Should I change...??

Question

First off, I really don't want 2 bore you guys with all the details of my life so if you don't really wanna help me out with my issues u don't have to i just need some opinions to help me out. I'm a 13-year-old muslim girl living in the U.S. me n my family moved here from Pakistan when i was about 4 years old. There is a local masjid (or mosque) that i used 2 go 2 every sunday 2 learn about Islam and pray. My parents are ok when it comes to religion. They never forced me to wear a hijab except when in the masjid and when praying at home. But, people tell me that if i don't wear it i'll be doomed to hell. My reasoning is that when the rule of wearing a hijab came into being, from what i've heard, it was to help keep girls from getting raped, to look modest, etc. but, the irony here is that sometimes that's the one thing that can cause such things to happen here in a country where many people believe that all muslims are terrorists. I don't wear one beacause to me Islam is about...

being in touch with God and I don't think that I need to wear a hijab to be a muslim. I think that my beliefs are between me and God but i just want some opinions.

Answer 1

You shouldn’t wear hijab untill you get convinced why it is for. Because hijab is not a piece of scarf you cover your hair and neck with, it is a protection, applying God’s order, and gives you more self-respect that you are not available to everybody to see you as your family members. I didn’t wear hijab untill I was mature enough to do the duty the right way. Now, I am happy wearing my hijab and I thank God that he guided me to do this duty with love and understanding for its purpose.

Answer 2

Well, I'm not a muslim, but I will try to answer as best as I know how. I think the hijab is completely a personal matter. If your parents aren't forcing you to wear one, then you shouldn't believe you have to. However, if you believe that this will bring you closer to God, wear it. Don't let other people impact how you lead your life....not everyone wants what is best for you like your immediate family does. Wearing a hijab, especially if you don't really want to, will only draw more attention to yourself. And this may in turn lead you to weaken your relationship with God. Religion is something that every individual experiences in their own manner and it shouldn't be forced upon anyone. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

I dont know if your question means changing your attitude to the hijab or change your religion. First of all,do you have any muslim friends or are all your friends of religion that criticizes hijab?
You already said your parents do not force you to wear hijab.They only tell you to wear it when you are praying and in the masjid.Do you know why?.It is because they want to give you a chance to get the personal conviction about it,cos that is what islam is all about.Please do not throw your religion away,cos as you are,be sure someone is finding it.You might be surprised it is one of those people discouraging you or one of the people you least expect to practise it.
Also i am not sure i have ever heard of a girl being raped because of her hijab.Even islam makes provision for every situations,like a girl should not travel alone without a maraam[a male relative as a companion]etc.Trust in Allah that you worship,He will protect you from all evils,pray before you leave home.Iwould also suggest you mention your fears to your parents as they sound considerate.Also look for sisters in your sunday islamic school who uses hijab and let them know your concerns and share their experience of wearing hijab with you.Truly sister,Hijab is the most beautiful adornment a woman could have.It makes you appreciate yourself more.Do you know how much confidence you need to wear hijab.This means you dont fear anyone but your God.You dare to be differentand unique.I am talking from experience,sister.Believe me,i passed through different stages of hijab [including doubts and distractions from friends and society,even loved ones]. But islam is all about finding your balance.Be positive about all situations.May Allah guide you.Best of luck.

Answer 4

I am not muslim but i don't think you will be doomed to hell if you don't wear a hijab, it's a very old tradition that some people still practice but i don't think you should if you don't feel comfortable. But! I don't think you shouldn't feel comfortable just because retarded people in the U.S. will portray you as a terroist. I think that is absolutely horrible! There are girls in my school that wear hijabs and the only people who would ever make fun of them are uneducated people! I think you should do what you feel is right, and maybe try talking to your parents about it because I'm sure they want what's best for you and wouldn't let you do something that they didn't feel was appropriate! Just remember not to do anything you don't want to, so NO! i don't think you should change for other people.

Answer 5

I'm not really an overly-religious person, but I would say that a person's spiritual connection is internal. Every religion I've ever been associated with always tried to put me in a box by saying that I had to wear (or not wear) certain things to "please god". When I finally broke through all of that, I found that my connection with god wasn't affected by what I wore or didn't wear.
Isn't the hijab a somewhat recent invention in the history of Islam?

Answer 6

That is very insightful on your part, that the hijab could actually attract the sort of attention in this country that it was designed to take away in your native land. I am not a Muslim so I can't give you a complete answer. In the area where I live, I sometimes see muslim women dressed head to toe in that sort of garb, and I also see muslim women wearing pants, long sleeved blouse, and a scarf on thier heads. They are modest. You can still tell they are Muslim. But they aren't wearing garb that causes them to stand out. In your native country, that sort of dress causes all women to blend in. In this country, that sort of dress causes a women to stand out. That kind of defeats the purpose of wearing such a garment, I think. As far as I know, that sort of garment is a cultural custom, not necessarily a religious one, and many muslim women that I have seen or met, just make sure that thier arms and legs are covered, thier hair is covered, and they are wearing a high neckline. If your parents will allow you to dress as you want to, and only ask you to wear it to the mosque, or wear it for prayer, I think that is appropriate, as a symbol of your cultural identity, if you wish to.

Answer 7

Hijab or none, be true to yourself.

Study the Koran and look for the meaning that Mohammed brings to you from God. Do not let others tell you what it says in there; more often than not, they are wrong or have their own agendas. Seek your relationship directly with God and you will find the answers you seek.

Not all Muslims are terrorists, just as not all terrorists are Muslim.

Answer 8

Part of the reason for the hijab (from my limited understanding of Islam) is, indeed, for a woman to cover herself but also, in a culture that is primarily Islamic, to be able to blend in and not make herself stand out or draw attention to herself (as modesty is a desirable quality according to the Koran) or her female attributes. This makes it easier and much more comfortable (for both parties), if she has to interact with a male who is not her relative.

In a primarily Islamic culture, the hajib would, indeed, lessen the likelihood of a woman possibly drawing negative attention to herself, being harrased, or possibly being assaulted.

But not in the United States.

Here, it could actually backfire and cause a woman to draw MORE attention to herself.

Most women here don't wear the hajib. It's simply not part of our style of dress; nor is it required by most of the religious denominations in this country.

Additionally, In a post-911 United States, with the war in Afganastan, the war in Iraq...a LOT of people in this country have a serious problem with Islam. The hajib to the average U.S. citizen...doesn't bring to mind very many positive thoughts. That's just the way it is.

The intent of the hajib is to help make it easier, safer, and much more pleasant for a woman to function in her world. However, here in the states, the hajib probably won't do that for you. Actually, it will probably have the opposite effect.

Knowing that, you have to make a choice whether you feel safer and more modest here in the United States wearing the hijab, or for the sake of modestly, practicality, and safety --, modest western attire would serve you better in that regard.

It's completely up to you....and I seriously doubt you'll go to hell if you make either of those choices.

Answer 9

My opinion is you are not doomed to hell. Most Muslim women here on Y!A state that they wear the hijab by choice. Either way, you aren't doomed to hell for not wearing one, regardless of what Islam says about it.

Answer 10

Understand that all people are born under the curse of sin because of Adam and eve and are doomed to a lake of fire. That is why God Almighty sent His Son Jesus, born of a virgin, holy and pure and without sin to be a lamb, a sacrifice for the sins of the world. He took the punishment, the curse and the consequence of our sins and he hung on a cross showing us and giving us His Unconditional Love and those who receive His love are 100% forgiven and He washes away our sins so that we are made 100% pure and sinless before God and He remembers our sins noi more ever. We then begin a new relationship with God as true sons and daughters of the Most high and we are anointed as kings, priests and prophets unto Christ Jesus our Lord. And with each passing day God by the power of His Holy Spirit we are able to walk in divine fellowship just as you would have with your very best of friends awaiting til He call you home to be with him in heaven. God has given His Son but those who reject him shall perish and this sadens the heart of God. No religion can save anyone only Christ as he has been resurrected..