By Platforms Montessori School, Ota
The World Hijab Day (WHD) is an annual event, which takes place on the 1st of February each year. Founded by Nazma Khan, a human right activist, in 2013, the day is being commemorated in 140 countries of the World, including Nigeria, to encourage women of all religions, colours, backgrounds and tribes to wear and experience the Hijab.
Do you (yes, you reading this) really understand the word ‘Hijab’ and why female Muslims wear this clothing? How truly do you perceive those who adorn Hijab? Beautiful? Godly? Oppressed? Or, indifferent? Come on board, you will find these few lines below as interesting answers for those questions.
The word Hijab is taken from the Arabic word ‘Hajaba,’ which means to hide or to conceal. It generally refers to the covering of areas considered naked in the body of Muslim women (Qur’an 39: 51).
Hijab represents a woman’s submission to her creator and her connection with the faith of Allah. It is clear from the Quran and the Hadith of noble Prophet Muhammad (peace be onto him) that Hijab is a religious obligation, which a woman has to undertake.
With this view, you now understand the word Hijab and the reason female Muslims wear Hijab. Do you know that there are benefits for wearing Hijab?
• It is an act of obedience to your creator (Qur’an 24 verse 31)
• It accords respect to those who adorn it.
• It highlights the Muslim women as pure women
• It sets her apart from/reminds her to be wary of immoral behavior associated with women who dress immodestly.
• And, of course, it makes you look more beautiful as a woman
Most people are not aware of these about Hijab, here are more of the ‘secrete’ for you.
• Hijab is for a modest and respectable woman
• Hijab is purity
• Hijab is honorable
• Hijab is righteousness
• Hijab is for successful women and believing women.
Many non-Muslim and some Muslim women still ask: Why do Muslim women wear Hijab? Today and always, your darling school, The Platforms Montessori school, Ota (Check more about us on our Facebook page: @ThePMSOta) joins Muslims from 140 countries of the World to create awareness for Hijab and to answer this question.
The simple answer to this is that Muslim women are ordered by Allah to cover their nakedness by wearing Hijab. (Quran 24:31) reads: “Tell the believing women to lower their gaze, protect their body and not to show off their adornments except only that, which is apparent and to draw their veils over necks and bosoms. And not to reveal their adornments 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, the female slaves or old male servants who lack vigor or small children who have no sense of shame of sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn unto Allah together O believers in order that ye may succeed.”
Do you know we have different types of what people perceive as Hijab in different cultures? Here are a few of the types.
• HIJAB: The word Hijab describes the act of covering up generally but is often used to describe the headscarves worn by Muslim women.
• NIQAB: The Niqab is a veil for the face that leaves the area around the eyes clear. It is worn with accompanying headscarves.
• BURKA: The Burka is the most concealing of all Islamic veils. It is a one-piece veil that covers the face and body often leaving just a mesh screen through.
• AL-AMIRA: The al-Amira is a two-piece veil. It consists of a close-fitting cap usually made from cotton and a tube-like scarf.
• SHAYLA: The Shayla is a long, rectangular scarf popular in the Gulf region. It is wrapped around the head and tucked or pinned in place at the shoulders.
• KHIMAR: The Khimar is a long cape-like veil that hangs down to just above the waist. It covers the hair, neck, and shoulders completely but leaves the face clear.
Now that you know the different types of Hijab and how to wear them, it is pertinent to note that those who wear this clothing are easily recognized/profiled (Quran 33:59) and they should strive to be above board in their affairs with people. We cover our body, we should be far better than others in character.
YOU ARE A MAN? THIS IS HOW IT CONCERNS YOU. DRESS MODESTLY TOO AND ENCOURAGE (DO NOT DISCOURAGE) THOSE WHO WEAR HIJAB AROUND YOU.
AND TO ALL FEMALE MUSLIMS, LET’S EMBRACE ISLAM BY ADORNING OUR HIJAB. IF YOU ARE NOT COVERED WITH CLOTH TODAY, YOU WILL BE COVERED WITH SAND WHEN YOU BREATH YOUR LAST.
Platforms Montessori School (PMS), a school with structured Western and Islamic curricula, is located in Ota, Ogun State, South-West Nigeria.
You need to know more about the school? Check our Social Media handles including our Facebook Page: @ThePMSOta or call/WhatsApp: 08034380340; 07037419003
