What does it mean to be a woman? This is a question that is hotly debated in today’s world and the answer will differ according to whom you might be speaking to at the time. Whenever human beings are left to decide on issues according to their own limited perception, we will find discrepancy and injustice.

This is where the mercy and wisdom of Allah the Almighty become manifest. The laws in Islam are for all human beings regardless of race, color, or social position. And when Allah orders people to do something, you have to be sure it is for their own good. When we look at today’s world and how women are treated as commodities, we see the wisdom behind covering (wearing hijab) and forcing the others to appreciate us for our intelligence and personality—not just for our looks.

Throughout the ages man has tried to make laws for himself and in doing so has tried to define woman and her role in life. The result of this is that throughout the ages, except for a few moments in history, women have been oppressed, misused, and humiliated.

In modern terms being a woman is a confusing thing. Natural urges push us toward motherhood and the nurturing spiritual role, while society pressures push us to abandon the home and center our lives on work, being ambitious in a career, and always to be “beautiful.” Herein lies many of the problems of the modern woman.

In order to be considered successful in modern terms, women must keep up with fashion, be thin, sporty, and career oriented. Obviously, not all women can fit this bill! So what happens to those who get left behind in all this? They usually feel a great sense of failure and low self-esteem. They might even resort to taking pills in order to lose weight and more pills to combat depression. Women are caught up in the dilemma of not being accepted for who they are, but for what they look like. Who can develop self-esteem and feelings of well-being when society doesn’t really care what you think as long as you “look right” and think like them?

It takes a lot of courage to wear hijab and adopt the good behavior that goes along with it. When you wear hijab, you’re making a statement. You’re saying that pleasing Allah the Almighty is more important than anything else in this world. You’re also saying that you are a person who wants to lead a virtuous life.

After getting past the initial stages of wearing it and learning how to deal with criticism and “looks” from people, then the positive side of it all will become more clear.

If you wear hijab, people will have to accept you for what you are and not for what you look like. Most people will respect you for having the courage to stand up for your convictions, and they will be pleasantly surprised when they find you to be a kind, funny, friendly person who is intelligent and knowledgeable about your religion and the world at large. You will no longer be prey for irresponsible, immoral men.