Bismillahi Al Rahamnir Raheem from Pixie of Beautiful Muslimah

As salaam alaykom ramatullah wa barakto,

My nickname in the blogger world is Pixie, and I am a Western convert/revert to Islam. You may remember me from my old blogs, "Beautiful Muslimah", and "The Bride Wears Hijab". I started my very first blog "Beautiful Muslimah" because I wanted to present to the world what hijab was to me, and anything else in my Islamic journey that interested me. Why, of all Islamic subjects, did I start with hijab? It isn't one of the most important things to learn, you know, when it comes to the order of things one should know in Islam. Tauhid, and prayer, and modesty of actions are certainly more important.

I started with hijab, because it is the first thing that identifies us as Muslims. It shouldn't be, because piety isn't contained in fabric (I'd rather be known by praying five times a day and giving sadaqah). But as a convert/revert with non-muslim parents and co-workers I can say assuredly that hijab is often the first thing people see as a change in you, when you become a Muslim and start to fulfill your religious obligations. They don't seem to care so much if you pray five times a day, but a headscarf, even if worn incorrectly, make it ironically obvious that yes, you are a Muslim, for better or worse.
 
I am a proud Muslimah, and I am proud of my hijab. I chose the subject of hijab to be the first subject I studied in depth in Islam because it was the most obvious to non-muslims, and one of the most misunderstood among Muslims themselves. Going to any particular Masjid, one will see various ways of wearing a headscarf to fulfill the Islamic obligation of "khimar", girls with or without abayas, and different opinions on the obligation of face covering, and the wearing of high heel shoes, socks, and gloves. Muslimahs themselves seem a bit of a mess, in what is or what isn't Islamic hijab, confusing it with cultural interpretations, rather than clear-cut Islamic ones. Some of the cultural interpretations lead to non-muslim impressions of hijab being an oppression, rather than the right and the freedom that hijab is for the Muslim woman.
I love the peace, liberation, and beauty of my hijab because I had the freedom to choose it. My religion is Islam and the Qu'ran asks of me to dress in loose fitting clothes that do not speak of social or economical status so that I will not be judged for my appearence, or so that others will not judge their own negatively by a standard I could set to make them feel ashamed, and to pull my headress down so that it covers my chest so that I might be recognized as a believing woman. I do not support extremists who would force women to veil or hijab who do not love Allah subhanhu wa t'ala or feel the freedom of it, and who would have us be voiceless shadows in world where it is illegal to laugh in public. Nor do I wish to compromise my hijab into what might pass for fashion in this life, compromising my morals and values, and selling my appearence before the ideals of my intelligence and beliefs to other people. There is a balance. Allah subhanhu wa t'ala is beautiful and loves beauty. Hijab isn't supposed to uglify a woman but its essence is that true beauty is sought after, not flaunted, and first and foremost hijab is an obedience and testament of love for Allah subhanhu wa t'ala. Just as we would dress to please those that we love, we should dress in a way that pleases our Creator, for if we love others, surely we should love more the One who made those that we love, and brought them into our lives, and made us in a form that would love them? Love for Allah subhanhu wa t'ala is embodied by a love and understanding of hijab. I guess one could say.
"I moved back to Oman, after a short stint in UAE, only to notice that sometimes it is harder to wear Islamic hijab here than abroad. Your're shunned occasionally due to your beliefs because of the movement that "everything needs to be more modern and open". ALso, due to a lack of modest clothing other than a particular style of black abaya women, many GCC women are growing more restless and are opting to remove the veil or act without hijab in their actions even if they DO wear the abaya/niqab. It was disheartening. I would like to show thtere is a middle-ground, and a truly Islamic life doesn't mean being restricted in the slightest". -Pixie
That has been my goal with previous blogs, "Beautiful Muslimah" and "Bride Wears Hijab" and so I will continue to use this blog as a place for us to share style advice about Islamic dress. It will also be a place for to share anything that interests me, from Islamic to personal topics. I'd ideally like this blog to be a place to help those who struggle to keep hijab on their heads and in their hearts, but those, and take people beyond a piece of fabric, to the more important issues facing the ummah, and indeed, all mankind. Together we have to fight the stereo-types of suppression and terrorism with patience, understanding that Allah subhanu wa ta'ala meant for us beauty in balance with our modesty, and hearts to teach. Beauty that is faith in everything beautiful, and noble and good. Beauty that is embodied by those characteristics, and expressed through modest Islamic dress. Of course, practically speaking, as I am a disorganized and constantly evolving perosn, and I don't expect this blog to ammount to anything greater than an amalgamation of my own journey in learning, and likes, dislikes, and personal experiences.

Love you all for the sake of Allah subhanu wa ta'ala

-Pixie

Comments

Anonymous said…
Dear Pixie,
I'm so glad to have such beautiful sistas like you, who have so nice ideas. Mash'Allah! I love Hishma and I also love your blog. May you do well with your new blog!
I love this post very beautiful words pixie :)
BARAN said…
salams dear sister.I could feel very well how hijab is a main object for them to judge us,muslimah.for me studying in a former soviet union country.its great enough if we could at least make them understand y should we cover.
Yasemin said…
Pixie,

I love the blog layout and this beautiful post. Thank you for making hijab and the freedom in wearing it such a beautiful thing. Updating my links now :) Love you!
love it! mashaAllah
can't wait to see more from this blog inshaAllah
may Allah aid us to all which is good! ameen!
Anonymous said…
salaam...great post and blog...bravo
Asha said…
Salaam Sister Pixie,

MasyaAllah I love the new blog and am looking forward to read more posts by you & other sisters!

~ You go girls!! :D

May Allah reward all of you for your efforts!
on345667755 said…
beautiful words sis, i look forward to seeing what is to come in the future. :) Sakeenah
Anonymous said…
Thanks for another interesting post and blog. I look forward to seeing what else is to come.
Nour
Anonymous said…
Salam...

I'm your new reader...
Alhamdulillah, already read your old blog : beautiful muslimah.

May i ask something?
The pictures in the first posting - is that your picture, i mean yourself?
Pixie said…
Hijabella: Me too, I am glad to have you as my sister in Islam.:D So salaam alaykom ramatullah wa barakato.
Pixie said…
Cecilia: Jazzakallah kheiran. I hope that we can all understand our hijabs so that love of them becomes second nature.
Pixie said…
BARAN: I heard there are so many who threaten your safety in the former Soviet states just for wearing hijab so may Allah S.W.T make it easy for you! Ameen.
Pixie said…
Lisa: I love you too sister and will start following you new blog as soon as my widgets let me. Blogger is iffy with me. As for the layout you have noooooooooooooo idea how hard it was to edit the html since that is acting up. Grrrr:D Take care little big sis.
Pixie said…
Lazeena Um Yusuf: Salaam alaykom sister. Insha'Allah. You have a great blog too. I like to read yours whenever I am able to.
Pixie said…
Nanusa: Salaam alaykom sis! I don't know for sure yet when I am able to go to KSA but inshaAllah I can visit you when I go.
Pixie said…
Asha: Jazzakallah kheiran. I have to see if you have a blog:D
Pixie said…
Sakeenah: Salaam alaykom ramatullah wa barakto sister. HOW HAVE YOU BEEN?!:D
Pixie said…
Nour: InshaAllah. Jazzakallah kheiran for your kind words of encouragement sister.
Pixie said…
Baity: Salaam alaykom ramatullah wa barakto. If I do post my picture I am not going to let anyone know:D A Muslim woman has the right to let her beliefs and ideals and actions be her identity. I don't want my picture to be used for any bad purposes you know? But that woman at the window is not me.
Aïsha said…
Assalamoualeikoum sister!
I'm a new reader french convert hijabi of your blog.I have see your previous blog beautiful muslima and i love it! I will follow your new blog with pleasure and improve my english thank you and sorry for my language mistakes.
all the best
Melissa said…
Lovely post! I really enjoyed reading it!
Anonymous said…
omg pixie!!! wow amazing new blog! i can't wait for u to get posting on here. I actually really need to go through mine and start getting some better posts up. I'm so sad too about the state of hijab but inshalla with the help of Allah and each other we will get through all of this with shining stars! Actually this is pretty sad but I get a LOT of encouragement from men. AND ESPECIALLY NON-RELIGIOUS men. I dont know why but they always always always complement and give me support and somehow it shows me that although they don't care enough to follow Islam they still value and believe in the teachings. So dont be upset about the state of hijab. Perservere honey because there are girls all over doing the same thing and i trully believe that deep down lots of ppl agree with what we are doing they just want to have *fun* in life and dont realize what they are really doing to themselves. Iono, its only my opinion. Good luck girl. love u

janan
on345667755 said…
:) ive been good alhamdulilah, as you have probably already noticed im not on facebook any more. its addictive and ive got alot on my plate already with out sitting on face book waiting for people to write on my wall lol. anyway we just got our internet connected at our new house so thats why i have been MIA lately. hope you've been well inshallah. also send my salams to Aalia :)
on345667755 said…
woops sorry just realised i didnt reply your salam.... Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatu Allah wa barakatuh :D
Anonymous said…
assalam aleykom Pixie!
MashaAllah!i love Your blog. I read Beautiful Muslimah frequently and will continue doing so in here, inshaAllah.

May Allah bless You!
Aisha
Asalaamu `alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakato!!

Bismillah--

OMG Pixieeee yay!!! Your new Blog is up!! MabroOoOoooK!!!

Can't wait to see more posts :-D

Hayyach Allah <3
Ammoorraah said…
Salaamualaikum!!

mashaallah! sis wallah i have never seen a blog for muslim women better than this. u give ur dawah with daleel and what can be better?! mashaallah keep up the good work and jazakaallahu khair for all the effort u put into shedding light on the hijab and islam period.
Anonymous said…
Very nice <3
Anonymous said…
salam alaykum sister, what a lovely blog masha'allah..

when i was looking for this blog, i did a quick google search to find it, i couldnt remember the address, and i got a url up for another ilovehishma blog

http://ilovehishma.blogspot.com/

any ways i like this blog and i am looking forward to reading more insha'Allah
Anonymous said…
salam alaykum sister, what a lovely blog masha'allah..

when i was looking for this blog, i did a quick google search to find it, i couldnt remember the address, and i got a url up for another ilovehishma blog

http://ilovehishma.blogspot.com/

any ways i like this blog and i am looking forward to reading more insha'Allah
Pixie said…
Sakeenah: Salaam alaykom!!:D Don't worry. Missed ya.
Pixie said…
Aisha: Salaam alaykom! Yay, thanks for following me over to this blog from the old one.
Pixie said…
Aalia: Took you long enough:D Wa alaykom e salaam ramatullah wa barakto!:P Jazzakallah kheiran. Yes, this and a girl's guide will now be my two main blogs.
Pixie said…
Ammoorrah: Jazzakallah kheiran. i hope sisters find the shopping links an dtips useful., InshaAllah!
Pixie said…
Minty: yes, that is the old ILOVEHISHMA blog. And InshaAllah the ILOVEHISHMA online boutique website will be up soon, inshaAllah so i can start making sets for it!:D
sarah said…
Salam alikom sister.
I found this blog searching for dress patterns but i just wanted to stop by and leave a comment also... It's just not good to be wearing hijab as a way of consealing yourself, respecting Allah and what He commanded in the Quran and as a way of peing pure and chaste, and in the same time then wearing makeup which will draw attention to you. Or those tight jeans? I find it a bit odd and it is against Islam to practice that kinda behaviour... Hope you don't take offense, we sisters must support each other in Islam so just think of my words as an advice to really think before you action. Regards, Sarah
Pixie said…
SaraH: Salaam alaykom. Make up was never made haraam to wear out of the home but I agree it can be worn in such a manner that it is tabaruuj and it is safest not to wear any if one is uncertain. Also, I wasn't advocated tight jeans at all. This post speaks out against that kind of behaviour. Good advice though. Jazzakallah kheiran. Please try to comment on a picture specifically, or what is written in the comment, if offering constructive criticism so no one can misunderstand what is meant. My post is against tight jeans and flashing leg like the Saudi girl is in the pic. Anyways... thanks for stopping by,
-Pixie
Anonymous said…
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullaah wa barakatuh sister Pixie

Have been lurking your blog, lol.
Love it much.

Warm greeting and love from Indonesia :)

Wassalamu alaikum.