A Wonderful Gift....and Hijab

I received a most wonderful and precious gift today. My best friend, Gee, has given me a 'tudung' that she has painfully embroidered by herself. The design is gorgeous! But what touches me the most are her effort and her thoughtfullness. Thank you dear sister. ;) I shall wear it with my jubah during Hari Raya in LA, Insya-Allah.



I'm ashamed to admit that I was quite late in wearing hijab. During university days, I was quite tomboyish..wearing jeans and T-shirts all the times. Among my close friends, I was the only one who was not wearing hijab. Nevertheless, that didn't stop us being great friends. Back then, although I know that hijab is compulsary for Muslim women, I chose to ignore the fact. I can say that it was a 'jahiliyah' time for me. I dared to say "tak sampai seru lagi" (No calling to do that yet)...Astaghfirullah..Forgive Me O God...what was I thinking? God has spoken about this more than 1400 years ago..and the Prophet has conveyed the message. Whose calling was I waiting for? :(

Surah An-Nur (Verse 31): "And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss."

Surah Al-Ahzab (Verse 58): "O Prophet! tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

There's been three attempts for me to wear hijab. For the first and second times, I didn't do it because I want to do it. I was wearing it for the benefit of other people. The first time, because most of my office-mates were wearing it. When I quit my job, I stopped wearing hijab. The second time around, I wore it after my Dad passed away. I didn't want him to suffer because his daughter wasn't being a good Muslim. But as time passed by, I tend to be careless, and I stopped wearing it. Now is my third attempt. Why the sudden decision, you readers might ask? About 4 months ago, I did some self-reflection. I felt that something is missing in my life. Something that doesn't feel right. Suddenly I felt scared. I realized that life is very short, anytime..anyday..we can find ourselves suddenly transported to the next world beyond. What have I done to prepare myself for the day? Have I perform my ibadah enough? How can that be enough when I haven't cover the most basic thing - Hijab? I started to find some information on Hijab..I wanted to wear it because I want to wear it, because I know the true reason behind it, because I know it is my own responsibility. Now, let me share some of the things that I've found:

1. Hijab is an act of obedience, as Allah has clearly instructed muslim women to do this. Surah Al-Ahzab (Verse 36): It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger, to have any option about their decision: if anyone disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path.

2. Hijab is Modesty. Allah has made the adherence to the hijab a manifestation for chastity and modesty. There is an evidence that the recognition of the apparent beauty of the woman is harmful to her.

3. Hijab is Purity. The hijab makes for greater purity for the hearts of believing men and women because it screens against the desire of the heart. Without the hijab, the heart may or may not desire. That is why the heart is more pure when the sight is blocked (by hijab) and thus the prevention of fitna (evil actions is very much manifested. The hijab cuts off the ill thoughts and the greed of the sick hearts:

4. Hijab is Iman (Belief and Faith). Allah (swt) did not address His words about the hijab except to the believing women, Al-Mo'minat. In many cases in the Qur'an Allah refers to the "the believing women". Aisha (RA), the wife of the prophet (pbuh), addressed some women from the tribe of Banu Tameem who came to visit her and had light clothes on them, they were improperly dressed: "If indeed you are believing women, then truly this is not the dress of the believing women, and if you are not believing women, then enjoy it." So, how can we claimed ourselves as 'a believing women' (Muslimah yang beriman) when we don't do the basic thing that has been intructed to us by God?

5. Hijab is Gheerah. The hijab fits the natural feeling of Gheerah, which is intrinsic in the straight man who does not like people to look at his wife or daughters. Gheerah is a driving emotion that drives the straight man to safeguard women who are related to him from strangers. The straight MUSLIM man has Gheerah for ALL MUSLIM women In response to lust and desire, men look (with desire) at other women while they do not mind that other men do the same to their wives or daughters. The mixing of sexes and absence of hijab destroys the Gheera in men. Islam considers Gheerah an integral part of faith. The dignity of the wife or daughter or any other Muslim woman must be highly respected and defended.

There you go. Such are the beauties of Islam. Shame on me for being ignorance on this. Thank God that I have been given such tests, that I had taken the time to do some reflections, and thus find my way back home. Subhanallah.

Hijab is not merely a covering dress but more importantly, it is behavior, manners, speech and appearance in public. Muslim women who wear hijab do not find it impractical or interfering with their activities in all levels and walks of life. However, in today's world, I found that wearing Hijab has become a fashion trend. And sometimes, those who wear Hijab does acts that are wrong and shamefuls. It's not uncommon to find some of them, wearing Hijab, but commit acts of Zina or Khalwat....wearing Hijab, but cursing and screaming bad words..etc etc etc.

I pray that I will remain wearing Hijab...Dear God, please give me the strength and please guide me to the right path. I feel happier with myself now. Wearing Hijab has changed me a lot. I'm more careful with my words, my acts, and controlling my temper. 'Ketenangan'..serene and peaceful...that's what I feel.

To Gee, you have been there for me during my ups and downs, during my most vulnerable period. I'm so thankful for a friend like you. Your support is deeply appreciated. Thanks for being a sister..dunia dan akhirat...here and there-after. :)

And to dear hubby, thanks a bunch for always being here for me. He has explained to me about Hijab earlier on our marriage. But he is not someone who pushes people to follow him. He left me to think and to decide by myself, and for myself. He believed that one day I would make the right decision. I'm so glad and thankful that the day had come. Alhamdulillah...