Need support - starting to wear hijab

Assalamu-aleikum dear sisters and Eid Mubarak

I so much like the way sisters help each other and encourage, support and listen to each other in this forums.

Please help me, I want to start wearing hijab, and even though I have known for a long time that this is required by Allah, and I even started wearing hijab as a teenager, and again a couple of times this (last) year, I stopped again. Part of the reason was lack of support (which is a weak one, I know, I should be stronger than that...). Interestingly, sometimes my husbands asks me to start wearing hijab, but when I actually did a few months ago, he asked me some days to not wear it, so I stopped altogether. And then I started a new job in a new city. Now I want to start wearing it, and stick with it. And even though one woman at my workplace in a high position wears it too, I still feel scared and not ready. But then I think this is something I can always delay and not feel ready for it, I just want to jump in and "just do it". I've been planning to for years and  years, how much longer do I want to wait? And what is it anyway, it doesn't change who I am, I am still the same person, and if people reject me for it, fine. I have always been very self-efficient and thought that I did not care about other people's opinion too much. I have most of my life done what I thought what was right, and stuck through difficult situations, so how can wearing hijab scare me so?

Interestingly, the two women who did not once ask  me about hijab when they saw me wear it a few months ago were both non-muslim, one being my oldest friend. She also didn't comment when next time I wasn't wearing it. ANd she had always asked me and questioned me a lot about my beliefs, my religion.

I don't want to be scared, I want to be strong and proud of wearing the hijab.  And I want to be immune against discouraging remarks from within my own family (which is an islamic-born family - so really they should be encouraging, right?). My mother wears hijab too, she started many years ago.

I want to be a good example to my kids, I want to fulfill all of Allah's commandments.

May Allah bless all of you

Assalaamu alaikum:

 The decision to wear (or not to wear) hijab is between you and Allah (swt) alone. It should not be the decision or request of a spouse or anyone else. If you are in a western country you are a trailblazer, many sisters I know do not wear it on a regular basis. I remove the scarf when crossing the border into the US to work because I have been detained for up to 10 hours because I tried to cross in a headcovering. Otherwise I wear it, it is my right as an American citizen. Not all are religiously tolerant! But I am older, (48)very assertive for a muslimah and am as stubborn as a mule!

Pray over it and go with your heart, Stay safe! You have a right to hide your Islam if you feel threatened. The men do, do you see them running around life in their kufis and beards to tend to their daily business? It is an individual choice, and one that will become easier with time. May Allah (swt) guide you in your efforts!

Wasalaam,

"Just do it"! It's kinda scary I guess, but I've been wearing full head hijab for about half a year now. I used to just cover my hair and have the rest of my head (neck, ears etc.) showing. But I started covering it all (excluding face  ) when I began college. Alot of people asked me about it but they weren't rude. In fact, know one even knew what a Muslim was .

Frankly, if no one asks me about it, I forget I have it on. I got used to it very quickly and insha'Allah it goes the same for you! My biggest test was over the weekend visiting the rest of my family, whom of which are all Christians (excluding my father, mother, 1 bother and 1 sister; they are Muslim ^^). No one even gave me a strange look. I didn't think about my hijab all the while I was there.

I hope this encourages you to get over the anxiety! Pray and ask Allah to give you strength. He never fails any of his servants ^^

Salaam!!

p.s. children tend to stare; this you'll have to get used to

Insha'Allah let us know how day 1 goes with the hijab.....

MasSalaama