'I feel naked without it,' Muslim women talk the Hijab

Every religion has its own aspects that people are supposed to follow and go by. Islam has many laws one of them being decency of a woman and this means dressing like how the religion states.

For a Muslim woman to be considered decently dressed, they must dress in the hijab, a cloth that covers their entire body. A hijab can also refer to any head, face, or body covering worn by Muslim women that conforms to Islamic standards of modesty

According to the law, the hijab must not be of bright colours that attract unnecessary attention, must be loose and of thick fabric and should not resemble the clothing of men.

If one’s clothing defies any of these characteristics, it means that it is no longer a hijab.

Much as all Muslim women are required to dress in Hijab, times have changed and some choose not to.

Committing to the hijab is not in everyone’s blood or faith some see it as hard work well as to some, it is something they cannot leave without.

It becomes part of you

Amina Katusabe says her choice to wear the hijab comes from her soul and respect to the religion.

“The Hijab boosts my confidence. I feel more respected when I am dressed in the Hijab. Though there are times when I do not dress accordingly, usually due to peer pressure. But even when I do that, I know at the back of my mind that according to my religion a Muslim lady must dress according to the law and then she will be considered beautiful.”

According to Farhiyah Abdi, a 22-year-old Somali says her reasons for veiling are multiple.

“I love my religion and I like obeying Allah. If veiling is going to get me to heaven then I will do just that. God put up many ways of worshiping Him and dressing in the hijab is one of them. To some it is seen as a burden but it is protecting you from a lot like all your body insecurities are covered up and no one will have judge you for this. Many women are victims of rape because of the way they dress. This can never be the case if you are decently dressed.”

Feel naked without it

Nurain Kakaire, says the Hijab makes her look beautiful.

“I feel naked without it. It is something that has been part of me for a long time and will always be part of me and I don’t have to worry about anything when I am decently dressed.”

Men say

Rashid Alikwan a Muslim man believes that a woman who wears the hijab is the real definition of beauty.

“It’s like a sweet, if u are given two sweets, one open and the other covered, you would definitely chose the covered one because its more trusted.”

In the Qur’an

The Islamic religion encourages women to cover up entirely so as to look respectful and decent and dressing in the hijab is the only way to make this possible and please Allah.
The Holy Qur’an surat al-Ahzab (33:59) encourages on women to veil.

“O prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way) that will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

Writer’s view

As a Muslim woman, I like to please Allah (God). There were times I never dressed in the hijab but this was before I clearly got to know the beauty that comes with it.

Many Muslim girls out there don’t dress accordingly because they are ignorant about the religion.

The hijab to me is a signature. It signifies the pride I have in my religion as a Muslim. It became a part of me, a day without it makes me feel like a great sinner.