchen

My Halal Kitchen is a blog filled with halal recipes and a mission to provide home cooks the tools to prepare quick and easy meals, including those with the necessary substitutions to make every dish halal. It aims to make the lives of readers better by expanding the list of available recipes that are healthy, delicious, economical and, of course, halal. Choosing halal options while traveling or eating out is another unique feature of this site.

About the Founder & Editor

Yvonne Maffei, M.A., is a food writer, recipe developer, halal consultant and culinary educator. She is also the founder and editor of My Halal Kitchen. As a  world traveler and former Teacher, she aims to share everything she’s learned and continues to learn about food, cooking and eating halal with interested readers around the globe. She is currently working on a cookbook and continues to write and develop recipes not only for this blog, but for various media outlets, adding even greater exposure to the My Halal Kitchen website. She is based in Chicago, IL.

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh

The Bronx Masjid needs our financial assistance and awareness, without it they could face possible foreclosure. If you are on facebook then kindly join the group to bring forth additional awareness:

CLICK HERE FB

Bronx Muslim Center USA, Inc. is a non-profit, independent organization located at 2531 Davidson Avenue, Bronx, NY 10468. Our ultimate mission is to create an Islamic environment for the Muslim community in the Fordham Road area by providing religious, educational, and recreational activities for its members and the members of the public at large. Among the primary goals of Bronx Muslim Center USA, Inc. is the outreach to the non-Muslims in the community and educate the public about Islam.

For the past two years, we have been trying to buy a house for a Masjid and Islamic school. Having a Masjid in this area is very critical for the Muslims, especially for our next generation. To find out more about this area, please watch the video at
http://www.bronxmuslimcenter.org/

As-salaamu Alaikum!! Imma jump right in and place my thoughts all over this blog entry, so brace yourselves!

Why is it of any importance(for some of us) to gather together the current population of Ummah residing in Haiti; before we  are able to consider leaving the discussion(s) about Haiti and its people as dinner-table talk and actually become proactive and do something about it financially to help our sisters and brothers?!

Every-time that I open up my fridge and cringe about not being bothered to choose what I have to defrost in order to cook; I feel so bad for the Mothers who don’t even have 1/10 of such, those Mothers who have to quiet the cries of their children who are hungry, hurt and dying even as I type.

Spreading the word is wonderful alhamdulillah, but also reaching into our pockets is even more beneficial(this can be done via the eBay.com checkout, Wal-Mart, Red Cross, texting YELE via your cell phone and which will be billed by your provider, numerous charitable organizations namely one of my favorites -> Islamic Relief .

(have to go to sleep, praying that Allah will return my soul to me in a couple of hours so that I can be with my children, work and finish this blog entry insha’Allah) More will be posted..to be continued..

HalfDate is a Sadaqah (good cause) promotion service.

The name HalfDate is inspired by the teaching of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and prayer be upon him) where he called us to be part of the solution even if our contribution is as small as half a date, or a pleasant word.

اتقوا النار ولو بشق تمرة ، فمن لم يجد فبكلمة طيبة
“Save yourself from the (Hell) Fire even with half a date (to be given in charity). And if you do not find, then with a good pleasant word.” – Collected by Al-Bukhari

Read more: http://halfdate.com/#ixzz0VP51CzK3

As-Salamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh

Although many of us(including myself) have been somewhat reluctant to join Twitter, it’s not a bad platform to communicate and network with others within the Ummah online.

So when/if you are able to find the time be sure to follow me/follow us insha’Allah:

twitter.com/urbanmuslimahs

As much as I truly enjoy facebook, I feel that if Twitter was used correctly by the majority of us in the Ummah then we would be able to really take it to the next level, it’s like the benefits/perks of being able to text one another but on a grander-scale. Although I haven’t personally be able to concentrate on many of the useful tips to be used on Twitter, I will be spending time watching the footage a bit later on and applying it insha’Allah(post your comments to this blog entry and let me know how you liked it kindly..Shukran).

By the way, I just happened to come across this twitter tutorial on youtube.com for those of us who are still looking to find a way to utilize this online medium. Salaams!

“Marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one.” Al-Qu’ran (4:3)

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh to all

Today’s entry will be about….. *Drumroll plz*… POLYGYNY(not to be/get confused with Polygamy).

” Dictionary: po·lyg·y·ny

n.

1. The condition or practice of having more than one wife at one time.”

I have always had a very open-minded view on the subject, not only was I raised seeing Polygyny via my Grandfather and his Wives(of which were all equally and lovingly called my Grandmothers), there was no displays of confused children, families being ripped apart and yes, one could say that it was from another generation of  “muslim folk” but I greatly stand to differ. Family and the definition of such wasn’t taught to us as the connecting DNA-string but rather via creation, adaptation and attraction to those who were able to care for you in a host of ways, of such most importantly to be able to love and nurture, that being said there was little to no tolerance for conveniently throwing around terms such as “You aren’t my Mother/Father/*insert role here*”; which happens to be heavily used in the western civilization that we live in. As children and grandchildren via polygyny, we were taught to respect all Adults within the home and family period, it wasn’t our place to question nor did we feel the need because as we got older, we were privy to age appropriate information which helped to shed light on the subject on many levels/aspects not to mention that we saw other examples via family friends with Brothers and their Wives, mind you not all of them were singing in unison to the tune of  “lollipops & gumdrops”, but they all had in common the ability to MAINTAIN and RESPECT their marriages for the love and sake of Allah(swt).

Upon speaking with numerous Sisters in Islam about having a co-wife and all that being in a marriage based off of Islam first and then polygyny second; the most common tone which is brought up lots is that of the 3 r’s=   “resentment”, “rejection” and mostly “replacement”.

For this I do somewhat blame not only the Men, but also the families that most of us were raised in, unfortunately Polygyny wasn’t always introduced in a respectful manner and was taken as being a insult or hurtful action/suggestion, knowing that we are “only human” we aren’t always able to distinguish between what is fair and what is written in the Holy Qu’ran and outlined.

*I could always go on and on, and if you know me personally you know it’s so true…but instead opening up for discussion..feel free to input yours*

Another good entry to add to your blogroll would be this one:

http://polygynousblessings.blogspot.com

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh

Brrr…it’s getting cold Muslimahs, so this inspired us to create some fun and modest/covered look for Autumn..feel free to request some colors and/or color combinations and we will cater to *YOUR* request(s). Salaams Muslimahs!!

Purple power by urbanmuslimahs featuring Dorothy Perkins jewelry

blue by urbanmuslimahs featuring