I’ve known a certain sister for some time now. We weren’t close in the beginning, but we each knew who the other was. She came to me about four or five years (yes, YEARS) ago, and asked about the ‘awrah (the part of the body we have to cover in front of others). She wanted to know if a woman really had to cover from her navel to knee in front of her family.

The excuse goes something like this: “I don’t wear hijab because I’m afraid I won’t fit in. I love my religion, I just don’t want to be different from everybody.” The answer goes something like this:

As I board the plane, I look out the window, getting ready for the ride of a lifetime. I know there is something different about this time. For some reason everyone is looking at me, thinking I am different, thinking that I am “the weird one”. I have a window seat; the seat gives a full view of the wing. The wing is elegantly painted in red, with black letters. Letters that spell out the name, Terry. The name brings back memories, memories that are unique, and make me who I am today. Flying in this airplane today reminds me of when I was flying through high school. Flying, while Muslim.

When people talk about the blessing of hijab, they also mention it as a means of protection from men, harassment, and so on. I agree, those are great blessings, alhamdulillah. But, what about protection from ourselves? What do I mean by that? I mean protection from the ways of women.

This infamous question always manages to come up. Sisters cower and cringe. Some hang their heads in shame. Others become defiant. Others yet, accusing and some, sad. So, what is this question? Are you ready for it? It is…