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Islam Online - News Section
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Why
I Wear the Muslim Headscarf
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By
Aaminah Hernandez ** |
July 21, 2005
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I
have never written anything personal on the subject of hijab because it seems
like an overdone issue. Sometimes I think so much focus is put on this one
little aspect of being a Muslim woman, to the detriment of more important
Islamic knowledge and practice. Because the headscarf is such a visual symbol of
the Muslim woman, many non-Muslims are the ones who make a large issue of it,
spout ill-informed opinions, or ask questions in an attempt to understand. This
has been answered to by so many Muslim women, and even Muslim men, that I did
not feel the need to throw my opinion or feelings out into the fray. Lately I
find I am being asked many questions, even by other Muslim women who choose not
to wear hijab, and by non-Muslims who know other Muslim women who choose not to
wear hijab. So, the following is my answer to the many questions that have been
coming up. My intent is only to give my own opinion and experience. I do not
mean to be judgmental of those women who struggle with the issue of covering or
to suggest that only one form of covering is acceptable. I can only tell you
what I think and feel about the headscarf. If you want to know why someone else
does not cover, or covers less or more fully than I, you would have to ask that
person to share their experience with you.
The
most common question I have been asked in the past seven years since I became
Muslim is “Why do you wear that thing?”
“That
thing” is a headscarf. I have worn many different styles from bandana coverage
all the way to a full khimar, which is a very loose and long
head-covering, with a face veil. I enjoy playing with my head cover to match the
style of my clothing and to find more comfortable styles. Right now my favorite
style is very loose and draping. I tend to dress more multi-cultural than most
American women. In fact, many immigrants who have taken to the American dress
code even look at me in surprise that I like to wear many traditional clothing
styles. My headscarves reflect my overall style.
The
reason I began to wear hijab was simply that I believed (and still believe) it
is mandated in Islam. When I first became Muslim I lived in a town that was full
of Muslims, most of whom dressed in the traditional ways. Putting on a headscarf
(and at that time even a veil) was not a hardship. It was the norm where I was,
and I understood it to be required. There are verses in the Qur’an
and in the collected words of the Prophet
Muhammad (peace and blessings be
upon him), as well as collected norms and behaviors of the wives of the Prophet
and his Companions that show clearly that covering of the entire body and head
was enjoined upon and practiced by the early Muslim women.
Like
most women, I have at times struggled with the issue of covering, but never
because I did not believe it was required. There were points in my life where I
did not wear it either because of jobs that did not allow it (it is a legally
guaranteed right here in the U.S. and your employer must allow it) or because I
was tired of being so “different” all the time. But I always felt guilty not
wearing it and knew that I must go back to it.
Besides
the simple answer that I am Muslim and believe that the headscarf and covering
are required in Islam, many people want to know more detail about why I actually
wear it and what the purpose or point of the covering is, particularly if they
know other Muslim women who do not wear it. I cannot speak to why so many Muslim
women do not wear it and what their state of mind or opinion on the matter is. I
refuse to judge them for being in the stage they are in and I do not know what
their personal circumstances may be. I can only answer to what I believe the
purpose and benefits of my headscarf achieve.
1.
Modesty. When dressed in a covering way, I am not showing my physical
attributes (or perhaps lack of) to anyone. People are forced to judge me by
my actions and speech, by how well I do my job or how I interact with
others, rather than by whether or not I am “good looking” and interest
them.
2.
To that same end, my beauty is then saved for my husband’s full enjoyment
and he knows he does not share me with anyone. I am not out getting a lot of
attention from others that may make him feel insecure or that is
disrespectful to me.
3.
I am noticeably different, a Muslim. Most people respect that. They can
clearly see that I am not the kind of woman that you whistle or cat-call at,
nor am I going to agree to meet you in a bar or club, nor can you
proposition me on the street or in the office. There is a level of respect
that men give me whereby they do not treat me in the same way they might
treat other women they meet and believe they can “get with”. In fact, in
my case, I find that many men (yes, non-Muslims) are more gentlemanly with
me in general. I have more doors held open for me, paths cleared for me,
more assistance when needed, and an overall respect given to me.
4.
Wearing the head covering works to remind me of my duties. I am more likely
to be a better person when I am covered because the headscarf is a potent
reminder to me of what type of behavior and attitude is expected of me. I am
less likely to lose my temper, more likely to be kind and forgiving, in
difficult situations.
In
my experience, the hijab or headscarf is beneficial to me. Not only do I have
the security that I am following a mandate set by God and thereby pleasing God,
but I also experience great comforts in this life because of my coverage.
Contrary to what many think, I am not forced to wear it (I chose it for myself
while still single, and as a convert I am not being forced by family to wear
it), it is not an obstacle or a discomfort to me, and it does not in any way
impair my opportunities or abilities. I am an independent American woman with a
high degree of personal freedom and fulfillment. The headscarf has never stood
in my way of doing or achieving anything, but has instead made me more
comfortable as I interact in society and my community.
**Aaminah
Hernandez is an American writer who converted to Islam seven years ago. She is
an active member of the Islamic Writers Alliance and the Islamic Artists
Society. She can be contacted at
niqaabisister@yahoo.com.
To read more of her work, visit
http://WriteousSister.blogspot.com and
http://WriteousSisterSpeaks.blogspot.com.
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Islam Online - News Section
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