On Hijab.

"So...if I see your hair does that mean I have to marry you?"
"Do you shower with that on?"
"Were you born with it?"
"Can you only wear black?"
"Aren't you hot in that thing?"
"Do you sleep in that?"

These are a few of the many many questions my friends and I have been asked in reference to my hijab/scarf, the piece of cloth I wear on my head.

And then I get the more serious comments like:

"F***ing Mozlems"

"Terrorist"

Luckily, I don't get too much of those, which is why I couldn't list more than two. I've heard that others have been called "towel head", too. People are so creative.

I was going to do an informative piece on hijab and everything but I decided not to. This blog is about sharing experiences so I thought I'd write about my thoughts on hijab instead. If you would like to know more about hijab or Islam in general in terms of facts and proof in the Qur'an and stuff, you can always leave a comment here or in any post or you can click on some of the links provided at the end of this post.

I love wearing a scarf. It gives me a sense of identity. I'm not known by my looks, but how I am as an individual {This is not a memorized line, by the way. I know I've heard this one before and you may have, too. But I really honestly feel that this is true}. Conversations with people are more on a personal level, in my opinion.

I started wearing hijab when I was 11 years and 8 months old. There's no reason why I specifically remember how long. I just do. I went to an Islamic school so maybe that had something to do with m decision to wear it early. My parents never forced me to wear it. Ever. My parents are practicing Muslims so I guess the Islamic environment from school and home made my decision easy. I learned at an early age that hijab gives you respect. When I was 9 years old there was this boy who really bothered me and would follow me all around school. I found out he liked me..and I told the teacher! haha {I was nine, okay?} Oh, and btw, I didn't like him back so the love story ends here. So anyways, one day I get this short haircut I don't really like. I think to myself: what better way to cover up my short hair than to wear a scarf? So the same day I started wearing the scarf to school was the same day StalkerBoy left me alone. Coincidence? I think not. Needless to say, I started wearing a scarf to school from that day on. One: StalkerBoy forgot about me in a second and two: I felt guilty using the hijab to cover up a bad haircut so I left it on at school.

Hijab is not just a piece of cloth on your head: it's a whole package. Hijab literally means "to cover/shelter/screen/protect". It refers to modesty. Modesty isn't just about covering your head; it's about how you dress, talk, walk, interact with people. Everything about you should reflect modesty. Oh, yeah, I also think that hijab is obligatory. Well, I don't think it, it is. There are enough sources in the Qur'an and Hadith {examples/sayings of the Prophet Muhammad Peace and blessings be upon him} that tell women to cover. But there is no compulsion in religion, so one should not be forced to wear it. It's a requirement, but in the end it's up to you to wear it or not.

Perks of wearing Hijab
- I get to represent my religion.
- Bad hair day or bad hair cut? No problem! Don't have time to brush your hair? Slip on a hijab and everyone will be none the wiser
- It can be a fun accessory. ;)
- Random and non-random boys don't check me out. Except maybe in India, but they check out anything that breathes over here. yuck!

"Cons" of wearing hijab
- You stand out. But this can be a good thing, a better opportunity to give people info about Islam when they ask you why you cover.
- It gets hot sometimes. I'm fine in the heat, but some find it hard to cope with. Most people get adjusted. Luckily there's AC everywhere these days. I find that I'm equally hot with or without the hijab in summer. Not that I've gone out without my hijab since I was twelve. But at home and stuff. I see no difference.

- I really don't have any cons about wearing a scarf.

I'm very proud to represent my religion. Being covered up isn't being backwards. It's about respecting yourself. I wear hijab and the only people worth seeing my hair are select people in my life. Hair is a sign of beauty for women, and that beauty shouldn't be displayed for everyone to see. And let's face it, women are way better looking than men any day. We're so much more prettier. :D So I wouldn't want some random guy checking me out. He has no right to look at me in a disrespectful way and I shouldn't give him a reason to.

Sure I like to do my hair and dress up. I love getting compliments. {You know you do, too!} But I don't think that the compliments I get when/if I went out without my scarf are worth it if it means a bunch of random people can see them, too. I'm special, you see. And so are you. We all are. And the only people who should be able to see your beauty are special people. :D

I realize that I've focused on hijab* as a means for protecting myself from others' eyes. But that is the main point of hijab for me. I feel like guys stare too much and I feel that it is really disrespectful to be eyed at like a piece of meat. Wearing the veil demands respect from others and demands that I act in a way that gives me the respect that I deserve. Women all over the world have always been and always will be viewed as sex objects. By covering myself I protect myself from being looked at in that way. I would much rather be perceived as "poor oppressed mozlem" woman {of which I am NOT. Islam has liberated women and given them so many more rights thank you very much, God, btw...future blog post!} than a sex object.

Hijab links in case you're interested:
Wikipedia - general info

IslamWorld
Sunnipath - Why hijab?

* by hijab here I mean modesty in appearance, actions, words, etc.