A LETTER TO MY SISTER-IN-ISLAM

The letter has been written by a sister who preferred to remain anonymous. Sharing her experiences of wearing hijab and the delight it brought, she has sought to encourage other sisters to do the same.

We hope that this letter will become instrumental in bringing about the desired change in the lives of our mothers and sisters.

My dear sister-in-Islam,
Assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

I would like to share with you my experiences of putting on the 'DREADED VEIL'. You see, I too was afraid to put it on. I was afraid of the changes it would bring in my life, the inconveniences, the ridicule from the ignorant ones on the streets and of course, the reactions of my family members and friends.

I knew what Allah's Command was on this matter, however, Shaytan and Nafs, as helpful as ever, brought a lot of important matters to my attention. "It's going to be so awkward at the bar-b-ques and other social gatherings", said the knowledgeable Nafs. How are you going to eat at restaurants, and what about holidays and fun days out?" prompted the Shaytan. "You will miss out on so much!" they both whispered, "Leave it. It will be easier this way!"

However, Allah, Allah the All-Powerful, Allah the Most Patient, Allah the Most Merciful, Who had been watching while I transgressed every law of hijab you could think of, and who had been waiting ever so patiently while I disobeyed the laws sent down in His Book, through His infinite Mercy put a spark of light in my heart, which grew till I had no choice, but to put on the oh-so-dreaded piece of cloth on my face.

My dear beloved sister, no one told me of the deep sense of happiness I would feel. No one told me I would walk down the street dressed in black from head to toe and still feel like a million dollars. No one told me how special it would make me feel.

It didn't matter that many of my friends were not so friendly any more, or that my female relations took offence because I was hiding from their husbands and sons, or that my husband was not exactly over the moon about it. Conversations became stilted, social gatherings became awkward, but my heart knew a peace it hadn't known before. The feeling of being chosen and gifted remains with me even today.

Try it my dear sister-in-Islam. You won't know till you try it. When the Pleasure of Allah touches your heart you won't ever want to go without the 'DREADED VEIL', Insha'Allah!

Wassalam.

Your Sister-in-Islam.