Many sisters frown down upon the Niqab

I just read a muslim sisters' blog, she was Arab American, you thought she might understand the niqab but was viewing it through a completely Western p.o.v.

Her points mainly were:

-What purpose does wearing the niqab do?
The same purpose that wearing the hijab does. Think about it, you are representing your faith.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Hadith # 282
Narrated Safiya bint Shaiba (Radhiallaahu Ánha) "Aisha (Radhiallaahu Ánha) used to say: "When (the Verse): "They should draw their veils over their necks and bosoms," was revealed, (the ladies) cut their waist sheets at the edges and covered their faces with the cut pieces.

Wearing the niqab is an expression of faith. Pixie from ILH explains it best: Hope she doesn't mind me quoting her on it inshallah:

That is why I have always believed the niqab is mustahaab (beneficial/you get reward for wearing it) since Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala Himself has informed us in Al-Ahzāb 33:53: "That is purer for your hearts and their hearts" . If the Prophet's wives (may Allahsubhanhu wa ta'ala be pleased with them) and the Sahabiyiat had less fitnah in their hearts then I do and the people who surround me, then why shouldn't I wish for an oppurtunity to have my heart be purer?

As for the kid running into the street because he saw a niqabi and other aspects of wearing the niqab that bring fear to men, the kid could have seen a woman in hijab or a Hasidic Orthodox man and had the same reaction. Plus, a reaction like that says to me that we NEED more niqabi women and hijabi women in society, you are trying to baby the same people that might not even support you given a chance.

Also, I'm surprised you don't think of it from the p.o.v from the niqabi, she just might participate more and be more outgoing if she wasn't shut down so much of the time, but still she keeps up mashallah.

Inshallah I will start and organization, in the planning process for women in hijab and niqab. Everyone asks them, do you work? Do you have a life outside home?

This society does not have jobs which want normally women in hijab in most parts, the way I found a job was to take off my hijab and then put it back on. Some people feel uncertain that that is the best route..Anyway, for the sisters that voice such strong criticism of niqabis and those who cover more modestly than you, make a thousand excuses for your dear sister, pray and read for understanding.

Not finished...

I will put this into practice everynight..Googling what 3rd Kalima is now...Anticipating a duuh moment. Mashallah, I love these things!!

=Beautiful Dhikr=

Make Dhikr, Not Bicker

"A collection of various dhikrs from the sunnah."

[Something very easy to do, but many of us forget it...or fail to grasp the reward of it...let us practice the following, simple dhikr, read this e-mail, print it..and also tell others of it... Such simple, easy to remember and easy to recite dhikr, why should we not take advantage of it?.... It may be hard for us to learn the many sciences of islam, and other topics, due to our circumstances, but the following are simple, easy couplets that can be implemented from now, from today...and carried on through our lifes. We can also tell others of it too... lets not lose this opporunity.... Read, Have Islam in your life, Remember Allah, and let us be sucessful.... (from a brother)...]


SubhanAllahi wa biHamdihi

(Glory be to Allah and I Praise Him)

Whoever says (the above) at morning and evening time, one hundred times, none shall come on the Day of Resurrection with anything better except someone who has said the same or more
[Muslim; 4:42071]

سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ

SubhanAllah wa biHamdihi

(Glory be to Allah and I Praise Him)

a hundred times during the day, his sins are wiped away, even if they are like the foam of the sea
[Sahih al-Bukhari; 7:168, Muslim; 4:2071]

سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ

SubhanAllahi wa biHamdihi

(Glory be to Allah and I Praise Him)

Abu Dharr reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, "Shall I tell you the words that Allah loves the most?" I said: "Yes, tell me, O Messenger of Allah." He said: "The words dearest to Allah are: subhanAllah wa bihamdihi
[Muslim and at-Tirmidhi]

سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ

SubhanAllahil adheem wa biHamdihi

(Glory be to Allah, The Supreme, and I Praise Him)

a palm tree is planted for him in Paradise
[at-Tirmidhi; 5:511, al-Hakim]

سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ ، سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ الْعَظِيمِ

SubhanAllahi wa biHamdihi, SubhanAllahil adheem

(Glory be to Allah, and Praise, Glory be to Allah, the Supreme)

Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: "Two words are light on the tongue, weigh heavily in the balance, they are loved by the Most Merciful One"
[Sahih al-Bukhari; 7:67, Muslim; 4:2071]

سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ

SubhanAllah

(Glory be to Allah)

one Hundred times, a thousand good deeds are recorded for him or a thousand bad deeds are wiped away
[Muslim; 4:2073]


لا حَوْلَ وَ لا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللّهِ

La Hawla wa la Quwatta illa Billah

(There is no Might or Power except with Allah)

mentioned in hadith as "a treasure from the treasures of Paradise"
[Sahih al-Bukhari; al-Fath al-Bari; 11:213, Muslim; 4:2076]

سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ ، والْحَمْدُللّهِ ، وَ لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ ، وَ اللّهُ اَكْبَرُ

SubhanAllah, walHamdulilah, wa La illaha ilAllahu, waAllahu Akbar

(Glory be to Allah, All Praise is for Allah, There is No God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest)

- The above are mentioned as the four most beloved words to Allah. It doesnt matter which of them is begun with
[Muslim; 3:1685]

Abu Saiid reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, "Perform the enduring goods deeds (al-baqiyat al-salihat) more frequently." They asked, "What are these enduring good deeds?" The Prophet replied: Takbir [Allahu Akbar], Tahlil [la ilaha illallah], Tasbih [Subhan'Allah], alhamdu lillah, and la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.
[an-Nasa'i and Hakim, who said its chain is sahih]


سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ ، والْحَمْدُللّهِ ، وَ لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ ، وَ اللّهُ اَكْبَرُ

SubhanAllah, walHamdulilah, wa La illaha ilAllahu, waAllahu Akbar

(Glory be to Allah, All Praise is for Allah, There is No God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest)

- Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: 'For me to say (the above) is dearer to me and all that the sun rises upon (ie the whole world)
[Muslim; 4:2072]

سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ ، والْحَمْدُللّهِ ، وَ لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ ، وَ اللّهُ اَكْبَرُ ، وَ لا حَوْلَ وَ لا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللّهِ

SubhanAllah, walHamdulilah, wa La illaha ilAllahu, waAllahu Akbar, wa la Hawla wa la quwwata illa billah

(Glory be to Allah, All Praise is for Allah, There is No God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest, There is no might or any power Except with Allah)

- The good deeds which endure are (the above)


سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ ، والْحَمْدُللّهِ ، وَ لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ ، وَ اللّهُ اَكْبَرُ ، وَ لا حَوْلَ وَ لا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللّهِ

SubhanAllah, walHamdulilah, wa La illaha ilAllahu, waAllahu Akbar, wa la Hawla wa la quwwata illa billah

(Glory be to Allah, All Praise is for Allah, There is No God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest, There is no might or any power Except with Allah)

- AbdAllah ibn Mas'ud reported that the Prophet said: "During the Night Journey I met Ibrahim (alayhis salam) who said to me: O Muhammad, convey my greetings to your Community, and tell them that the Paradise is of pure land, its water is sweet, and its expanse is vast, spacious and even. And its seedlings are SubhanAllah, walhamdulilah, wa la ilaha ilAllah, waAllahu Akbar (the above)
[at-Tirmidhi and Tabarani whose version adds: "There is no power nor strength save through Allah"]

الْحَمْدُللّهِ

Alhamdulilah

(All Praise is for Allah)

- Verily the best supplication is (above).
[Muslim; 4:2073]


لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ

La illaha ilAllah(u)

(There is No God But Allah)

- The best form of remembrance is (above).
[Muslim; 4:2073]



لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ

La illaha ilAllah(u)

(There is No God But Allah)

- Abu Huraira (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:

"When a servant of Allah utters the words la ilaha illallah (there is no God except Allah) sincerely, the doors of heaven open up for these words until they reach the Throne of Allah, so long as its utterer keeps away from the major sins.
[at-Tirmidhi, who says it is hasan gharib. al-Mundhiri included in al-Targhib 2:414]


لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ

La illaha ilAllah(u)

(There is No God But Allah)

- Abu Huraira (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, "Renew your faith." "How can we renew our faith?" they asked. The Prophet replied:
"Say always: la ilaha illallah."
[Ahmad with a fair chain of authorities]


لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَ هُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

La illaha ilAllahu, waHdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul Mulku, wa lahul Hamd, wa Huwa ala kulli shaiy'in Qadeer

(There is No God But Allah Alone, who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the raise, and He is ABle to do all things)

- whoever says the above ten times, will have the reward for freeing four slaves from the Children of Isma'il (alayhis salam)
[Sahih al-Bukhari; 7:67, Muslim; 4:2071]

لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَ هُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

La illaha ilAllahu, waHdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul Mulku, wa lahul Hamd, wa Huwa ala kulli shaiy'in Qadeer

(There is No God But Allah Alone, who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the raise, and He is ABle to do all things)

- whoever says the above one Hundred times, has the reward of freeing ten slaves, a hundred good deeds are recorded for him and a hundred bad deeds are wiped away and he has gained refuge from the devil that day until evening and none shall come with anything better except someone who has done more.
[Sahih al-Bukhari; 4:95, Muslim; 4:2071


لَآ اِلهَ اِلاَّ اللّهُ وَاحِدًا اَحَدًا صَمَدًا لَّمْ يَتَّخِذْ صَاحِبَةً وَّ لاَ وَلَدًا وَّ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَّوْ كُفُوًا اَحَدٌ

La illaha ilAllahu, Wahidda(n), Ahada(n), Samada(n), lam yatakhidh sahiba(n). Wa la walada, wa la yak(n)ul-lahu kufuwan Ahad

(There is no God except Allah, the One and Only, the Eternal, Who has not taken a partner nor a son. And there is none like unto Him)

Whoever says the words above ten times, then 40,000 (forty thousand) good deeds will be recorded for him !!
[Ahmad]

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ الَّذِي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْْقَيُّومُ وَ أَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ

Astaghfirullah al-'Adheemal-ladhi la ilaha illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum wa atubu ilai

(I seek the forgiveness of Allah the Mighty, Whom there is none worthy except Him, the Living, The Eternal, and I repent unto Him)

Whoever says the above words, Allah will forgive him even if he deserted the army's ranks

[Abu Dawud 2/85, at-Tirmithi 5/569, Al-Hakim who declared it authentic and ath-Thahabi agreed with him 1/511]

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّى لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَ أَنْتَ ، خَلَقْتَنِى وَ أنَا عَبْدُكَ وَ أنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ ما اسْتَطَعْتُ ، أعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِ مَا صَنَعْت ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَىَّ وَ أبُوءُ بِذَنْبى فَاغْفِرْ لِى فإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ

Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta, Anta Khalaqtani wa ana abduka, wa ana 'ala ahdika wa wa'dika mastata'tu, A'udhu bika min Sharri ma sana'tu, abu'u Laka bini'matika 'alaiya, wa Abu Laka bidhanbi faghfirli innahu la yaghfiru adhdhunuba illa anta

(O Allah! You are my Lord! None has the right to be worshipped but You. You created me and I am Your slave, and I am faithful to my covenant and my promise as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from all the evil I have done. I acknowledge before You all the blessings You have bestowed upon me, and I confess to You all my sins. So I entreat You to forgive my sins, for nobody can forgive sins except You.)

The above du'a is known as the Sayyid al-Istighfar and is the most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah.

Whoever says it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise.
[Sahih al-Bukhari 8, 75 #318]

If someone implements ten verses of the Qur'an, He/She will not be considerate amongst the negligent on the Day of Judgment
[Abu Dawud, Ibn Hibban - sahih]

If someone implements one hundred verses of the Qur'an, He/She will be considered among the obedient on the Day of Judgment.
[Abu Dawud, Ibn Hibban - sahih]

If someone implements one thousand verses of the Qur'an, He/She will be amongst the extremely rich on the Day of Judgement.
[Abu Dawud, Ibn Hibban - sahih]

Mashallah, those du'as sure brought tears to my eyes, they are from sunniforum.com. But, I thought that some sisters could benefit from them as I have. Alhamdulilah, I feel wonderful. First night of laylatul Qadr that I've spent praying. Allahu Akbar, i feel wonderful.

Cannot sleep these days

This chick looks like me, minus my color is a little more red and my nose shape diff..LOL love her hijab, mashallah.

Is this Allah speaking to my heart? I believe so, I believe He is saying do not sleep, be up praying for there is much reward praying the last 10 days of Ramadan.

Its excellence is great, since in this night the Noble Qur'aan was sent down, which leads one who clings to it, to the path of honour and nobility, and raises him to the summit of distinction and everlasting life. The Muslims who adhere strictly to the Sunnah of Allaah's Messenger SAW do not raise flags on this night, nor suspend colourful decorations. Rather they vie in standing during it (Lailatul-Qadr) in Prayer out of sincere faith and hoping for reward. Here, O Muslim, are the Qur'aanic Aayaat and authentic prophetic ahaadeeth referring to this night:

As regards its excellence it is more than sufficient to mention that Lailatul-Qadr is better than a thousand months, He, the Mighty and Majestic, says:

" Verily! We have sent it (this Qur'aan) down in the Night of Decree (Lailatul-Qadr). And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh (i.e. Gabriel) by Allaah's Permission with all Decrees, Peace! until the appearance of dawn." (Al-Qadr 97: 1-5)

Inshallah, I will stay up praying for guidance. I am leaving the Bahai faith that I was of before, it seems this was not feeding my soul the way Islam does. Ya Rab, it's hard to be a Muslim but the reward is great. Let me give it my best shot this time.

Times of Hardship

Qu'est ce qui vient a des femmes mariées qui ont choisi l'Islam comme leur religion? quel est l'effet sur ​​leurs vie conjugale quand elles se transforment en quelqu'un qu'elles n'ont pas été au paravant. Sûrement les dynamique sont changées, mais combien de changement est trop?
Je sais que c'est très prématuré de penser au divorce, Naudhubillah ! Et j'espere de ne le jamais avoir !
Dans mon cœur, je veux un retour à la voile. Un retour à la salat et je dirais même l'amour de porter le niqab.
Je suis très envieux de ceux qui ont trouvé maris musulmans. Qu'est-ce que je donnerai pour vivre en Arabie Saoudite ou d'un autre pays musulman ..Je déteste le sentiment decacher des choses de mon mari pour le moment, ce n'est que temporaire ou pire de devenir quelqu'un que je n'étais pas avant. Pour ce raison je dois créer la ou je suis, un environment islamique...je l'expliquerai plus tard.

What happens to married woman who have choosen Islam as their religion? What happens to their married life when they morph into someone that they were not before. Surely dynamics are changed, but how much change is too much?

I know it's very premature to think about divorce, Naudhubillah.

In my heart I want a return to hijab. A return to salat and I would even love to wear niqab.

I am very envious of those who have found muslim husbands. What I would give to live in KSA or another muslim country..I hate the feeling of hiding things from my husband at the moment, it's only temporary or worse of becoming someone that I was not before. For these reasons, I need to create that Islamic lifestyle here. If it is not welcomed than I can always make arrangements later, b....Allahu Alam

L'islam me manque. Ma ancienne vie islamique me manque, toute imparfaite qu'elle était. Maintenant, j'ai rejoint une autre foi, la foi bahá'íe. Mais, les écrits ne m'inspirent pas, comme le Coran. Dans ma recherche fervente à Dieu, j'ai gagné la réputation d'être "capricieux" en sorte? De sauter d'une foi à l'autre?

Pas étonnant que je ne pouvais pas avoir épousé un homme de foi, un homme dont quelle foi? Dans mes plus sincères prières et mes rêves, mon mari reviendrait à l'islam. Il aimerait le hijab et même encourager de porter le niqab..Hélas, ce ne sont que mes rêves, ils ont besoin des prières immense pour les transporter à un très réel, réalité. Mais, je n'ai jamais peur de prières qui peuvent porter, même les espoirs les plus irréalisable dans la vérité. Après tout, mon frere a trouvé un emploi, finalement et aussi une femme et je n'ai pas plus envie de fumer des cigarettes.Allahou Akbar!

J'aimerais vivre dans un pays musulman, il est normal pour un muslimah à désirer d'être d'autres sœurs. Mais, peut-être irréaliste, peut-être son mari ne veut pas déménager. Peut-être, toute sa famille est ici. Ma solution, oh mon Dieu, vous êtes de bonne Mashallah, au moins tu m'as donné un cerveau énorme de créativité.
Ma solution est de démarrer un but non lucratif pour les femmes musulmanes!

L'idée et le raisonnement: les femmes musulmanes sont souvent dit que leur robe restreint les possibilités d'emploi, que la modestie leurs encagent. La vérité est que nos organisations discriminent et jugent leur style de vivre et les empêchent d'être une partie de société. En conséquence, ils sont isolés, en raison, leurs maris et leurs familles se soucient leur bien-être en essayant d'intergrate dans une société qui ne respecte pas leurs choix et ne comprendre pas les limites auto-imposée par la discipline qu'ils pratiquent.

Du'a pour le jour:

Selon l'imam Muhammad bin Ali al Baqir, si un commerçant ou un homme d'affaires tout en allant à la place du marché réciter les suivantes du-a' a un ange,spécialement désigné par le Seigneur, prend soin de lui, s'occupe de sa marchandise, le protège de la méfait de ceux qui y viennent et les rend beaucoup avec son honnêteté et justice.

ALLAAHUMMA INNEE AS-ALUKA MIN KHAYRIHAA WA KHAYRI AHLIHAA

Favourite pix of niqab + hijab

Hope you like!!! xxxx 

The make up collage is from a sisters page also on blogger, mashaallah.

These are a few of my Favorite things....

Being very much a novice in this blogging thing, until inshaalllah I develop some better technical skills, I think. I am not sure how to do too much yet which I am sure is terribly uninteresting to the reader...I'm learning..!

Check out http://www.houida.com there's an amazing selection of very English romantic, soft and billowy wedding gowns as well as Islamic wear that will blow your mind. Mashaallah, SERIOUS. You will be bookmarking this site, I can guarantee it.

 

SISTERHOOD IN ISLAM

Means more than just nodding and saying "salaams" to muslimahs you see in your city. It means taking care to tend to the other needs of sisters in the best of your abilities. And, certainly we can always do more of this, at times we are so consumed with what needs to be done in our life that we forget those outside or immediate family and friends. 

I went to a new masjid or mosque the other day and while the were a ton of brothers (we were obviously in seperate spots but I heard and saw a few of them when I entered), there were not so many sisters. Many of them were older ones,  but even the young ones only said "hi" to their friends. Only one greeted me and at that- only when were were stuck waiting in the same area. But come on- new sister in the community should be welcomed, hugged and greeted as family. At least introduce yourself to them and reach out in a clear way, even if you are shy. WHen you do this, Allaah smiles. It's like you're acknowledging one of his flock, but when you don't you are by passing the very important needs of someone new/unsure/nervous in the area, needs that are satisfied with a simple "Hello and welcome, what is your name. Please come again..." This does soooo incredibly much, its selfish not to do it, regardless of if you are "shy" or an introvert, it's not even about you at that moment, its about doing dawah. 

The other thing that is nice to remember is support. Support those sisters around you, engage in halaqa or religious educational circles. I created one with a friend back in Nairobi but unfortunately there were issues that I'd advise you guys to avoid: 

-there were some of us with very busy career schedules who HAPPENED to be located far away

Agree on a set location that is central, only one of us had a car (the rest depended on someone else. Me, on my mom for example)

A local park can be used for example, and think what a beautiful site that would be, Subhanallah, a bunch of sisters in brightly coloured hijab, all clustered on the grass to happily talk about their religion. 

-Engage in discipline, keeping a schedule, mark days ahead on which you'll meet. The days and actual timings of these events should be convenient for everyone so that attendance rates will be constant and high. 

-It is a sweet idea- and this is how "ours" worked, to give each person in the group a day on the calender to plan a discussion topic. Topics can be brainstormed together and then sisters can individually select ones that strike their interest. I find this really empowering because it completely involves everyone, people pay more attention even when they aren't the ones chairing a discussion, because they know that their own time to chair will come up and they are watching for ideas, 'how does this sister present her topic,' use of ahadith, and stories...I find it empowering to give others a chance. Group loyalty rates are also a lot higher when people feel their input is really valid and respected. 

Other fun things are field trips to new or even somewhat far away Islamic shops. All the sisters can go to a fabric shop and buy material for new hijabs. Go to a bookstore together and buy religious or spiritual books to which a secondary "bookclub" event can be organized.

Outings are so much fun and so often, in an unislamic society they are all about "getting drinks," clubbing, houseparties or whatnot where you know that you will be compromising your beliefs. So, step up- organize your own halal and sister themed outings that you'll realize are even MORE FUN:

-A high tea lunch with discussion that follows

-A movie or lecture night but down sleepover/movie night style with lots of snacks, pillows, blankets, boardgames, pyjamas...

-In our group, we would each get out a pad of paper and make a list of things to pray about, the needs in the community and of the sisters. During Ramadan we would specialize on ONE need of each sister, and after salaah we would always remember those needs of our sisters.

-Get matching/Order online matching Islamic coffee mugs or sleeper t-shirts to form a group feeling of unity. Doing the same clothing can be cheesy to people, lol especially if you all want to wear it on the same day...But to each her own, there are a myriad of things that you can do to make your sister's group special.

-For an even deeper level, one a month plan a "families" dinner in which kids and husbands can get to know eachother and befriend. 

-Do a meal for the poor or at risk in society, organize giving canned goods (if funds are low, these can be collected over a period of time and then given out later on) to homeless shelters or charity events. Let people know that this is "from the muslim sisters..." how touched they'll be..

Anyway, I am sure you get the point by now- HAH! But, other examples on how sisterhood/dawah can be practiced is: 

• If there is a sister in the community who is suffering somehow, either she is sick or depressed or having family/personal problems, reach out! Visit her at her convenience with a potluck dinner. 
• If she is to get married, organize a "halal" and somewhat islamically themed bachlorette party, we did. It rocked! 
• If there is a sister who is down on her luck or whose deen is on the decline, ask her to spend the night or spend the night with her. Make arrangements and spend the whole night gabbing--inspire her, let her know she is so special to the community and you welcome her back or need what she has to offer.
• Visit unrelated muslims who are sick in the hospital. Bring them food, books and feed them love. 
• If there is a new muslim family or individual in the community, send them a welcome card on behalf of the entire community with the masjid's name and address if they have not yet been.

Basically, there is a whole lot that you can do-hundreds, thousands, MILLION actually and often very little that is done for and by sisters. So, I really challenge you guys to engage in and create new events and opportunities to reach out to people, let them know they matter and you will be amazed at the response. Alhamdulilah, most of it SUPER AMAZINGLY, benefits you the most, there is a fullness in your swelling heart that you'll feel. 

It is so wonderful to recieve, but so much more wonderful to give. So, give back to a sister that helped you at one point in time. Send her a thank you note, a small gift (candle, book,sweet) and let her know she matters. Ask your local masjid's imam what the community needs, often you will find that there are very many unsatisfied needs to which response is needed. In doing so, wallahi you will find yourself happier and your life fuller. 

Give it a try. 

xxxx