This is my dream of Sunnah living.
Clothing: A wardrobe of simple dresses, tunics and skirts (waistwraps) made of completely natural fibers. I'm talking about cotton, linen, silk, wool, and leather. A beautiful linen abaya - the large overcloak that is not sewn closed. I will simply put my abaya over me, just as they did in the time of the Prophet, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and hold it to cover my face when necessary - no sewn and tied niqab - just my abaya doing the job. Soft, simple, all leather sewn khuffs and slip on shoes.
Personal hygiene: Miswak toothbrush, honey and olive oil for my skin treat. Soap nuts, ground sidr, lote, or laurel leaves for cleansing. My shampoo made of herbal infusions, soap nuts, and a little home-pressed oil. Alum stone or homemade, herbal deodorant. Water - the best perfume, and homemade flower and herb waters. Antimony - the best make-up. Wudhoo from a clay bowl or pitcher of water, ghusl with the same quantity of water the Prophet, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam used.
Home: A cob house, made of clay, sand, and straw...with a beautiful earthen, oiled floor. Kitchen stocked with steel and cast iron cookware. Not a piece of plastic in sight. Large pottery or steel platters for the food and a cob oven to bake bread. Sitting on a mat on the floor to eat...with our fingers. Sleeping on all cotton mats with simple neck roll pillows. No electricity outlets except in the kitchen and one for the computer. Solar power - off the grid, no reliance on other than Allah's sunshine for our energy inshaa Allah.
Surroundings: Land...our 51 acres with a well for water, composting toilets, gardens and orchards to feed us fruits and vegetables and provide apothecary.. Cows, sheep, and goats for milk, wool, and meat, chickens for eggs, homemade cheeses, yogurt, pickles, sundried fruits and veggies.
Days: Waking in the morning in perfect time to pray tahajjud because I made dua' the night before and Allah woke me. Praying, reading Qur'aan, waiting to hear the roosters crow. Gathering together in the central masjid for the fajr prayer and sharing 'ilm. Simple breakfast of fruits and yogurt with others. Out to the land, a family/community affair - to tend to the animals, gather eggs, milk, pick vegetables and fruits for the day's provision. Lessons, Qur'an, crafting, love between me and my husband, children, sisters... communal prayers and meals, natural building, d.i.y. projects, sharing of skills and talents.
Livelihood: Five small cob cottages and a campground - for a Muslim retreat; a form of income, and a beautiful Islamic respite for couples. Summer camps... a mini Damaaj in New Mexico,activities, learning, growing, in a halal and positive environment. Empowerment projects, to teach other Muslims how to live self-sufficiently. Islamic cottage industries - Sunnah Threads, selling homemade Islamic clothes, Healing Earth Herbals, selling herbs, remedies, and personal care products, Organic produce, Halal slaughtering, homemade foods for sale. All projects that our children can grow into and earn a living from, never having to rely on working for non-Muslims for their income or their sustenance. Never having to compromise their Islam for a dollar to buy food or a roof over their head.
Well, I could go on and on...and although it seems like a fairy tale, we are working towards it and Allah is our Guide and Facilitator. Our lifestyle continues to head that way.We have taken a complete cob house building course and are currently doing our Permaculture Design Certification course. We visited different farms and sites to learn and gain ideas, and have contacted others to learn from their experience. We extensively researched details on the livestock and growing seasons, including lists of the things we plan to grow inshaa Allah.
It is a dream that, with Allah and pure intentions, has the beginnings and potential to become a reality. We hope to leave a legacy for generations to come, bi ithn Illah.
Oh Allah, You have inspired us to this...guide us and make it a reality - ameen.
