By Batool Fatima Choudhary
Hijab means to cover one’s self and is worn by Muslim women as a sign of dedication to their faith and a sign of modesty. I felt that wearing the hijab helped me become more confident in my own worth. I have enormous strength, courage and integrity. Therefore, it never was, is or will be a sign of oppression for you. For me, it’s about hidayat (God’s will) making hijab a choice.
According to the Quran (33:59), “Oh, Prophet tell the wives and the daughters and the believer women to draw their jilbab close around them, this will be better so that they are recognized and not harmed and God is the most forgiving, most merciful.” According to Arabic dictionaries, jilbab means a long, overflowing gown. Another verse in the Quran (24:31) states, “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity and do not reveal their adornment except what is already shown, and draw their khimar over their neck.” The khimar was a fancy silk scarf.
Hijab does not prevent a woman from acquiring knowledge or from contributing to the betterment of human society. Historically, women have also greatly contributed to Islam, in every profession and in every sector of society.
Personally speaking, wearing the hijab gives me the freedom to give consent of attention to my physical appearance. It’s up to me what I choose to do with my body so the hijab is my right and it gives me my voice. If someone wants to wear hijab or dress modestly, an essential practice of Islam, preventing them from doing so is against their fundamental and constitutional rights, including in India where I reside.
Despite Muslims being the second largest religious population in India, hijab has been misappropriated as something degrading and regressive over the past decade. They can also be deprived of their fundamental rights like education such as the case of Karnataka, India, where girls cannot pursue or further their education because of their choice to wear the hijab. Nevertheless, India’s constitution provides everyone with the power to practice and propagate one’s religion. As long as it does not interfere or degrade other religions, everyone is at absolute freedom. It is pertinent to mention here that the right to wear hijab is one of the many protections granted by the constitution and the Indian judiciary. So, owning our identity should not be an issue for anyone. If the constitution empowers us, nothing should take that away from us. I knew a different India growing up and it’s only a matter of time before things get more out of hand than they already are.
Overall, the wearing of a hijab does not impede a woman from learning new things or from making contributions to society. A woman who wears a hijab has the potential to be the best boss, worker, friend and councilor. I wear the hijab to show that I am a proud Muslim and I wish to be recognized for my hard work and achievements. Alhumdulillah!
About the Author:
Batool Fatima Choudhary is a student of Teach and Civil Engineering from the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Find Batool @Chowdhary.batool via Instagram
@Batoolchoudhary via Twitter @Chowdhary Batool Fatima via Facebook