The Islamic Bulletin Newsletter Issue No. 19

Page 3 The Islamic Bulletin Issue 19 do not realize the significance of hijab. Hijab is Arabic for protection and cover. Some people put a lot effort into their hijab, yet it serves no purpose. I am referring to the pointless hijab that some girls wear. The first pointless hijab is referred to as the headband hijab. It is a band of fabric approximately 4 inches wide. It covers the back of the head and allows all the hair to be exposed. It doesn’t serve much in terms of modesty, but at least it comes in handy in case of an unexpected tennis match. The second pointless hijab is the dupetta, also known as the Saran wrap hijab. It covers all the hair, but it is totally transparent. Again it doesn’t serve much in terms of modesty, but it keeps the hair nice and fresh. The third type of hijab is known as the Mickey Mouse Hijab. It is when a girl wears a black scarf and tucks it behind her ear, so that her ears stick out. We now move to my favorites: The yo-yo hijabs. The first yo-yo hijab, also known as the Benazir Bhutto hijab, is the scarf that keeps falling down and needs to be constantly pulled back up.... up, down, up, down, just like a yo-yo. The second yo-yo hijab is also referred to as the convertible hijab. This type of hijab is predominant at any type of social event, i.e. an Aqeeqah, Bismillah party, wedding, etc. This is when an Imam or Qari starts to recite Qur’an. At this point, all the convertible hijabs come up...until he says “Sadaqallahul atheem”. I’m not sure, but apparently in some cultures that translates to “ok sisters, you may now take off your scarves”. I’m sure this may seem odd, but what’s even funnier is when people do not anticipate the recitation of Qur’an at a social event, and are forced to be creative and use accessories such as a purse to cover one’s hair. I was surprised to see a woman hold her purse over her head as “hijab”...as if the multitudes of men surrounding her were not a good enough reason to wear hijab, but some guy reciting du’a compels her to hold a purse over her head. Her friends were more creative...one used her dinner napkin. I also saw the communal hijab - two or more girls draped under one dinner napkin during the recitation of Qur’an. Her other friend was more creative. She used her coffee saucer on the back of her head. I wasn’t sure if it was hijab or a Yamaka. And, people should remember that hijab is not just a protection from guys, but from a girl’s nafs (ego) as well. It should prevent girls from having to spend hours in front of the mirror doing her hair. But, unfortunately, you see girls in front of the mirror for hours doing their hijab as they would do their hair, with all sorts of elaborate braids and the like. I wanted to go up to a sister and say “Is your hijab naturally curly?” I also felt compelled to go up to another girl and say “pardon me, but is your hijab naturally that color, or did you dye it?” Well, the point to remember is that some people make an effort to wear hijab, but it is futile, because it is not fulfilling its purpose. It’s like using an umbrella with holes in it. Hijab is used for protection from guys as well as from the girl herself, and should not be used as an accessory or for beautifying one’s self. Anyway, that’s it. If anyone disagrees with me or is offended, then you are disagreeing with the teachings of Allah subhanahu wa Ta’ala. - A Reader Response: Dear Brother, Asalamu Aleikum I’d like to thank you for sending in this poem (?). We always welcome entertaining and thought-provoking material. I agree with you that hijab is an important topic for Muslims. However, it is important to note that, like other aspects of Islam, wearing hijab is often part of growth and development. This can be a gradual process that takes different amounts of time for each sister. May Allah help everyone in this process. - The Editor Dear Readers, Thanks to all of you who have given us encouragement to continue with the Islamic Bulletin. It takes much dedicated effort, time, and skill to produce this publication. In 1991, we began the formidable job of compiling mosque locations for California with driving directions. In this issue, we have included the new updated edition and the prayer schedule for the whole year. Please continue to support our efforts and invite all to visit the Islamic Bulletin website at www.islamicbulletin.com, where you will be able to: LISTEN to & READ the Holy Qur’an, in ARABIC. Listen to & READ the TRANSLATION of The Meaning Of The Holy Qur’an in 17 languages. Research hadith such as Bukhari, Muslim, and others. Listen to a live radio station from Mecca. Watch Islamic videos. Read about the biography about The Prophet (pbuh) Learn “How To Become Muslim” in Spanish or English. Check daily prayer schedules. Find prayer locations around the world. Read activities and stories for children. View The Islamic Bulletin’s past and present issues. We hope that you will visit our website soon! Black Seeds Dear Editor, Your web site is a blessing to have and it makes me feel good to find information about Islam so well put together. I read the article about the Black Seed Oil from your bulletin and wanted to share this with you. Br. Shakir Al-Thenyan, was given a fewmonths to live due to a brain tumor. He left the US and went to live his last few weeks in Saudi Arabia. There he began using the following black seed treatment. By the grace of Allah (SWT) he is cured now. Here’s the recipe. Please share it with others. - 1/2 kg pure honey - 3 large tablespoons of black seed - Head of garlic 1. Grind garlic & black seed. 2. Mix well with honey. Each morning take a medium sized spoonful from the above mix and take one “myrrh” size of a coffee seed and another piece of “asafetida” (in Arabic it is called “helteet”) the size of an adas seed. Drink mixture with a cup of fresh cold milk. Continue this for 3 months and may Allah give the cure.

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