Oftentimes, we delay a certain deed, such as wearing hijab, waiting for a time when our Iman is “higher” so that the deed will become either easier to do or more noble in nature. Should we really wait until we build our Iman higher so that hijab can become easier? Should we really work on what’s inside first? Isn’t what’s “inside” more important? Although our interior, our hearts and intentions, are vital, postponing doing a good deed until our Iman is higher is more of an excuse than a good idea. Why?

I recently was at an Islamic event in an unfamiliar city and was in need of a ride back to where I was staying. By chance, I found a really sweet sister who was willing to drop me off.

My mind immediately went back to a day when my mother and I were out shopping a couple of months ago. I was holding a cotton jacket between my hands in the store, and I could picture the jacket off the hanger and part of a potential piece of a hijab outfit – the ones I used to struggle trying to construct. I recalled the endless shopping nightmares of trying to find something loose, not see-through, fashionable, comfortable, cheap, my size, and the list goes on. I sighed out loud at those memories and mentioned to my mom, “Alhamdulilah that Allah has had mercy upon me with abayas!”

Standing a distance from me just minutes ago was a Muslim man praying maghrib in a luxurious airport lounge, peacefully and confidently in front of everyone. Granted, I have prayed in public places countless times before, alhamdulillah, so this “airport prayer” is not a spectacular scene to me, but it is his profile in particular that brings me to my claim.

Here’s a question I’d like you to consider: Who do you want most from society to accept you if you decided to wear the hijab, abaya, or even niqab? Is it your parents? Your friends? Your neighbours? Your teachers? Your colleagues? Your boss at work? The bank-teller? Society as a whole? Take out pen and paper, and list these people. Go on, write them down. Now draw a circle around those categories. Draw an arrow to this circle. Guess what?