Recently, there have been some controversies among some sisters l watched on YouTube on whether Hijab is a choice or Allah’s commandment. I have heard many stories that are touching from our sisters. Some have been seen removing their Hijabs in broad daylight while they claimed Hijab is a choice one can make and not be forced on anyone. I have also seen a terrible situation with the same Hijab worn by a non-believer who wanted us to go to hell no matter our concerns.

Sincerely, it is important to admit the fact that the Hijab isn’t an easy task for some of our sisters in the deen, as such, those who are fortunate among us to wear the Hijab as ordered by Allah should count ourselves lucky. We all started somewhere, and that’s the more reason why l appreciate any sister l see in the Hijab, no matter the size of it. The fact that you begin to use it gives you credit from Allah and indeed an honor from men.

Hijab isn’t just a choice you can make. You can’t choose to wear it. Hijab is one aspect of our deen as Muslimahs that is crucial and never to be misunderstood as a mere choice. Of course, we all have a choice to choose to work hard and gain Allah’s pleasure and mercy and enter Jannah as our final abode. We also have a choice to ignore the true calls of Prophethood and enter Jahannam (Na’udubillah min dhaalik). The choice is ours. But, it should be well understood that Hijab is a commandment, an order from Allah Azza Wa Jal.

If you happen not to be a wearer of the Hijab at the moment and you want to start wearing it, it is imperative to know what Allah and Rasoolullah say about Hijab and the commandment and purify your intention. That way, you already have ample knowledge of your initial thought and the rationale for wanting to choose to please Allah and your soul. So, it will be easy to know the gravity of taking it off afterward.

As Muslimahs, we are not to follow the crowd and encourage evil, but we should know where we stand and have true knowledge of what we do. We should be able to defend our honor and pride anywhere and at any moment. We shouldn’t also blame anyone, but it’s important to pray for them and seek Allah’s aid for not going astray ourselves.

As for those sisters, who have taken off their Hijabs (big or small), l advise you to renew your intention and seek more knowledge of your deen. Perhaps obeying Allah’s order may be your means of Jannah, little do you know. Seek help from Allaah, and choose a good companion. Read and listen to those who are calling you to goodness and always remember the severity of Allah’s punishment when we go out of orders. Also, remember how merciful Allah is when we obey his orders. May Allah rectify our affairs.

Yaa Muqallibal Quloob Thabit Quluubana ‘Alaa Deenik.
“Oh turner of the hearts (Allah, the Highest), keep our hearts firm on your religion“

Umm Sumayyah Mai
June 17th, 2020

Many things can make people lose faith without knowing it.

If you are the type that only calls on Allah during difficulty, you may likely forget to exercise patience when the trial strikes you.

If you are the one who loves Dunyah more than Deen, you may likely start to lose your faith when you are put to the test.

If you are the one who is always ungrateful, and not contented, you may lose your faith when the fortunes are taken away from you.

If you are the one who never thanks Allah for peace and harmony in your marriage, you may tend to lose your faith when marital conflict surfaces.

If you are the one who loves people more than Allah and His prophet, you may lose your faith when something happens to them.

If you are the type who put people before Allah, Yes, you may lose your faith when they turn their back on you.

So, be grateful at all times.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

Often time when we see children who grew up in a well-nurtured Islamic home, it takes little time to know such children are raised upon the Sunnah of Islam and the book of Allah (Al-Qu’ran). They are easily differentiated by the knowledge bestowed upon them by Allah. The efforts of their parents are prominent and their sacrifices are rewarded.

The truth is that everything comes with hard work and prayers. We are to tire our camel and ask Allah for protection afterward. It’s very important to make a solid plan and know how to shoot your shot. It’s imperative to start well, not starting well brings about regret. Do all it takes to choose the right spouse for your humble self and plan well for your children. Tell yourself l want to raise the best children on earth. I want to raise a Shayk who will follow pristine Islam and guides others to the truth. A son who will sleep and wake up with the Quran. I want to raise a Muslimah who will follow in the footsteps of the great Sahabiyyats.

I want to raise children who will remember me in my grave. I want to raise better children with good manners and excellent characters. I want to raise children who will raise the best children upon the Deen Al-Islam.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

I watched the video clip of today’s court judgment of the late Timothy’s case that almost tear social media apart some years ago, and l concluded that indeed the judgment of Allah is more severe than that. The pain and agony of the hellfire couldn’t be imagined. May Allah save us from entering hellfire.

So, my take on the issue is to take care of my affairs with Allah, both inwardly and outwardly – my meeting with Him and to prepare for what to expect when l finally return to my LORD. To continue to seek His face and always ask for forgiveness for all my horrible, terrible sins which are filled to the brim. So help me, Allah.

The life of Dunya is temporary and It’s always important to remember that you will not live here forever. So, tread carefully; and do not wrong your sister. If she didn’t get her judgment in this life, she will get it from you on the day of judgment. Know what you do and say behind your fellow sisters’ backs before death overtakes you, and you’d regretted you wronged a sister who doesn’t even know you exist. May Allah make us among His sincere ones.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

Regardless of who the person is, always show kindness towards others. It beautifies you as a person and brings light to your face and heart.

I entered the store yesterday after a long drive to Washington DC with two of my girls. Upon entering, l think we have picked one or two items and we were going to the other side for the rest of the things we needed only for us to see a man whose items were dropping and scattering on the floor from the shopping cart. I immediately informed Sumayyah to go get the items from the back while l helped picked up from the front. My other daughter who was pushing the cart behind us immediately stopped the cart and joined in the process.

We were surprised when the man said ‘Tasleem’ to us and he further said Jazakhumllahu Khyran. More shocking was when he asked ‘Sumayyah’, do you go to Al-Huda School? My son does too. Perhaps, this is due to the uniform she had on. I was wowed, to say the least. So, this man is a Muslim, and also a parent in my children’s school as well. What a life! What an act of kindness! What a good act toward others!

Yes, we didn’t know he was a Muslim, and neither do we know his son attended the same school as my children. Indeed, all actions are by intention. And you will be rewarded for things you do solely for Allah. You do not have to know people’s status, religion, or personality before helping them. So, it was a ‘Muslim helping a Muslim’ thing for us yesterday. And we were proud of ourselves. We were happy to render help regardless. We got home and narrated the story to the remaining children and l told my kids, always be there to help others. It pays in both worlds.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

After Fajr today, l decided that we do not follow the timetable for our usual post-fajr book reading. So, l discussed some other important matters with the kids. I started with “Kushoo” in prayer. Knowing that Allah is watching you, placing paradise on your right side, and hellfire on the left, that the Angel of death may take your soul in the process. And that it may be your last prayer on earth. Furthermore, l told them the importance of praying Tahjudd, asking Allah for everything you want in Dunya and Akhirah in your Sujud. The manners and method of using Ayat al Kursi. The belief is that once you put your trust in Allah, all your problems are not just half solved but completely solved. I told them the importance of being grateful to the one who does them well. I told them to cultivate the habit of being grateful to Allah, and anyone who does them good at least on three different occasions. Thanking him on the spot. Texting him the following day and the day that follows. An ungrateful person is an evil person. I also told them anytime they visit anyone, they shouldn’t go without having a gift handy. Gifts may include giving them money or buying foodstuffs or fruits as the case may be. It increases love and it shows how kind you are. May Allah make our children the coolness of our eyes.

Umm Sumayyah Mai
June 11, 2022