By Shahina Bint Islam ( Birmingham, UK)
I’ve always known hijab to be an obligation and an Islamic duty for Muslim women. Yet, never felt confident enough to observe it as I thought I was not ‘ready’. However, I loved and envied sisters who covered themselves, Masha’allah, they had a strength and humbleness that I didn’t possess.
I started reading the Qur’an properly (English Translation and Arabic Tajweed) and started questioning life and death. Also, started attending Islamic lectures, finally started praying five times a day, without missing Fajr (dawn prayer).
One day, I was getting ready to go shopping with my mom and sisters, I felt different. I felt shy all of a sudden to step out my house without hijab. I remember taking off my favorite big hoops (earrings), I tied my hair up and wore hijaab with the intention of never removing it again, Alhamdulillah.
I felt paranoid and odd at first. I felt like people were looking at me. Deep down I knew I was just nervous because I had finally taken this step to a new life, a life with purpose, a life with meaning. A new identity as a Muslim woman.Allah (SWT) then allowed me to perform Ummrah, for the first time with my whole family, I loved it, I felt so refreshed! I promised myself I will never remove my abaya/jilbab. I thought it would be even more difficult, but if I managed to wear hijab and jilbab in 40°C/104°F Arab desert heat, surely the UK would be easier!
Now 4 years on, I have adorned the Niqab (face veil) – I had the intention to wear it for my next visit to Ummrah but Allah SWT Guided me to wear this for His Sake and I Love it! I wouldn’t change it for the world and everything in it. I give salaams to sisters who walk pass me and share our Deen together in conversations. Islam is beautiful and answers all questions about mankind, life, and universe. Everything now has a meaning in my life and purpose.Allah (SWT) has created me and I am His servant. Hijab and jilbab is an obligation, a commandment from Him to us believing women. Let that be a blessing for all honorable believers, Ameen.