Since High school, I’d been wanting to wear Hijab and I kept telling my friends that I will wear it next year, every year. But it never happened. I always felt like I was ready to wear Hijab but reality was contrary to my belief. My friend for ten years, Anis Syakirin, never gave up on me and constantly reminded me of my goal.

In 2013, during the month of fasting, I pondered upon the idea of wearing hijab. I laid out the pros and cons  inside my mind and I kept it to myself. I knew that if I wore hijab, I would have to slightly change myself, particularly my dressing. One morning, after I had Sahur (an early meal that marks the start of the fast) with my family, I tried to sleep but I couldn’t because my mind kept racing around the idea and my heart was beating very fast. The longer I thought of it that morning, the stronger my wish to wear it got. I called Anis and told her everything. To my surprise, she took me to a boutique to buy some headscarves that very day.

I finally tried it on and my parents were totally surprised. Especially my dad because he wanted one of his daughters to wear Hijab and was totally thrilled by what he saw. On that day when I went out wearing it, I felt like people were watching me or I was an alien who didn’t belong here. After I bought a few scarves, Anis chose one out of the stalk for me to wear and I went home with my head covered. It was the very beginning of this wonderful journey.

I was pretty nervous about it a week before Eid (Islamic celebration) so I gave myself time to really accept everything. I didn’t announce it on the social media either as I was still unsure of myself and I didn’t want to be the girl who changed from free hair to hijab and then back to uncovering again. Alhamdulilah (God-Graciously) after I told everyone about it, they were as excited as I was and they were happy for me, including my non-muslim friends.

It’s already been one whole year and I’m happy that I made this decision even though at times it does become hard to make my scarf stay in place because of the material mostly but that’s not a big deal. I wore the Hijab when I was 20 years old and now I’m 22. It’s never to late to wear the Hijab. Do it for yourself and for Allah.

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I am originally from Bosnia. But grew up in the Netherlands and did not have a typical Islamic upbringing. However, on a big part, I was informed about many of the beauties of Islam.  Though it wasn’t until a half year ago, after my personal search for the truth and meaning of life, that I have found peace and solace in the remembrance of Allah (s.w.t.) and have since made huge steps to try to secure my bond with Him. Lately, I’ve been thinking of wearing the hijab but I don’t feel as if I’m strong enough to face people in my surrounding…Even though, I love everything the covering stands for. That’s why I want to thank every lovely lady that has shared her story, for you are definitely helping me in the right direction! God bless you, all sisters in faith and humanity.

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I’ve been wearing Hijab for almost my whole life. I have pictures of me wearing Hijab when I was only 6 years old. I have worn it with full contentment. My parents even tried to convince me into leaving it by telling me that I was quite young for it but I always insisted upon wearing it. Yes, I used to take it off occasionally when I was younger, but that was rare. What made me wear Hijab was seeing my older sister donning it, so I was just copying her. Also the beautiful religious environment that I was raised in helped with my positive decision. Once I understood the true, beautiful, and deep meaning of Hijab, I never regretted wearing it at such an young age. I enjoyed my childhood as normally as any other kid. My parents would take us to the beach, swimming pools etc. So wearing Hijab didn’t steal away MY FREEDOM. Actually it was totally the other way around.  Hijab gave and still gives me the complete freedom that I deserve as a Human being.

A lot of our friends (mine and my two sisters’)  have worn Hijab because they were inspired by us and that is something that I really thank ALLAH for, that He chose us to deliver such a beautiful message.

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I’ve been a Muslim for about a year now and I can honestly say it’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. I started wearing my hijab faithfully and permanently two weeks before I actually converted to Islam. My hijab has made me lose almost all of my “friends” because they couldn’t be seen with someone like me and I get to be treated differently by most of my family members who do not understand why I cover myself more than I did before. I explain to everyone that wearing my hijab has not changed who I am as a person nor has it altered my way of living.

My hijab, in fact, has made me feel more confident in myself and made people actually talk to me differently, with more respect. It has made both men and women to look at ‘ME’ and like me for who I am instead of liking me based upon my physical appearance. Converting to Islam and wearing my hijab has made me look at life in a different way. Women are not objects to be judged by their looks! We shouldn’t be liked based on our beauty. We are all beautiful and we shouldn’t let just anyone or everyone only admire our physical beauty. We should be admired by our intelligence, compassion, and our hearts. Wear your hijabs proudly my dear sisters! I wear mine proudly every single day!

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I started wearing the Hijab in Ramadan 2014. I remember writing a list of things that I wanted to pray about during the month of Ramadan. One of the things on the list was praying for the courage to start wearing the Hijab. I’ve always admired people that wore the Hijab. I reached a point in my life where I knew that I wanted to start wearing the Hijab but I didn’t know when. I was convinced that I would finally start wearing it many years later when I am a lot older. I wanted to start wearing it but I was not ready yet. Then one summer morning, I was lying down in my bed and something inside was telling me that it was finally time to start wearing it. I thought about it briefly for that moment and then brushed it off. I started to think about it a lot more and then finally decided that it was finally time to start wearing it.

It was as if Allah had spoken to me through my heart when I made this decision. It took some time getting used to it especially because I went my entire life without wearing it and no-one else in my family wears it. However, I believe that this was the best decision that I’ve made and I am not turning back. I cannot imagine myself without it. Sometimes, I am in disbelief as to how I have gone so long without it. Since I started wearing it, I feel secure, protected, and a lot more beautiful. I feel liberated in knowing that I am no longer hiding a main part of my identity in order to conform to society.

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Ramadan 2012, I said to myself looking into the mirror, “It’s now or never!”

And here I am. It’s been two years since I started wearing Hijab.

And as I recollect my one year’s journey, I realized that despite of the ups and downs (the devil trying to play smart with me!) the experience has been quite amazing.
Alhamdulillah!

But how did it all start and what made me love practicing Hijab is what every “Non- Hijabi” yearns to know.

Life before Hijab

Yes, the very thought of doing hijab always made me go like, “NO!”
I knew very well that Hijab was and is obligatory on every believing woman.
But I terribly feared about what people would think or how they would react. I feared not being noticed. I feared I might not be able to enjoy life while doing Hijab and above all I feared looking less beautiful in front of the world.

I always strived to be the greatest daughter, the greatest wife and the greatest mother. But then there came a point in my life where my inner voice questioned me,
“Are you the Greatest Muslimah?”
“Are you Allah’s favorite?”
“Have you entirely obeyed Allah and His Book (Al-Quran)?
“Are you flawless to stand in front of Allah on the Day of Judgment?”
And my answers were a “NO”…
I thought to myself, what am I going to gain looking drop dead gorgeous in the eyes of the world, when I will ultimately end up being a “Big Loser” in the eyes of Allah!
This made me feel awful and I had to do something about it!
I knew for a fact that to love doing something, I will have to understand its thorough meaning, purpose and benefits.
And that’s how my journey started…

Understanding Hijab

It was clear to me from the Holy Qur’an that Hijab was a religious obligation, which every single believing woman “had” to undertake. It was a command from Allah that came in the most beautiful manner, for her own protection, her own elevation, and her own dignity.

I understood that Hijab was not just a piece of cloth on my head!
Hijab reflected in the way I talk, the way I walk; the very way I carried myself in public to encourage modesty while still being part of a functioning and healthy society.

Why Hijab?

“O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known (as a free respectable woman) and not be abused. And Allah is ever forgiving and Merciful.” (Qur’an, 33:59)

The purpose of Hijab is to protect and safe guard our dignity from wrong intentions of (some) men. This includes various forms of sexual abuse and harassment which has always been very common.

The Hijab sends a signal to men that the ‘wearer’ is a modest and a chaste woman who should not be bothered or even looked at with an immoral intention.
Most importantly Hijab is the command of Allah, The Almighty, which cannot be disregarded and over looked.
So basically, there is no question of WHY!

Devil at work! (Satan)

Iblees [Satan] said, “My Lord, because You have put me in error, I will surely make [disobedience] attractive to them (mankind) on earth, and I will mislead them all. (Qur’an 15: 39)
Then I will come to them from before them and from behind them and on their right and on their left, and You will not find most of them grateful [to You].” (Qur’an 7:17)

Every time I dreaded doing Hijab, I knew it was Satan playing a big role in constantly trying to misguide me. So I came back stronger than before . I prayed to Allah to help me fight the Satan.

I constantly kept trying and continued to have the perseverance to follow the true path, the path of Allah, the path which promised Eternal Happiness and Success.
I knew that Allah loves those who try!

Hijab is for the sake of ALLAH

“O Children of Adam! We have bestowed on you clothing to cover your shame as well as to be an adornment to you. But the clothing of righteousness, that is the best. Such are among the Signs of Allah, that they may receive warning.” (Quran7:26)

When a Muslim woman wears Hijab she is obeying and submitting to Allah. And it’s as simple as that!
I thought to myself if I am going to worry about “what people might think” then I am simply giving them higher priority over Allah (The Creator), which was very wrong.

I had to understand that their thoughts and opinions were none of my concern. They won’t even be bothered about me on the Day of Judgement!

Trying to alter the practice of Islam for the sake of other people who have absolutely nothing to do with my present, future or even Akhira for that matter was unjustifiable, worthless and unwise!
I made myself understand that Hijab was between Me and Allah, and not them!

Hijab a ‘Blessing’ and not a Burden!

“It may be that you dislike something and in it is goodness for you” (Qur’an, 2:216)

Remember, Allah knows what you do not. Just know that Allah has made it obligatory on you because He loves you and wants for you ultimate protection and well-being.

I have realized that it’s so wrong to feel that Hijab would prevent me from enjoying my life. In fact I got to appreciate life more by being relaxed, carefree and untroubled, while staying in the boundaries of Islam, pleasing Allah and hoping for a better Akhira as well!
Now isn’t that a Jackpot!?

Convincing myself to start doing Hijab took me 7 years.

It doesn’t matter how early or late you start doing it, what matters is how well you understand its sole purpose and start loving it with all your heart. Then only will you happily practice it.

Hijab made me spiritually connected to Allah, got me closer to my religion and made me a better Muslim than I was before (though I still have a long way to go!)

I felt like this beautiful armor (protective covering) guarding me from all the negativity around me.

It definitely is a big transition, but once you actually start doing it, you wouldn’t want to leave it!
Trust me on this one!
You will feel elegant, respectable and in turn have high regard in public.

May Allah make our hearts firm and steadfast on our religion, and grant us patience and strength in our spiritual struggles. In sha’Allah!

More on the author: www.aminansari.com

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One year ago, on January 1st 2013, my sister and I finally made the decision to start hijab. We thought about it many times and got pretty close to making the decision to start, but for different reasons would back out. It was scary to change our lifestyle. We could not imagine covering our hair, wearing different clothes, and standing out from the crowd.

But we started talking about it more and more. We talked about it so much, even stayed up nights charting out the pros and cons, only to find that there was just one con versus a long list of pros, and that was “what are people going to think of us?” That’s when we realized, what’s more important: People’s opinion of us OR God’s opinion of us. We asked ourselves what are we waiting for, and decided let’s just do it. When we first started wearing hijab, we were holding our breath waiting to hear the criticism and negative comments, but Alhamdullilah we have never received any such negativity from our friends, family, or even strangers.

Over one year of hijab, we have experienced so much. We love that we are visible Muslims. Hijab is an open and unapologetic statement of our faith in the West, and each day we challenge people’s stereotypes and prejudice. We don’t fit into the mould of beauty that is expected, and you won’t see images of girls covered up in magazines or in entertainment lol. However, as feminists we love the rebel status. We challenge people to respect us and know us for what is in our hearts and minds and our character, over our physical appearance, body, beauty and other superficial reasons. Hijab further ensures that we respect ourselves and maintain our modesty. We don’t get negative or condescending attention from men anymore, and have noticed that they lower their gaze and are respectful.

Hijab challenges us to strive to live up to its honour. In this day and age, it is very easy to slip and stray from our faith, but the hijab serves as a constant reminder of what our real aim and purpose is in this life. It has brought us peace and clarity, made us stronger individuals, filled us with confidence and empowered us as women.

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