Hijab and standing strong

I read this article from a great new website I recently found and I was so moved, mashallah. It answered a question about taking off hijab and make such amazing points - on how it's not meant to be pleasing to any one but God, is part of the belief that “Islam is not a state of being but it is a process of becoming,”and that the 'rush' of being a hijabi may diminish but that the act is not small but one that helps our spiritual enlightenment. The sin of not wearing itor not being as modest is not to be focused on but rather the act of sinning period. Additionally, a commenter noted that wanting to be attractive for others may feel good at the moment but it fades and then what was the point?  


That is so powerful to me because I have lived my youth doing that- rushing to look good, be sexy, to please others and it was a high that never satisfied, it was never gratifying. Islam saved me from demeaning myself and beyond that, from looking for peace from people and finding it in God. Hijab for me is the daily part of my commitment to God and my faith, its neither a small act or the 'end all be all' (I wont explode if a hair is showing but I would feel exposed, and did when I wore an outfit that turned out to be a little revealing) but part of wanting to be the best Muslim I can be, in addition to prayers and other acts of worship


I worry with the upcoming round of job interviews about hijab and if I should take it off to get hired. But this message reminded me that the worries of this life will never be as important as my faith and standing by what is right. Hijab is what's right in my life and I pray God blesses me for it and helps me stand by it and adhere to it.


May God forgive me for the times I struggle with hijab and staying modest and bless me with wisdom and courage

Protests in arab world

This month has seen major changes in muslim countries with Tunisia and Eygpt and other small uprisings around that region. This show of human sprits being pushed and fighting back is inspiring and for some a true test from Allah. Obviously some see the opportunity of a lack of policing to loot and rob others and some use srtrong measures to protest like self immolation. I pray for those who are frustrated to turn to Allah and rely on Allah for a way to make their voice heard. This to me serves as a good example of how tough times can be a great test of your own restraint and stregnth. It also humbles me that so many contries are fighting for stablitiy and I am grateful to be in a country where I dont have to fear waking up to chaos and having my life change overnight to a overthrown government. Of course recessions and other issues abound here as well.

As a westener I see promise in these changes- many like to discredit Islam by pointing to Muslim majoirty countries and saying "these are the examples of how Islam is wrong as these countries have tyrants and corruption" These changes and the images of muslims, and partiularly women, fighting for change is proof that the government of a muslim country is not always a proper example of how Islam should be demonstrated in government

Another intersting story was the Pew report that Muslims will be a very large part of the world population in 30 years due to childbirth and some by converstion- that I'm sure is scary news to those ignoratnt of how Islam can positively impact ones life but I see it as a wonderful thing- Inshallah Muslims will soon not be the 'enemy of the moment' and we will garner respect as an influential faith