Ambassadors of Islam
October 19, 2009 by Tayseir Mahmoud · 8 Comments
I am a hijabi Muslim woman, and I refuse to reduce my hijab to a scarf much like those before me. Hijab goes beyond my modest dress code and my head cover. Hijab is my lifestyle. Over the years, it has built my character and shaped my behavior. Hijab has brought me closer to my creator. My hijab is very much feminine. It is a tool given to every woman that no man is able to acquire through wit or strength. As a hijabi, I am a walking representation of Islam. This form of dawah does not require brochures or speeches. The statement I make as I walk streets from Texas to the Middle East is stronger than your most colorful brochure. I am everyday an ambassador of Islam, accepting the responsibility as much as I am the honor. The responsibility my hijab has given me is a fierce passion continuously driving me to seek knowledge about my faith and share it with others. It is the reason I am able to speak to you in your language, a language that is not my native tongue.
And no, I don’t dress this way, act this way, and talk this way because I’m forced to. I am who I am today of my own free will and as a result of the decisions I’ve made throughout my life with the guidance of my Lord. I cover the beauty He has blessed me with, as He has blessed every woman, so that you may see beyond the physical. Hijab has taught me to respect myself, for that is where everyone else’s respect is derived. I speak softly and lower my gaze, not from shame or weakness. Rather, it is from humility and understanding of the power my eyes and voice possess. I don’t need to raise my voice in order to be heard. The words that softly leave my lips and the ones escaping my pen as I write this have much more weight than the volume of my vocal cords. My thoughts and opinions are proven to be much more piercing than the eye contact you deem necessary to sustain a conversation. I am well aware of my defiance to your norm, but I do not need to conform to society’s norms, whether it is that of the West or the East. I am not interested in your culture. Through hijab, Islam has become my culture, my way of life. It constitutes my values and beliefs, and I’m not one to downgrade.
I am certain that there are hijabi women everywhere who feel this. They are my sisters in Islam, my fellow ambassadors of this faith. You will not run into us at your clubs. You will not meet us at your bars. We do not pose for your indecent photos. We are not the subjects of your gossip magazines, nor are we your Hollywood icons. We don’t sing and dance for your pleasure. And no, you cannot have our phone numbers. We cover our bodies because we are the truest form of beauty. We lower our gazes because we understand the effect our eyes will have on you. We speak firm words softly because we know the content is enough emphasis. We are strong Muslim women, and we are pleasing to our Lord. And that alone is the reason we are.
Well said from the inner heart Masha’Allah
Very Inspiring!I enjoyed reading it!
mashallah!
that was what we all needed to her to incourage us to keep our hijabs on, and be proud of it. i really hope that more people would read this artical and take a lesson from it. i took a big lesson from it. and inshallah may Allah guide all of the muslim sisters that are currently not wearing their hijabs, and i hope that they see the beauty of the hijab.
mashallah…
HI!God for you but I don’t think you are speaking in the name of all the Muslims woman who were a jihab.I am a christian woman married with a Muslim man and I meat most of the wives of my husband friends,some of tam accept jihab as they wear it sens childhood but some of them simply hate it,they are forced by their husbands or relatives to were it and can’t do anything about it.
I never thought of marrying a Muslim before I meat my husband it just happened,and I didn’t think too deeply to what i was going give up through that,I never drinked too much so didn’t bothered to give up alcohol for good,same with pork,all in respect to my husband faith but there are thinks that are completely ridiculous and middle-eve ones that makes my life joyless.I would like to ask you what kind of fun do you usually have because the one I had till now is not accepted by my husband and I feel like I don’t have a life to live anymore.
Don’t misunderstand me I am coming from a world were life is not the were you live it but I love and respect my husband and try to be happy with his type of life,and completely failed till now.
I believe that hijab comes from the heart. And as the case with any act of worship, if you do it for the wrong reasons, you will do it poorly. I was mainly addressing all sisters who observe hijab for the right reasons in this piece. I think that maybe you have a limited view of what Islam truly is through the people surrounding you. I don’t want to step over anyone’s toes, but I feel that maybe you should get to know other Muslim sisters. I’d gladly meet with you or speak to you further about this in a more private setting. I feel that most non-Muslims who marry Muslims don’t get the full picture. Your only experience of Islam is through your husband and those he has introduced you to. Islam is not defined by those who practice/follow it. Sadly, many don’t follow the proper teachings, and even more innovate in the religion. Please seek the correct knowledge about this religion from the right sources, those most credible. I can give you literature and websites where you can obtain correct information. I can also share with you my favorite pastimes
Just because I wear hijab doesn’t mean I can’t have fun. I have many friends and I have lots of fun. I don’t have to drink or go to clubs to enjoy my life. Alhamdulillah (Thank God), there are many ways to have clean fun especially in Houston. I’m not sure if you are from around here, but if you are, I can definitely show you around!
Again, I don’t want to cross any lines or boundaries with you or your family. I’m just offering you a chance to get to know people who truly love the religion and follow it in the best ways that they can. All while enjoying this beautiful life that God gave us.
Thank you for your comment. I hope to hear from you soon.
Email me: tayseir@gmail.com
mA. Very touching!
Baraka Allahu feeki