Hijab Series: The Hijab Series is a series of blog posts answering all the who, what, when, where and why's of wearing the Hijab. Instead of putting everything you need to know about wearing the Hijab into one post, I decide to divide it up into a bunch of much shorter blog posts. I have tried my best to answer everything that I wish I had known before wearing the Hijab, but if there's anything else you want me to add, be sure to comment it below!
The Hijab is often misunderstood as a sign of oppression Oftentimes, the media does all it can to show the negative and extreme sides of wearing the Hijab - when in reality, there are extremists for everything, in every culture and for every group of people. It is our duty as Muslim women to prove that these allegations inaccurately portray the true essence of Hijab. We must prove to the world that the Hijab does not hinder us from attaining and achieving what we wish to achieve. We must make the world understand that this a part of Islam and a commandment from Allah. It's there to protect our chastity and allow us to be respected for our character rather than our physical appearance.
I'm going to start by stating the words of our beloved Khalifa (may Allah strengthen his hands), that I mentioned in a previous post. Huzur (may Allah strengthen his hands, stated in the Concluding Address delivered to the Lajna Annual Ijtema UK:
“With reference to women, the attacks that are being levied against Islam these days relate to the issue of ‘Purdah’, or wearing of the veil or a scarf. Men can present countless explanations and justifications in support of the institution of ‘Purdah’ in Islam. However, if anyone can answer this attack, it is a practicing and a God fearing Ahmadi woman who can demonstrate the proper answer. Therefore, instead of becoming the victim of any complex, like a brave Ahmadi Muslim woman, with your practice and with your arguments, convey this message to your friends and in your society that this Quranic teaching is to safeguard your chastity. It is there to restore your lost honor. It is not an imprisonment.” [November 19, 2006]
The only way we can change this false stereotypical view of Hijab is by changing ourselves to understand the purpose of Hijab and have the strength to explain it to people who ask. Our character and personality can influence the mindset of those who are quick to judge the Hijab.
WE ARE NOT FORCED TO WEAR THE HIJAB
Sadly, the wearing of Hijab is often linked to force by those in the media. We are seen as women who are forced to wear the Hijab by the male relations in our lives. However, we know that this is not the case for the majority of Hijab wearers, especially in the West. We must remind these people that we are not wearing the Hijab for anyone, except Allah. We must remind them that Allah knows our intentions full well, and if we wore the Hijab our entire life only to please others, Allah would know. We Muslims know that before we wear the Hijab, we have to make the correct intention. So it would make little to no sense if we, the women of Allah, were wearing the Hijab to please others.
EDUCATE PEOPLE ON THE HIJAB
As I've stated above, the main source of the stereotypes that are prevalent today, is the media. It has a way of making people believe and see what they wish for others to believe and see. Many times, people are quick to judge (Muslims) by what they are told of them through the media - this is a result of ignorance Before we educate others, we must educate ourselves so that we can use the knowledge that we have to educate others. This will let people know of the true purpose of Hijab.
REMIND PEOPLE,THAT WE ARE FREE TO WEAR WHAT WE CHOOSE
Oftentimes, people just need to be reminded and given something to think about. Remind others that just as people of other faiths are free to wear what they choose, so are we as Muslim women. Christians wear the cross, many nuns also wear robes and cover their heads; Sikhs wear turbans; Jews wear kippas; and so on. Why is it that these pieces of clothing do not symbolize oppression when in reality they are all symbols of different faiths? You don't even have to think about religion, to know that no one should judge what you wear. If girls and guys can wake up every morning and choose what they wear, then why can't Muslim women do the same?
Someone that I look up to, by the name of Amena Khan has said the following words:
"Apparently I'm not free because a womans' freedom is only granted when her hair shows and her body is flaunted. Since when did freedom inharantly require me to show my body, which I don't want others to see? My freedom is in the way that I choose to look! Does it bother you that I have control over what I choose to show? How ironic, when the people who are 'pro-freedom' insist that you take off your hijab, themselves dictating what we shall wear. So apparently to you, freedom means to conform to your criteria about what I should wear, right? The hijab symbolizes my faith, and you want to ban it? Then why don't you ban charity, selflessness, equality etc. too? Because those are also requirements of a believer. But of course it's not about freedom, is it? I make you uneasy because my Hijab reminds you that I am trying to obey God and not you, and that bugs you. See if headscarves entered mainstream fashion, you would never protest. You wouldn't assert that I'm not free. But since modesty equals faith, you unabashedly bash me, claiming to want to free me. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to modern chivarly, a hidden form of bigotry. I depend on God not on your latest analysis of me because you see, through you too, He(Allah) is testing me."
There will always be stereotypes, no matter how hard we try. But it is our job as Muslim women to show the world the true essence of Hijab. May Allah enable us to do so, Ameen!
More Posts in the Hijab Series -
Hijab Series: My Hijab Story
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