Ya Ummi: Is it Too Late?
When we’ve been doing something wrong for so long, how do we turn it around and make it right?
Not too long ago, I was checking site statistics, and something caught my eye.
One thing our site statics show are “search engine terms,” those words people search for before landing on the website. We don’t know who searched for what, or why, but it gives us some idea of the things people are looking for. Sometimes these terms are straightforward, sometimes they’re strange, sometimes they’re funny. And sometimes they really touch you.
As I was looking across the list of terms for that particular day, it was this string of words that caught my eye:
“Too late to put the hijab back on?“
Like I said, there’s no way for us to know who made that search, and the anonymity provided by the internet can be a blessing. But somewhere out there, it seemed, is a person – a sister, perhaps – wondering if it’s too late for her to put her hijab back on. Maybe she’s young, and maybe she’s old. Maybe she wore the hijab for years before taking it off, and maybe she wore it just one day. Whatever her circumstances, she’s wondering now if there’s any way back.
To the sister who’s searching, wondering – to any sister who’s searching, wondering – “Is it too late?”
Why would it be too late, when Allah Himself says,
وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَقْبَلُ التَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبَادِهِ وَيَعْفُو عَنِ السَّيِّئَاتِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ
“And it is He who accepts repentance from his servants and pardons misdeeds, and He knows what you do.” [42:25]
Why would it be too late, when we read,
قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah . Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.”’ [39:53]
Sister – every sister wondering – it’s never too late. Whether you used to wear hijab and then stopped – whether you’ve never once worn it yet – whether you’ve never once in your life worn it – as long as Allah has given you life, why not repent and start a new page? Why not start wearing it now before it really is too late?
Don’t say, “I want to wear hijab, but…” Don’t say, “I want to repent, but…”
Repentance, seeking forgiveness, turning back to Allah – they’re all part of our existence as Muslims. And no matter what our sins or what we’ve done, Allah’s Mercy is greater than all that… and as long as you still live, it’s never too late.
If anyone has any words of advice, any pieces of wisdom they can offer a sister asking “Is it too late?” please share them in a comment below. Somewhere out there are sisters who are searching, and maybe you can help provide an answer.
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“Ya Ummi” is an IGIC column for asking and giving advice, so named because the person we often turn to when we don’t know what to do next is our mother. If you would like to submit your own “Ya Ummi” post, you can do so via the Contact form. Please note that this is not a place to seek fatwas, but rather a place to seek advice from others who may have gone through similar experiences. If you would like answers to fiqh issues, you can visit IslamQA.com or contact your local imam.
Like you said it's never to late to put on the hijab. I just have one thing to say when you have this feeling that you are ready to wear the hijab, go after because it's Allah sending you a message.
This is GREAT advice and does not only apply to wearing the hijab, but everything in life!
This Hadith Qudsi also helps me:
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On the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say:
“Allah the Almighty said:
‘O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it.’”
It was related by at-Tirmidhi (also by Ahmad ibn Hanbal). Its chain of authorities is sound.
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Assalam-o-Alaikum,
Allah S.W.T. says in the Qur an in Surah Mulk ..we have created life and death in order to test which one of you is best in deeds..There are numerous exapled cited in the Qur an nad Sunnah where Allah's forgiveness is depicted…we are not angels..we are Humans If Allah S.W.T. wanted He would have made us sinless..but by sinning nd REPENTING we come closer to Him…..We shopuld never think it's too late as so long as we are alive there is always a chance to repent…we should not should what others think of us…..we should believe IN the day of Resurrection when we will all be resuurected and held accountable ONLY FOR OUR OWN DEEDS…so sisters overcome your inner struggle which is the biggest obstacle in your way of Practicing the DEEn..
Something short and sweet to remember: Every time you take a breath, it's like Allah swt is giving you an opportunity to change, to come closer to Him, to make the right decision in life. As long as you're alive, it's never too late. It is too late once you die – and we don't know when we will die. So make that change today, because tomorrow may never come…
there are also ladies who find it difficult to start hijab after theyre married.. many feel ashamed as to what people will think..but i just want to tell those ladies that when it is the order of Allah then nothing is greater than that..Allah did not say once you are married you have no need..hijab is something that we have to and we should..even if we realize it very late its still not late..even after marriage it will do its duty of protecting us..Allah is there to forgive all sins and lead you to a straight path..remember that life of eternity is what we have to take more care of than this life where 5 or 10 or 15 years we consider 'late'