How To Start Wearing a Hijab?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

I try to dress modestly and I want to start wearing the hijab soon. I was planning on starting it slowly as lately I would go out wearing a hood over my head and pull the drawstrings so my hair and my neck are covered.

Should I just start a traditional hijab together? Can I wear turtlenecks to cover my neck and let the ends of my hijab drape over my front, instead of wrapping my hijab around my neck? What are the limits to adorning a hijab?

Can I wear hats, beanies, or berets instead? Does a beret imitate the disbelievers because it is a French fashion? I saw this from a hijabi blogger. Can I wear clips on my hijab? Can I wear earrings that come out of the hijab with my ears covered?

Is any style okay so long as my neck, ears, and hair are covered, or must it be a traditional style?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, Most Compassionate, and Most Merciful

A Quranic injunction

I am so very pleased that you are planning on wearing a hijab soon. I promise you that it will change your life for the better in sha Allah. Blessings will rain down on you, and you will have the benefits that the Qur’an speaks of.

Allah, Most High says, “O Prophet! Ask your wives, daughters, and believing women to draw their cloaks over their bodies. In this way, it is more likely that they will be recognized ˹as virtuous˺ and not be harassed. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. [Quran, 33:59]

Gradual or Cold Turkey

I recommend to you that you start right away. It will be an easier transition for you to start sooner rather than later because each stage will take a while to get used to.

Instead of making such small steps and explaining to people why you are wearing something different each time, jump straight to your final choice and explain it once. I feel this would be easier and more settling for you.

Hijab Fashion

I know that many hijabi fashion bloggers provide a lot of Islamic fashion to think about, but they all have one thing in common. Their fashion tips are meant to turn heads, at least the fancier ones.

We all know that a woman should turn the head of her husband, but not anyone else’s. The premise of wearing a hijab is simplicity, modesty, and reminding others of Allah. I would recommend that you start wearing a hijab in a traditional style as billions of Muslim women have in the past.

A clip or pretty pin here and there is fine, but don’t overdo it. When it gets too fancy, it might be seen as tacky, or you might sabotage some of your rewards. A beret is definitely French fashion, and you will find that you may not even look Muslim. Earrings coming out of the hijab while still covering the ears would be a bit excessive and also a nuisance to manage every day. The extra beauty would please you and your friends, but not your Lord.

Technically, any style is OK as long as the hair, neck, and head are covered, but the style that you choose speaks a thousand words. Choose it carefully and ask Allah to guide you and help you. You will know deep down whether you are ready to face Allah with the type of hijab you choose.

May Allah reward you for your tremendous intention and help you bring it to pass.

[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqida, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.