Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem.
Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.
Hijab, why do we – Muslim women – have to cover ourselves like; our hair, body shape, etc? What is the purpose of wearing a scarf around our heads? And to wear an over garment, known as abaya or jilbab? How do we feel pretty whilst wearing it? Why doesn’t men have to wear one? How can I get spiritual growth (connection to Allah) whilst wearing the hijab? What if my family or friends disown me for wearing it? What if people see me as a terrorist? I worry what people will think of me by wearing hijab, how to stop this thinking?, Do I have to wear one? wearing it makes me feel ugly compare to non Muslims, I feel oppressed when I’m wearing it……Etc.
Questions are always popping into a Muslimah’s head, whether they’re reverts or born, it is good to want to know these answers as it will bring you closer to Allah and have better understanding of concept on why we should wear hijab which would draw us loving and willingly to wear the hijab by our own will.
But sometimes it can also be from the shaytaan, who just wants to mislead you by giving doubts and persuading you to be disobedient by making you not to wear hijab or to wear the wrong type of hijab due to these whispers. Just seek refuge in Allah!
Plus for the reverts, it’ll be difficult as they worry what their family (and friends) will think and their reaction will be, this is a jihad, but it doesn’t mean Allah wants you to wear it all of the sudden after you taken your shahada, just wear it when you feel like you are comfortable and ready. Don’t forget to make sincere duas!
It’s not the fact that wearing it because Muslim women are ugly or to show women are weak and oppressed rather it lifted her values up, respectively, modesty and to show that she’s not a sex object, how men view them as in today’s culture and how women like the attention so she shows it off, which is very bad thing to do. Allah has told us to cover ourselves in front of non-mahram men, due to His Wisdom that is beyond our intellectual minds, some we may know and some we may not.
Allah, the Exalted, said in the Qur’an:
“And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed (24:31). “
When you are sincerely wearing your hijab, think of it as you are wearing an ayat of the Quran (the one above). Know that Allah’s Bounty bestowed upon you and the amount of ajr you’ll get! Subhan Allah.
In the Hadith, narrated by Abu Huraira (radhi Allaho`anhu): The Prophet (Sal Allaho alayhe wa salam) said, “Faith (Belief) consists of more than sixty branches (i.e. parts). And Hayaa’ (this term “Hayaa’” covers a large number of concepts which are to be taken together; amongst them are self-respect, modesty, bashfulness, shyness, etc.) is a part of faith.” (Bukhari)
The definition of hijab isn’t just a piece of cloth on your head, rather it is a spiritual connection between you and Allah. And it doesn’t occur only with a piece of cloth on your head but covering of your body; to show that you’re a beautiful creation that only certain beholder can view. That you are more valuable than any diamonds, pearls, gold, money, etc.
This is why Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, made this a rule, to protect you, beautiful muslimahs, from any harm.
All praise and thanks is to Allah!!!
