'and if any one believes in Allah, ((Allah)) guides his heart (aright): for Allah knows all things'. [Quran:64:11]
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
The day I decided to wear Hijab and why..
Sister Maryam
CANADA
To say that wearing the hijab is a personal choice does not really negate the fact that it is obligatory to wear it, because with all religious duties in Islam, we have the choice to obey and comply, fulfilling our obligations, or the choice to disobey and defy, failing to meet them. And as with all choices in life, there are rewards and consequences that go along with them, be they good or evil.
For me, it truly was a jihad. I had been a muslim for almost a year,when I decided to do it, Ramadan was fast approaching and I wanted to feel my faith in everything I did. I remember very vividly how scared I was the first day I put on the headscarf and went out into public. As long as you are just wearing the modest clothes, nobody has to know that you are a Muslim. Once you complete your hijab with the headscarf, you are suddenly announcing to everyone who sees you that "I am a Muslim".
Being a hijabi has not been easy. I have had to give up some things that I love. I used to be proud of my hair, which is now covered. I would blow-dry it straight everyday, at one point it was so long, I use to iron it on the ironing board, my sister and I use to do that every time we went out together.
In this sense, the hijab also helps me regulate my behavior and character. With the hijab, I cannot focus too much on my looks, which prevents me from comparing myself to others or developing vanity or conceit. I must speak to both men and women with humility, not arrogance.
I have to admit though, sometimes, I am proud the positive attention, from non-Muslims and Muslims alike. Often, when I travel to the city , and take a taxi ,I am greated by , "Assalamu Alaikum", something I don’t hear often in my home town lol.My hijab becomes my identity, a raised flag that says, "Hey, I'm Muslim and I'm proud." Within a few months I came to feel that I would not be properly dressed if I went out not wearing hijab.
Other times, the hijab can be a hazard.Ignorant people will voice stupid comments like: "Are you a terrorist?" "Do you have bomb in your bag?" "Are you gonna blow this place up?"
Unfortunately, Muslim identity is misunderstood as something negative in much of the world, some governments have banned Muslim students from wearing the hijab in public schools etc.
But I'm thankful to be living in North America, where I have the right to choose how to dress. For now, I am confident in myself, knowing that my beauty lies more than superficially..
Various statements are made about why you should wear hijab, such as for modesty or for protection, but the real reason that I wear hijab is that Allah has commanded it. Whenever anyone asks me, why do you dress like that, that's the only answer I need to give them.
Surely wearing hijab is a very small thing that I can do for Him compared to what He does for me!
Allah makes tests for us in this world. He makes things difficult for us. He wants to see if we will remember Him, if we will have faith in Him, and if we will trust in Him. These qualities are what is meant by "sabr".
Allah does not lose the work of anyone, ever ( Surah Ali Imran ayah 195). Even if it seems like nobody is paying attention to you or notices or appreciates good things that you do, Allah has seen them, and He will not forget them. Even when it seems like the whole world is against you, Allah is always there for you when you turn to Him. I always try to remember this.
Allah has promised Jannah to those who remain steadfast in their faith in Him and who trust in Him. The more difficult it is for you to have sabr, the greater the reward for it. So what will it be? Ease in this world, and perhaps the eternal sufferings in Hell? Or difficulty in this world, and inshallah the eternal bliss of Jannah? Yes, it's difficult to wear hijab. You may be rejected by your family( mine still doesn’t like it) or your friends, you may face harassment and persecution These are very scary thoughts. But if you have sabr and keep trusting in Allah, this is the path to Jannah, and when I look back on Judgement Day I will know that it was worth it and have no regrets.
Allah does not burden a soul except what it can bear. For it is what it has earned, and upon it is what it has made due. "Our Lord and Sustainer, do not condemn us if we forget or do wrong. Our Lord and Sustainer, do not put a burden on us like the burden You put on those who were before us. Our Lord and Sustainer, do not put a burden on us that we cannot endure. And blot out (our sins) and forgive us, and be gentle to us. You are our Protector. So help us against the rejectors." (Surah al-Baqarat ayah 286)
CANADA
To say that wearing the hijab is a personal choice does not really negate the fact that it is obligatory to wear it, because with all religious duties in Islam, we have the choice to obey and comply, fulfilling our obligations, or the choice to disobey and defy, failing to meet them. And as with all choices in life, there are rewards and consequences that go along with them, be they good or evil.
For me, it truly was a jihad. I had been a muslim for almost a year,when I decided to do it, Ramadan was fast approaching and I wanted to feel my faith in everything I did. I remember very vividly how scared I was the first day I put on the headscarf and went out into public. As long as you are just wearing the modest clothes, nobody has to know that you are a Muslim. Once you complete your hijab with the headscarf, you are suddenly announcing to everyone who sees you that "I am a Muslim".
Being a hijabi has not been easy. I have had to give up some things that I love. I used to be proud of my hair, which is now covered. I would blow-dry it straight everyday, at one point it was so long, I use to iron it on the ironing board, my sister and I use to do that every time we went out together.
In this sense, the hijab also helps me regulate my behavior and character. With the hijab, I cannot focus too much on my looks, which prevents me from comparing myself to others or developing vanity or conceit. I must speak to both men and women with humility, not arrogance.
I have to admit though, sometimes, I am proud the positive attention, from non-Muslims and Muslims alike. Often, when I travel to the city , and take a taxi ,I am greated by , "Assalamu Alaikum", something I don’t hear often in my home town lol.My hijab becomes my identity, a raised flag that says, "Hey, I'm Muslim and I'm proud." Within a few months I came to feel that I would not be properly dressed if I went out not wearing hijab.
Other times, the hijab can be a hazard.Ignorant people will voice stupid comments like: "Are you a terrorist?" "Do you have bomb in your bag?" "Are you gonna blow this place up?"
Unfortunately, Muslim identity is misunderstood as something negative in much of the world, some governments have banned Muslim students from wearing the hijab in public schools etc.
But I'm thankful to be living in North America, where I have the right to choose how to dress. For now, I am confident in myself, knowing that my beauty lies more than superficially..
Various statements are made about why you should wear hijab, such as for modesty or for protection, but the real reason that I wear hijab is that Allah has commanded it. Whenever anyone asks me, why do you dress like that, that's the only answer I need to give them.
Surely wearing hijab is a very small thing that I can do for Him compared to what He does for me!
Allah makes tests for us in this world. He makes things difficult for us. He wants to see if we will remember Him, if we will have faith in Him, and if we will trust in Him. These qualities are what is meant by "sabr".
Allah does not lose the work of anyone, ever ( Surah Ali Imran ayah 195). Even if it seems like nobody is paying attention to you or notices or appreciates good things that you do, Allah has seen them, and He will not forget them. Even when it seems like the whole world is against you, Allah is always there for you when you turn to Him. I always try to remember this.
Allah has promised Jannah to those who remain steadfast in their faith in Him and who trust in Him. The more difficult it is for you to have sabr, the greater the reward for it. So what will it be? Ease in this world, and perhaps the eternal sufferings in Hell? Or difficulty in this world, and inshallah the eternal bliss of Jannah? Yes, it's difficult to wear hijab. You may be rejected by your family( mine still doesn’t like it) or your friends, you may face harassment and persecution These are very scary thoughts. But if you have sabr and keep trusting in Allah, this is the path to Jannah, and when I look back on Judgement Day I will know that it was worth it and have no regrets.
Allah does not burden a soul except what it can bear. For it is what it has earned, and upon it is what it has made due. "Our Lord and Sustainer, do not condemn us if we forget or do wrong. Our Lord and Sustainer, do not put a burden on us like the burden You put on those who were before us. Our Lord and Sustainer, do not put a burden on us that we cannot endure. And blot out (our sins) and forgive us, and be gentle to us. You are our Protector. So help us against the rejectors." (Surah al-Baqarat ayah 286)
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
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