Urban Muslimahs

“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

My name is Cjala, I am the owner of Muslamb Paper Goods + Design. I design letter-pressed greeting cards, invitations, announcements, imprintables, stationary and custom designs.

Ramadan Mubarak Greeting paper goods

After 10 years in marketing and PR(Public Relations) for various arts and cultural- organizations, I decided it was time to focus my time energy and skills on something that would benefit the Ummah.

In 2005 I formally launched what to-date had been a side endeavor.

I started the venture that is Muslamb Paper Goods because I often had to doctor “Happy Holiday” cards for Eid, nikahs, walimahs or akikahs. I tired of wandering the aisles of stores and conceding defeat when I couldn’t find any cards that reflected holidays & special events that are important to me as a Muslim.

My cards which are all letter-pressed – a process originally used in printmaking in the 12th century – reflect my artistic vision and are expression of my Islamic faith. Muslamb also serves as a vehicle for giving a bit of Dawah. It is important to let non-Muslims know – Muslims have holidays too! We have joyous times, times of hardship and special occasions that merit more than an email or a generic card.

Muslamb offers the sender an opportunity to connect in a unique way. The recipient is gifted a handwritten message that expresses more than anything copy, pasted, forwarded, myspaced, facebooked or tweeted and flung into cyberspace!

Muslamb encourages you to think outside the “inbox”.
Stop by my shop where I crank out quality, hand-pressed cards that leave room for a simple salam a sweet haiku or a little letter to. . . . . well you know who:)

To get a gander of the full Muslamb line, I invite you to stop by my shop at: http://www.muslamb.etsy.com

Jazak Allah Khair,

Cjala S.
Owner/Designer
Muslamb Paper Goods + Design

As-salamu Alaikum, so this marks the first entry of my random(at times) thoughts.

* Urban Muslimahs is all about what I represent as a Muslim Woman; the ability to be a Wife, Mother, Sister, Aunt, Business Woman and yet still keep it fashionable and modest all at the same time.

We are based out of the Toronto area, but are able to ship locally and also internationally insha’Allah. We will be starting off with hijabs, headbands, undertubes with the addition of Arabic oils and Plus-size tunics to be added before the winter season commences.

Every month starting in January of 2010 insha’Allah, a winner will be chosen to receive a free* starter package for muslimahs who have recently reverted or for fellow muslimahs who are wishing to expand their hijabs.

Not to mention our U.M “hij-cycle” program which essentially will be asking of muslimahs worldwide to send a couple of hijabs in which they are no longer in use of and in return they will be sent a online coupon to be redeemed for future purchases and the collected hijabs will be mailed to muslimahs in need for no additional cost, that way it will benefit all involved insha’Allah.

*= items will be paid for by Urban Muslimahs, winner will be asked to pay for shipping and insurance if applicable.

May Allah continue to bless all of us with love and life and we will continue to make dua that this modest home business will flourish and provide a essential resource to the muslimah community. Ameen.

Allahu Akbar