There have been a few posts from Muslim women who have described their lifestyle and beliefs and I'd also like to add mine as it's slightly different.
I was born into a Muslim family and continue to practise Islam as an adult. My parents did not particularly pray much and practised a cultural interpretation of Islam. Over time though, I've learnt more about my religion and in my late teens I chose to not only wear a hijab, but to cover my face with a niqab too. Most of the time. This was my choice and not something imposed upon me by my parents or husband. I had an arranged (consensual!) marriage and my DH is a practising Muslim man who wears long Islamic dress and has a beard. We both teach at a madrasah and have devoted much of our lives to teaching Islam and helping Muslims in our community in other aspects of their lives.
My children also follow Islam and we pray 5 times a day. The younger ones don't; but the teenagers do. My DD also covers herself with a hijab. She has experimented with a niqab too and will decide in her own time if she wants to wear it or not. She's also experimented with more trying clothing and heavily made up looks and decided it's not for her.
We teach our children about the oneness of Allah and that Muhammad was the Messenger of Allah. I believe it with every fibre of my being and we try to live our life according to the values of Islam. We try to convey to our children that Islam is a multifaceted way of life and not just about praying 5 times a day, fasting in Ramadan and giving in charity. With devoutness to God comes good character and morals and to love for your brother/sister what you love for yourself, as per the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. We try to instill good habits in our children and I feel the responsibility of practising these habits myself in order to fulfil my own submission to Allah and to be a good example to my children. This is a huge part of our family life.
We advocate generosity by encouraging them to raise money for charity and give their own pocket moment those in more need than themselves, to not refuse to help a fellow human being at times of need even if that means inconveneincing yourself at times; to be compassionate and kind and forgiving and forebearing even if you are wronged. To maintain good relationships with family, relatives, neighbours and the community at large. To not hurt one another and remove anything from the pathway that could harm another being. To be humble and not to be arrogant. These are some of the character traits we try to instil and what being a Muslim means to us. We're not perfect in applying them- but it makes a strong part of our upbringing.
We try to encourage a simple lifestyle and not be materialistic or extravagant. My husband likes to shop and has far too much knitwear and man-bags then anyone could justify but at the core, we try to be less concerned with having a nice house, car, belongings etc and try to be more focused on being content and building happiness on devotion to God and each other.
With regards to non-Muslims, our belief is that Allah has created everyone with rights and everyone should be treated fairly. Just as we expect non Muslims to be fair and civil to us, we should also accept their ways of life and cultures and show mutual respect. In fact, there is no them and us; we are one community and one creation of Allah. Any Muslim could die without belief and any disbeliever could die as a Muslim and be granted immediate and total forgiveness. No one is better than another except in regards to their conduct and piety. I have no problem with anyone who wants to be homosexual, show their skin, drink and be merry or whatnot. Just like we choose our way of life so do others and we are not in any position to judge any other human being. I would not ever ask a non Muslim who came to our madrasah to cover herself in any way. She dresses as she pleases. In fact, we have classes, groups and sessions for Muslim women and don't impose a dress code on them either. I have repeatedly told anyone who comes to wear whatever they like; hijab, no human, cleavage, tight clothes, open arms etc. Everything is fine. Islam and Islamic practice is not imposed on anyone. Each person will come to their own decision about how much of Islam they want to practise.
My husband and I have an equal partnership. Yes, we interpret it differently to some of you and I ask that you not immediately be judgemental. It is my choice and a choice that I feel is very fair and I am happy with. Our partnership is such that we both work, yet he is responsible for household expenditure and my money is my own, although I willingly contribute my share. He has no right over it although I have a right over his. On the other hand, Yes, he inherits twice what I inherit. But he has more expenditure too. We both are jointly responsible for the children's practical, educational, emotional and religious needs. In our family it translates as him doing the school runs and me looking after baby. He gets the DC up; I put them to bed. I help with school homework and he helps with madrasah homework. We sit together in the evening most nights and discuss Islam a little and discuss family and personal issues. We don't listen to music actively but my children have memorized the Qur'an and love listening to different methods of recitation by different recitors. They also listen to nasheeds (Muslim songs without music). My children are happy and Islam is not imposed on them. In fact, I have repeatedly let them know in no uncertain terms that there is nothing they could do that would make me love them less or alienate them from me. Nothing. My children are loved unconditionally whatever choices they make in life.
We don't drink or have sex outside of marriage. We don't go to pubs or clubs and my children are not interested in these things either. They're not abnormal though. They have teenage mood swings, like cars, football, cricket, animals, games, hanging out friends, dressing up, socialising etc. I like baking (unfortunately for my waistline), watching soaps and movies, spending far too much time on my allotment and having relatives over for dinner. We love to travel and experience new things and cultures. Basically, just because I dress differently and have very devout beliefs it doesn't mean I'm not normal.
My husband is not superior to me at all and not does he feel that or convey that. In fact, he believes and often tells me that I am better than him in so many ways. Sometimes, I feel he's saying that to elicit more bedroom favours ;) but most of the times I know he is genuine. He looks after and supports me and the children and I in turn, look after and support him. It's a relationship based on mutual love, respect and understanding and is not imbalanced at all. We do things a little differently but not unfairly.
I love my life here in the UK. I am happy at work, at home, in the community and have been able to devote much of my life to causes I love and feel strongly about. I've visited many other countries, including many Muslim countries and without a shadow of a doubt know that we in the UK have one of the best countries and systems of the world. I would struggle to live in many Muslim countries as unfortunately, the governments are not representative of true Islam as we see it.
Yes, my life in the UK and my way of life is different to many Brits but that doesn't make me any less British. I believe we are all different and our differences should be celebrated and tolerated. Just as I do not expect you to start praying, fasting, eating halal, give up alcohol, covering up etc, in the same way I do not want anyone else to deny me my right to pray, dress as I want, practice my religion as I want as long as I am not hurting anyone else. British values and a British way of life does not mean we all have to become clones of each other. But that we live compatibly with one another and live and let live.
I realise that I'm in a minority here and that many people will respond to me differently on other threads I'm a regular on just because I have outed mysellf as a hijab wearing, abayah wearing, niqab wearing Muslim but I'm not apologetic or embarrassed of my lifestyle so I'm not worried. I may have to change my username though.