As salam aleykum. I'm a muslim who recently started wearing
the hijab and by doing so I've been praised, but also put down. I know I
shouldn't care, but I see no difference in the praise nor the
discrimination. They both hurt me so much and I feel since I put on my
hijab my imaan isn't as high as it used to be. I can't fight my nafs as
much as I did before. I'm terrified. What should I do?
Anonymous
Walaikum Assalaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu my sister in Islam,
I hope you’re well, and in a good state of health & iman Inshaa’ Allah.
Dear sister, know the hijab is a blessing from Allah and a beautiful reminder of our identity as Muslim women. It shows the high regard and status that Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala has bestowed upon women. The hijab illustrates that women are to be valued for their intelligence, thoughts, emotions, experiences, and all that defines them. It beautifies a woman through valuing what is most important, modesty, and indicates they are not to be objectified for the pleasure of man.
To begin, I advise you to renew your intentions. Know that our actions for the sake of Allah should be committed with sincerity. And the hijab is to be worn in adherence to the legislation from our Lord, Most High. One should always keep in mind that for our deeds to be accepted, they must be in accordance with the Qur’an and Sunnah, and undertaken with the correct intention.
Second, the believers are strangers in this Dunya. We should remember that we are not intended to be permanent dwellers, but passing through to our ultimate destination, the Hereafter. The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) stated,
During the times when you may feel disheartened due to the praise and discrimination you receive, remind yourself Whom you are wearing the hijab for and of its importance. And know that it is the believers who are tested most arduously.
As Allah reminds us in the Qur’an:
I hope this naseeha will be of help. I had compiled a list of reasons why we (as Muslim women) wear the hijab. Inshaa’ Allah the reminder is of benefit.
May Allah increase us in taqwa and iman, may He grant us the ability to work toward righteousness, and make us of those who are sincere, Ameen.
All good in this response is from Allah and the mistakes are from myself.
I hope you’re well, and in a good state of health & iman Inshaa’ Allah.
Dear sister, know the hijab is a blessing from Allah and a beautiful reminder of our identity as Muslim women. It shows the high regard and status that Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala has bestowed upon women. The hijab illustrates that women are to be valued for their intelligence, thoughts, emotions, experiences, and all that defines them. It beautifies a woman through valuing what is most important, modesty, and indicates they are not to be objectified for the pleasure of man.
To begin, I advise you to renew your intentions. Know that our actions for the sake of Allah should be committed with sincerity. And the hijab is to be worn in adherence to the legislation from our Lord, Most High. One should always keep in mind that for our deeds to be accepted, they must be in accordance with the Qur’an and Sunnah, and undertaken with the correct intention.
Second, the believers are strangers in this Dunya. We should remember that we are not intended to be permanent dwellers, but passing through to our ultimate destination, the Hereafter. The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) stated,
“Islam began as something strange, and it shall return to being something strange, so give glad tidings of Paradise to the strangers.”Therefore, a Muslim must distinguish him or herself from the disbelievers in internal belief, outward appearance, and action. It is for this reason that the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) mentioned that a believer is regarded as strange or different from the norm. As believing women, we should wear the hijab with confidence, knowing the true reward for our actions lie with Allah alone.
[Sahih Muslim, no. 270]
During the times when you may feel disheartened due to the praise and discrimination you receive, remind yourself Whom you are wearing the hijab for and of its importance. And know that it is the believers who are tested most arduously.
As Allah reminds us in the Qur’an:
“Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said ‘When (will come) the help of Allah’ Yes! Certainly, the help of Allah is near!”And He says:
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:214)
“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient”The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) reminded the Muslims:
(Surah Al Baqarah, 2:155)
“The real patience is at the first stroke of a calamity.”Shaykhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) stated:
[Sahih Bukhari, no. 389, Narrated Anas (radhiAllahu ‘anhu)]
“The believers are continually tested [by trials] to purify their Eemaan and to expiate their sins. This is because the believer performs his actions for the sake of Allah, so it is [incumbent] upon Allah to reward him for that harm which he endured.”And as his student Ibn Al Qayyim (rahimahullah) advised:
[Source: Majmoo’ Al-Fatawaa]
“Every person has to exercise patience in order to face difficulties, whether he does so willingly or unwillingly. The noble person exercises patience willingly, because he realizes the benefits of patience, and he knows that he will be rewarded for his patience and will be criticized if he panics. He is aware that if he does not have patience, panicking and impatience will not help him to regain missed opportunities, and will not take away things he dislikes. Whatever is decreed and is qada’ wa qadr cannot be prevented from happening, and whatever is decreed not to happen cannot be made to happen. So an attitude of impatience and panic actually causes harm.”Display patience in times of hardship and seek the aid of Allah, for He is the best of Helpers. Indeed, Allah is with those who are patient.
[Source: Uddat as-Sabireen wa Dhakirat ash-Shakireen]
I hope this naseeha will be of help. I had compiled a list of reasons why we (as Muslim women) wear the hijab. Inshaa’ Allah the reminder is of benefit.
May Allah increase us in taqwa and iman, may He grant us the ability to work toward righteousness, and make us of those who are sincere, Ameen.
All good in this response is from Allah and the mistakes are from myself.