As'salaamu Alaikum ,

I would like to share with you my experience with the proper hijaab. When I first became Muslim I was 16 and in the tenth grade. At the time my understanding of hijaab was limited to those sisters I was in contact with at my local masjid. My first attempt with hijaab was the khimar, a long sleeved shirt, and a floral skirt. And this is what I thought was correct for about a year.

Then by chance Alhumdulillah, my step-aunt invited me with her to a gathering over a sister's house, who just happended to sale jilbabs, proper hijaabs, etc. She was very kind, Masha'Allah, and together with other sisters explained to me the jilbab, and why we are to wear it. At this time I still was not informed about the proper hijaab, and only thought that married women could/should wear it. So after that I started dressing in the jilbab with the floral scarves.

The fallowing summer I decided that I wanted to try out the proper hijaab, since me and my unlce was going to a confrence in town. I felt I'd wear it because I'd be around sisters who I knew, and they had started wearing proper hijaab also.

I remember the first time I put it on, not for practice or to see how I looked, but to venture outside with it on. I felt so secure in what I was doing. Armed with the understanding that no man could see my beauty, and I felt at peace with this. I also remember how hard it was to breath in,lol, and how I had to pick one of the hottest days of the summer to wear proper hijaab, Masha'Allah.

I really wasn't worred about how others would react to me being fully veiled, until outside of a gas station I was using the pay phone to call my mom to get directions to the masjid me and my uncle were going to. When a small black car with four guys pulled up along side of me.

My heart was pounding in my chest, and they simply asked me: "Are you hot with all that on?" I was so taken back at how nice they were in asking the question, I simply relpyed with a no shake of the head, and they drove off. When school started back that fall I was a senior in high school , I really wanted to wear my proper hijaab in school, but the griff they put me throught just to wear khimar was enough for me.

So after about a month in school, I told my mom that I wanted to go on homeschooling, so that I could practice proper hijaab, and learn my deen better. My mother agreed and I was home.

This was when I truly became a proper hijaabi. I was so happy, Masha'Allah. I learned all I could on the subject since so many Muslimahs are against full hijaab, so that I'd have daleel for them. I have been a proper hijaabi for almost five years now, and it's great!!!!

I would never trade it for the world. I know that for me this is what Allah[swt] wants me to do, and it's the most correct, Insha'Allah.


Your Sister In Islam
UMM Fathimah