I have struggled with hijab for years all through high school. After attempting to wear it a few times and being unsuccessful, as I never really understood the concept and principles of hijab in Islam besides that it “makes” you a Muslim woman.

However, 2014 was a life changing year for me after moving from an island where Muslims were in abundance and Islam not having any impact in my life, to a country where atheism was like a fashion statement. Allah swt (All-Praised and The Exalted), The Turner of Hearts, changed mine. It felt like an emotional roller coaster ride, where I was questioning everything in my life, everything that was taking place in the world, and constantly thinking about death and what I had prepared to show my Lord. I was forced to reflect on my life and was extremely hurt at my lack of conscientiousness as a Muslim woman.

I was all of a sudden conscious about Salaat (Islamic Prayer) and Quran. Although I grew up as a Muslim, I felt like a brand new person, a revert. I started implementing the teachings of Islam in my life, but I still felt something empty in my heart. When I was indoors, I would wear my hijab and take it off before going out. It would sadden me a lot. The night before the Day of Ashura (10th day of the islamic month of Muharram having great religious and historical significance), I felt this incomparable joy and anxiety and I knew that the visions of myself wearing hijab were a sign from Allah. That was my encouragement. Such a significant day, that Friday, I put my hijab on and started my day vowing to myself to never take it off.

Although I have had prejudice remarks made towards me, and also noticed that some people who were in my life had changed due to this lifestyle alteration. I believed that when you change and do something purely for the sake of love for The Creator then the negatives naturally exit your life, so let it go.

I am finally at peace with my heart and soul, and constantly trying to be a better person. It is a reminder to myself, what I represent and keeps me in check of my words and actions every second of the day, and for that I am thankful. It is my identity and I feel an overwhelming happiness that hundreds of strangers pass me by without acknowledgement and Muslims now identify me as their sister with a greeting.

My hijab is a mercy and favour from Allah that He has called me back from a long journey astray. May Allah guide all the women of WHD (World Hijab Day) with such inspiring stories and those that need strength to start their spiritual adventure being a hijabi Muslimah and may we all meet one day in Heaven! In sha Allah (God-Willingly).

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