Wrapped up in style from head to toe. So sometimes I want to dress like this because she looks stylish, beautiful, is my little sister’s buddy and is all covered.
In Islam, hijab allows us to identify ourselves as being on a spiritual path, but we can also be on a spiritual path and have flair,” she said. “The terms are not incongruent. Hijab defines us not only as Muslim women but as women. We don’t want to look ugly. We just don’t want to be sexually provocative.
During the winter I, sometimes, don my collection of long coats instead of my jilbab. People are more accepting when they can relate to the outfit. Sometimes it is a brand or a style, an accessory. Then I read some pervert’s comment on the original article and say hey my abayas are better.
But then look at the dude in this picture he is still staring at the niqabi sisters!! So you gotta do whatever you do to please Allah, forget men.
This week coast to coast there were two articles highlighting Muslim women fashion in two major newspaper the LA Times & the NYT. They were both fun to read. Maybe typical but refreshing because they were ordinary women, with personalities that shone through the words on paper. Thank you to the writers, fellow Los Angelenos Lorraine Ali and Elisabeth Greenbaum Kasson for making their articles upbeat. So many journalists pretend to be building bridges but take off with a juicy tidbit and spin the original story into something ugly.
I do this because I want to be closer to God, I want to please him and I want to live a modest lifestyle,” said Ms. Ahmed, who asked that her appearance without a veil not be described. “I want to be tested in that way. The niqab is a constant reminder to do the right thing. It’s God-consciousness in my face.
That is what I think about hijab- constant state of readiness for salah, so a constant state of worship. I do it for myself- yes, in the beginning it was absolutely about modesty and all the whys but on my tenth year anniversary of wearing hijab, I can say I do it selfishly, for my end with my Creator.
If I ever chose to wear niqab it would be to humble my ego for Allah, to squish my vanity. The sacrifice of facial expressions would be so huge because I am a really expressive person. Some people have poker faces; me, my emotion play out on my face pronto. I communicate with hand gestures and expression more than words-yeah one of those people. The sisters that do niqab are cheetis- to use a very Lahori term- strong, FIERCE ala project runway! May Allah accept their worship.
So with my iman I yo-yo between the two ends of the covering Muslimah spectrum. Admiring both, styling on the fence with my abaya and hijab.
Mashallah a very thought provoking and enlightening article.I myself observe niqab.You cant imagine how much comfortable I feel in it.There is an ayat in the Holy Quran, in which Allah says that if your religion is going to be according to your wishes, you will be in trouble. Allah has created us. He knows what is best for us.If Allah has prescribed niqab for us women, it is definitely for our convenience if we try to understand it.
I identify with doing hijab for selfish reasons, I wear it for myself, because I think Allah asked me to and he will reward me for doing so not for any of the starry-eyed reasons or excuses I often hear from the minbar and in books and articles. Hope you’re well, Hena.
Modesty, chastity, hiding your beauty… haya, what a beautiful concept our Creator has for women. I always advise my friends and students, start by wearing loose clothes, long sleeves, cover your hips; interact with men in a dignified manner, and the Lord will give you the strength to cover your head, with a hijab or dupatta, your body with an abaya or a chador, and eventually your face Inshallah. The face is the peak of the mountain of haya you climb. Take it easy, step by step. But be careful! Do not become arrogant or lose your identity or flair!