By Samina H-Baksh
One thing I’ve noticed us clever hijabi sisters do, is find creative uses for the hijab aside from the obvious! Here are some of my best uses for the handy hijab. Let’s see how many you can relate to:
Who hasn’t taken full advantage of the benefits of hijab on a bad hair day? Running late for work? Alarm didn’t go off? Didn’t get to wash your hair as planned? Hijab to the rescue! Knowing I didn’t need to worry about any side-eye glances at my extra mattegreasy hair, was something I began to appreciate once I started wearing hijab. It also means I can get on with my work day without feeling self-conscious.
Okay, so this one only really came to me after I had my first child. I travelled a lot with her during the first two years of her life (pre-pandemic, of course). After noticing other hijabis tucking their phones into the side of their hijab to attend to a phone call, whilst pushing a pram/baby stroller or carrying their baby, I had to get onboard. It didn’t stop there; nope! I have gone HHF, (hijab hands-free) whilst cooking, dressing my child, changing nappies/diapers or pushing a shopping trolley/cart.
For those that can relate, you’ll know the pesky regrowth time in between treatments can be really awkward. But if you are a hijabi, it acts as the perfect cover up leaving everyone none the wiser. Just pull the hijab forward over the sides of your face and tuck it closer to the edge of your chin. Okay, it may not look exactly the best, but I’d rather that, than anyone spotting my version of a five o’clock shadow!
I have lost count of the number of times the loose folds of my hijab have perfectly saved a morsel of yummy food from dropping to the ground. And not one to waste, I have happily scooped it up from my hijab and eaten it!
In preparation for my first child, I bought a nursing cover. It had a sturdy ring large enough to pass over my head and was attached to a piece of thick material. The idea being that you could nurse my child anywhere with modesty. Well, what a faff (waste)! My daughter would get red–faced and sweaty, and then become agitated and fussy. I very quickly realized it was much easier to use one of my larger sized hijabs and simply pull the edges lower over my child whilst breastfeeding her. It also meant I wasn’t having to carry an extra baby item along with the gazillion other things in that overflowing baby bag!
There’s a lot to be said for a good weekly hair oil massage. Even better if you can still get your mom/grandma/anyone else really, to do it. The issue is having to keep the oil in overnight or for several hours at least. Unless you’re braver than I was, you will not want to be leaving the house during this period. But the hijabi need not fear! Just grab that special hijab you keep for such occasions, wrap that greasy head up and you’re good–to–go!
This works better with longer flowy hijabs, where you’ve got a longer panel to play around with. Ever been caught out with nowhere to put some loose change/ a lip balm / random earring/ you get the idea right? Well, I used to see older female relatives do this often with their shawls, but it can easily be adapted to the hijab. Grab the corner of your hijab, place said item on it and wrap it up and use the edge to tie a knot to secure the item. Perfect short term solution so you don’t have to worry about misplacing it!
The hijab is perfect for keeping your ears warm during the colder months, keeping your hair dry when it suddenly rains and protecting your head from the sun in the warmer months. I hadn’t appreciated the last one until I was living in the UAE and had suffered my first heat headache during my pre–hijab days.
And finally, let’s not forget the trusted hijab pin. Hands up if you’ve had to, or someone else has asked to use your hijab pin to access the sim/memory card tray thingy on a phone? A hijab pin is the perfect substitute and extra points for helping someone else out too!
What other ways has your hijab come in handy other than the obvious? I would love to hear them so feel free to comment below.
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