Guarding The Command A Journey Of Hijab

  

The Hijab is the most precious crown for every Muslim girl. To keep this crown upon her head, every Muslim girl must navigate a path of hardships, enduring people’s taunts, mockery, and sarcastic remarks. Every girl, in her journey of Hijab, inevitably bears some pain.

Whether among her own family, or at school, college, and university, the words that fall from people's tongues are a great trial for a modest girl striving to follow Allah’s commands. To carry His commandments until one's final journey is no less than walking on hot coals for the sake of Allah.

I realized that, like me, there must be so many girls walking on embers to protect their modesty, enduring the taunts of family, friends, colleagues, and relatives just to uphold their haya.

Therefore, to motivate those girls, I am going to share my journey, from the Dupatta to the Abaya—solely for the sake of Allah. I want to reach those who are afraid to wear the Hijab or Abaya because of the world’s narrow-minded comments and help them strengthen their connection with Allah by sharing how I transitioned from just a headscarf to a full Hijab.

So let's start with the verse of Surah Noor.

And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision[1] and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment[2] except that which [necessarily] appears thereof[3] and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment [i.e., beauty] except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess [i.e., slaves], or those male attendants having no physical desire,[4] or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allāh in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.

Surah Nur: 31

Understanding this Ayat and then acting upon it is an obligation for every Muslim girl. I understood this verse quite late, but I am grateful to Allah that I finally realized how essential it is for a Muslim to act upon His commands after knowing and understanding them.

I come from an ordinary middle-class family. Growing up, I didn't even know the true meaning or essence of the Hijab. In fact, as a child, I didn't even like wearing a dupatta, and my family never pressured or corrected me regarding it. The journey toward Hijab in my life seemed to pave itself; I never really had the desire to question "when," "how," or "why"—it just began to unfold on its own.

When I first started wearing the hijab, I was in the 7th or 8th grade. There was no culture of hijab in my school, but I started wearing it to my coaching classes. It wasn't because I knew the true importance of hijab or because I had read the verses of the Qur’an; rather, I wore it because I felt an inner discomfort. It felt strange to me when people saw me with my head uncovered. I realized that I needed to cover my head and neck for coaching, regardless of what people might say. At that time, I didn't pray, nor did I have much knowledge of the Deen. My understanding was limited to what my parents had taught me: doing Fatiha, visiting shrines, celebrating Shab-e-Barat, and distributing halwa. Our religion was confined to just that.

When I was a small child of 5 or 6, my father used to scold me for not wearing jeans, but I never liked those kinds of clothes anyway. My grandfather was very supportive in this regard and was quite strict about these matters. Slowly, I began to gain some knowledge through him. After him, I learned from my elder brother; he prayed regularly, went to the mosque, listened to religious lectures, and read Islamic books. That is how my knowledge continued to grow. May Allah grant my father a place in Jannat-ul-Firdaus. Ameen.

When I started my 11th-12th studies, I met a girl who prayed regularly. We had a great understanding and would discuss religious matters, alongside our jokes and casual talks. One day, after seeing some girls coming to class in Abayas, we decided that we wouldn't just wear the hijab anymore, but would start wearing the Abaya as well because it "didn't feel right" otherwise.

Note here that we started the Abaya because of how we felt and because we saw others doing it, not because we realized it would please Allah or that it was an obligation. Even today, you see some women wearing an Abaya only because their clothes underneath aren't nice. Once they have expensive clothes to show, they cast the Abaya aside. Is the Abaya merely a tool to hide poverty? Is this not a way of refusing to truly accept Allah’s commands?

Anyway, my friend and I used to have long discussions on religious topics. she had a fair amount of knowledge about the Deen. One day, when she found out that I didn't pray, we had a heated argument and didn't speak for two days. Eventually, I realized she was right—there is no true peace in life without Namaz. I then came across the verse where Allah says: “And whoever turns away from the remembrance of the Most Merciful—We appoint for him a devil, and he becomes his companion.” This led me to start praying. Having a good companion in life matters so much. If they are on the right path, they will guide you toward it too, just as my friend did for me.

I had started praying in the 8th or 9th grade, but when my father passed away, I stopped. I quit simply because I had prayed for his health in every single Namaz, and since my prayer wasn't "answered" the way I wanted, I blamed myself and stopped praying salah. Astagfirullah. Eventually, I returned to prayer.

Then, after my 12th studies, COVID-19 hit. I began suffering from severe anxiety and a paralyzing fear of death. I was so terrified that I would sleep covered in a blanket even in the heat of summer. They say that even if a person hides in a cave to escape death, they cannot. Death is an absolute truth and it will arrive. In reality, I wasn't just afraid of dying. I was terrified of what would happen to my family after I was gone. Thinking and exhausting yourself over what will happen to people after you are gone is a great folly. Consider this: people were living before you came, Allah was there before you, He will be there after you, and He is the One who will remain forever. We are all destined to perish. therefore, worrying about what will happen after we are gone, and in doing so, ruining your health, is unnecessary.

​At the time of my father's passing, everyone was worried, asking 'How will we manage?' and 'What will happen?' But Allah has promised sustenance Rizq to mankind. He never leaves His servant helpless. We should always maintain good expectations of Allah, for He grants His servant exactly what they expect of Him.

Anyways, I stopped praying again during that time. Later, I met a doctor who discovered my hemoglobin was dangerously low—it had dropped to 4. The doctor assured me there was no other issue, and eventually, it was treated. Yet, the struggles continued. I couldn't sleep and lived in constant fear. In such situations, your family will go to any lengths to save you, and mine did everything they possibly could.

I forgot to mention one thing. in those moments when I felt death was imminent, do you know what I would recite? I would recite La ilaha illallah, because I had read that if a Muslim dies with these words, they are given the glad tidings of Paradise. I recited every prayer I could remember. It is true what they say, when a person faces death, they realize they have no one but Allah.

Then, I started listening to Surah Ar-Rahman with its translation. This Surah became the source of my guidance and peace. Alhamdulillah, when I reached the verse: “All that is on earth will perish, but will abide (forever) the Face of your Lord, full of Majesty, Bounty and Honor,” I felt an immense sense of relief. I realized it wasn't just me, the entire world is destined to end one day. The only difference is that some meet Allah sooner, and some later.

A thought took root in my heart. Meeting Allah is the ultimate desire of every believer, so why be afraid? A person should only fear meeting their Lord if they are in a state of shirk or if their Lord is displeased with them.

After emerging from those trials, our family moved to a new home. I resumed my prayers, committed fully to the Hijab, and Alhamdulillah, I have held onto it ever since. It’s a strange reality that when you start wearing the Hijab or Abaya, people look at you as if you’ve committed a great sin or as if you’re an alien. People aren't as embarrassed by those who commit sins as they are by a girl who chooses modesty. Mocking a modest girl and hurling taunts at her seems to be a common habit.

I experienced this personally during my maternal uncle’s wedding when my own maternal aunt (Khala) tried to pull off my Hijab. From that day, I decided I would no longer attend gatherings where people have no connection to the Deen. Now, I rarely step out. I don't like marketplaces or wedding gatherings where women walk around with their heads uncovered. Another reason is that my family doesn't like taking me to social events if I am wearing an Abaya. Therefore, I felt it was better to isolate myself.

In 2023, I met a girl online who, like me, was very serious about her faith. We would talk in group meetings. Later that year, I moved to the hostel at Jamia Hamdard. I had decided to wear the Niqab (face veil) there, but at that time, I couldn't quite bring myself to do it. Instead, I wore a mask. My face was covered, but I still felt that my Iman was weak because I wasn't standing firm enough in Allah’s commands before the world. Back then, I listened to famous scholars on YouTube.  I didn't yet have deep knowledge of Tawheed and Aqeedah, but Alhamdulillah, I kept myself protected from many worldly impurities.

Once, a girl at college asked me, "Don't you feel hot wearing such a heavy Abaya in this heat?" At that moment, I couldn't find the right words to answer her properly. I just said, "No, I don't." I should have said that this heat is nothing compared to the heat of Allah's Hellfire.

In hostels, you usually share a room with two other girls. I was afraid my roommate might make it difficult for me to practice my religion. However, as it turned out, my roommate was never really there. I spent a whole year living alone, and Alhamdulillah, it was a wonderful experience especially during Ramadan. No crowds, no idle chatter, just me and my Lord. Every year, Allah has taught me something new during Ramadan.

Living alone isn't a big achievement. What matters is what you do when you are alone. It’s about how well you defend your faith against your own Nafs and how much courage and strength of Iman you have to keep yourself pure. In this age of social media, protecting yourself from filth and distractions is a massive trial. If a person succeeds in this, they have truly won a great battle.

Look at how Allah helped me in ways I didn't even realize at the time. Everything just fell into place. Allah saw that a roommate might be a hindrance to me, so she was never there. To be honest, she was completely distant from the Deen. She had no connection to it at all, even though she was a Muslim. May Allah guide us all, including myself.

Allah provided me with good companions everywhere, those who were on the path of Deen themselves, which helped me stay firm as well. Alhamdulillah, when you have good companions, life becomes easier. Otherwise, it becomes very difficult, and there is always the risk of a person going astray. I have seen many girls lose their way, girls who used to wear the Abaya, but their journey went from the Abaya back to skirts because of bad company, a lack of deep religious understanding, and a toxic environment.

Later, I met a girl during a session at my friend's maternal aunt's house. She was fully covered from head to toe. The way she spoke, her passion for the Deen, and her profound way of thinking made me reflect deeply. Then, Allah put it into my heart that I, too, should wear the Niqab and gloves. So, I took the step: I replaced the mask with a proper Niqab and started wearing gloves. I also stopped listening to those "famous" YouTubers who only give motivational speeches in the name of religion without providing true depth.

Then came Ramadan 2025. You see, every Ramadan, Allah has brought about a definite change within me. In 2025, I learned about the Manhaj-e-Salaf. My online friend would often mention things related to this over the phone, but I didn't have much of an idea back then, so I didn't pay much attention. Later, I came across some Telegram channels and Instagram posts, which prompted me to start searching: What exactly is Manhaj-e-Salaf? There is no sectarianism in religion, so why do the great scholars of Saudi Arabia constantly mention "Salafi"?

It was then that I realized that these people are holding onto the authentic Deen, while many others are just part of a crowd. I had a detailed discussion with my online friend during Ramadan, she explained Tawheed and Aqeedah to me in depth. In this way, the weakness of my faith began to turn into strength, and I grew firmer in my religion. Even today, a little weakness remains within me, but Insha’Allah, Allah will remove that too with time.

A person should always ask Allah for guidance and good friends . If a person possesses these two things, the life of a Muslim girl becomes easy. As she continues to study her religion, Allah will bring specific verses of the Qur’an and Hadith to her mind during every hardship and struggle feeling as though they were revealed just for her.

We want the whole world to be guided, yet we do nothing for our own guidance. If you want to bring someone to the right path, you must first work on yourself. Change yourself first, and do not try to force things upon others. Allah changed you over time. You also took time to transform and find guidance. Therefore, you must give others the time to understand, think, and reflect.

The Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Every child is born upon Fitrah (Islam)." Every human is born with this natural faith, but as they grow, their parents shape them into their own likeness. When a person reaches an age of understanding and maturity, they explore things for themselves, they study, and they understand, that is when they truly find guidance like Ibrahim Alaihi Salam.

A person should focus more on their Amal (actions) than on arguments and talk. Showing yourself to be "good" by posting on social media is not a great feat. What truly matters is that you act upon something yourself before you post it or preach it to others.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us all excellent companions and show us the path of complete guidance Just as Abu Bakr Radiallahu anhu, Umar RadiAllahu Anhu, Ali (RA), and Khalid bin Walid Radiallahu  anhu became shields for the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, may Allah Ta'ala make our friends shields for us, and make us shields for one another. Amin Ya Rabbul Alamin.