What is a Hijab?

In Islam, the term 'Hijab' doesn't actually refer to the scarf that many muslim women wear beautifully drape around to cover their hair! Hijab is an arabic word meaning barrier or partition between ones modesty and the outside world. 

Interestingly the Hijab doesn't just relate to women but men too! In Islam, dressing modestly applies to both genders.

Now over time, the Hijab has taken a different definition and most of us when we hear it, take it as the a name for a scarf or headscarf that our lovely muslim sisters wear. Wearing a veil that looks like a hijab was once practiced by Muslim, Jews, and Christians, but today, it’s mainly associated with Muslim women and it is one of the most visible signs that one is a Muslim.

Types of Hijab

There are many types of veils, depending on the political system, geographic location, ethnicity, interpretation of literature, and customs. The most common types include:

• The burqa – Covers the entire body leaving crotched eye openings. It is mostly found in Pashtun Afghanistan.
• The niqab – Covers the head and the face but exposes the eyes.
• The hijab – A headscarf which covers the upper neck and the head but exposes the whole face.
• Shalwar qamis – Worn by South Asian women and men regardless of the pants, knee-length tunic, and religious affiliation.
• The chador – It is a dark or black coat which covers the entire body and the head and is held with one’s hands. It is mostly worn in Iran.

These types of hijab can be found in many islamic online and modest Islamic clothing shops around Austarlia.

Why Muslim Women Wear the Hijab

Simply because it is divine commandment as stated in the Quran:

"And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment [i.e., beauty]..." 21:31

The hijab for majority of Muslim women is a way to become closer to the Islamic faith. It is not a cultural thing that is imposed by tradition or a fashion statement. It is simply a divine act that protects society from evil.

Some women say that a hijab gives them a sense of liberation and freedom from choosing clothing or dealing with a bad hair day! while others wear it because the community, their friends, and family members do it which asserts their sense of belonging. However, the main reason is to please the Almighty. 

How to Wear Hijab in a simple style

1. Place an underscarf on your head.
   Wear a bandana or a bonnet on year head. They help put your hair steady.

2. Spread your Shayla over your head.
   The shayla should cover your underscarf completely. Scarves are sold in many places, including online specialty stores and Muslim stores. You can also make one from fabric by ensuring the material is opaque.

3. Adjust the shayla such that one side is longer than the other.
   The ends of the shyla should be on the front side of your body. If it is thin, ensure that you flatten it fully on your head. Besides, you can use a pin to connect your shayla’s sides under the neck to make sure the hijab is intact.

4. Make use of the longer side of the shayla
   Hold the edge of the long side of the shayla with the hand and bring it towards the opposite shoulder and wrap it under your chin. Wrap it around the other end of you head and pin it.

5. Wrap the short end under your chin
   Tuck the shorter edge under the longer side and then pin it.

 It is also possible to add more layers. To add a layer, wrap the shayla tighter give room for the extra layer. You can also match fabrics and colours if you want to look more elegant. Minimize the number layers during summer, particularly if you’ve a lot of hair.

Hijab without a pin

If you have snoozed your alarm too many times, and you are often late for work, you might find it hard to fiddle with the ball pins, as you try to put your hijab in place. The solution to this is taking a long rectangular scarf and wrap it round the head once, throw one end over the opposite shoulder, and you are good to go.

Conclusion

Modest dressing does not have to be boring! It can be stylish and trendy as you desire. When choosing the right hijab there are no restrictions when it comes to colours. You can select the ones you love and always go for light and pleasant colors because they attract less heat. Also, try to choose materials that are made from silk and cotton as they’ll not irritate your hair or skin.