Hijab and Society

by: Sukaina Rajani, 14

The rapid growing Islamic faith consists of many rules
and obligatory regulations which most Muslims (followers of the Islamic
faith) follow as part of their daily lives. Some take these obligations
as burdens and some take them with pleasure. One of these regulations
is to wear Hijab. Hijab is the act of covering the entire body and head
except for face and hands. This rule is for all girls over the age of
nine. This Hijab should enable people to see this young woman's figure.
God has set this regulation for many reasons which at a certain time
when I turned nine I was unable to understand. It has several moral
values and a few individual advantages.
Wearing Hijab in Islamic countries is so ordinary. If you walked down a
street in a majority Islamic country, you will not find a woman who is
wearing make-up, in short's and a tank-top in hot climate or any other
form fitting attire. However this is so common in western countries
that it is considered unnatural to cover yourself completely in the
summer. Women in these Islamic countries keep their beauty between themselves
and their spouses.
In western countries, the outlook on beauty is completely opposite. The
idea here is "If you've got it, flaunt it!!!!" Women here are perceived
as sex idols and are meant to look a certain way.
All teens want to fit in and so they conform to our society by dressing
and acting as those here. All people judge one by the way they look and
dress. They judge you by your outer beauty, not your inner beauty.
Status to teens also matters. No one wants to be a 'nerd' in school. We all
want friends who are capable of being introduced to others without
being ashamed. All these factors have to do with the choices we Muslim
girls make on the decision of wearing Hijab. Why should we let others
decide what we should and what we should not do for our hereafter? Does it
really matter what others think of us?
Wearing Hijab has many advantages and disadvantages. Why should we
Muslim girls let others judge us by our outer personality? I think that
Hijab lets us be who we are and not what the society wants us to be. Sure,
every teen wants to fit in, but wearing Hijab does not mean you cannot
be in style. You can buy all different clothes that are appropriate and
the head garments come in. varieties of colours and designs, so instead
of different hair styles you can have different head garments. I know
that it's not the same as Western fashion but why do we have to wear
what they decide? Why can't we make up our own type of fashion? It's our
country too.
Everyone is unique in their own way. Hey, think about it this way, you
do not have to worry about your hair in the morning or before going out
and you do not have to worry about sucking in your stomach in tight
shirts to look extra skinny then you already are! Once people realise your
religious dedication, some will learn to like it and respect you, but
there are the occasional that will not. We all have to be ready for that
before we begin wearing Hijab. We have to stay strong in our faith and
confident in ourselves.
From past chats with those who wear Hijab and from past experiences of
showing my religious dedication, I have found that people learn more
about your religions including the rules. They learn that you do not do
certain things. Peer pressure, in this case becomes less of an issue. If
they know you are not allowed to drink, they might offer a few times
but once they realise you will not, they stop asking. Most of the time,
if they know you will not drink and that your religious dedication is
strong, they will not offer. If thay know you do not 'go out' (as in
boyfriend and girlfriend) they do not ask or pressure you to. These little
minor things to us can create a lifelong of protection. Hijab is our
way of protection.. These advantages help the Majority of Muslim girls to
succeed in their lives.
Hijab ables us to conduct our lives in modesty. I believe that
simplicity is a persons most valuable beauty. Hijab has many more advantages.
There are some disadvantages also as in any other commodity. However,
these advantages are completely part of our worldly affairs. Think about
your hereafter. Besides the sense of fulfilment you get out of wearing
Hijab, God will also give us a great reward for following his command.
I know that this article is not long and that it does not give a lot of
the advantages that could persuade you completely to wear Hijab but I
hope that all Muslim girls all over the world who are not currently
wearing Hijab at least consider it.
Why should we be the prey for the westernised world?
We should all wear Hijab and make Islam stronger and more prosperous so
that more people all over the world can realise that Islam is the true
religion of this world and time.

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