Friday, September 18, 2015

Charity isn't an Alternate for Animal Sacrifice/Qurbani:

Charity isn't an Alternate for Qurbani:

Some people think that instead of offering a Qurbani they should give its amount to some poor people as charity. This attitude is totally wrong. Actually, there are different forms of worship obligatory on Muslims. Each one of them has its own importance and none of them can stand for the other. It is not permissible for a Muslim to perform salah instead of fasting in Ramadan, nor is it permissible for him to give some charity instead of observing the obligatory Salah. Similarly, Qurbani is an independent form of worship and this obligation cannot be discharged by spending money in charity.

However, if somebody, out of his ignorance or negligence, could not offer Qurbani on the three prescribed days (10th, 1lth and 12th Zulhijjah) then, in that case only, he can give the price of a Qurbani as sadaqah to those entitled to receive Zakah. But during the days of Qurbani no Sadaqah can discharge the obligation.

Question: During the days of Eidul-Adha is it better to offer Udhiyah/Qurbani (sacrifice) or give Charity (in general)?

Scholars of Islam have stated that its better to offer Udhiyah/Qurbani (sacrifice). Ibn al-Qayyim (RA) said in Tuhfat al-Mawdood:

الذبح في موضعه أفضل من الصدقة بثمنه ولو زاد ، كالهدايا والأضاحي ، فإن نفس الذبح وإراقة الدم مقصود ، فإنه عبادة مقرونة بالصلاة

Sacrifice at the appropriate time, such as during Hajj and on Eid al-Adha, is better than giving its price in charity even if one gives more, because offering a sacrifice and shedding blood is what is required, and it is an act of worship that is mentioned alongside prayer...

 The true philosophy of Qurbani:

The present-day Qurbani is offered in memory of the great model of submission set before us by the great father Ibrahim عليه سلم  and the great son Ismael عليه سلم . So Qurbani must be offered in our time emulating the same ideal and attitude of submission.

This, then, is the true philosophy of Qurbani. With this in mind, one can easily unveil the fallacy of those who raise objections against Qurbani on the basis of economic calculations and depict it to be a wastage of money, resources and livestock. Unable to see beyond mundane benefits, they cannot understand the spirit Islam wants to plant and nourish among its followers, the spirit of total submission to Allah's will which equips man with most superior qualities so necessary to keep humanity in a state of lasting peace and welfare.

Qurbani is nothing but a powerful symbol of the required human conduct vis-a-vis the divine commands, however "irrational" or "uneconomic" they may seem to be in their appearance. Thus, the distrustful quest for mundane economic benefits behind Qurbani is, in fact, the negation of its real philosophy and the very spirit underlying it.

Extracted from http://www.central-mosque.com/index.php/Soul/ten-blessed-days-of-dhul-hijjah.html

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Finding Your Right Bra Size

The majority of women wear ill-fitting bras – this fact cannot be overemphasized. Wearing a bra with the right size of both band and cup seems to be a moving target. So many parameters are required for a bra to fit properly. But what is the issue if a bra does not fit?

Finding Your Right Bra Size

Consequences of an ill Fitting Bra

  • Breasts overflow at the top
  • Straps are bound to fall off
  • An ill-fitting bra is not aesthetically appealing
  • The band rests on the breasts and not on the ribs
  • Feeling suffocated if band is too tight
  • Breasts may slip under the band if it is loose
  • The required support may not be achieved
  • Straps dig in – this may lead to headaches, neck-ache and back pain

A bra that does not fit properly may also result in poor blood circulation, an issue that causes a pricking sensation in the fingers.

So, how do you find your right bra size? The easiest way to do it is to find an experienced bra fitting assistant. They will not only inform you about your ideal size but also show you different styles to try and see which ones have a better look. Not all types of bras will suit you.

How to Measure Your Bra Size

If you can’t find a professional bra shop near you, you can still measure yourself by following these steps:

Step 1
Remove your clothing and stand upright

Step 2
Take a flexible tape measure (like a tailor’s measure) and lay it just below your bust where the band is supposed to be. This measure will give you your correct band size. Be sure that you are standing straight and that the tape is horizontal. Make the measurement a little tighter than is done when measuring for other clothing.

The result you get in inches is your band size. If you get an odd number, like 37, you can try bras with a band size 36 and 38. It’s normally better to start with the lower number.

Step 3
To determine your cup size, place the tape measure on the widest part of your bust. This will usually be on the nipples. Once again, take the measure in inches, with the tape parallel to the floor. Should you get an odd number, opt for the lower even number.

If your bust is saggy, you will get a more accurate figure if you already have a good fitting bra on. If you do not have one, pick one which seems to fit. Adjust it for the fit and not looks.

Step 4
Subtract cup size (step 3) from the band size (step 2). Check in the table below to see your cup size.

Bra Size Chart


Bra size chart


Common Bra Issues and Troubleshooting

Problem: Breasts spill over at the top
Solution: The bra cups are too small, or the style does not correspond with your bust shape

Problem: Soreness or redness under the bust
Solution: The cups are irritating the skin because they are most likely small

Problem: Breasts are spilling on the sides
Solution: The bra you are wearing has insufficient breast coverage

Problem: Breasts are falling underneath the band
Solution: The band is too long, or the cups are too small, or both

Problem: Your bust has a saggy appearance
Solution: Your bra has insufficient support

Problem: Band is hiked up by the straps at the back
Solution: You are wearing a larger band size

Problem: The straps are digging into the shoulders

Solution: The band size is too big, the straps are too narrow, or both

Where to Buy Good Quality Bras

Although there are many outlets that sell bras both online and offline, Amazon stands out from them all. There is a wide range of styles and brands to choose from. The customer feedback feature enables you to figure out which bras are the best even before you buy. Make the right decision. Find a bra that fits your size.

Do You Wear a Normal Bra Under a Sports Bra?

Do You Wear a Normal Bra under a Sports Bra?

Wearing a Sports Bra Over a Regular Bra


Whether or not you should wear a regular bra under a sports bra is a controversial issue. In ideal circumstances, you should not wear anything underneath your workout bra. If you buy a properly fitting and good quality bra, you are not supposed to bother wearing it over a normal one.

An athletic Bra is meant to be comfortable as workout underwear. Wearing another bra underneath it makes it uncomfortable. If you feel comfier when you wear a bra with a sports bra, then you’re wearing poor quality or wrong size or style.

Disadvantages of Wearing Clothing Under a Sports Bra

Because a sports bra is supposed to be a workout innerwear, wearing clothing inside results in some difficulties. Below are some of the nuisances that come with the practice:

  1. Athletic bras are made to wick away moisture – wearing them over things disables this feature. You therefore become hotter and soggy
  2. Some regular bras push the bust closer thereby hindering ventilation
  3. When the breasts are held closer, minimizing the figure-8 movement is obstructed
  4. Normal bras are made with tough materials which can dig and/pinch under the pressure of compression garments
  5. When taking part in exercises involving lifting your hands above the head, the thin straps of normal bras will dig into your shoulders
Should you wear a bra with a sports bra
Athletes in sports bras. As you can see, these bras do not offer sufficient coverage

Can You Wear 2 Sports Bras?

Some ladies argue that two are better than one. The bottom line is that wearing two is better than wearing a regular one inside. But this is bound to make you hotter especially when exercising. The better option is to look for a double layer sports bra.

If your bra fits but is too thin to wear alone, consider layering over rather than under. For instance, you can wear a feminine sports tank or T-shirt over your workout bra. Something else you can try is detachable bra pads. You can even use breast petals or nipple covers.

Why Girls Wear a Sports Bra Over a Normal Bra

There are many reasons why some girls and women are adamant about using a regular bra underneath. Some of them are highlighted below:

  • To hide the nipples
  • Make breasts appear bigger – most athletic bras tend to have a minimizing effect
  • Out of habit – women are used to layering clothes and wearing just one item on the top does not feel okay
  • To enhance support – this mostly happens to busty women
  • Fashion designers are nowadays making athletic style bras for everyday wear. Some consumers confuse these with workout bras and wear them for exercise, necessitating layering
  • The influx of imitation workout bras. Only buy top-rated sports bras
  • Some ladies are either unwilling or unable to invest in good quality sports gear
  • Some sports bras are somewhat translucent
  • Avoid embarrassment in public changing rooms

Normal Bra under a Sports Bra

Though wearing a sports bra alone is the ideal thing, it is by no means the easiest undertaking. The answer to this issue lies in buying a good quality bra in your correct size. Top rated manufacturers of sports bras include;

  • Champion
  • Under Armour
  • Adidas
  • Nike
  • Victoria’s Secret
  • Calvin Klein
  • Fruit of the loom
  • Fittin
  • Glamorise
  • Hanes
  • Syrokan

You can find all these brands at Amazon.
If you must wear your athletic bra over other bras, here are some points to ponder upon:

  1. Choose a bra with no underwire
  2. Opt for bras with wider straps
  3. Make the bra underneath discreet to avoid embarrassment
  4. If you must show any part of a regular bra underneath your sports gear, do it intentionally and be sure you are comfortable with it – avoid scenarios of wardrobe mishaps
  5. Avoid pushup bras
  6. Consider layering over the bra rather than underneath

Comfort is the key in any outfit. Experimenting with different brands may give you a simple answer. But whether you wear other clothing under your sports bra or not is a decision that you should make with your personal comfort as the first priority.

Shop the best back closure sports bras whether for workouts, daily use or post-operation. Also learn why you may need to wear a back clasp sports bra even for everyday wear

20 Best Front Hook Sports Bras

Buy the best front hook, high impact sports bras and get a new experience. Shop bras for athletics, leisure, sleep, every day and post-operation wear.