Hijab - Fashion or Faith?

Hijab. Fashion or Faith? For me? Well, it's a combination of both and yet, it is totally two separate things. How so?

It was faith that spurred me to put on the hijab.  It was faith that pushed me to dispose off my mini skirts, my spaghetti-strap tops, my ultra-short shorts, my bare-backs and see-through what-have-yous. It was faith that guided me to see that I had not been protecting myself from the leering eyes of men. It was faith that taught me to love myself by covering up from head to toe like a velvet bag would shelter a diamond. Unlike many of my girlfriends who faced challenges when they began to don on the hijab, I must confess, truthfully, when I first put on the hijab, it was like the most natural thing to do. No. I was not afraid of the comments I would receive at work. No. I was not afraid of the extra heat I would feel with so much more material on me. No. I was not afraid of the huge change I would have to make to my wardrobe. NO. In fact, I felt MORE of a Muslimah. I felt like I had elevated myself many notches. I felt like "Hey! Where was I all this while!!!" I felt a new me with my hijab.

It is in every woman to want to look good. Every day as I got dressed and styled my headscarf or chose what to wear before leaving the house, I noticed myself mixing and matching my clothes AND my scarfs. Covering up did not change me. I still loved to dress up. I still loved fashion. Only this time, I would wear a blazer over a long skirt as opposed to a tank top over a mini skirt. My colours are still bright and vibrant. I discovered I could look stylish while keeping my faith. How cool is that!

Oh of course even with my hijab on, there will always be haters. Strange isn't it when we're set out to do something right, the haters seem to get closer and breathe down your neck even more often than usual. Hahahahaha! "What you are wearing is NOT HIJAB!" "You cannot wear jeans! That's NOT HIJAB!" "What Hijab are you talking about if you're wearing skinnies and showing your ankles!" "You call this HIJAB? You might as well not cover up!" Astaghfirullah! The things people can say to get a sister down! Do not for a minute insult my knowledge about my religion. I know the appropriate way to cover up. I may not be doing it appropriately but I am taking that one step towards it am I not? Erm...ARE YOU? Don't judge. You may state your opinions. But don't judge. It's bad enough that the 'khafirs' are hot on our heels trying to bring us Muslims to extinction. The world does not need any Muslim haters towards a fellow Muslim. Me donning on the Hijab inappropriately does not make my faith towards God any less. I may score lesser points with Him but that's between my Master and me, right? My faith, is in my heart. Nobody can look into my heart but my Creator. Soooo...DON'T judge my faith through my fashion.

Let's pray instead that one day, I'll cover up better. I'll cover up more appropriately. Let's pray instead that one day, YOU my sisters in Islam, will get to discover what I discovered...through FAITH. Insyaallah!