My Hijab Story

Hello blog friends!

   I just love it when people tell me that I was forced to wear Hijab. Thank you for telling me that. Oh!wait… I wasn’t forced, I chose.

   People often think that Hijab is hiding a girl’s true beauty, and her most beautiful form is a secret treasure only to be witnessed by those privileged enough to see her in that state. It’s actually the opposite– you’re already seeing the polished diamond. As she ventures into the world, wearing her Hijab, she is a reflection of the strength and beauty of God. She is not hidden, but a manifest sign of His splendor for the whole world to see. And what can be more beautiful than His signs?

   Both my parents come from very conservative families because their lineage belongs to the lineage of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his grandsons Hasan and Husain. Which literally makes my family a conservative and a religious one as well.

    My eldest sister and I used to go to an Islamic school until the fifth grade. And at that very young age, I learned that knowledge is very important in Islam. You definitely need to learn what is good and allowed by Allah ‘Azzawajal to increase your good deeds but you also have to learn what is bad/evil and forbidden by Him in order to refrain from it. You need to learn and make the difference between Tawheed/shirk, the sunnah/bid'ah, and Minhaj/sects. Hijab is a personal choice. But it is an obligation that every Muslim girl/woman needs to fulfill.

   Even when my parents decided to change my school in the 6th grade to a school which is known nowadays as one of the best schools in Morocco. But this school was totally different from the Islamic school that my sister and I used to go to. 
   When I graduated from the primary school in June 2006, during that summer we had a family from Germany visiting us and they brought me so many beautiful gifts and among the gifts was a silk pink scarf with light pink and misty rose touches on it (I still keep it until nowadays). 

   My aunt is a dressmaker. She lives in Paris with her family and she came that summer to spend her vacation with us as well. With that, I couldn't let the chance go. Thus, we went to the fabric market and I chose a nice light pink fabric and I asked her to make me a long dress that matched perfectly with my favorite pink scarf.

  Growing up, I had always known I would wear Hijab in the future, but I never really set a specific goal. during that summer holiday, I was wearing my pink scarf from time to time and I began getting closer to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala. And I already knew that this was an obligation that every Muslim girl/ woman needed to fulfill.  

   I was about 11 years old and seven months when I woke up with high ambitions that morning on the first day of my middle school. No one in my family knew about the decision I made the night before I went to sleep. Until my parents saw me going out of my room in a rush, running into the mirror and trying to fix my scarf. I could see how much surprised, happy and proud they were. So I smiled back at them and I said: "Today is my first Hijab day!". 
   When I arrived at school, all of the other students were wearing their fancy clothes, trying to show off and stuff. However, I was so proud of myself even though I've got those bad looks and harsh comments like "what happened to you?" "You're still very young but now you look like my grandma'' (Ha Ha) etc.. I swear, nothing of those sayings ever broke my heart or affected me or anything. I don't know, but I was always too cold for those comments because I was strongly convinced of the decision I made since that very young age. And the scarf that the German family granted me was one of the reasons that encouraged me more of wearing Hijab because pink was my favorite color back then.

   Hijab is not for perfect people and there is no perfection in this world. Even though I'm wearing Hijab for about ten years now Al Hamdoulillah! I’m still struggling with my Iman and my battle against my self. I’m only human, just like you. :)

   For now, my words go to those girls who are contemplating wearing the Hijab permanently because you’re afraid; it’s okay to feel that way. I was once in your shoes. But remember, that we should only be afraid of Allah and if your friends discourage you from being closer to Allah, they’re not your true friends. Friends, are supposed to be supportive and remind you of Allah.

“Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather He looks at your hearts and actions.” - Hadith Sahih Bukhari

By: Loubaba Aljayi

Friday, May 27, 2016