Dear sister

I know you have heard it all before. You have gotten the questions, the looks and the small chitchat from young and old as you walk by about your lack of observation of Hijab. I know. You probably have gotten the bitter side of advice throughout the years; you probably are fed up with the reminders about Hijab.

This is not just another one, sister. This is a sincere letter from a sister you do not know but who wishes goodness for you in your life and the Hereafter. A sister who wishes for her own self what she wishes for others. Do I desire Jannah (Paradise)? Do I desire Allah’s Pleasure? Do I desire to sit amongst the blessed company of the Prophet (peace be upon him), his family and his companions (peace be upon them) in an everlasting life of joy?

The Hereafter in which Allah promised those who believe and perform righteous actions, many times in the Qur’an, “on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve” (46:13).

I earnestly do wish for this everlasting reward, and I desire the same for you too, my dearest sister. You know as I know that our belief in Allah and His perfect Deen (religion) is followed by action. In the same verse I quoted above Allah says, “Verily, those who say: ‘Our Lord is (only) Allah,’ and thereafter istaqamu, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve” (46:13). Istaqamu here meaning those who stood firm and straight on the Islamic faith of Monotheism by abstaining from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which Allah has forbidden and by performing all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained. Our belief is not complete without action. On the Day of Judgment, Allah will bring forth our records and we will see our belief, words and actions. Will they match up? Or we will fall short in this?

Dear sister, I know you have said to yourself and to others, that they are not watchers over you; that they will not be judged along with you on the Day of Judgment. This is indeed true, my beloved sister, but the fact remains that you will be judged. And on that Day, you do not want to fall short or look back at your life and regret that you did not take the steps needed in order to fulfill your obligations, or to come closer to the Pleasure of Allah.

Today, my sister I have a challenge for you: A challenge in which I ask you to do, not for anyone’s sake but Allah’s. Do not do it for your family or your friends; do not do it for me. Do it for yourself and for your Rabb (Lord).

Insha`Allah, on Feb 1st, 2014, we are holding a worldwide event: World Hijab Day. On this day insha`Allah hundreds, we pray thousands of sisters will observe Hijab. Just for one day, we are asking sisters to wear the Hijab and experience it. There will be a worldwide support group. Millions of Muslims behind you and supporting you! At the end of the day, it is upon you and only you to follow through.

I am not asking you for anything more or anything less than to take one small step which in your heart you know will only bring you closer to my Rabb and your Rabb. One step closer to Jannahinsha’Allah….

Beloved Sister, I ask you in the name of Allah, will you accept my challenge?

Invitation to Hijab

Oppressed! Subjugated! These are probably the words that come to your mind when you see a Muslim woman covered in Hijab (the Islamic modest covering of a woman). You assume it’s her father or some radical male member from her family who is forcing her to dress that way. At least that is what people say to you. That is how the media views Muslim women who cover. Let me ask you, have you heard of the famous sayings: “go straight to the source?” Or “walk a day in my shoes?” I am sure you have heard these a million times.

Let me use the first. I ask you sincerely, have you ever gone to the true source for information about Hijab and Islam? Have you read books, asked scholars or visited a Mosque? Have you ever asked a Muslim woman why she is so covered in a world that seeks to shed as much clothing as possible? If you asked a Muslim woman, she would inform you that the purpose behind her Hijab is to obey her Creator over the creation. Her Creator, Allah (God), did not legislate Hijab in order to oppress her, but rather to free her from the shackles of this world. He ordered Hijab as an honor and sign of dignity for women.

When a Muslim woman covers her hair, chest and body, she is sending a silent message that she respects her body and like a pearl in the ocean, she covers it with her beautiful shell (Hijab). No one has the right to observe, gawk at and judge a Muslim woman by the highlights in her hair or curves on her body. Instead they judge her for what is in her mind, her character, and her goals and ambitions. Hijab is prevention from being accosted by ignorant minds who only judge a woman by the clothes she wears and the skin she shows. A woman’s body as you know is sacred and this is why Islam encourages women to strive to cover and protect it.

Let us return to the second saying, “Walk a day in my shoes.” This is where WHD comes in. What is that you ask? WHD is short for World Hijab Day. This second annual event will be held on February 1st, 2014 (God willing). On this day, we ask Non-Muslim and Non-Hijabi Muslim women worldwide to observe Hijab for a day. It will be a day for everyone willing to experience what it’s like to step inside the shoes of a Hijabi. Our hopes are no less than that. We wish you will gain a wealth of knowledge and experience a slightly different definition of FREEDOM.

Poems

“My Veil”
It’s funny how you thought my veil was a trend
How, by summer time, my veil obsession will end
You don’t understand my veil or its reasons
You think it was made to be worn on certain seasons
Try to understand it’s a command from my Lord
Not something pushed on me by a gun or a sword
It’s a choice I’ve made to follow these commands
To rid myself of a man’s lustful demands
My beauty I will preserve and protect from every male
For my soul mate’s eyes only I will unveil
You say I need to embrace my youthful femininity
That covering up so is only for an old lady
Telling me to add some eyeliner, mascara and lip gloss
And to the side, my headscarf I should toss
This mentality of yours leads to corruption
In every society you destroy the root of their protection
The laws of our Lord should always precede
All the laws of the land in order that we may succeed
-AmitQwfan