مجلة المسلمات الجميالت الملتزمات

ممّرح

From the Editor Bism Allah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatu May the peace & mercy of Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala be on you.

Dear MBM Readers, Whether or not you are aware of it, to be a Muslim is to be a leader. But why so? Isn’t a Muslim one who submits to Allah swt? Yes, indeed. However, by consciously submitting to Allah SWT , we are striving to please Him instead of pleasing others. The foundation of Islam is a leader foundation—not a follower foundation. But aren’t Muslims very similar since Islam is a way of life? Muslims are very similar in many aspects of their life, yet even in that being true, each Muslim is a leader because they have chosen to lead a life that is not the norm in today’s society.

“Islam began as something strange, and it shall return to being something strange, so give glad

tidings to the strangers.” [Sahih Muslim] Let’s face it—as Muslims we stick out in many different ways and are pretty

―strange‖. But this is not a bad thing—no not at all—this is actually a wonderful thing. Some leaders lead by example, while other leaders lead by an arrogant force and dominant authority. Which method should we be implementing as Muslims? If we look at the beautiful narration of our beloved Prophet’s (SAW) life, we will see that he was the ideal leader. Just as we strive according his Sunnah for everything else, we should strive according to his Sunnah when looking to lead others. As evident in many hadiths, it was very clear that the Prophet SAW lead by a beautiful, humble example. He also never forced anything on anyone.

In Surah Al-Kahf, ayah 7, Allah SWT says:

"That which is on earth We have made but as a glittering show for the

earth, in order that We may test them--as to which of them are best in

conduct." How does this ayah relate to leadership? One quick look at this ayah may allude to how worthless the dunya is. However, this is far from the truth. The dunya has huge value, because it is our key to Jannah, inshaAllah. Also, as Allah SWT has commanded, we must best conduct ourselves. Take this issue as a invitation to make yourself a better leader. Are you already a good leader? Great. Become even better, inshaAllah. May Allah SWT grant us all this wonderful virtue.

— As a reader, your comments, criticism, and suggestions are highly appreciated and encouraged. By the will of Allah SWT, let us all engage in a deep collective search for truth, guided by the primary sources of Islam: the Qur’an and Sunnah. As always, JazakAllah khair for being an MBMuslima reader—this magazine would be nothing without you.

Enjoy the issue, inshaAllah.

www.mbmuslima.com

Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatu,

Sister Yasmin Essa

Front Cover Image: Smphoto | Dreamstime.com

Image: Dreamstock | Dreamstime.com

Editor's Letter ….. page 2

5 Tips to Awaken the Leader in You ..... page 5

Le Leader Musulman (French) ..... page 7

Hakim and Leila Remember Allah ….. page 11

Garden of Knowledge ….. page 12

Walking into Jannah Barefoot ….. page 13

Too Much Pride? ..... page 14

Brazilian Chicken Soup ….. page 15

Brazilian Coconut Shrimp & Rice ….. page 16

Baked Bananas Latin Style ….. page 17

Book Review: Love in a Headscarf ….. page 18

Qur'an Challenge: First 10 Lines of Surah Al-Kahf ….. page 19

Boost your Marriage ….. page 20

Contents December 2010

Copyright Modest Beautiful Muslima© Magazine 2009-2010.

Reproduction or redistribution of anything from MBM requires proper credit to be given.

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It’s Friday!* BY REHANA MALIK

Friday’s here, no time to waste,

Got to go and set the pace,

I’m not running a marathon,

Just fulfilling my Friday fun.

It’s Friday!

Jummah is hot on the list,

Sura Kahf I must not miss,

(provides light from one Friday to the next).

Salutations on the Prophet (PBUH) will get me far,

If I recite it often my sins will fall,

Ten wiped away and ten rewards gained,

Not to mention the elevation attained.

Seems easy but why is it so hard,

Must be doing something ungrateful!

Ok I am going to change my stance,

Praising my Lord may give me another chance.

In His remembrance my heart will find rest,

Peace, serenity and success!

Between Asr and Magrib, I will make excessive Dua,

As during this time Dua’s are specially answered.

Maybe I’ll try smiling at the next person I see,

That’s easy and effortless continuous charity.

It’s Friday!

Now I know what I need to do,

Fun Filled Friday,

I love you!

“Each of you is a caretaker (ra’iy) and responsible for those under his care”

~ Bukhari, Muslim, Hadith 335 ~

Though Allah Subhaan Wa Ta'la has chosen men to have authority over women, every Muslim woman is a caretaker for those under her care, be it within the household, within education or in the work world—so develop the leadership skills within yourself to set an exemplary role to successfully reach every goal you set.

Image: Sergey Ivanov | Dreamstime.com

BY NADIA ALI

“Men are protectors of woman because Allah Ta'ala has given

them more strength and because they support them

from their means.” Al Qur’an, An-Nisaa (34)

1. Vision Be a person who can look beyond now, to a realistic goal and set a plan to obtain it. You may start with the things that are attainable and then reach for a bigger goal. When given a choice, choose the easiest option. There is no shame in doing this.

2. Motivational Be someone who can inspire others. Keep those whom you are responsible for motivated by giv-ing sincere praise, recognition and encouragement. Subhaan Allaah! Simple gratitude (shukr) for a job well done goes a long way.

3. Communication The ability to communicate effectively determines your value as leader. Always use an appropriate tone of voice, key the emotion when speaking and say it with authority, while still maintaining a connection. In turn, the ability to listen is equally important, as it helps to understand others, be supportive, provide feedback and gain more information. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was a mas-ter of communication—skillfully delivering the message of Islam to mankind.

4. Integrity Be known as a woman of integrity. It is the highest virtue of mankind. Live in accordance to Islam. Many will identify you with attributes such as trust (amanah), humility, being ethically, dependable and a person with high standards and reputation.

5. Mentoring

Muslim women are natural mentors—available and approachable, most of the time, particularly where their children are concerned. Giving help, support, encouragement and advice is part of a mother’s heart. The best of leaders are those who inspire others to be just like them simply by leading through example. Developing leadership skills will empower you by learning your own strengths and weaknesses. Even though nothing can equate to the leadership qualities of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who spread the word of Islam and is revered as a universal leader, inshaAllah, we can all aspire to be a better Muslim by awakening the leader within. We are all leaders in our own way.

“Set your face to the deen in sincerity which is Allah's

fitrah upon which He created mankind …” Al Qur’an, Al-Rum (30)

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Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists)

There are times when the most profound statements come from none other than my five-year-old daughter. Her words teach me great lessons and remind me of the innocence and understanding that Allah gifts within children. One night as I was laying her to sleep in her bed, she asked me a very deep question. ―Mama, how can I walk into Jannah barefoot?‖ I looked at her curiously and asked her what she meant by her question. ―Well, if we can’t take anything from this world to Jannah with us, then I will have to walk in there without my shoes,‖ she stated. I was dumbfounded and had to find the right words to say to her. ―Hmm, well you may be right, but what’s wrong with walking into Jannah barefoot?‖ I asked her sincerely. She looked at me anxiously and a little disheartened. ―Nothing is wrong with that, but I want to be able to take my toys and clothes and books with me to Jannah.‖ Oh. Now it all made sense to me. I had to remind myself that children are very literal, and this was her understanding of how we leave the duniya behind. I reminded her that what we have in this duniya is nothing compared to what is waiting for us in Jannah inshAllah. In turn, her words made me realize that the relationship we have with this duniya is only temporary, and there is no need to be attached to this world.

A perfect example of detaching oneself from this duniya is when one embarks on the great journey of Hajj. It is recommended that you tie all loose ends before you leave for Hajj. Any debt or financial obligations must be discharged and any outstanding differences with any person should be resolved. If you hurt anyone in your life, you should seek his/her forgiveness before leaving. You prepare for Hajj as if you will be meeting death. You perform the Hajj with the utmost simplicity where every person is considered equal regardless of one’s color, age, or status. The importance of this duniya is set aside at Hajj. The beloved Prophet Muhammad (S) stated, ―Live in this world as (if you are) a wayfarer (traveler) or a stranger‖ (Bukhari and Tirmidhi). In other words, the abode of this world is only for a short period of time, therefore man must continue his journey towards his real destination: the hereafter. Fatima (R) was the daughter of the Prophet (S). Her name means ―the one who is weaned.‖ We should look to her example, because she was ―weaned‖ from the duniya. She had no attachment to this world and lived her life in preparation of the hereafter. Our vision of the world should be the same as hers. It should be like the view of a bird in flight: distant enough to see a large scope of the world without actually being ―in‖ the world. In this way, if we live our life as a traveler, our shoes will wear off by themselves. We can then easily walk into Jannah with bare feet.

BY TAYYABA SYED

Image: Maureen Rigdon | Dreamstime.com

TAYYABA S. SYED A wife, mother, and writer. She is also a certified substitute teacher and teaches on a part-time

basis. She has written for numerous publications including the *Chicago Crescent Newspaper*, *Azizah Magazine*, and *Muslim Quarterly Magazine*. She has been featured on air with National Public Radio's "Speaking of Faith" program as well as Soundvision's Radio Islam. She also does public speaking on marriage and family for Muslim women. She is a lead volunteer for the Refugee Assistance Program (RAP) as well as Camp Busy Bees in Illinois. She finds inspiration for her work through her wonderful family and community. Visit her blog at www.tayyabasyed.blogspot.com

Do you remember in the second grade when you got your first A on a spelling test and just could-n’t wait to show your parents? Remember when mom would put it up on the refrigerator door so that everyone can see how great you did? Or when your parents came to your first orchestra concert and were so proud to see you playing on stage. It was

the greatest feeling. Every time you did something good or achieved an accomplishment, nothing was more rewarding than the happiness of pleasing those whom you love and care about most. As a child, these small things would make us feel proud and strong. What about your friend who didn’t do as well as you? In situations like this, many children are

unintentionally too concerned with themselves and fail to notice how others feel. We never realized that in some way, unintentionally others would get discouraged and would even envy us for it. In our teen years, we start to become aware of this, and become full with pride that may or may not be deliberately bestowed on your close friends or family.

As we get older, we don’t realize that this pride we were taught to have as children could turn us into something dreadful and dangerous. It has the power to ruin everything that we as Muslims stand for. Because it’s not so noticeable, we don’t look at it as a big deal or realize that it is something bad for us. This pride we share is something that remains

active within our daily lives, and travels with us everywhere we go. It could be shown by the way we treat each other, or simply in the way we dress. For example, there are so many of us that are proud to be of a certain background and share a common culture. Unintentionally, we favor those who are most similar to us. When we single each other out

and make our Muslim brothers or sisters uncomfortable, this is very hazardous. As Muslims, we should be the most diverse and respectful of people. We must embed understanding in our hearts. Imagine if we replaced our nationality with our deen (religion). What if we replaced that sense of pride with humbleness? Humble in the way we practice Islam, humble in the way we present ourselves when doing righteous acts, and humble when treating one another with respect and fulfilling our duties of giving/ returning the peace or Salaam.

“Indeed, they who have believed and done

righteous deeds and humbled themselves to

their Lord - those are the companions of

Paradise; they will abide eternally

therein” (Quran 11:23) The smallest things can help you attain so many blessings. SubhanAllah. For instance, at the masjid, you might notice a young brother or sister

who is trying to read Quran and you hear them reciting it improperly. If you know the correct way to read/recite, the best thing to do in this situation is to help them in a sincere and kind manner. This is the difference between those who have pride versus those who are humble. In college, you make a lot of new friends with people who might have shared the same experiences as you. There are many different Muslims you become in touch with and can practice your deen with while on campus. Every time you pass by or encounter those whom you know, you should stop to say hello. Do you ever notice all the Muslims on campus or in the public who pass by each other

without any acknowledgment of each other? Who so ever thinks that when they pass a Muslim brother or sister they aren’t deserving of the peace, or Salaam?

"And turn not your face away from men with

pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth.

Verily, Allah likes not each arrogant

boaster.” (Quran 31:18)

Giving or returning Salaam to another Muslim in this life is something obligatory and ordered by Allah swt for us to do. Islam is a religion of peace. When someone who is proud to be a Muslim sees

another brother or sister, they are likely to greet them with salaam, purely for the sake of Allah swt. If for some reason the Salaam isn’t returned to you, it is okay because it is given for the sake of Allah swt. It is not hard to convert your feeling of pride to acts of righteousness and modesty. Sure, you won’t get any stickers or a tap on the back from mom anymore, but instead you will be pleasing Allah swt. May Allah bless us in being humble to Him, and guide us on the straight path, Ameen! Jazakum Allahu Khairun for reading.

E-mail writer Amani Zidan at Amani.Zidan@yahoo.com

“And the servants of the Beneficent Allah are they who walk on the earth

in humbleness, and when the ignorant address them, they say:

Peace.” (25:63) BY AMANI ZIDAN Image: Yanik Chauvan | Dreamstime.com

Ingredients - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 ½ pounds chicken breast with ribs (about two breasts) - 1 small onion, diced - 1 green bell pepper, diced - 1 red bell pepper, diced - 3-4 roasted garlic cloves, whole - ½ cup diced carrots - 1 sweet potato, peeled and roughly chopped - 6 cups water - 1 cup sweet corn - 1 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped

Directions -In a large Dutch oven or stock pot, heat the oil and add the chicken. Cook to brown on each side, about 5 minutes per side. - Add the onion and peppers and sauté until brown and softened. Add the garlic, carrots and sweet potato and brown on each side, about 2 minutes. Add the water and bring pot to a boil. - Reduce heat to medium and cook for 30 minutes, uncovered. - Remove chicken from pot and allow to cool. Remove all bones and thin out the chicken meat to desired thickness. Add back to the pot, and add the corn and cilantro. Cover and cook for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are soft in the center.

Image: Lori Martin | Dreamstime.com

Image: Ron Chappele Studios | Dreamstime.com

You might think chicken soup has to have some sort of noodles and the trio of carrot, parsley and celery (mirepoix). This Brazilian soup offers a little more than that, with hearty and comforting tropical flavors from bell peppers,

garlic, sweet potatoes and cilantro.

Serves 6-8

BY YVONNE MAFFEI

Ingredients - 1 tablespoon extra virgin coconut oil - 1/3 cup yellow onion, diced - 1 pound large shrimp, peeled - 4 roasted garlic cloves, cut in half lengthwise - ¼ cup tomato, diced - ½ cup green pepper, diced - 1 cup medium-grain rice - 1 cup fresh coconut flakes - 2 cups water - cilantro sprigs, roughly chopped - 1 avocado, thinly sliced

Directions 1. Heat coconut oil in a large sauté pan. Add onions and

cook until translucent. 2. Add the shrimp and cook to brown on each side. Add

the garlic and tomato. Sauté until the tomatoes have released their juices. Add the green pepper and any more oil, if necessary.

3. Add the rice and stir into the vegetables and shrimp. Add the coconut flakes and water.

4. Bring water to a boil. Immediately reduce heat and cover. Cook for 20 minutes, or until all rice has fully cooked.

5. Serve with fresh cilantro and avocado slices on top. Soup, salad or meat entrees pair nicely with this dish.

Image: Terry Poche | Dreamstime.com

This dish is full of tropical flavor, coming out of the coastal region of Brazil. If you don't like shrimp, chicken is a nice sub-stitute. For a vegetarian dish, replace meat with a hearty tropical vegetable such as squash or okra. For a nice caramelized

flavor, be sure meat and/or vegetables are dried before adding to the pan—otherwise, they will steam and release water into the dish.

Serves 4

Ingredients - olive oil spray - 4 bananas - ½ cup dark coffee - 1 tablespoon raw cane sugar - 1 teaspoon cinnamon - 1 teaspoon no-alcohol vanilla extract - whipped cream - roughly chopped cashew nuts

Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 400° 2. Spray a glass baking dish with olive oil. Cut the bananas

in half lengthwise. 3. In a small bowl, mix the coffee, sugar, cinnamon and

vanilla extract. Pour on top of the bananas. 4. Bake for 15 minutes, or until mixture begins to bubble

and caramelize. Remove from oven and place in small, individual plates. Top with whipped cream and chopped nuts and serve while warm

Image Credit: Serhiy Shullye | Dreamstime.com

Bananas make for great dessert fruits, especially when paired with flavorful ingredients from the Caribbean and Latin America. This recipe is ridiculously easy and quick. I think it's perfect for surprise guests because most people have the

ingredients readily available tucked away somewhere in their kitchen cabinets.

Serves 4

Photo courtesy Halal culinary

expert, Yvonne Maffei

Email your question to info@mbmuslima.com

We will make sure it gets answered in our next issue,

just for you!

Jazakum Allah khairan!

Feature* Q&A with Halal Culinary Expert,

Yvonne Maffei from My Halal Kitchen!

*Special

Brazilian Recipes Courtesy of Yvonne Maffei from My Halal Kitchen

―Love in a Headscarf: Muslim Woman Seeks The One,‖by Shelina Zahra Janmohamed is a light-hearted, real-life take on the typical dilemma faced by young Muslim women in the West – searching for the right Muslim man, the right Muslim way. The author is a young British Muslim woman, who tells us that ―at the age of thirteen, I knew I was destined to marry John Travolta. One day he would arrive on my North London doorstep, fall madly in love with me, and ask me to marry him. Then he would convert to Islam and become a devoted Muslim.‖ A few years later down the line, however, and John Travolta still hasn’t shown up for the great samosa-serving rishta (potential bridegroom) ritual! For every girl whose guilty pleasure is chick lit, ―Love in a Headscarf‖ is a guilt-free and completely halaal way to indulge. The book, however, is more than just a fluffy giggle-inducing tale; Shelina skilfully narrates her anecdotes while weaving in brief explanations of the tenets of Islam and components of Muslim cultures in a way that makes the book appealing and approachable to both Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Shelina chronicles her quest for the One from begin-ning to end, from her first arranged meeting at the age of 19, to the experimental attempts at ―Muslim speed dating,‖ and finally, even online matchmaking websites. Readers can both sympathize with and chuckle at her descriptions of the various characters she meets during her quest: disdainful Samir who hates books, perfect Jameel who left the choice of his future bride up to his mother (who of course has not approved of anyone yet), Habib who was still emotionally scarred by his parents’ divorce five years ago and terrified of making a commitment that might end the same way, breathlessly attractive yet disinterested Karim... Considering all of the above, yet still yearning for something more – for That Feeling – Shelina struggles to compromise between the well-meaning, earnest advice of Buxom Aunties, Serious Imams, and her own wise parents, and the romantic

dreams that every young woman has of finding the One. Commendably, she doesn’t allow the marriage hunt to overwhelm her life. Concluding that Allah in His Wisdom has a reason for not delivering Prince Charming into her lap, she goes about the business of life. Worshipping Allah, studying, travelling, navigating the tangled paths of cultural identity, and, of course, dreaming of the One... Sheilina shares stories of what it’s like to be a young Muslim woman in the West, dealing with the aftermath of 9/11 and struggling against stereotypes from both within and without the Muslim community. Good girls don’t climb mountains, she’s told when she sets out to scale Mount Kilimanjaro. At the same time, her hijaab seems to turn off a lot of potential suitors. What’s up with that? She questions traditional conditions, believing in the values but not necessarily the ways in which a girl is supposed to main-tain her reputation. After all, what’s wrong with a girl getting a sports car? Shelina’s quest for halaal love ends up the way such things always do: determined by the Qadr (Destiny) of Allah, both Prince and Princess appear in the right place at the right time, destined to meet. With the blessing of faith and family, Shelina Zahra Janmohamed marries her Prince Charming... and so begins her Happily Ever After.

AnonyMouse (UmmKhadijah) is a young Muslimah who has been writing Islamic articles for the last four years. Formerly a co-founder, staff member, and writer for MuslimMatters.org, she now writes for SISTERS magazine.

Translation Credit: http://noblequran.com/translation/index.html

Transliteration Credit: http://www.islambasics.com/view.php?bkID=30&chapter=18

Photographer: Sameh Abdallah

www.samabdallah.com

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Read Up On His Hobby “For the times you think your husband spends way too much time on a hobby, consider

your own favorite past-time and the kind of joy it gives you. Read up on his hobby to gain a better understanding of what makes your husband tick. If possible, ask him for a per-sonalized lesson; your interest will excite and please him. You can choose whether you want to be a proud wife, or a disgruntled one."

These tips are so simple to implement yet result in such beautiful,

long-lasting results. Guaranteed! (inshaAllah)

Brought to you every month by talented Marriage Coach, Fatima A. Khan Visit Fatima at www.LifePepper.org

Boost your Marriage BY FATIMA KHAN

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WORDS EXPLAINED FOR THE NON-MUSLIM

InshaAllah Simply translated from Arabic to English,

InshaAllah means „God willing‟. This is a very commonly used

phrase, as Muslims believe God has power over everything.

MashaAllah Simply translated from Arabic to English ,

MashaAllah means 'Whatever Allah (God) wills'. Often, it is

used as an expression of delight or achievement.

JazakAllah khairan Simply translated from Arabic to

English, jazakAllah khairun means „May Allah reward you for

the good”. This is commonly used to thank someone or to

acknowledge someone‟s effort.

SubhanAllah In Arabic, SubhanAllah means „Glorious is

Allah”. This is used when praising God. It is also commonly

used as a exclamation like “Wow!”.

Masjid The Masjid is simply the Arabic word for Mosque.

Many Muslims refer to the Mosque as a Masjid. Masjids are

primarily used for Salah (Prayer)

Jummah prayer The Friday prayer services that Muslims

attend weekly.

SWT: Subhana wa’ta3la Arabic Praise used after the name

of Allah meaning „glorious and exalted is He”

Hijab Headscarf prescribed to Muslim women for modesty

purposes

Shahadah Declaration of Islamic faith.

Assalamu Alaykum May peace be unto you.