Recently, I was at a ladies-only event, but since it was held in a public venue, many of the women remained covered just in case a random man walked in.
At some point, I ended up sitting near a couple of older sisters whom I had never met.
For several minutes, they sat silently and seemed disinclined to chat.
Then, out of the blue, one of them gestured to my twelve-year-old daughter and asked, “Does she wear hijab all the time?”
Slightly confused by her question, I answered, “Well, yes, when she’s outside. Not at home with the family, of course.”
“But not just here, today?” she persisted. “Even at school? Even at the mall?”
“Yes…”
“How do you get her to do that? How do you get her to wear hijab?” the older lady asked, abruptly. “We can’t even get our daughters and granddaughters to do it.”
I can’t be sure of her mindset, but I suspect she was thinking that it was ironic that while some “born-Muslims” struggle with submitting to hijab, here I was, an American convert, and my daughter and I were both covering.
“I can’t take much credit, honestly,” was my reply. “Alhamdullilah she chose to wear hijab when she reached maturity, and it wasn’t a struggle.
But it is only by the grace of Allah SWT that any of us obey Him.”
The sister looked at me with interest.
Maybe she expected to hear about some bribes or punishment guaranteed to keep a girl properly covered?
“I make du’a almost every day for Allah (SWT) to keep me and my kids on the straight path,” I continued.
“I think that’s the best way. None of us should get complacent in our Ibaadah (worship).”
That was the end of my conversation with her, but since that day I have given the matter some deeper thought.
While I do believe the grace of Allah (SWT) is the fundamental reason my daughter (or any of us) wears hijab, I realize there ARE some ways that parents can support and encourage their daughters to cover.
Insha’Allah this list will be of benefit to other parents or grandparents who want to give the young ladies in their life the very best support.
1. Make du’a.
As often as possible, ask Allah (SWT) to enable you and your children to live righteous lives, including all of the requisites of Islamic dress and behavior.
Allah (SWT) says that a parent’s dua for his/her child will not go unanswered.
2. Start the hijab conversation from a very young age, and keep it positive.
Tell the young Muslimahs that modest dress and behavior are for the sake of Allah (SWT), to love and obey Him and to earn His rewards.
3. Do not oversimplify hijab by making it all about men’s desires!
So many people tell their daughters a version of, “Cover your beauty so that you won’t tempt men.”
In Islam, both men and women are commanded to be modest.
Men must lower their gaze and dress and act appropriately.
Women, in addition to striving towards modest behavior, are required to cover their bodies and hair.
They should perform this act of worship to obey and please Allah (SWT).
With this proactive mindset, the woman is taking ownership of her worship.
She is not forced, threatened, or frightened into doing it.
It is between her and her Creator. It is an investment, Insha’Allah , in the hereafter.
4. If you are a mother, aunt, or grandmother, wear your hijab with pride, knowledge, and optimism.
Now and then, let the young Muslimahs in your life know why you cover and how eager you are to earn Allah’s blessings.
Dress appropriately but also with self-care. One can be modest while still looking “put together.”
Daughters will pick up on even the slightest negative comments like, “This hijab makes me look old/fat/old-fashioned.”
Focus on the positive instead. Wear modest clothes that compliment your skin and eye color that give you energy and make you comfortable and happy.
Your love (or hate) relationship with hijab will be obvious.
5. Enable your young Muslimah to spend time with friends who also wear hijab.
Most teens and pre-teens care deeply about what their peers think and are influenced by them.
Make sure the people they spend the most time with are good examples! This might require some effort on your part.
Your daughter might not currently have any friends who cover, so you could arrange for her to meet some who do through Muslim youth groups, masjid activities, or family friends.
In the case of our own daughter, when she reached maturity, she was blessed to have a few close friends who had already started covering.
However, after we moved to a new city, those friends lived far away.
Recognizing how crucial their friendship and example were to our daughter, my husband and I willingly made the three-hour round trip a couple of times each month, just to nurture those relationships.
Having a few very strong Muslim girlfriends made a huge, positive impact on our daughter.
6. Throw a hijab party!
Celebrate your daughter’s passage into womanhood by hosting a joyful, girls-only gala.
Our daughter’s party featured decorations in her favorite colors, yummy snacks, festive cupcakes, games with small prizes for the winners, and several gifts for my daughter from friends and family.
The party does not have to be extremely elaborate or expensive to make a girl feel special and loved.
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