The Gap Between Practice and Theory of Hijab

There was once a time in Arabia, before the dawn of Islam, when people of Arabia were the illiterate ones. They used to bury their infant daughters, thinking about the shame they brought to the family to the "men" and hence the ritual took place. After the reforming lessons of Islam, by none other than Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H), the picture of Arabia decisively changed and hence Arab started to bring change in the community. But such changes were not without its hardship. Like from the time when Prophet (P.B.U.H) and his companions had to migrate from Makkah to Medina, this migration was of historical importance hence bringing forth the concept of Hajj and Umrah 2024 for the Muslims institutes its holy importance from old days.

Different Practices in Islam

Islam is not bound for one gender. Instead it beliefs are open to both, men and women, and equality is praised for all hence the concept of brotherhood took place here. Talking about various practices in Islam, hijab is the most criticized of different parts of the world.

Why Did it Begin in the First Place?

A woman wearing hijab are easily distinguishable in the crowd. Covering the head is a basic forgo in Islam but not all adhere to this rule singularly. It was easy to spot a Muslim woman in the crowd of many, hence bystanders avoided passing on comments and harassing women.

How Times have Changed Now?

Sometimes it doesn't matter whether you are covered from head to toe or not. Humanity is at its risk in all directions. Even in liberal countries like the UK and USA, Muslim women don't feel secure because of their hijab practices. Statistics have shown the level of biasness for Muslim women in the workplace rather be increased than those who don't cover their heads.

• Why is it so?

The idea of covering the head isn't that foreign to many, but relating it singularly from one aspect raises concerns in the public eye. Going on Umrah or Hajj journey is always out of the question, as it is part of the holy ritual to be covered from head to toe (esp. for women) and hence hijab is not frowned upon. But outside from the religious territories, Muslims worry for their families as they are easily suspected of terrorist activities even for practicing hijab and having a proper beard.

• Why Do People Fear Hijab?

It's just that the affiliation carried out with Islam has made people misinterpret what Islam stands for. If you ask every Muslim in different corners of the world, each one of them would define Islam differently. For some it is personal hygiene and cleanliness, it is all about respecting others (either Muslims or non-Muslims) or for some it is about living a simple life in the modern temptations of the world.  It's easy for people now to discriminate Muslim women based on their headscarves and such. The mistake people make here is that they always associate hijab with the grey areas shown in the media.

Hijab is a Strong Identity of Muslim Women!

It's easy to thrive on social hierarchy and discriminate people regularly for their color, caste or creed. Such is the never-ending cycle of the "modern society". People say they support equality and feminism but media has played a vast role in exploiting the rights of females in various degrees. Women with strong opinions are often disliked by many in the patriarchal society of ours and to think upon they are booming and thriving even based on religious factors is indigestible by men of our society.

Ways to Remove the Gap in Practice and Theory of Hijab

With time, changes can be brought but it will be workable when " Charity begins at home ”.

Besides going on Hajj and Umrah, people need to understand the mere fact that hijab is a personal choice, it can't be adorned forcefully hence it will lose its meaning for the girl who is wearing hijab, instead of loving it or embracing the religious roots she will come to hate it more.

Showing resistance on covering the head is common in the society too, hence you can give time for the younger girls to adopt a habit that will ultimately lead them into covering their heads. Even if they don't do it, it doesn't make them a "bad girl" or to think they are committing a grave sin is out of lead here. Don't add fuel to the fire. The most important thing often ignored or remains in the dark is the true meaning of hijab. We say the hijab is all about covering of head or private body parts but the first rule was laid upon men! Yes, that's right, men were asked to lower their gazes if a woman passed by.  They shouldn't follow her even from their sight. But since not every man felt obliged to do it out of their dueling nature, another form of hijab was introduced, this time applicable to women to protect themselves.

Many girls at a young age feel uncomfortable wearing hijab hence they feel they stand out in public. Well, of course, they do stand out! But make them understand in a polite way how it is important for their good. Women visiting Makkah and Medina feel a change in themselves, as they feel spiritually aligned with God and the ways of living a life, hence going on Hajj or Ramadan Umrah journey can also rectify the situation in the favor. It brings a change of heart in a true believer. Hijab is not a weapon but a choice, for many women at different corners of the world. It not only represents one religion but adheres to different civilizations of the world concerning time. Be among those who accept the different aspects of women in our daily lives. Every role of women in every get up completes compliments each other.