As someone who has been wearing the niqab for almost 2 years now there is a lot that has happened throught my journey. There have been ups and downs and experiences that have shaped my understanding now.
A lot of the time when I talk to sisters who don’t wear the niqab I find it interesting the way it is looked at from their perspective. The problems you think you’re going to face after wearing the niqab are completely different to when you actually put it on. Joey on the street telling you to go back to your country is the least of your worries.
On social media modesty is promoted through aesthetics, consumer culture, and sometimes wrong intention. Although there are a lot of influencers that promote modesty in a effective way, a lot of other influencers are coming at it from the wrong angle. So many of us were just told to wear the hijab without being explained to why & how we are supposed to wear it and it’s importance in Islam. When we finally question our actions we are either guided to knowledge or in a lot of cases give up on modesty completly.
Modesty isn’t about the aesthetic we give off and buying every new abaya in stock—it’s deeper than that. It’s the closeness it brings us to Allah by obeying him and the peace we find when we cover. Modesty also isn’t for a certain group of people, it’s for every Muslim who believes in Allah and wants to obey Him. Allah says in the Quran:
“O Prophet! Ask your wives, daughters, and believing women to draw their cloaks over their bodies. In this way it is more likely that they will be recognized ˹as virtuous˺ and not be harassed. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Surah Al-Ahzab: 59
Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Mericiful. Allah knows the struggle you are going through and he knows when you are trying your best. Don’t be so hard on yourself when you think you’re not doing it right. Make dua, seek knowledge, and try your best and Allah will make your path easy for you. And so what if you made a mistake? Allah is All-Forgiving. Repent to Allah and try again, and again, and again. People who you think are doing it right are also making mistakes, you just don’t see it.
So start from today and take the small steps. Dont listen to the whispers of Shaytaan. Yes it’s scary but it’s not impossible. The first step is the hardest, but once you take it you won’t regret it.
This is just a short boost of encouragement that I put together, but this topic has so many layers to it. If you’re interested in me covering a certain aspect of modesty let me know in the comments!
P.S. I am not a scholar and all the information I give is from Quran and Sunnah and personal experiences❤️
May Allah bless you, truly inspiring