My Lord Before Me: Testimonies of Why Muslim Women Choose to Wear the Hijab

My Lord Before Me: Testimonies of Why Muslim Women Choose to Wear the Hijab
Sadiah Bemat

For as long as I can remember, I have been surrounded by the hijab (headscarf). My mother wore it, my aunts wore it, my cousins wore it. It was the most normal and natural thing to me, so it didn’t come as much of a surprise when I asked my Mom if I could start wearing it when I was nine. She was happy that I was interested in it, but she was also hesitant. She told me something very important that day. The hijab is a lifetime commitment, and it comes with responsibility. Nine-year-old me did not really understand what that meant, nor did I really think about what she said. If I was being honest, I didn’t really understand what the hijab was, not truly. I looked up to my Mom and the women in my family, and I wanted to look like them; that was the only reason. I did not know what the hijab meant. Wearing a hijab at that age and in the area we were living in was a big decision, as there were only two Muslims in my elementary school at the time: me, and the principal. So, in every classroom, assembly, and even field trip with other schools, I was the only hijabi there. 

While the intentions of all the people in my life were good, I was never taught what the hijab actually was and the real reason behind why Allah SWT commanded us to wear it. During a period in which I struggled with my connection to the hijab, I finally learned the beauty of what it meant to wear it. Hijab is not just commanded upon women, but also men. Allah SWT created men and women differently, and our minds and desires differ greatly as well, so we are commanded to cover differently, but cover we must. It was also not commanded upon women to cover because of men, nor did Allah SWT ever command men to force women to wear the hijab. Allah SWT commanded men to lower their gaze first:

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their modesty, that is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is all aware of what they do” (Surah An-Nur 24:30).

The following verse commands Muslim women to wear hijab second:

“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…” (Surah An-Nur 24:31)

But hijab is not just an act of modesty. It is meant to identify us, and show people that we are Muslims when we leave our homes. 

The hijab can be so hard. Having thoughts and feelings about wanting to take it off is normal. Being hesitant to wear it is normal. Just like our iman (faith), it is not always perfect and there are flaws with and without connection to the hijab. There are days when I am excited to wear it. There are days when I am thankful that I get to wear it. And then there are days when I walk into a room where I am the only person wearing the hijab and feel like I stand out like a sore thumb, and I hate it.

I asked the women in my life why they chose to wear hijab, their inspiration, and motivation, and here is what they had to say:

Anonymous 1
“In a world where everyone is focused on outer beauty, it feels empowering to rise above and choose what my Lord has asked of me. I want to be valued for who I am, not how I look. Wearing the hijab makes me feel safe, strong, and deeply connected to my faith. It gives me a sense of purpose and peace, and reminds me that I’m proudly representing my religion wherever I go.”

Anonymous 2
“While dressing modestly has been instilled in me since I was child, no one in my family wears the hijab. Up until the beginning of 12th grade, wearing the hijab was a thought that had not crossed my mind. It was not an aspect of my deen (religion) that I saw in those around me, or was understood as important. However in grade 12, I began to start learning more about Islam and really began working on my relationship with Allah SWT. So much changed in my life within the span of a few months; it was as though a flip had switched in my mind and my heart. It was then that I really began thinking about the hijab and what it means to not only obey Allah SWT and His commands because He asked us to, but to visibly represent myself as a Muslim for the sake of Allah SWT. It was soon after that I began wearing the hijab. Not only because it was commanded on me, but to show the society around me the power of transformation, kindness, and accountability that Islam provides. I have been given the opportunity to challenge secular norms and redefine how the increasingly Islamaphobic country we live in perceives Muslims.

There was never a push from anyone in my family or community to begin wearing the hijab. It was a choice I made to please Allah SWT and to show the world that I am Muslim, that I have a set of values and beliefs that I try my hardest to stand firm in, to demonstrate that this deen, this ideology, is a choice I’ve committed to.

At times that I think about how much nicer I look without the hijab, I bring myself to when I first put the hijab on. The feelings of empowerment. Of saying I have faith in Allah SWT without having to say a word. Of earning mercy and good deeds for every second I am outside my home. I remember that the hijab is a mercy above all else.” 

Anonymous 3
“I began wearing the hijab around 9 or 10 years old. It wasn't something forced upon me, but rather, it was something that came naturally to me, and it has always been a part of me and my identity. This hijab was my pride. I started covering my face when I was 14 and loved it, but when I moved to Canada in 2003, I was 16, and being here, covering my face didn't feel normal, so I stopped doing it. However, I could not leave my hijab. It is not easy covering your face in a Western country and it is something that I regret leaving and I wish I had continued. But I am so thankful that I didn’t stop wearing my hijab. I was pregnant and I didn’t know the baby’s gender until birth. It was a girl! I would dress her up and encourage her to wear the hijab by setting a good example and adhering to it myself. She also put it on at a young age and it made me so happy. I didn’t realize how fast she grew up and how hijab had come so naturally to her because she saw how normal it was when she would see her mom wearing it. She was always very curious as a child and had a lot of questions about the hijab and I never discouraged her from asking and questioning the purpose and reasons behind why the hijab is compulsory. As she matured, she also accepted the hijab, and as a mother, I am so proud of her.” 

Anonymous 4
“I began wearing the hijab at the age of 18, and now I am 20 years old. These three years have been transformative given the wardrobe, character, and lifestyles that accompany this act of ibadah (worship). For instance, being mindful of my character with the intent to please Allah SWT and represent the values of deen to the best of my ability and wearing a burkini at the beach. As the first hijabi in my family, I faced some pushback with relatives being concerned about my ability to attract a partner and potentially facing discrimination at school and work. My mother reminded me that the hijab is not a light switch and once you choose to wear it, you must commit to it fully, and that advice stayed with me. I am deeply grateful that Allah SWT granted me the strength and ability to carry out this act of ibadah.”

Anonymous 5
“I decided to start wearing the hijab in my first year of university, officially in March, but I was wearing it on and off in January. I started to wear it because I was yearning for it. I think previously, in the years before I started  university, I was already seeking and I was already practicing and getting much closer to Allah SWT, but eventually, there was a point where I knew that if I continue to keep going without putting on the hijab, I would never truly feel ready, and I knew there was never going to be a day that I truly feel ready. I wore it one day to school, and the first few days were hard. But, I think when I came back from my trip to Cuba, where I did not wear the hijab, it was then that I realized that I wanted to fully commit to it. And this just made it easy for me to commit. I have been going for one year strong. I think what made it easier for me to commit to wearing it was the fact that I slowly eased myself into it. Eventually, when we put it on, it is made easy for us by Allah SWT. Another big aspect that helped me was that I was easily recognized by my community. Being a representation of Islam, that is the best thing, the greatest honour, blessing, and gift.

I found my community, and that was really important to me because I now had people I could lean on. When I started wearing the hijab, Allah SWT granted me company where I was comfortable with wearing it, and it was easy.  For some people it is not easy, especially if you’re a revert, but one thing that really helped me was knowing that you are now recognized by your Muslim peers, and they say Salam to you and smile at you. It feels like there is a weight lifted off my shoulder because I am doing something that pleases Allah SWT by wearing this garment, and that is beautiful. Sometimes, you forget the significance of the hijab, so it is good to reflect. It’s a beautiful journey to wear the hijab, because of the community but also the longing to be close to Allah SWT. It’s the love we have for Allah SWT and the love He has for us that comes first and foremost.