There are a few things about humans that truly baffle me. I’m no genius, and I’m no psychiatrist, but I’ve been brought up in a home where I’ve learned how to read people, and how to understand them. But there are a few things that I cannot understand.
One of them is when a girl or woman takes of her hijab and returns to her life without it. I am not judging her, of course not, for who am I to do that? Nor am I going to start preaching about the consequences of such actions. I am just wondering, how?
When I first decided to wear my hijab I knew there was no turning back, there was no such thing as a choice to remove the hijab after wearing it. I think that is the root of the problem, if you decide to cut your hair but tell yourself there is a choice to re-attach the hair once you cut it then you will not go through with the short hair, especially if you prefer your long hair. The same thing is with the hijab, the hijab is a decision to give up some of your beauty in order to experience a different type of beauty. The beauty of Allah’s constant love and presence in your heart. But if you decide to wear the hijab, while thinking that removing the hijab is a choice then you are taking the decision with the wrong paradigm, because it will not be easy having such an attractive option and saying no to it.
Life with hijab is beautiful, I swear to my Allah that it is beautiful. It is the one thing that will make you feel peaceful at night, knowing that though you might have gone through with so many sins, because while you were putting on your hijab in the morning you told Allah “I’m doing this for you” he has been with you all day. You might have disobeyed him, but at least there was one thing you did right today. You may not be as attractive as many other girls, but what about Prophet Mohamed (Peace be upon him); would you rather be beautiful in a mere man’s eyes, or in your beloved Prophet’s eyes? Think about this, you may not be beautiful in the way everyone is used to, but do you are beautiful in a different way and your Allah will make sure of that. These are the things you must think of everyday while wearing your hijab, you must think of all these and know that you have made the right decision; and only because Allah knows that this is the right decision has he made sure that there should be no turning back.
Hijab is a symbol of modesty, and it should take place in the heart and soul as well as the body. There is no sequence for this, some people started with the physical hijab first, believing that it is right but without having it fully touch their hearts (me included); and others start the opposite way around. But the beauty of hijab is its modesty, so why, why would you ever let go of such a beautiful gift? This is a question, a real question, not a judgmental rhetorical one at all. This a question that every muhajaba must ask herself at times of doubt.
Another question; would you rather be in the Maldives or Jannah? Would you rather be beautiful and attractive in the human sense or in Allah’s way? Because Allah’s beauty has a place in dunia, I swear it does, I am sure of it; but humans’ beauty does not have a place in Allah’s Jannah.
I promise you, you will be thought beautiful. I promise. And another secret? You already are thought beautiful, but because you have chosen to be modest for Allah’s sake, He has thrown modesty into men’s hearts making them respect you. Hundreds of men appreciate your beauty, but keep quite, out of respect for you. This may not be your fantasy right now, but in reality it is what is best for you, because He is keeping you safe from the feeling that you are a pretty picture that men look at, and that is all. He is giving you a chance to get men to know you, for your beautiful sense, without feeling that they are only there for your looks, yes you are beautiful to so many of them, but in your ignorance of that your soul is so much more peaceful and blissful.
A muhajaba is beautiful, and she experiences that beauty daily, with her Allah.
I think when a woman decides to take off her hijab it could be one of two things. Firstly, it could be misguidance which every muslim can be vulnerable to and that is why it is advised that we constantly ask God for guidance as a protection, even if we believe we are practicing already (I guess it’s a sign of true humbleness). That being said if it is misguidance, it’s for no one to judge as we do not know Allah’s plan behind it. I.e. the experience of taking it off may eventually move her to a more closer understanding and appreciation of hijab later on, which she may never of had, if she never removed it in the first place. And Allah is All Forgiving.
The second cause for the removal of ones hijab, may be as a result of the fact that her initial reason for wearing it was not upon the sincere intention of worshiping God. Many women wear it as it is seen as part of their culture, some wear it because their families enforce it upon them, others may wear it to entice Muslim men (believe it or not this is very common in the West because without it, men cannot recognise that they are Muslim). The reasons are endless, but in any of these cases, the woman is essentially not removing her hijab, as she was never exercising it to begin with. As we all know, everything is judged by intention. Thus, perhaps that is why it is easier for such women to remove it- the spiritual connection with the hijab is not there to break.
xo
Hello again,
Happy to hear from you. You make very good points, actually. I can see the logic behind what you are saying. I just want to make sure that you understand that I was not judging her, I was truly wondering. And I thank Allah for the fact that I can wonder about this without understanding it because He has given me the power in order to not have to feel this conflict inside me. It is truly a gift from Allah, and I am thankful for it.
I just wrote this post to try and inspire a girl who is worried about wearing a hijab because of her fear of removing it as some point.
Thank you for your eye opening comments.
xo
Oh of course, you don’t come across as being judgmental at all. I was merely engaging in the questions you were asking in your post! Apologies if my comment came across as anything other than an expression of interest in your chosen topic.
xo
No, not at all! I was just making sure other people understand. I really did find your answers interesting, they are a different view on things, especially since I live in a country with a majority of muslims. I find your thoughts very interesting, actually. No apologies needed at all!
xoxo