Bismillahir rahman nir rahim
In the name of Allah , the most compassionate and merciful
During the early days of my reversion, my mum would often ask a question where the conversation would go :
"Why can't you be like normal muslims? She dont wear tudung mah"
"No mum, if you are a muslim, you are subjected to cover your awrah. And for women to the opposite gender is every body part except the face and hands"
"Why must cover?"
"To guard your modesty"
"Not modest meh wear loose fitting clothes and skirt below knee?"
"Modesty in the context where it varies depending on the culture of a certain country. In Saudi Arabia, revealing your ankles might be revealing. In the west, bikinis are. And in Malaysia it varies as much because we're multi-racial. As you were raised in a Chinese community, what i am wearing now may be modest. But to me, i feel comfortable wearing a hijab."
Well the convo goes on and on, but I want to explain to you why I had decided to wear a hijab.
It just tells general public that I am a Muslim. I have once gone to a dinner with my Italian boss, his wife and their friends. We went to a non-halal Italian restaurant. I planned on just ordering a salad when the owner of the restaurant came to me and said that I could order anything I want on the menu and it will be halal. Honestly I was surprised. But to be safe i ordered a seafood pasta in case he doesn't know about halal meat. My boss then reassured me that the cook has borrowed cooking utensils and pots from a nearby halal restaurant just for my meal so I dont have to worry. After, when we had finished our meal and were about to leave, the male friends smiled at me and took a bow *insert laughing emoji* it was hilarious, and i was extremely amused but grateful for the thoughtfulness all the same. Alhamdulillah for such understanding companions.
In my days as a non-muslim, I have (not to be proud) got some attention of males when i walk around in malls, cat-calls and direct flirtation. Been chased by Indonesian workers, and a wandering Nigerian. (no, not all of their nationals behave that way). After wearing a hijab, I realize a change . No more cat calls, stares, and it wasnt that they were ignoring me. I felt like I was being respected. They lowered their gaze or shifted it somewhere else. It was then that I thought, they respected me, because i respected myself. NO, I do not mean that people who do not wear a hijab have no humility. I don't mean that. I'm simply speaking in my terms, and my situation. I hope i didn't offend anyone. Hope my point got across tho. I have read a quote on twitter that goes something like Allah protects those who have an effort to protect themselves. Dammit I forgot the exact words and it has something to do with this, believe me. (trust me pls)
Of course my main reason was because Allah has commanded me to. but have you ever though about why Allah has done so? Everything that Allah has set for us isnt without justification. And it is encouraged to find out what these justifications are. Ahh yg tu saya malas nak tulis, pi research sendiri.
A more important point of all this is why I had cultivated a love for this religion. It encourages questions. It has no fear in it because all the answers are in the Qur'an. Im kinda sleepy now, so maybe it'll be edited soon hihi
Assalamualaikum
