Dear Readers...

Have an amazing weekend! Happy New Year! 

Dear Readers...

Gratitude List: Happy Friday December 21st 2013

Have a wonderful day today folks! Here are the 5 things I am grateful for lately! Don't forget to share yours as well inshallah :)

Please email me so I can submit your list on this blog inshallah! 


Alhamdoolilah for....

For all the Mothers out there....

There can be so much more added to this list right ladies? Don't forget the single mommies like muah out there:

Adventures with Sousou: A day at the beach.

Salams folks! 

Everyday, several times a day she asks to go to the beach. Especially before she goes to sleep. It is her favorite word I think.

I usually laugh and tell her there is no such thing as beach anymore after Sandy! Truth is, it is even more beautiful than ever, we only have to scale the dismantled boardwalk. 

Business Planning Chapter 6: Quick overview of my business journey so far

Salam wa alaykum folks! 

This is the sixth chapter of my business planning series. If you have not been keeping up with them, or are new to this blog, let me try to break it down for you!

Habits to Live by: Proving People Wrong! (dealing with naysayers)

My sister knows someone by the name of N who works with her. N apparently came out one day, shyly admitting that she too wants to create beautiful things. She too, has a stirring welding up in the depths of her being....she has a dream, and her dream is jewelry.

She has never had her own business, and her craft is still in its beginning phases, but she decided to attend my sis out on a day she went supply shopping in NYC. 

Apparently, N told her on multiple times that her friends don't seem to support her.  They don't think its a good idea. Obviously it was getting to her.

My Style: The most beautiful dress in my closet (AmiTaf)

Salaamz folks! Peace and blessings to all of you! 

I wore the most beautiful dress in my closet yesterday to the ICNYU and Islamic Relief Emergency fundraiser for Palestine. I hiked it up as I traveled on the dirty New York streets. 

Once I arrived to the dinner at the Kimmmel auditorium in Manhattan, I let if fall fabulously to the floor and it danced as I moved. I paired it with my floral lime green scarf, my signature hijab pin and my wrapped in clover necklace, as well as my signature empress ring.

My Style: Black on Black and ICNYU/Islamic Relief Fundraiser for Gaza!!!

Salamz folks! 

A few days ago I found out about Emergency Fundraising Dinner at NYC for Gaza which is where I will be going to tonight inshallah.

My Style: Winter Bright

Pleasure is spread through the earth

In stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find

~William Wordsworth, 1806

Where have My Style posts gone??! With life being so busy I am not getting dressed up as much. But!...whenever I want to show off and look fancy in my everyday-wear, I dawn my favorite outfit! 

By the way....Winter can kiss my mustard butt! 

Habits to live by: Eating Healthy (Annette Larkins)

Salam Folks! 

Several months ago my sis and I found a link to an extraordinary interview with Annette Larkins. 

She is a 70 year old woman who looks much MUCH younger without any work or craziness that has become common for the aging nowadays. She is vibrant, healthy, and absolutely gorgeous...all as a result from her incredible diet of 27+ years. 

By the way...this is real! 

Business Planning Chapter 5: Beginning Again

Hello folks! 

I hadn't worked on my dear business in such a long time. The move took longer than expected (a few months) and I was not able to attend the ISNA conference like I had built myself to do. At the time of coming to realization we would not open in May (of this year) I did feel a sense of sadness and frustration.

Necessity is the mother of invention.

Our first product review!

My Life: Hurricane Sandy and the Rockaways Queens NY part 2

Salam wa Alaykum folks,

So much is happening. I have been quite busy in the past few days. I heard the subways are starting to fix up around my area which means I can travel out of the Rockaways where I live. No hot water or heat so far but more and more people are finally getting electricity. My neighbor has a considerable amount of pictures and videos and I will soon harass him for all of them to post here. 

Gratitude List: Happy Friday November 16h 2012!

Salam folks and Sabaa7 al Khayr (Good Morning)!!!

I feel so happy today, like a tiny little weight has been lifted off my shoulders and even a tiny little knife pulled from my back! Yesterday was a bit difficult but today is a new day to make it count.

One of my life goals (check out my buckit list which is soon due for a revamp!) is to show more daily gratitude.

My Style: 3eed

Salam folks, 

Things were thrown off from Sandy but inshallah slowly and surely we are hoping things get better. Here are some photos and vids from Eid. Sis and I got dressed up and attended the morning prayer at the mosque down the street which is going through some repairs as it was flooded just days later. 

My Life: Hurricane Sandy and the Rockaways Queens NY part 1

Salam wa alaykum folks,

It has been awhile since I posted. The main reason for that is because of the infamous hurricane Sandy that rocked the East Coast. My home was in a primary evacuation area that was hit pretty bad but alhamdoolilah Allah swt was watching out for my family and I.

My Life: Youm al Arafa and Eid Plans inshallah!

Salam wa Alaykum folks! 

I hope you are all in the best of health and imaan. And I hope you are racking in all the blessings this special day when the Prophet delivered his Last Sermon. I am putting chunky face down for a nap and wanted to use this time to blog.

They Say it Better: Imam al Ghazali

"You should not neglect your time or use it haphazardly; on the contrary you should bring yourself to account, structure your litanies and other practices during each day and night, and assign to each period a fixed and specific function. This is how to bring out the spiritual blessing (baraka) in each period. But if you leave yourself adrift, aimlessly wandering as cattle do, not knowing how to occupy yourself at every moment, your time will be lost. It is nothing other than your life, and your life is the capital that you make use of to reach perpetual felicity in the proximity of God the Exalted. Each of your breaths is a priceless jewel, since each of them is irreplaceable and, once gone, can never be retrieved. Do not be like the deceived fools who are joyous because each day their wealth increases while their life shortens. What good is an increase in wealth when life grows ever shorter? Therefore be joyous only for an increase in knowledge or in good works, for they are your two companions who will accompany you in your grave when your family, wealth, children and friends stay behind."

 -Imam al Ghazali from The Beginning of Guidance.

Featured Events: ZOMBIEFEST!!!!!

Once upon a time my roomie and I went searching for good ol’wholesome fun in New York. After some perusing we found a lovely event happening in this horror-filled season known as:

Friday Night Zombiefest!

Jumuah Mubarak! Gratitude List Friday!

Jumuah Mubarak folks!

“And Allah has extracted you from the wombs of your mothers not knowing a thing, and He made for you hearing and vision and intellect that perhaps you would be grateful.”

- Nahl 78

Hair Journey Part 1

Hello Folks!

Today, is the second installment of my “progress” with starting this new path to improving my hair and reaching my hair goals that I started in this post.

First of all, what is a hair journey?

A hair journey process where someone makes a continuous intentional commitment to grow and/or improve the health of their hair.

This process takes a lot of patience, some extra funds, plenty of research and sometimes physical daily maintenance. It may be even best to document or take note of what is happening with your hair. A natural hair journey is when someone who is used to relaxing their hair chops it off and starts to regrow healthier un-relaxed hair.

For all the Sou Sou lovers!

Hello folks!

My offspring, a.k.a. chunky butt, a.k.a. Sou sou is finally adjusting to the new home very well. Her two new favorate English words are Park and Beach!

New Home Updates!

Hello folks and Salaam all over the place!

Yes its been awhile since I moved here to New York! I finally got the time (and energy) to blog about it.

The best news this year..

What are the best pieces of news you have ever heard? What were the most wonderful things you found out that either made you cry, do a happy dance, or smile for days on end? You just knew that they would change everything...these were some of best moments in your life....

So far I have had three:

1. When I found out that I was accepted into University in DC to study International Relations and Business.

2. When I found out I got accepted in the study abroad program in Cairo.

3. When I saw my daughter for the first time, stared to into her eyes and thanked Allah swt she came out perfectly healthy despite my hyperemisis during pregnancy.

 

4. And just a few days ago, I found out...

Link Loving: Blessle.com (Islamic Search Engine)

Hello Folks!

I hope all of you are in the best of health and spirits. For all my Muslim readers out there, I wanted to share with you something that has become a part of my daily life since over a year ago.

Crossing my fingers....

Please keep sou sou and I in your duas...we are praying inshallah to secure a home finally in NY. Inshallah we will know the outcome in a few days...

Baby Tarteel!

Hello folks!

Some time ago, the chunky butt (a.k.a. Sou sou) climbed behind the rehal (Quran stand) and tried to recite on her own. At first I was nervous to let her touch it, but then

You NEED to SEe this!!: One 4 kids Zaky DVDs

Hello Folks!

So not too long ago, while looking around online I happened upon some incredibly adorable Islamic videos for Muslim children!  The character Zaky and the videos were created by a company called One 4 Kids. They company has already produced seven films so far and are set to come out with perhaps two more by the end of the the year inshallah.

Growing up with Mixed Hair and Hijab...

Salam folks!

In the past few days I have felt inspired to take some steps in growing and taking better care of my hair. I’ve done a lot of research, watched tons of you tube videos and even talked to my best friend about it and she is right on board with me!

I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with my hair like most women. I think my particular experience was driven by issues being mixed and bicultural.

Project Bucket LIst: Finishing Qur'an for Ramadan and Updates

Asalamu Alaykum folks!

Artwork by Moi!

ALhamdoolilah I can't stop smiling as I am proud to announce I met one of my most important goals I set this Ramadan...

I finally finished the Quran in 30 days!

and the crowd goes wild!!!

All about 3rabee: Learning Arabic and Quranic Recitation (tajweed)

Starting this Ramadan, LFFM will be featuring new posts dedicated to Arabic language learning called All about 3rabee. I realized several of my friends both Muslim and Non-Muslim continually express their desire to learn the Arabic language. Even with so many programs, language institutes, and books dedicated to this language, Arabic still remains an elusive and complex language to learn for the English speaker.

In my opinion, language learning in general can be difficult, not just because of all the repetition, pronunciation, grammar, and cultural elements, but rather because of how humbling it is....

Habits to Live by: Reading

One of the most thought provoking memories I took from living in Egypt was during Ramadan. As I took my seat in the women’s train in the metro I noticed that the majority of the ladies were pulling out miniature Qurans and began reading amongst themselves. Everyone from the older women to the little tweens were intensely focused…I sat there unnoticed, staring in awe and realizing how beautiful our religion is.

Reading the Quran for Muslims is by far one of the most important things we should be doing, however this post is more about reading in general.  

Reflections: Preparing for Ramadan Mentally and other Updates

Salaam folks!


Ramadan is starting tomorrow and I feel both excited and a little anxious. There is so much I want to get accomplished and yet so much fear of not accomplishing them. It would be better for me to have this attitude throughout the year and just not for this sacred month, but I hope at least the coming days will enact for change and spiritual transformation inshallah.

I want to reveal to all of you my goals for this Ramadan.


Lets start with my general self analysis:


I feel very spiritually distant as a result of occurances in my life since last year. My moving situation is STILL in limbo, and I have had to put my dear business on hold as a result. I am still searching for employment and support my bestfriend/sis in our anticipated move back to New York which is proving incredibly difficult. I feel stuck, nearly hopeless...a bit angry. Deep down inside I know Allah swt is doing this for a reason, and although I feel like crap sticks, I have an advantage this Ramadan. For example, I have the ability to fast, and time on my hands to utilize the best of my capabilities. My responsibilities are less then they were last year.


During this month I want to:


(Religious Goals-tangible and specific)

1. Finish the reading of the Quran
2. Memorize Surat Naba (my favorite)
3. Practice Tajweed (recitation) daily for at least an hour minimum
4. Performing prayer
5. Daily Tasbee7 after prayer
6. Important Dua memorization (will search for my favs soon)
7. Watch Islamic lectures/movies
8. Increase my knowledge overall with extensive reading

(Spiritual/Emotional Goals)

1. Revive a love and desire, if not need to maintain my Salah (khushoo)
2. Feel greater trust and reliance on Allah
3. Decrease my anger and bitterness
4. Abstain from wasting time on things that don't benefit me during this month, like mindless TV watching, music, chatting, phone convos...etc
5. Reflection, contemplation, looking at my faults and what I hope to achieve in this life...

(Personal Goals)

1. Increase my Signing ASL vocab
2. Teach and read to Sou sou  Daily
3. Daily Physical Activity (Badmitton)
4. Update my bucket list
5. Create a review policy for this blog
6. Refrain from unneeded purchases and save the mess out of my money
7. Get rid of Sou sous old clothes
8. Practice my Spanish and Egyptian Arabic
9. Blogging (posts that I have been itching to get out)

Do you have any religous/spiritual/personal goals for this Ramadan? Is there anything you want to accomplish without a question? Where do you want to be by the end of this month? Happy fasting folks!!!

Asalamu Alaykum folks! Happy Friday!

I hope all of you are in the best of health and imaan. I am still not yet in NY, but hope to be going in the next 2 months inshallah. I received some great news that has my roommate and I singing and dancing, a big relief to an issue I have been facing since last year alhamdoolilah.

Business Planning Chapter 4: Moving in every way..

Hello folks? Long time no post huh? A thousand and one things have occurred in my life to this date. 

Things that have added stress and frustration. 

Things to celebrate. 

Things that keep a smile on my face and things to take into consideration and focus on in the coming months. 

Product Review: Custom-made Scrumptiously Ruffle Soufflé Gown!

I have had so much trouble formulating this review. The main reason is because I haven’t been able to find the words to adequately do justice to this purchase and how I feel about the final result…

How do you describe something that when you put it on, you can’t stop smiling?  Something that makes you walk taller, maybe even do a joyous twirl for the sheer pleasure. I never knew I’d be able to wear such a garment or that there was one that would fit my body and personality so well. This is my dream dress, one that someone helped dream up for me! And I am never waking up! 

COming soon: Product Review

Stay tuned!!!

They Say it better and Spotlight: Laila A, modern sister doing great things!

Asalamu Alaykum folks!

Isn’t it beautiful to read about adventurous spirits who take life by the reigns and do the things we usually just sit and dream about!? Laila is one of those chicas! Hijab clad, full spirit and passion, she is now training to hike the Grand Canyon! Yes...hike the GRAND CANYON!

My Style: Hijab Shot

Asalamu Alaykum Folks! 


Friday night was not good for me. I was under a lot of anxiety. Sou sou woke up every 15 to 30 minutes crying constantly. She made sure to sleep on my chest despite me pushing her off. It wasn't until the next morning (when there was light) when I realized she just wasn't being fussy. There was something green under one of her finger nails. I didn't know if she had a splinter or what.

Adventures with sou sou!

First time I introduced sou sou to the word Ameen (Aaa-meeen). For all of those unfamiliar with this pronunciation, another familiar version is Amen (Ay-men). Also tried to get her to do one typical hand signs to indicate supplication or dua. She knows to do the sign when we say "bismillah." In the video she sticks her head on the ground pretending to do her updated version of sujood. 

I had just put her in the corner for being naughty earlier so she ran out as soon as she could. Enjoy!!!

GAWgeous Sctuff: Brooch bling Eye-candy

Asalamu Alaykum Folks! 


I have been missing these past few days, but honestly if feels like forever. I miss perusing and reading your blogs and now I feel like I am completely behind. Please forgive me as my level of activity has completely overflowed. Here is what has happened in the past few days:

1. My Besty and I have received offers for possible investment in the company (which pressures me more to finish the business plan sooner than I had expected)
2. We have improved our organization for the business considerably
3. We realized we have a lot of stuff  (made and in progress) and will be working on creating even more
4. We were blessed (Alhamdoolilah) with sister UmmHashim, who not only came and helped with some of the work pertaining to research and inventory, but did it incredibly well mashallah. She also has her own blog where she talks about beauty and frugality. Check her out here! Jazakallah Khayr Sis
5. Sou sou learned how to say eyebrow and Ameen
6. Sou sou learned how to do the hand signs for supplicating dua. Mashallah!
7. I realized I got really chunky in the past few days and will resume working out very VERy soon haha.

Sooooo here is some delicious eye candy for your ladies out there.

Jumuah Mubarak: Gratitude List Friday!

Asalamu Alaykum Folks,
 Jumuah Mubarak! I hope you are all in the best of health and imaan. I am still busy of course, but this coming week should be much better for me when it comes to posting.

The Giveaway ended yesterday. If you entered, go check out whether you won or not in the previous post. 

Today we will be featuring another LFFM Guest Gratitude List. If you are interested in creating one yourself, its very easy. Just sit down for several minutes and write consecutively at least 50 things you are grateful for. It will help improve your mood and realize all those blessings that get overlooked.  
My first Gratitude list here.

1st Guest Gratitude list here.

Congrats to  Eliza for making this heart-touching list. I first met her in Egypt at AUC my first semester. She and I became close and she was one of my best friends overseas. Its my mission in the next few year to go to Egypt again and reunite with her and all the lovely girls I met.  Alhamdoolilah she recently got married to the guy of her dreams!


Enjoy Folks!

1.       Being Muslim and knowing God

2.       Having been guided to Islam and shown where Allah’s path is and where it leads to

3.       My wonderful, supportive, fun-loving, funny, crazy, kind, smart husbandand the beautiful home that we have

4.       Having the most awesome, most supportive friends in the world. Without them the world would be less colourful, less entertaining and less yummy!

5.       Having the ability to see, hear, taste, smell, walk and general good health

6.       Having been born with no mental disabilities or allergies!

7.       Having been blessed enough throughout my life so far to not know hunger, thirst or any kind of material deprivation

8.       Despite the way things are at this very moment, I’m thankful that I have a family whom I had and still will have great memories to make and share

9.       My parents who brought me Islam, cared and provided for me

10.   My mother who taught me all the skills have and who inspired me to increase my faith

11.   My father who is always there when I need him

12.   Sister Fatima who taught me what faith is, how to pray, how to read Arabic and Quran, how to love Allah.

13.   Having parents in the first place and not being an orphan

14.   Having nice in-laws

15.   Knowing how to read, write and think in general

16.   My education and my degree

17.   Finishing my education

18.   My awesome job full of awesome people!

19.   Having a job!

20.   My metabolism and without which I’d most definitely NOT be the size I am now

21.   As far as I know, the ability to have children

22.   All the skills that I’ve been taught and the talents I’ve been blessed with

23.   Not being completely socially awkward

24.   A sense of humour

25.   An taste for fun in this life

26.   The wisdom to know and see the delusions in this life

27.   The wisdom to know that there should be a balance between “el duniawa el akheera”

28.   Learning to strive for this balance

29.   Learning to love, lose and love again

30.   Knowing now, the difference between deep infatuation and real love

31.   Learning to love things and people for the sake of Allah and learning that this is the most liberating kind of love there is in this life

32.   Hearing the call to Fajr prayer even while deep in sleep

33.   Beingmotivated to learn more about Islam

34.   Having a husband who is willing to teach me more and learn with me

35.   Understanding enough Arabic to do more than just survive here!

36.   Learning relatively quickly

37.   Not living or have ever lived in a country ravaged by war

38.   Having experienced the Egyptian revolution first hand

39.   Not having any relatives or close friends who were killed during the revolution

40.   Not having ever been under any kind of attack or assault

41.   Not having, so far, a major car accident

42.   Never having broken a bone, so far…

43.   Never having the need for stitches or major surgery

44.   Having goals that motivate me to keep improving myself and my life

45.   Knowing how to drive in Egypt!

46.   Being able to see God’s work everywhere and in everything in this life

47.   Knowing what it feels like to have your prayers answered and seeing the blessings that come with being patient during a test from God

48.   The realization, now, that even after all the things I’ve done, there was always God looking after me and constantly calling me back to Him. Like a child who rebelliously ran through a field of tall grass only to cry and get lost all the while hearing a familiarly pleasant voice calling out for him to come back.

49.   Having the awareness of the darkness within my own heart and the willingness to try to correct it

50.   Knowing the purpose of my life

And the Winner is......

Ok, finally got the chance to determine our first Giveaway winner! Chosen randomly through an online generator, it is ....(duh duh daaa)

Muslima on the Moon! 

Now, I couldn't help myself so I we also have a second winner! Zee winner for the second prize (just a pick from my future store) is.....

New Wife (A New Muslim Wife)

All you ladies have to do is contact me at furiouslyfabmuslima@gmail.com to claim your awesome prizes!

Before I go, let me direct your attention to all the entrees' blogs. If you are aware, the requirements for our first giveaway had to do with setting goals. Each of these ladies took the time out of their day to answer the questions about what goals they wanted to set for themselves by the end of this month and the end of this year. Go take a look, they have lots of inspiring and great things to work towards! 

Inshallah may you reach your goals and find success ladies. If you didn't win, don't fret I will have lots more giveaways later, especially when I open up for sale!

1. Modest Destiny

2. A New Wife

3. Perfectly. Imperfect 

4. Muslima on the Moon

5. SproutsofSpring