fīhā barakah

Bismillāh.

Let’s remind ourselves: hijab is not a trend. It’s not just a cultural expression. And it’s certainly not a form of restriction.

Hijab is an āyah — a sign — from Allah ﷻ. A command rooted in His wisdom, designed not to burden us, but to preserve our dignity and protect our honour.

What does proper hijab really look like?

It’s not enough to just cover — we’ve been taught to cover correctly, with sincerity and obedience.

Here are the essential conditions of the hijab:

• 🧕 It must cover the entire body, except what has been exempted (the face and hands, according to many scholars).
• 🧵 It must be loose-fitting, not outlining the shape of the body.
• 👗 It must be thick and opaque, not see-through or transparent.
• 🎀 It should not be an adornment itself, meaning no excessive patterns or decorations that draw attention.
• 🙅🏽‍♀️ It must not imitate the clothing of men, or the fashion trends of non-Muslim women.
• 🕊️ It must be worn with the intention of obeying Allah, not out of habit or culture alone.

These aren’t arbitrary rules — they are safeguards. Each condition is there to honour us, to set us apart with grace and clarity. Hijab is not meant to erase who we are, but to elevate us above shallow standards.

Covered like a pearl

A Muslimah in proper hijab is like a pearl hidden in its shell — precious, protected, and valued. No one questions why pearls are hidden deep within the ocean, guarded by layers of shell. In the same way, the hijab preserves our beauty, not because it is shameful, but because it is priceless.

We cover not because we are less — but because we are worth so much more.

Comfort over chaos

Let’s be honest: one of the quiet joys of hijab is the comfort it gives us. Not just spiritual comfort — but physical ease, too.

While others might feel pressured to perfect every detail of their appearance before leaving the house, we rock pyjamas under our abayas, mismatched socks under our jilbabs, and half-done hairstyles under our scarves — and no one knows.

And the best part? We still feel beautiful. Beautiful in a way that’s protected, not performed. Beautiful in the stillness of knowing we don’t have to compete or impress.

Modesty holds power

For those who choose to wear the niqab, there’s another layer of serenity and strength. It’s not a prison — it’s a privilege. There’s something deeply empowering about knowing that your face is not on display for the world to consume. No one sees it unless you allow them to. That’s not restriction — that’s agency.

In a world that constantly demands visibility, choosing privacy is bold. It’s a statement that says: “My worth is not measured by your gaze.”

And when the niqab is lifted among trusted sisters, in gatherings of warmth and trust — the surprise, the compliments, the joy — it’s a quiet kind of intimacy that public attention can never replace.

Dignity in every step

People notice something different about a woman who dresses with hayā. It’s not just the fabric — it’s the presence. Even those who don’t understand Islam can feel that boundary. They lower their gaze, give space, show respect — not because of us, but because of what our dress represents.

We are women of submission.
Women of modesty.
Women of purpose.

Hijab doesn’t erase who we are. It guards who we are. It places a gentle veil between our honour and the world’s demands — and in that veil, there is so much peace.

So yes, we are…

Pretty in protection.
Pretty with purpose.
Pretty in peace.