By President ICNA Sisters, Abeer Sher
Back in 2011 after human rights activist Tawakkol Karman received her Nobel Peace Prize, she was asked about her hijab by journalists who felt the hijab was out of place with her level of education and intellect. Her response was, without a doubt, simple yet profound. She said, “Man in early times was almost naked, and as his intellect evolved, he started wearing clothes. What I am today and what I am wearing represents the highest level of thought and civilization that man has achieved and is not regressive. It’s the removal of clothes again that is regressive back to ancient times.”
Today on World Hijab Day I want to convey to all my fellow Sisters, no matter where you live, the time has come for the Muslim women to reclaim their narrative and rise above the materialism, indecency, and oppression that plague our societies. The hijab is only a manifestation of the inner heart; her heart is at peace when she is happily and willingly complying to the obedience of Allah (swt). The hijab is a practice even of the pious women of the past such as Mary (may Allah be extremely pleased with her) mother of Jesus and others such as Mother Theresa.
For many, this hijab is much more than a simple piece of cloth that is wrapped around heads. It is a reminder of their duty and love to Allah and a promise from Him to elevate them from the indecency and immorality that has enveloped the world.
With this, ICNA Sisters are proud to stand in solidarity with all women, Muslim or not Muslim, who celebrate World Hijab Day and a woman’s right to choose to wear her hijab to preserve her modesty.
Ibn Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, every religion has a character, and the character of Islam is modesty.”
Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 4182
Grade: Sahih li ghayrihi (authentic due to external evidence) according to Al-Albani
عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنَّ لِكُلِّ دِينٍ خُلُقًا وَإِنَّ خُلُقَ الْإِسْلَامِ الْحَيَاءُ
