I’m a Muslim sister who lives in the West. I attend a school for girls where the majority is Muslims. Many of them wear the hijab, but there is a major problem with most of the sisters having been westernized. For example, the girls who wear the hijab don’t respect it, wear tight clothes, and show their necks. Some others who don’t wear the hijab have no respect for their religion; they fast but don’t pray, and use foul or rude language. When I try to talk to them about Islam, they rebuke me saying, “Why do you care only about religion, go see the world, don’t be too religious,” but I never give up; I answer back and say, “I put Islam on top of everything, you like it or not.” Subhanallah, there is worse than that; I can’t handle this anymore. I like for my Muslim sisters what I like for myself. It’s sad to see the Ummah sinking in “kufr” while we are watching. The sisters even remove their hijab because they are afraid, or they make excuses such as,“My parents forced me to wear it or take it off.” I would like some articles about the rewards or punishments regarding the hijab.

Dear Sister,


May Allah bless and guide you and all those who strive to obey Him and call others to His worship and His service.


You must know that living in the West is a great trial for Muslims, a grave danger to their religion and for that reason is forbidden or discouraged unless for specific reasons approved by Sharia. (You may refer to many fatawa on this subject for details.)


Please know that the condition you witness regarding wearing of the hijab is not limited to the West; it is prevalent in most, if not all, of the Ummah. The failure of Muslims to abide by Sharia, the Qur’an and Sunnah, is widespread and is the leading cause of our weakness, persecution and humiliation world-wide. So, we must be patient under such conditions and do what we can to remind our brothers and sisters of their responsibilities as Muslims. One of the best methods of calling to Islam and reminding is to be a good example, as you mentioned in your inquiry.


The Muslim woman wears correct hijab when she goes out of her house. Hijab is the distinctive Islamic dress whose features have been clearly defined by the Qur’an and Sunnah. She does not leave her house, or appear before non-mahram men wearing perfume, makeup or other fineries, because she knows that this is haram according to the Qur’an (24:31).


The Muslim woman, therefore, is not one of those dressed-but-naked women who abound in societies that have deviated from the guidance of Allah. In addition, the Muslim woman who has been truly guided by her faith and has received a sound Islamic education does not wear hijab just because it is a custom or tradition inherited from her family or country.


The Muslim woman wears hijab based on her belief that it is a command from Allah, revealed to protect the Muslim woman, to make her character distinct, and to keep her away from the slippery slope of immorality and error. So she accepts it willingly and with strong conviction, as the women of the Muhajirin and Ansar accepted it on the day when Allah revealed His clear and wise command (Qur’an 24:31). The menfolk of the Ansar recited it to his wife, his daughter, his sister and other female relatives. Every woman among them got up, took her decorated wrapper, and wrapped herself up in it out of faith and belief in what Allah had revealed

(Bukhari).

There are many sources of articles on hijab and its virtues that can be found on numerous Islamic websites which you can download. Also, there are references such as The Ideal Muslimah by Dr. Muhammad Ali Al-Hashimi, (pp. 69-73), Jumuah magazine, and so many others that address this topic.


May Allah grant us knowledge, faith, courage, and patience to call others to Islam and make us good examples for them to follow to its light. Ameen!