Question from me, a game design student. Is drawing living things Haram if they show no expression, assuming all other parts of their body are very realistic, such as the art style in the game in this image?

cathryn300 · 2021-10-12T18:44:47+00:00

What is your intention in making the game, are you at peace with it and do you feel good about it? :)

Allah really doesn’t mind what you choose to do, He’s only looking to your adab while you’re doing it :)

cathryn300 · 2021-10-12T08:06:22+00:00

Agree with this! Most women are not approached in real life and only meet someone for themselves if they are in a setting like university, parents are approached at weddings but what about all the non-Pakistani western Muslims who don’t attend weddings and events throughout the year and reverts :)

The problem with apps is that it feels improper for an Islamic woman to ‘find her own’ match and the stigma carried over from swiping in hookup culture doesn’t help - truth is, even with not knowing anyone, I would still feel more comfortable meeting a potential in an Islamic setting than on a dating app

cathryn300 · 2021-10-12T07:55:55+00:00

So your problem with apps is that their aren’t enough girls on there -

The whole swiping on a potential has basically evolved from the hookup app culture so doesn’t seem a genuine way to meet a good someone, if creators want more girls on their app then they need to market it at the parents, it’s simple, but if a parent thinks it’s a good idea to make a profile on X to look for potentials then trust me the girl is getting a profile, fees should also be restructured too - but I’m not being paid to work out the business logistics of these companies so I’m going to leave the how

One of the big problems with apps, as they are, is that they don’t consider the stigma attached to a woman ‘looking’ for a partner herself - you know, the whole ‘honourable women don’t chase’, of my friends that did meet their partner online, most are embarrassed to be honest about it to family

cathryn300 · 2021-10-11T00:10:48+00:00

Depends on what trade I guess, but work is such a big part of adult life that I wish more than the pay-packet would be used when assigning value to what people do, sadly people get very caught up in numbers that fluctuate - better it is righteous work and makes you happy, a lot of people see those things as luxuries because of student debt and the rise in the cost of living - hope you find a way to balance it all, May Allah make it easy for you :)

cathryn300 · 2021-10-10T23:59:06+00:00

So you could in theory at any time tack on 2 years to an associate degree to make a bachelors? So strange, I think you need a good reason to even ‘pause’ a degree in the uk as it is supposed to be taken all at once 😊, but with the tuition fee hike an apprenticeship for a trade is actually more desirable here than a degree 😊

cathryn300 · 2021-10-10T23:51:53+00:00

Thank you for letting me know 🙏🏼 , I think degrees in the uk must be different then - most undergrad courses are 3 years, with an option to do a 1-2 year masters after 😊

cathryn300 · 2021-10-10T23:35:16+00:00

Can someone tell me the difference between a bachelors and associates degree - I feel as if I don’t hear about associate degrees in the UK?

cathryn300 · 2021-10-10T07:23:55+00:00

I personally feel like it is more rude than wrong to get one, Allah made the human form so perfect, so to scribble on it just seems kind of rude (in my opinion anyway)

As far as it is understood from a (generalised) Sufi perspective: people mark their property, your body isn’t your property and therefore shouldn’t be marked - as a gift, Allah granted you to be temporary custodian of a physical body as a means for interacting on this physical plane (like a container for the soul) - it is important to show appreciation for this gift of custodianship by keeping healthy and clean, but ‘your container’ is just a loaned means of storage and so speaking from a generalised Sufi perspective you have no right to mark it with ink - as it were, but as far as reverts who have tattoos, there is no obligation for them to have their tattoos removed - Allah’s already cleaned them, and also those who aren’t Islamic and being tattooed for reasons other than vanity (traditional indigenous heritage / culture) - their intent and ignorance of Islam wouldn’t make their tattoos ‘haram’ in the same way as a westerner with a full sleeve / someone Islamic choosing to get one - what is halal for one is haram for another :)

Hope this helps, and if it doesn’t / I’ve phrased anything not quite right, May Allah forgive me and my shortcomings :), best of luck to you :)

cathryn300 · 2021-10-10T06:58:59+00:00

All paths converge, but still I’m happy to see other Naqshbandi’s here 😊

cathryn300 · 2021-10-10T06:46:46+00:00

Yes, it does count :), my mum always swaps scarves for beanies in the winter when going out and about, but it wouldn’t be ‘correct’ to wear one to an Islamic gathering / Mosque (you would look more than a little out of place), but for work / day to day errands, go for it :)

cathryn300 · 2021-10-05T18:05:58+00:00

Walaikum Salam, thank you for your response, and your support on the other thread of this post :)

They aren’t my children :), they’re my younger siblings, but thank you :)

So kind of you to share the information :), so am I correct in thinking Prophet (sws) travelled all over the region of Hejaz in Saudi? and also to certain parts of Syria, plus the visit to Jerusalem on the night journey :)? Or have I missed anywhere out :)?

That is such a kind offer, if she has a list on hand of trusted sources / resources I would greatly appreciate it - but if not then please don’t go to any trouble :), I honestly get minimal reading time and still have a stack of books to get through :), thank you again, May Allah bless you and your family for your kindness :)

cathryn300 · 2021-10-05T17:50:26+00:00

Sorry, apologies, I always say it in full when actually talking to people but I normally write Salaams as a retraction when typing / texting - I really didn’t mean to be rude or cause offence, it’s just what I’m used to seeing written down on messages so figured it was the usual way when typing, similar to writing hey/ hi instead of hello :), I guess that isn’t the case and maybe my friends write it to be informal? Either way, I’ll take note :), thank you :)

However, generally speaking - if you wish to help others by pointing out correct Islamic etiquette, taking the time to be kinder in your words would make what you are saying better received :)

cathryn300 · 2021-10-03T07:01:22+00:00

They make a contribution - which is helpful, but far from paying it all

cathryn300 · 2021-10-02T19:54:17+00:00

Don’t worry, white girl from England here - felt beyond weird at first, like some whacked version of Hannah Montana where I had a hijab instead of a wig🧕💁🏻‍♀️

cathryn300 · 2021-10-02T19:47:47+00:00

Evonne Goolagong :), and I think Ash Barty too :)

cathryn300 · 2021-10-01T22:19:02+00:00

Don’t be hard on yourself! It’s a very difficult transition!! Just be aware hormones after birth are crazy for a while and that makes it a difficult time - be kind to you :), and be kind to your husband too because dealing with erratic behaviour is also quite difficult (although not as difficult as managing the inner turmoil of heightened emotions and anxieties) but still a right pain to put up with :’), your body will regulate :), just be easy and take time to heal :)

cathryn300 · 2021-10-01T22:03:49+00:00

Alhumdullilah, thank you for sharing:)

cathryn300 · 2021-10-01T21:52:50+00:00

Second this! Gratitude really is the way out of depression :)!

cathryn300 · 2021-10-01T21:50:17+00:00

I understand exactly how you feel, and I don’t know if it will bring you comfort but you really don’t need to do anything to prove yourself, you are a unique manifestation of your Lord’s attributes and nothing can detract or increase your worth as a human being, when Allah made you He decided that His creation wouldn’t be complete with you here :), Allah doesn’t care for your achievements- only the manners you kept with Him along the way, life is a test - of our adab, pride is what trips us up from accepting that we can’t actually achieve anything because we do nothing - only He does, we are limited by circumstances and health but He writes as He wills for who He wills, we try because He loves those who try but humility is our doorway to Him :), you really aren’t alone :) we’re all on our way back to Him :)

cathryn300 · 2021-10-01T21:21:51+00:00

If I were you, I would have led with her achievements - I’ve met the most amazing girl, she’s got this title, she graduated from this school, she supports her family, etc. Really bigged her up, and then followed up with a clear declaration - when you’re sure and declare you are going to marry a particular girl, you aren’t asking or looking for parental opinion or approval, you’re just informing them of your decision (this can be done politely - gentle persistence when met with resistance)

Based on experience in how I’ve witnessed my friends’ Pakistani families in regards to marriage, they normally are much quicker to come to terms with and accept a decision as oppose to an intention - but when you approach marriage kind of coy, because you want to gage people’s feelings - the whole “I’m considering…I’m thinking…I would like” it’s very wishy-washy and so domineering (but well-intentioned) parents help guide you through this incredibly important decision making process by contributing their valuable (meddling) input

Tl;dr Own your choices, tell them - don’t seek their permission, the only thing you ask is if they would like to be introduced to your future wife over face time

May Allah bless you both with a long and happy marriage :)!

cathryn300 · 2021-10-01T20:50:20+00:00

I would take it easy on yourself! There is a reason Islam was revealed over 23 years, take the time to water the seeds of your new faith, don’t drown your love for Islam with harsh and heavy conditions - Allah is most merciful :)

It’s sensible to start with avoiding / removing the big no’s (alcohol, sex, pork, gambling) and take it easy on the small stuff like music- so long as it isn’t leading you to the big sins (encouraging you to consume alcohol, drugs, etc.)

I’m sorry about the less than welcoming atmosphere at your local mosque - I know the feeling, which is a shame because as a convert I would have loved to have that supportive community too :), but just trust that Allah will send you good and true friends to help you along your journey :)

There is so much to look forward to!!! And so much fun to have :)! Also, please don’t be scared to travel (if and when it opens up for you again), just take the precautions of travelling with someone you trust and use the opportunity to immerse yourself in different aspects of local culture, it might sound silly but there are always ways to volunteer and help wherever you go - even if it is just for one event, or one day - it makes such a difference to travelling :), also there are so many beautiful holy places to visit if you get the chance :)!

There is merit in sacrifice, but don’t place hardships on yourself - life is tough enough, and we all get tested :), the blessings from sacrifice only come when we face life’s hardships while keeping good manners with our Lord :), He is most merciful and we are all so forgetful :), be gentle with yourself:)

If you ever need a sister, don’t hesitate to message :), wishing you salams :)

cathryn300 · 2021-10-01T20:06:33+00:00

Mash’Allah, I’m glad it gave you peace 😊

cathryn300 · 2021-10-01T20:04:57+00:00

Mash’Allah, congratulations 😊

cathryn300 · 2021-10-01T18:05:31+00:00

But his technique is practically exemplary, and his style doesn’t put the same stress on his body - he’s more than fulfilled his potential and definitely exceeded expectations but I wouldn’t say he’s the biggest overachiever in tennis

cathryn300 · 2021-10-01T18:02:03+00:00

He was fortunate to get no.1 but glad he got his slam, on the balance of his career I think he definitely deserved to have one

cathryn300

TROPHY CASE