ELEGANT RIDA AND PROFILE OF AN ELEGANT MUMINA

Sharing an inspiring post written by a very elegant and educated mumina bhen - Rashida Mulla Aliasgar Rasheed. Her niyat is that her post may motivate young ladies of our community, who are still undecided and have some reservations, or affected by outside peer pressures, at workplace, social circles or educational institutes or whatever.

At the end of her post I am sharing with you a beautiful piece on Hijab written by an American muslim lady.



Rida – My Identity

May Allah subhanahu enhance the Umer Sharif of Aqa Maula (tus) till Qayamat.

During these days of Tabuda’at I would like to take this opportunity of Ibadat and Tasbih by performing the Ziker and Shukur of My Maula (tus) who has given me the sharaf of being called a Mumina. When someone speaks of a Mumina, an instant image of a modest, humble woman comes to mind. What separates this humble, modest woman from other women? “Rida”.

On the entrance essay for admission to the University of CA, Davis I had written that if one were to take an arial picture of the students in my school, I would definitely stand out. Where I lived with my family – Lodi, California there were only a few mumineen families nearby, and definitely I was the only mumina teenager in my school, and obviously the only one wearing Rida.

From my student life to my experiences in the professional world, I have always gotten a second look – from the look of astonishment to the look of admiration. In middle school, the beginning days of my wearing a Rida many times included stares and taunts from other teenagers. As any teenager in the US can attest to, the middle school years are the years where one craves acceptance or being able to “fit in”

From job interviews to my foray into the teaching world, there have been many instances that I have felt I have had to go the “extra mile” to prove myself. During interviews, I have been subtly asked if the clothes (Rida) I was wearing during the interview would be the clothes I would be wearing while teaching.

In my first teaching assignment in Hayward, CA I had two assistant teachers working for me. When I walked in on my first day, they gave me an incredulous stare – as if I was at the wrong place. During my first few weeks on the job, I would constantly experience my assistants second guessing my directions and decisions. Withstanding all low expectations, I was able to pull through.

Circumstances, situations that may otherwise have pushed one to quit – were not able to deter me. What pulled me through the toughest times, and always gave me the courage to continue wearing Rida was the expectation that my Maula (tus) had in me. As a mumina, I have always felt that the biggest nemat for me has been to be included when Maula (tus) addresses us as his “Piyara Farzando”. As a farzand how could I stand to disappoint my Bawa Shafiq – the same Bawa that puts Mumineen first, and does Dua for us before we ask. This very strength of Mohabbat for my Maula (tus) turned things around for me. Once where I was hesitant I gained confidence. Once where I had people second guessing me, the same people stood up for me. All this happened, because…I believed in My Maula (tus) and I knew that my Maula (tus) believed in me.

Today, as a wife of a Khidmat Guzar, and especially one living in the “Bible Belt” I have been fortunate to have had opportunities to speak to other Muminaat Baheno about Aqa Maula (tus) ni khushi and wearing Rida. From someone living in the United States, we enjoy many freedoms, one being the freedom of expression. From my experiences and from experiences of other Muminaat Baheno I feel that, sometimes the biggest barrier to overcome is the – internal barrier. It is taking the initial step. The step that we all believe in but are afraid to take. “Maula (tus) Na Farmaan ne Tasleem Karwu”.

May Allah Subhanahu enhance the Umer Sharif of Aqa Maula (tus)and give us all Mumenaat Behno Himmat to carry on the many Farmaans of our Bawa Shafiq, Aqa Maula (tus).

Ameen

Amate Syedna (tus)

Rashida M. Aliasger Rasheed

www.eduscribe.com




THE ELEGANT HIJAB

The pea is a splendid plant. It proudly displays its strong green Hijab. It protects it from the hot and cold weather and guards it from insects. Allah has blessed the pea with a special Hijab, because without it, the seeds would scatter, dry up and die.

The orange keeps itself within its shiny orange Hijab to protect its delicious fruit. Otherwise it-looses its taste too.

So are the banana, the coconut and the pomegranate. Each one has an elegant and unique Hijab, which protects it from disease and destruction.

The jewel of the sea, the pearl, has been given a very tough and rugged Hijab - oyster shell. It protects it from sea animals and keeps it sparkling and shining inside.

However, the most beloved of Allah in all His creation is the Muslim girl who wears the Hijab. She knows it is a gift from Allah. It protects her from harm, injury and mischief. She wears it knowing it gives her dignity, beauty and respect. So precious she can be that she hides herself beneath her Hijab.

Do you wear a Hijab? Give it a try today