In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
The thing about bias is that sometimes you dont even know they exist. As a young girl growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, I would hear people refer to them as "eleha" and I noticed how people will treat them and it was not with kindness, even the muslims. Somehow, a woman's covered face was a threat.
Then I listened to @shmohammadelshinawy talk once on hijab and @hadiyah_sabo knows this. It was so liberating. It was encouraging. It made the transition much easier, lighter. We bonded so much over it. It is an old one. I dont even know that he remembers speaking about it. I mean, this was 15 to 16 years ago. Then I read "from my sister's lips" and, again, a different view.
I remember the lady whose instagram handle was @theelehaa - I thought so brave. Heart in hand. I have been noticing my unconscious biases and sitting in a few "hard" conversations as a listener. Cos we all think that our hijab is good or the common one we tell ourselves, we are a work in progress. Is it really "in progress" if there is no change or work being done?
I remember one time I was in a Mac shop in Madinah and everyone walked in with their niqab and then it went up, when they wanted to try on something, and then just before they went back out. It was niqab on again. Another different view. I wore the niqab for the rest of that trip. Alhamdulillah.
I think COVID also made us less threatened by a covered face.
Very recently, the podcast by @markazsalihibnsulaiman on the hijab did one on me, and I am sitting with a lot, thinking a lot and noticing a lot. We all have work to do. Sure, it is easier living in a muslim country but even if it is just the two muslims around you, how easy are you making it for them, how supportive are you, how kind are you, what judgement do you hold towards them?
Recently, we had a conversation with Ustadha A, and style came up. I also see how we are trying to be stylish in the hijab/niqab and not under it. Maybe why we have so many chic hijab, modest fashion brands now.
The point is, I am looking to where I have been, where I am, and where I want to be. May Allah make it easy for us to hear and obey. Amin!
I am curious: What misconceptions or biases do you have, or have you seen around the hijab and niqab?
Thank you for sharing this with us… Allahuma Barik.
I was also born and raised in Lagos too and I understand the challenges of being an hijabi, especially when fully covered. Even without using nigob—some people, surprisingly even Muslims give you that look, as if, you’re doing too much—more like an extremist. I’ve tried to explaining but they don’t understand. Now I’ve stopped, reminding myself that guidance only comes from Allah.
May Allah guide and improve us 🤲🏼
Thank you for writing.
I also grew up in Lagos so this feels like you're talking about me.
As a child, I used to be scared of people in the Niqab. Then I wondered why they went that far. But Alhamdulillah after learning what the hijab and niqab truly mean, I've come to respect it and the people who wear it. I see Niqabis as brave now.
My journey with the hijab has been in a lot of phases too and Alhamdulillah I like where I am now but I recognize that there's always room for improvement, especially regarding the beautification of the hijab. Reading this has made me reflect too. May Allah make it easy for us to practice the proper hijab (Ameen)