My Hijabi Story

Ever since the ninth grade I knew I had reached the age to wear the hijab. However, I could not bring myself to do it. My parents asked me to and I pushed it off saying I'll wear it in college inshAllah. I couldn't mainly because of my own weaknesses, lack of courage, and insecurity. I was in the wrong state of mind. My parents were discouraged but didn't push the issue further. And now, four years later, I had started college and was still not wearing the hijab. I was disappointed with myself but did not reflect on the issue for too long because I wasn't really reprimanded for not wearing it. I didn't feel the pressure to wear it as no one in my family wore it leading me to lessen not only the importance of wearing the hijab but also the severity in which the hijab was decreed as an obligation. And so with this misguided attitude I went to college. What I saw really shook me. I was surrounded by amazing Muslim girls that wore the scarf and wore it proudly. It was quite an eyeopener on so many levels. This led me to ask myself the question that I had been postponing for far too long: Why didn't I wear the hijab?! Who was I to openly rebel God's command?! Seeing the hijabis around me made me realize that it was not "ok" to not wear it and there really is no legitimate or acceptable excuse for not wearing it. They were proof that wearing the scarf was not an impossible task and was really a blessing rather than a burden. And now after having worn the hijab for some months, I see clearly the evidence that wearing the hijab is truly a gift. Recognition from other Muslims with the beautiful greeting of salaam (meaning peace), respected as a person and not seen as an object by men, and most importantly the hijab serves as a constant reminder to watch my actions and remember God. May God reward and bless all the Muslimahs that have truly had a positive impact on my life. And I pray that this undertaking doesn't become a complicated, monotonous routine but continues to awaken my spiritual state.