Wearing Hijab In A Non-Muslim Society

If you have decided or you are in the process of wearing the Hijab in a

non-Muslim or not-so-accepting society then you might have felt

overwhelmed by the idea of wearing it for the first time.

"What would people think? What would they say and how would I be

perceived from now on?"

All of this thoughts are fully understandable as we change how our

outer appearance looks, and the truth is that people's opinions may

vary and they might be good or bad, yet, despite the difficulties and

hardships we might experience, I invite you to look at the positive

outcomes:

— You'll be pleasing Allah by following what He has ordained, take

as an example how the women of the Ansaar (women who were

inhabitants of Madinah at the time of when the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلمmade

Hijrah) reacted when they heard the following verse (interpretation

of the meaning):

"O Prophet! Ask your wives, daughters, and believing women to draw

their cloaks over their bodies. In this way it is more likely that they

will be recognized ˹as virtuous˺ and not be harassed. And Allah is

All-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Al-Ahzab 33:59)

And this is how they reacted:

"It was narrated from Safiyyah bint Shaybah that ‘Aa’ishah (may

Allah be pleased with her) used to say: When these words were

revealed — “and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their

bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)” — they took their izaars (a kind of

garment) and tore them from the edges and covered their faces with

them."¹

— You'll be recognized as a Muslimah, and while this comes with a

great responsabilty, at the same time, it will bring you a lot of

barakah, since people will look at you as the face of Islam, everywhere you go you will have the honor to be recognized as a

Muslim who covers for the sake of Allah, how cool is that? On top of

that, people might feel curious and ask you about Islam which can be

a door of da'wah.

Now, the most crucial thing to do when you decide to wear Hijab is to

be willing...

— Willing to build a love relationship with your Hijab.

— Willing to please the Creator above the creation.

And still, willing to be true to yourself. Wearing Hijab nowadays can

be challenging and, sadly enough, not often well recieved, however

when you find yourself poundering about this thoughts, think about

the sahabiyyat (female companions of the prophet Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم(

and how they were true representatives of Islam despite the harsh

treatment from the tribes and communities they lived in, due to their

deep faith and tawakkul (perfect trust in Allah alone).

Your efforts won't go unnoticed sister, I promise you, especially

when you strive to become the better version of yourself by

worshipping Allah and what he has commanded. Remember this

hadith:

Abu Qatadah reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon

him, said,

“Verily, you will never leave anything for the sake of Allah

Almighty but that Allah will replace it with something better.”²

I ask Allah to ease your affairs and difficulties, may they be rewarded

abundantly in the akhirah, ameen.

¹Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4481.

²Source: Musnad Aḥmad 22565. Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani