By Humna Naqvi
A simple understanding of hijab is that it is a ‘modest’ covering of a Muslim woman.
Allah has mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, “O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims)” [33:59]
My lovely sisters, we should strive to cover ourselves as it is told directly by Allah, the Exalted, to us.
Hijab is entirely synonymous to a beautiful way of presenting a beautiful Muslim woman. It’s this covering that brings out the true spirituality from her and attracts her to her Lord.
The percentage at which the number of hijabis (Muslim women who wear hijab) are rising is massive in compared to the previous years. This is beautiful, Masha’Allah (whatever Allah wills). Well, when most of the Muslimahs (Muslim women) decide on taking hijab, their mind is packed with endless doubts and questions. Some of the most common ones are: ‘How will I ‘look’ with my hijab on?’, ‘what will my friends think of me?’, ‘will hijab be a barrier to my success career?’, ‘will I get a job?’, ‘Urm… Isn’t my hair going to be damaged if I take it on for a long time?’ I am not over generalizing this point. Strangely, this is what the reality is. Most of us do have at least one of these doubts or in the worst scenario, all of them when deciding to put on hijab. Factually, if we analyze these questions closely, we get to learn that they are all from the Shaytan (devil). All these questions are his words, which he is injecting in our minds. He is trying to divert our pure intentions regarding hijab to falsified and misleading ones. After all, it’s the devil that is on a mission to detach us from our Lord. Sisters, be wise when you come across these suspicions. You need to prepare yourself beforehand that one day or the other; the devil may become a barrier between you and your decision of putting on your hijab.
Sisters, never forget one important aspect within this context, that is, you’re here in this dunya (world) to prepare for the Hereafter. People of this world shouldn’t be a reason for you not to take on your hijab. This world is temporary but the afterlife is permanent. If we try to fulfil the requirements of the creation, we tend to neglect and disobey our Creator.
Taking hijab is not a difficult process. In fact, it is we who make it seem so. It’s like, when you take on hijab even for a single day, you would actually never want to remove it. This is the true beauty of hijab. But most of all… you have to take this step. Do not think too much about it. That is, if you really want to satisfy your Lord, just take the step forth and forget the worldly concerns. Just do it for the sake of Allah. The more you think regarding taking it on or not, the more you get tangled into the evil knots.
When I started taking hijab, nearly two years back, trust me sisters, I barely knew the true significance of hijab in Islam. But later on, I felt extremely satisfied with my covered hair whenever I appeared in front of non-mahrams (someone who you should cover yourself in front of). There was this inner beauty I felt, which I never did when I was a non-hijabi (someone who doesn’t wear hijab). All thanks to Allah. And now hijab has become a significant part of my life. In short, hijab defines me.
I cannot stress more over the true meaning of hijab in a Muslim woman’s life.
Let’s shift our attention to another but a similar aspect of hijab. At times, some of our lovely sisters pay a huge cost when they put on their hijab. One of the common examples is when a husband of a Muslim woman distresses her for putting on her hijab. This is unacceptable. It isn’t the husband’s decision on covering his wife or not. In fact, Allah has given you the authority to take the decision on hijab.
If your husband asks you not to cover up, give him all the possibilities that you want to be a true hijabi. You can do this by changing his perspective. Keep trying… struggling and striving. Think of ways in which you can actually divert his wrong thoughts. Make him realize that a single piece of cloth could actually be a key to Paradise for both. If Allah, the Glorified, is satisfied with your decision on putting on your hijab, He will accept you and your husband as His dearest servants, if He wills. Keep making him realize this beauty. And sooner or later, he will understand you. But always keep trying and never give up under any circumstances.
In addition to this, if you’re unmarried; family can, at times, be a crucial factor in diverting your decision on putting on your hijab. Some parents don’t prefer their daughters to cover their head. Similarly, treat them in the same way. Change their perspective. Allah will guide them too.
I will now give you a few references from various Hadith and verse of the Holy Qur’an regarding hijab
– ‘A’isha radi Allahu anha used to say: “When (the Verse): ‘They should draw their veils over their necks and bosoms,’ was revealed, (the ladies) cut their waist sheets at the edges and covered their faces with the cut pieces.” (Hadith – Sahih Bukhari 6:282)
– Ibn Katheer said…
‘Women must not display any part of their beauty and charms to strangers except what cannot possibly be concealed.’
– It is also stated in the Famous books of Fiqh Durrul Mukhtar…
“Young women are prohibited from revealing their faces in the presence of men.”
– A woman’s covering (al-khimar) is defined by `Ayesha as “nothing short of what covers both the hair and skin.” (innama al-khimaru ma wara al-sha`r wa al-bashar).
– The Prophet said, “The worst among women are those who freely leave their homes without hijab. They are hypocrites and few of those will enter paradise.” (Sunan Baihaqi)
These were some of the remarkable and relatable references to hijab. All glory is due to Allah!
I will end my article with a simple and a thought-provoking quote, which I came across on a social website: “Dear sisters, one day, you will be wrapped around, fully covered head to toe, and lowered into your grave. Don’t let your last day on earth be the first day you wear hijab.”
May we all strive to act upon the righteous acts.
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