Just By Accident
A powerful guest submission by sister Mariam on how she came to wear hijab.
I am a 45-year-old mother of three girls aged 23, 21 and 13. Masha’Allah, we have all been observing the beautiful Islamic requirement of Hijab for the last ten years or so. I thought you might be interested to find out what made me don one, since only a couple of weeks before this life-changing event, I had vowed vehemently to my friends that I would never do anything so drastic.
My oldest daughter started to cover when she was twelve, even before I did. One of her older cousins visited us from England and my daughter was influenced and impressed by the way she carried herself and wore her Hijab confidently and with pride. Even though I felt guilty that my 12-year-old had the guts to go to middle school and be ridiculed, I was too chicken to wear it myself. I worked in a mall and liked to dress up and thought that covering would cramp my style.
Anyhow, after six months or so, a friend and her family were on vacation up in the mountains, and her husband, who was only 27, slipped and fell off a cliff and drowned in the river below. He left behind a young, broken-hearted widow and two little girls, ages three and one.
Can you imagine the shock, disbelief and heartache our entire community went through? This made me realize that life is precious and Allah can call someone so young and in the prime of youth, and that nobody is spared from the fangs of death, no matter how young or old – it could be me next!
So after the initial shock wore off, my instant reaction was that I had to do something profound to turn my life around, I was so steeped in the dunya and had forgotten that death is imminent, and my account of good deeds was nothing to be proud of. A few days later, my husband and I went shopping and I put on a scarf. He asked,”What’s this?” and I said,”Just make du`a’ that I keep it on.” Alhamdulillah, that was over ten years ago and I have never taken it off.
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Sister Mariam lives in California, USA, and has been blessed with three beautiful daughters, two spoiled cats, and one amazing husband. She has been in the travel business for over 15 years, and likes to go somewhere new every year with my family, alhamdulillah.
MashaAllaah… ^_^
Death is the only chapter of life that we experience daily when we sleep.
And someone who is nearer to heart, when they leave us behind, it kills the ‘Nafs’ inside us and the same thing happened with me…
Time after time, my believe in Allah, His Creations and Our most beloved Prophet Mohammed (Sallalaho Alayhe Wa Alayehi Wassalam) kept strengthening…
And all this happened, when I lost my Father, my Nani (Grandma-i.e. my mom’s mother), My Paternal Uncles, My other beloved relatives, etc… But the most important turning of my life that brought me towards observing Hijaab along with complete Naqaab was due to my Nani’s departure from this world to another world.
Then things kept coming to me… The heavenly Hidaayat that I kept getting from Almighty Allah just made me grow into my belief and I received Religious Ilm (Education) from Allah’s hidden ways, which only He knows how and when…
I got to know people who are very religious and true in religion:
* I sat in Aitekaaf in last 10 days of Ramadan
* I started to keep Fasts apart from Ramadan’s usual fasts as well
* I joined Jamia Binori town Madarsa for my further schooling but due to some
reason I had to leave it for sometime (personal family reasons)
* I created an excel sheet for my daily A’amaal ( in which I keep a track of what I
am missing and why I am missing and also that how much Qaza e Umar of
Namaz I have covered up till now) because Farz Namaz is the first thing that will be asked about when our deeds counting will begin
* And etc etc… Now, I hardly do anything else and wherever I am, Masha’Allah, my heart always thinks about Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala and His Blessings are
uncountable
(I love this change and pray for the whole Umma’h to bring this revolution in their lives and fall in love with Namaz, Qura’an, Ibaadat (Worship) of Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala and save themselves from the dwelling fire of hereafter)
Do Ibaadat in love of Allah and Jannat will refer you to Allah to bring you near to itself…
( I just simply Love your Veil header, its marvelous)
Wow. MashaAllah. What a wonderful and inspiring story. Thank you for sharing :)
As Salamu Alaykum Sis,
Masha ALLAH, wa Al-Hamdullilah, What a beautiful story, Insha- ALLAH, May ALLAH SWT, guide us and reward all the believers in this life and the next.
Ameen:-)
MashALLAH …May ALLAH always keep u & all of us Muslim sisters steadfast …Aameen
Bahiya, thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Zareen, jazaki Allahu khayran for such a beneficial, heartfelt comment. May Allah keep you steadfast, and reunite you with your loved ones in Jannat al-Firdaws.
And we’re glad you like the hijabi/header, alhamdulillah, we’re blessed with a wonderful web designer for the site!
Constructive Attitude, you’re welcome! We’re happy to be able to share inspiring stories on this site!
Aminah Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah, and ameen to your du’aa sister.
As a side note — when we make du’aa (e.g., “May Allah guide us”) we should try not to say “insha’Allah within our du’aa. The Messenger salla Allahu alyahi wasallam said, “Let not any one of you say, ‘O Allah, forgive me if You will, O Allah, have mercy on me if You will.’ Let him be resolute in the matter, whilst knowing that no one can compel Allah to do anything” [Bukhari and Muslim]. I just wanted to share this beautiful etiquette of making du’aa, taught to us by the Messenger, salla Allahu alayhi wasallam!
tasnim Ameen! And thanks so much for your comment.
Oh, this story came a little closer to mine…
Am not really good at expressing myself but just wana say- ‘touching’. May Allah guide us all to do all that pleases Him Alone. ameen.
@ zareen ghazala – Mashallah! u inspire me:)
SubhanAllah, JazakAllah khair for this….how life changes…you reminded me that Allah SWT can take me away young and in any way He wishes..
ASSALAM-O-ALAIKUM
Nice to hear your article, thats the reason prophet mohammed saws said always remember death as it will keep ypu close to ALLAH, when we remember death we do zikr or avoid sin.
May ALLAH with peace and prosperity and give your daughters pious husbands, make your home the markaz of deen.
MashaALLAH, SISTER your story was so inspiring. may Allah bless us All. And always in the right path. jazaKAALLAH KHAIR.
ASSALAM O ALYKUM WARAH MA TULLAH…………..MASHALLAH MASHALLAH VERY INSPIRING ONE…………MAY ALLAH HELP US TO DO MORE…………..AAMEEN………….JAZAKILLAH
Jazakum Allahu khairan for sharing :)
Alhamdulillah for this deen.
Alhamdulillah..Allah chooses u to do so co Allah love u. So lets show our love for Him by fulfilling all the wajibs and leave All the harams as best as we could. Its pretty difficult,no doubt but trying itself is mujahadah.
Pliz du’a for me and my family too. TQ