Waxing for Muslim women

This topic might attract many Muslim women especially among the young generations in regards to waxing. The mentioned topic is highly sensitive but my two cents would never hurt anyone and who knows I might set in motion for some women to rethink of their action. Is waxing service done by other person permissible or haram in Islam?

“Babe, you are getting married in a week’s time! Have you make an appointment for waxing?”

“To wax or to choose EPL for hair removal?

“Babe, come let me bring you to these beauty parlor. They are the BEST for eyebrow threading”

“Hmmm, should I wax or should I not? Everyone seems to do it before they got married. I don’t want to but if not know, then when?”

 

It is so norm for future bride to undergo waxing services in beauty parlours nowadays. I would be lying if I say I was not part of this statistic. I have got my eyebrow plucked/waxed once! I am not proud of it and truthfully, I did not even like it. But I stopped the intention of waxing once I knew that it is wrong to do so. Due to peer influence and accessibility, most Muslim women tend to take this matter lightly when in fact, they are HARAM in the eyes of Islam.

 

In general, waxing is permissible and it should not be left without shaving for more than forty days. However, one should not show your private parts & aurat in order to do the waxing procedure. The aurat between Muslim women is from navel to our knees – hence it has been stated clearly that the private part is part of one’s aurat and we should not be showing them to other although the individual has the same gender and share the same religion view.

 

It isn’t the act of waxing that is forbidden, but it is the hair which may be removed by waxing that may be covered under a prohibition. It is prohibited to remove the eyebrows, pluck them or sculpt them, except that which is between them or on the temples or forehead, etc.

عَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ لَعَنَ الله الْوَاشِمَاتِ، وَالْمُسْتَوْشِمَاتِ، وَالْمُتَنَمِّصَاتِ وَالْمُتَفَلِّجَاتِ لِلْحُسْنِ، الْمُغَيِّرَاتِ خَلْقَ الله، مَا لِي لاَ أَلْعَنُ مَنْ لَعَنَهُ رَسُولُ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهْوَ فِي كِتَابِ الله.‏

Narrated Ibn Mas`ud: Allah has cursed those women who practise tattooing or get it done for themselves, and those who remove hair from their faces, and those who create spaces between their teeth artificially to look beautiful, such ladies as change the features created by Allah. Why then shall I not curse those whom Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) has cursed and who are cursed in Allah’s Book too?

[Sahih al-Bukhari, 5943 – كتاب اللباس / Book of Dress]

 

Also, Muslims, both men and women, should remove the hair from their armpits, preferably by plucking and should shave the pubic hair.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنْ رَسُولِ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ قَالَ ‏ “‏ الْفِطْرَةُ خَمْسٌ الاِخْتِتَانُ وَالاِسْتِحْدَادُ وَقَصُّ الشَّارِبِ وَتَقْلِيمُ الأَظْفَارِ وَنَتْفُ الإِبْطِ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

Abu Huraira reported: Five are the acts of fitra: circumcision, removing the pubes, clipping the mustache, cutting the nails, plucking the hair under the armpits.

[Sahih Muslim, 257 – كتاب الطهارة / Book of Purity]

 

Hair on the arms, legs, and for women the face (other than the eyebrows) can be removed and if it is a means of disfigurement or discomfort, then it is best to remove it. So ladies, be mindful of your choice and always seek opinion to whom know best. Don’t do it just because it’s a norm to the society. Wallahualam.

The city of 1001 mosques

You heard that right! There is a city nearby to our country that is referred to as “City of 1001 mosques”. A few months back, my little family travelled to Lombok for family gateway. We were indecisive between Bali and Lombok. We had no regrets by choosing the later.

Lombok is filled with 95% Muslim community. Getting halal food while travelling is not a worry at all as compared to Bali whereby Muslims are minority. Local people of Lombok abides to Islam rules quite strict too. Our driver told us that they only allow hotels and clubs to put on music up to 3am. This is because these “sinful zone” must give way for Quran recitation before Subuh comes.

Along our two-hour journey from the airport to Senggigi, we spotted many mosques. By few metres, you’ll see one on your right. And another on your left. And another behind the first mosque you spotted a while ago (see below). Lombok people are not wealthy in monetary terms. They live simple life and yet they have so many mosques built. The one that is rich would be the expats.

Credit to Pinterest

These mosques are built solely by voluntary donation from individuals. How it works is that; there will be a charity box placed in front of the mosque. Whoever that passes by, they can donate discreetly. With the money that the mosque committee gain, they will build up the site accordingly. Some take months and some take years to complete.

I might be misguided by this act of kindness but somehow it shows that people of Lombok likes to go to mosque during prayer time and also they are eager to accumulate pahala. Masya Allah. Can you imagine if someone by the name of XYZ has donated for 7 mosques throughout his life. If XYZ was to be deceased, his pahala will continue to be gained as long as local community is still using the mosques. I would want to be XYZ!

It is fascinated to learn about people’s culture and way of living while you are travelling especially in Muslim countries. Morale of the story let’s be greedy in collecting pahala! Life is too short and we shall collect as much of pahala in duniya for us to carry forward in the life after.

More than just cooking

In general, cooking is a routine chore for a mother. Every day, mothers will need to prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner and maybe even late supper!

Sometimes it can be a mundane job. But let me share you “A RATIONALE” in not taking cooking chores lightly anymore but delighted to be wearing apron and start cooking! The rationale is that, cooking can be a form of ibadah for the mothers whereby fill your doas and hopes for the families through out the meal preparation. Allah is Almighty. He listens to everything.

In the eye of Islam, food intake is a critical matter. Beside halal haram, our food must be clean and nutritious. If a meal is halal, clean and nutritious but we consummate them with good doas, wouldn’t it be more lovely? Therefore, filled your kitchen and meals with doas and quran recitation so that ALLAH’s beautiful recitations flow through in our bodies.

So here’s what we, mothers, can do:

1. When we wash the rice, make sure we selawat 3-times anti clockwise
2. While cooking, make beautiful doas for our parents, husband, children, friends and all Muslims that we wish for Allah to grant.
3. Have wuduk whilst cooking as a person in wuduk is safe from syaitan.
4. Start everything with Bismillah as Allah SWT will fill the food with nur and

Below are references that you can apply during cook time.

Image from Pinterest

 

May Allah listens to our doa and our meal will be more meaningful than previously.

Wallahualam.

 

Reference: Pinterest,  http://www.buzzideazz.com/sunnahs-of-cooking/

What’s your story?

As I am turning myself from a young lady to a grown woman, my interests,preferences, wants, needs and goals change along the way. 

If yesterday I would like to be working overseas, right now living in my home country with only 4-hour train ride back home to my mom’s place is the nicest thing to have as option.

 If yesterday I feel like private services (i.e hospitals) is the best, now I feel that goverment sectors are equally good too! 

If yesterday I was overly sensitive or care what others thing about me, now no more as I put myself first. Sometimes in life we don’t owe people explanations except to our husband and parents. 

If yesterday I prefer to strictly plan my life in 2,3 or 5 years time. Now, I take things one day at a time. I still plan but only what’s feasible at that particular time. Allah SWT has shown me so many times that I can plan my life but His plans are always better. 

If yesterday I want to climb corporate ladder and achieve professional certs, right now I prefer to do charity work and guess what, my current dream is to write a book! Not any book but children’s book. LOL. 

No one knew about this small dream of mine, neither my husband,my parents nor my friends. 

Part of me is saying that it is not a silly dream. It is achievable and can be done. But I don’t have guts to do so, yet. I guess if I really did publish children book, I feel like I have achieved a huge deal in my life! Why? Because books can touch people’s heart and good books influence your actions. I would like my book to influence children to become good and who knows, it becomes their favourite book and better yet the book is nominated by Education Ministry to be part of our national syllibus. Woaahh. Dream big huh?!

I have started creating children stories with my little princess for her bedtime. Apparently she listened to them tentatively. Hehe. Indirectly, Lana gave me courage that my stories make sense, suit for kids and maybe possible to be shared with others too. 

Well, writing a book and doing charity work are my dreams right now. I just need to find the right time to do them all. Would be nice huh to have your book sitting on MPH/Kinokuniya or Border’s book rack.

Well, thats my story for now. What’s yours?

Reality insight being an entrepreneur

Not everyone is meant to be an entrepreneur. Yes lately in our community, many people wants to work on their own, building their own empire and working on flexible hours.

All I can say is, being an entrepreneur needs HARD WORK. You will end up working more hours compared to when you work for other people. Your mind will be constantly thinking about the business. Non stop! Without realising, you will end up working 7 days a week. 

I am no longer holding the ‘housewife’title. For the past 18months, I have ventured myself into entrepreneurship together with my husband. Right now, we have a growing fashion brand and soon in F&B. Entrepreneurship really stretch both of us in so many ways. Here are few insights in becoming an entrepreneur: 

1. Not always glamorous

Entrepreneur is seen as glamorous work. Take a selfie, good products, big boutiques/restaurants, mix the brand with couple of celebrities, tadaaaaaa you’re a successful entrepreneur. Well that’s not always the case. It is always better to blossom on your own through your products and business strategy rather than counting on others.

2. Profit is secondary

At least for the first few years, it is all about brand visibility and setting your foot in the market. To make your brand visible, you will need to spend on marketing. So if you think you can be a millionaire in the 1st year, then you better rethink. 

3. Disagreement

It will happen. It can be with your suppliers, customers, business partner or even investor. So be prepared. Many times I argue with my husband in regards to business but at the end of the day, both of us have the same goals and we work through it. It is NOT easy but it is possible. I did shed some tears along the journey but it was worth it. Bottom line, work with someone who shares the same goals and vision like you!

4. Products

 To be a great entrepreneur, you’ll need to have good product(s), somewhat different from the rest. Entrepreneur will need to constantly innovate. Innovate products that others have not think off. 

Not only product creation is important, but the right pricing as well as selecting target customers are equally important too. 

Unique products + right pricing + right marketing+ right customer = Great entrepreneur.  

Don’t copy others. Innovation is the key in becoming a good entrepreneur. 

5. Rejection

You will need to be able to handle rejection. Rejection from supplier to assist you in product making. Rejection from the customers. Rejection during sales time. Rejection of ideas. As long as you believe in yourself and your vission, put others aside ansd fight all the way! When we first started KAYAN, many doubted our products. Some were amazed and some were more like obliged to show support. Work hard and kill them with your success, you’ll gain their respect. 

But above all, the beauty of entrepreneur world is that you get to meet many other entrepreneurs and they turn out becoming your friends. From this circle of friends, we get to learn more about people’s insight about your brand/product. From networking, you’ll get brand collaboration. From then on, the brand will raise on its own. Slowly but surely. 

Never under estimate your idea. Never! Hard work pays off one day. 

Happy weekend! 

My brother, the soldier boy

60 years of life span looks like a very looooong journey to go through. But in reality, 10 years passes by so quick. In a glimpse, this year is my 10th year leaving high school and yet it felt like yesterday.

And another 10th year in my life, I will be sending my daughter to secondary school, worrying about uniforms & grades. And later they will graduate and marry too. Time does not wait for anybody.

Truthfully, I realised life is short when I lost my dad. He had been sick but I thought he would live till he is 60’s. But he left us at the age of 54. He fought with his own self for 18 years. We did not see it coming and in a glimpse he left us all, unprepared. I was devastated because there were so many things I wish I could do for him especially giving him grandchild and spent more quality time with him. He always love kids.

Having said that, I realise that life is too short to chase for something you are not happy about. In life, we must be happy and be religious to our beliefs.

Tomorrow my little brother or should I say the only brother that I have will be flying to Australia to pursue his dreams. His dream of becoming a GREAT soldier. Yes, you heard me. He will be part of the Royal Military College in Duntroon, Australia starting next week. He deserve this opportunity as he did well during his interview as well as all of the trainings that he had to undergo. So, 2 years of Ramadhan and Raya without him – sobbing.

He chooses to be a soldier few years back. At first I did not understand. I did not take his wishes firmly. All I want is for him to finish his Chemical Engineering degree and be part of the oil and gas corporate world.

His passion keeps on raising year by year. From participating in Askar Wataniah, reading books in regards to army divisions, battle strategy, soldiers & the related; to watching the marching soldiers of Malaysia’s Independence Day in Kuala Lumpur annually. He even went to LIMA in Langkawi to witness the exhibition. I, myself, realised that he is REALLY into these elements when he read books about soldier world. I felt guilty not acknowledging his interest when I constantly asking him to pass resume to the big oil and gas companies. He smiled and nod. He never gets mad at me.

When he graduated, we admire his passion and we support him all the way. Yes, as Chemical Engineer graduate, he made unusual decision. But for me he is not a follower, he chooses his own path and he surely proud of walking through it. I told my mother and brother that he is SO lucky to be living in his dreams of becoming a soldier. Not many have the courage to pursue their dreams and take odd chances. Believe me, it is not easy to become a soldier. So so many stages that they need to undergo.

Whenever people ask about my brother, I am not embarrass at all to tell them he is in the army. I am proud of him, really. He is doing something noble to himself and to the country. He is selfless.

Seeing my brother and myself pursuing our own dreams, I feel like I should and will be more open towards my children’s career in the future. What matters most is that they grow up to respect and be kind to their parents, elderly, families and friends.

To Nabil, this is just a start to another new beginning. Embrace this new experience and our prayers will always be with you, no matter where you are. Kakak and Umi love you very dearly. Wherever you are, remember Allah SWT, Umi and Walid. Take care soldier boy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Szechuan Beef

Ingredients

• Thin-sliced beef / minced beef
• 5 clove of garlic, chopped
• Spring onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoon of Oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoon of home made Szechuan chilli oil
• Capsicum
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoon of corn starch

Cooking methods

1. Dip thin-sliced beef one by one into egg mixture and corn starch. Put them aside.
2. Heat wok in large fire and deep fry all the beefs.
3. Cook them until they are crispy and transfer them in a plate.
4. Using the same oil for about 3 table spoon, fry garlic, oyster sauce, and home made Szechuan chilli oil together.
5. If you do not know how to make Szechuan chilli oil, you may buy them at any grocery store or replace with chilli flake + soy sauce +sugar.
6. Toss the fried beef & capsicum inside the sauce and done!

 

This recipe is totally made up by myself. Its a dish with a touch of Chinese-style cooking. This recipe is close to the original Szechuan recipe. It is very simple, tasty and healthy too i would say! Happy trying peeps.

Kangkung belacan

Ingredients

• 4 cloves of garlic
• 2 teaspoon of Belacan
• 2 tablespoon of Oyster sauce
• Kangkung/ pak choy
• 1 red chilli or small green chilli (optional – if you want it hot)

Cooking methods

1. Once the wok is heated, add in pounded garlic and chilli.
2. After a minute or so, add in belacan. Cook it for about a minute in low heat.
3. Add in your vegetables and oyster sauce.
4. Add in 3 tablespoon of water and let it simmer for 2 minutes.
5. Taste it and done!

 

I love to eat kangkung belacan and so does my husband. Although it is simple and super easy to make but I always find it hard to get the taste right. Its funny how I am able to try to make a complicated dish like lasagna and yet I am a bit anxious in trying this dish.

Recently, I try to cook it my way with using only 4 ingredients. Surprisingly the taste is there and I love it! This week alone I cook Kangkung belacan twice. LOL

For the international readers, kangkung is swamp cabbage. I am not sure if it grows in overseas. When I studied in Australia, I did not see this vegetable in any of the grocery stores. Well, you can try using Pak Choy instead.
Best to eat them with white rice and fried chicken! YUMS

 

 

20months old!

 

 

 

Last April, my baby girl was 20 months old ! Oh my, another 4 more months and she will be two years old. Time flies so fast! Sorry for the long overdue entry baby girl as Umi has been very busy.

Well, my dear princess, at this stage, Daddy and Umi are having so much fun playing with you. Here are the lists which you develop at the age of 20months old. Before I forgot, I might as well type it out fast.

 

 

 

1. You can count 1 until 12 very well. You know numbers since a month ago. Umi and daddy are so proud of you. Now, you’re favourite number is 8. You spot no.8 the fastest!
2. You know all sort of shapes – crescent, oval, circle, square, rectangle, heart, triangle and star.
3. You have 3 favourite songs now – Hancur Aku, Lagu Cinta and I’m Blue da ba dee
4. You love to play cook with Umi.
5. Your vocabulary has increased so much like die, scold, fart, cough, sneeze, smoking, burp, plate, ladder, grain, cut, cigarettes, trap, tumpah, tickle, charge, go away, don’t want, witch, vampire, ghost, pirate, mummy etc
6. You love lipstick!
7. You just love to brush your teeth. I do not need to argue with you on that.
8. You love to do the hand signal “good job”
9. You are very strong girl. You fell on the floor and stairs, you did not cry.
10. At this age, 4 teeth are growing at the same time. I hope you are doing okay.
11. You got your chicken pox at 20-months old
12. When daddy and umi are busy working on KAYAN, you will always want to be part of it by saying “Lana working”.

My prayers will always be with you. I want you to become a better daughter, sister, wife, lady and a mother than what I have become today.

 

 

Life lately

There are so many things happening since a month ago. Life is hectic. Hubs and I are constantly on the move and work work work work work (insert Rihanna song). Our routines have gone elsewhere. I have been in KL for the past 3 weeks. I miss PD badly. I feel sad that Lana had to skip her school in PD. Plus, after raya, we are going back to KL for good so yeah, I feel like I have not had PD enough.

Anyway, as you guy knows, Ramadhan and Raya are approaching soon. So hubs and I have been working on KAYAN hardly for the past 2 months to prepare for this year. Whats with finalising the designs, calling up suppliers, meeting up with business affiliates, ordering boxes, ordering this and that, getting the fundings, working on machines, playing with colours and many many more! We got no worker, it is only hubs and I. Between us, we had to split job. I hold the marketing/public-relation/merchandising/branding/sorting out emails & orders/ budgeting/ accounting/ posting daily orders/ and much more! At the same time I have to be wife and a mummy to Lana.

As for hubs, he holds important roles too like warehousing/ operation manager/ operation engineer/ carpenter/ networking with suppliers/ web designer/ business strategy/ logistics which on top of it he has a day job that demands him crudely.

Our day starts early morning and finish midnight. These are the sacrifices that we make as start up entrepreneurs. I bet both of us sleeps with our mouth wide open and saliva drooling aside. Yes, we are that TIRED! I cannot wait for Ramadhan to finish. Please don’t get me wrong but hubs and I are yearning for a looong vacation.

But all in all, alhamdullilah, this year, KAYAN manage to hold deal with 2 HUGE online stores that has coverage in Malaysia and neighbouring countries as well as we manage to set foot in 2 prominent offline stores in Empire Damansara & Bukit Damansara. During the process, I never thought I would get star struck when I met this one person. LOL. I always play cool when I see celebrity but this particular person, I was incredibly star struck! Nice to build sweet memories with hubs in this business venture.

This entry is important for myself, plainly because one day when I read this entry I will remember all the important deals and dates that the business has achieved this far. Also not to forget all the downs and low that we have to encounter too.

Ok, back to work!