My Hijab Story

Are you also one among many who wondered how come suddenly I have started wearing Hijab?

or am I wearing it because of the hype it has gained due to its massive news appearance?

            

So, let me start!

 

The story began early from a very long time. This idea of the hijab came to me gradually. Primarily it was about the comforts I need in my clothes. If I had to choose between fashion and comfortable clothes, it'll always be comfortable clothes. It shifted from tops to kurtas...then from tight jeans to loose pants...to scarfs in the neck....to covering face while going out because of heat and dust. So now you see, right? That's how it was going on and on.

Another thing was, from the time I have started studying law. I realize the importance of correct understanding & interpreting whatever I read. and the most important thing was whatever I read must have authority in itself and I must understand it carefully. Reading Quran in plain Arabic language was one thing of that sort, so I thought of reading Quran by translation to understand what my religion teaches. One thing after the other came and then the verse came about hijab.

Even before mentioning the hijab for women, Quran first mentions for the hijab of men that "O Prophet!˺ Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what they do." and then it commanded for women that "And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment [i.e., beauty] except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess [i.e., slaves], or those male attendants having no physical desire,4 or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed."

    

In simple language, Hijab means 'to cover/conceal' for men they should lower their gaze and for women, she must cover her hairs and chest as these are the attractive features which reveal her beauty. Apart from this Muslim women wear loose clothing so their body shape is not revealed therefore wearing only burkha is not mandatory. Any type of loose modest dress which doesn't reveal the body shape is permissible. 

For me, it was not an impulsive decision. Nobody forced me and to the non-muslims reading out there, those who feel practices like these are forced on then my dear friends when things like these are forced they don't go on for a long term. It took me around 6 months to figure out everything. And yes, I decided to wear it way before the hijab controversy arose. The first thing was I found comfort in wearing it. It made me feel secure. It made me feel free. Yes! it did. For others, they feel Hijab/burkha is depriving/oppressing Muslim women but it's not true. In a true sense, it's liberating me. I'll tell you how... I can bend down and pick up my fallen things without thinking twice that while bending, my chest would be shown to others or not. I get extra time by tying a rough bun instead of tying a plait which takes me 10 mins every day. I can study freely as the hairs inside my hijab don't come to my eyes while I study or drive. My hijab tells the people around me to behave well and be decent in their language.  It tells the opposite gender around me that he can not just casually touch me or joke around with me or speak to me indecently. It signifies that a person speaking to me must be well-behaved and must have good manners and should not cross a line. So Hijab tells people around to treat me/any other Muslim woman with utmost dignity and respect.

I wore Hijab to my college first time on January 26, 2022. I was selected to recite a poem on female foeticide. I was nervous and in pain too as I had a minor accident 2 days before. Due to pain, I wasn't able to prepare well but I decided that I'll do my best. I was very nervous and scared because this was going to be my first public appearance in the hijab (otherwise I don't get nervous or scared getting on stage). So my dear readers I would like to end this blog by telling you that I did perform very well, got appreciation from many....in addition to all this I want to gift you this thought that when you know you are on the right path, have full confidence and faith in yourself and then see you'll shine like a BRIGHT STAR.

Thank You

Arena Ali