ADVICE: HOW TO START TO WEAR THE HIJAB

Dear Chereen,

Some advice on how to start wearing the hejab? I really want to begin.

Thanks,

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

That sounds amazing, mashaAllah!

This brings me back to when I first felt in my heart that I wanted to don the hijab not because it was customary, cultural or because I got married. I remember feeling that this is finally it.

I wanted to be known as a Muslim woman.

All my life, I have been in search of an “identity” that can help people to perceive me as a I am. So this goes to length of finding clothes that makes me feel “this is so me” to finding the right shade of colour, right cutting, right everything so that people are able to perceive me as I am. Like for example, I was in an “indie” phase so you could imagine those skinny jeans and band tees just because this helps people to identify me that I belonged.

As I moved forward and learnt more about the Deen, I understand better that judging and perceiving people just by their mere physique, qualifications, bank accounts or the kind of music they listen to are inadequate. And such shallow perceptions too. I understood better that as humans, we are not able to fully judge and perceive people because ultimately, Allah is the Al Hakam – The Ultimate Judge. And He judges us not through shallow perceptions but He judges us through our beautiful hearts as He says in the Qur’an :

إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ

But only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.

(Ash-Shuara, 26:89)

This particular reason moved me. I wanted strongly to be identified as a Muslim woman. I wanted people to identify me to our beloved Prophet SAW and his companions RA. I wanted to be accustomed to the beauty of Allah’s deen. And ultimately, I wanted people to identify me as who I am not because of the clothing brands I wear, my qualifications or anything else except my self.

And the best way to connect yourself is to attached your heart to something so beautiful, the Quran and Sunnah. I wanted my heart to be materialise through my actions, though not perfect but I attempt to strive for the perfection of my heart and character. And there’s no better way than to start with identifying myself and letting the world know, that I am a Muslim woman.

So my dearest sister, if you have found it in your heart a similar reason that I found in mine a few years ago before donning the hijab, by all means please just do it. I know it can be hard to start. I had that doubt and fear in me before I started to wear it outside too. But know that, there is no other right time than now.

May Allah ease your journey and I bid you nothing but beautiful duas. 🙂

Love & Light,

Nadrah