By Samina H-Bakhsh
When we think of hijab, it is often referred to as a noun – the physical piece of cloth that Muslim women wear to cover their hair with. Although this is a perfectly okay interpretation of hijab, it doesn’t just stop there. Hijab is also a verb; the act of hijab, which is the act of modesty. Just as we perform salah, or fasting, we can observe hijab as an action. If we understand this, we can also understand that this modest behaviour in all that we do, doesn’t just apply to Muslim women, but also to Muslim men.
Depending on where you are in the world, different words can be used to describe this piece of cloth. For example, in parts of the Asian subcontinent, it is referred to as a chadar, a large cloth that is draped over the head, shoulders and upper parts of the body, with the same purpose in mind – to cover.
In simple terms, to observe hijab means being modest in our thoughts and behaviour, modest in what we consume with our eyes and ears, and of course, modest in the way we dress from head to toe, which goes beyond just covering our hair.
Hijab is for him too. In the Quran in surah 24: 30, Allah (swt) commands, “O’ Prophet! Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what they do.”
Just as Muslim women should conduct themselves in a modest way, so should Muslim men. How could the Muslim men in your life observe hijab daily?
In conclusion, really stop and make that conscious effortand decision to fight negative influences and temptations. As Muslims, we observe hijab for the sake of Allah and tosecure our place in Jannah. Yes, it can be hard to say, “No” to some of these worldly things, but that’s our test. And by staying strong in our intentions, إنشالله we can makea genuine effort in how we, both women and men, practice true hijab.
About the Author
Samina H-Bakhsh is a UK based teacher with over 18 years’ of experience, including having taught in the UAE and Brunei. An avid reader and writer, Samina is set to release her hijab-themed children’s picture book in early 2022. Her creativity also includes recently becoming a Guinness World Record henna artist, based on speed and is currently in the process of setting up henna workshops. Connect with Samina on Instagram @thehennateacher.