‘My hijab makes me feel beyond beautiful’

I have been asked the same question almost every day since I was 10 years old: “Why do you wear the hijab?”

Firstly, I’d like to give you a definition of the hijab. The word derives from the Arabic hajaba, which means to conceal or cover, so to answer the first question of why I wear the hijab, it’s because my hijab is my protector. 

I wear my hijab because our Creator has commanded us to cover ourselves, our beauty and adornments from every stranger. 

Allah has gifted us with the hijab as a blessing and as a way to preserve our chastity. When people – mainly men – see you, it’s like a shield, a protection from other people. They see that you are covered and that you are not displaying your beauty, which serves as a sign of respect.  

Islam has strongly emphasised the concept of decency and modesty with the interaction of members of the opposite sex. Dress codes are the main teachings.

In Chapter 24 of the Quran, known as ‘an-Nur’ (the Light), in verse 30, Allah commands Prophet Muhammad: “Say to the believing men that: they should cast down their glances and guard their private parts (by being chaste). This is better for them.” 

This is a command to Muslim men that they should not lustfully look at women (other than their own wives); and in order to prevent any possibility of temptation, they are required to cast their glances downwards. This is known as “hijab of the eyes”.

Another narration goes: “O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) over their bodies (when outdoors). That is most convenient that they could be known as such (I.e. decent and chaste) and not molested.”  ( Quran 33:59)

In the chaotic and confused times we live in, many women are turning to Islam due because of its beauty, simplicity and nobility. They wish to serve their Lord and Creator and to worship Him alone, without partners or intercessors. 

So as Muslim women seek to practice their faith, they begin to recognise the importance of modesty and realise the evils of nakedness. Many men take advantage of women and see them as nothing more than sex objects to be exploited. 

This is not the Islamic vision of women. However, it is a point of concern for Muslims that if a Christian woman such as a nun is seen in modest clothing that covers her head and body, then she is viewed as righteous, noble and modest – yet if a Muslim woman is seen in the same type of clothing, she is labelled as extreme or otherwise oppressed by men – even if she wears the veil out of her own free choice.

The hijab is not something new. Muslim women follow the example of righteous women in the past such as Mary, the mother of Jesus. 

Wearing the hijab is one of the biggest blessings in my life, and I feel beyond beautiful in it despite what other people may think. Hijab is an act of obedience between all Muslim women and our Creator.

I don’t wear it for anyone but my Lord, for His sake only and when I think about it, it puts the biggest smile on my face.  

It’s hard to see all these misconceptions about Muslim women being oppressed and all of that having to be corrected. But it’s so important to address these matters as most people still seem unable to understand the truth behind the hijab.

Bilan Hassan is a 21-year-old student from west Bristol.