By Dr. Khadijah Tijani
It’s been over 20 years since I started wearing the hijab, Alhamdulillah, and I can tell you that the hijab is a highly misunderstood mode of dressing. From my parents to strangers on the streets, I have received loads of questions and comments that reflect a lack of knowledge when it comes to the hijab in particular and Muslim women in general. In this article, I’ll discuss 10 of these misconceptions, InshāAllāh.
1. “Muslim men oppress their women, making them don the hijab by coercion, whereas there’s no hijab for men.”
This is one of the most common misconceptions. While Muslim parents and male figures are responsible for ensuring proper dressing for everyone under their care, they don’t have the power to force it. They only encourage us to observe the proper hijab, but we wear it to obey Allah, not them. For your information, there is a “hijab” for Muslim men too! See Qur’an 24:30. According to authentic narrations, it is recommended to cover the area between men’s navel and knees as a sign of modesty and decency, and the more they cover, the better. Narrated by Bahr ibn Hakeem, from his father, from his grandfather, who said: “I said, ‘O’ Prophet of Allah, with regard to our ‘awrah (nakedness), what must we cover of it and what may we uncover?’ He said, ‘Cover your ‘awrah except for your wife and those whom your right hand possesses.’ I said, O’ Messenger of Allah, what if the people are staying close together?’ He said, ‘If you can make sure that no one sees it, then do not let anyone see it.’” [Hasan; At-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood and Ibn Majah]
2. “Hijabis are not fashionable.”
While the hijab is not a fashion statement and hijabis are not obsessed with fashion trends, we still make a conscious effort to look good. We wear nice dresses under our hijab and use beautiful accessories according to our means. Someone once asked if I wear earrings and necklaces. Haha! I wear them, but they’re not up for public display!
3. “The hijab is an unnecessary layer of clothing.”
As hijabi women, our dress is incomplete without our hijab. It’s not just a piece of clothing; it’s a lifestyle. We would rather stay in our rooms than go out without our hijabs!
4. “The hijab is meant for married women only.”
That’s not true! The hijab becomes obligatory as soon as a girl attains puberty. To make the transition easier, we sometimes prefer to catch them younger. So you may see a little girl wearing a cute hijab, which is perfectly acceptable! As I mentioned earlier, the hijab is a lifestyle, and we only marry men whose lifestyle aligns with ours. What if a prospective suitor wants to have a look at a lady before marriage? That’s not a problem; we can always arrange a meet-up in the presence of her guardian.
5. “The hijab limits our education and job opportunities”
You may be right to some extent, though. I mean, as hijabis, we can’t be found doing some undignified jobs, like pole dancing. We’re way too classy for that! But we can be found excelling in science, technology, medicine, art, law, education, accounting, and other prestigious fields of human endeavour that have nothing to do with one’s dressing.
6. “Hijabis keep dirty hair.”
Covering the hair does not mean we have a defect to hide. Broken, unkempt, or lice-infested hair? Nah! We honour our hair by keeping it clean and well-managed because we believe it’s a gift from Allah (SWT). Some people even ask if we shower with the hijab on. Of course we don’t.
7. “The hijab feels uncomfortable during the summer months.”
Thankfully, there’s a thermostat in the brain, known as the hypothalamus, which helps us adapt to temperature changes. If one has been wearing the hijab for a while, the hypothalamus is reset to a higher temperature than the average person. So, we’re good! Then there’s the perk of feeling warmer during the winter. Alhamdulillah!
8. “The hijab is worn indoors too.”
We have a list of male relatives (mahram) who can see us without the hijab. You can find this list in Qur’an 24:31. When we’re among our male relatives and any other females, we can remove our hijabs. At home with our husbands, we might even wear sexy lingerie.
9. “The hijab is just a part of Arab culture.”
Go check out the history of the Arabs. Women’s nudity used to be displayed for entertainment before the advent of Islam. Hijab is a sense of religious duty or a spiritual calling, not just a part of cultural attire.
10. “Hijab is a choice. You may or may not wear it.”
The hijab is a divine injunction. It’s clearly stated in the Qur’an and further explained by learned scholars; see Quran 24:31 and 33:59. We wear it to seek the pleasure of Allah ALONE. It helps us to stand out, be easily identified as Muslim women, and be protected from molestation.
Do you have any questions or doubts about the hijab? Feel free to ask us, and we’re always happy to clear up your misconceptions.
About the Author:
Khadijah Tijani is a Nigerian medical doctor, a creative blogger and a published author. She grew up in Ibadan, Oyo State and graduated from the College of Medicine at the University of Ibadan in 2009. After five years of practice in Nigeria, she relocated to Saudi Arabia where she worked as a resident physician in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Known as “Doctor KT,” Tijani is a women’s health advocate. She provides breastfeeding support for mothers. She is currently based in Canada. Writing is her second career, and she is embracing it fully.
Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @askdoctorkt
Blog: www.askdoctorkt.com
Or, @askdoctorkt@gmail.com