A lot of you guys blaming parents forcing you, or feeling free and more beautiful without it....its not the truth.Many years ago I would be surprised/disappointed seeing a lot of Muslim sisters without hijaab in the west. However, living in muslim lands has made me realise the real dilemma. Everything consciously and unconsciously has to to do with societal pressure and conforming to your environment.
Somalis they have a saying
Ratiga weyn sanqaadkiisa waxa leh ratiga yar. (The younger camel follows the older camels footsteps)
And Dadkaa badan iyo biyo kaa badan wii ku hafiyaan(People that are more than you(an environment were you're the minority) and water that is greater than you will drown you.)
Most of these issues western Muslims feel about hijaab has to to do with the environment. If you grew up in Somalia or a Muslim country which hijaab was the norm, you would feel comfortable and not have any conflicting thoughts. However, living in the west as a Muslim woman the hijaab is a big sign of Islam and a barrier to the freedom many young people seek. Subconsciously you want to fit in, dress like how everyone else is dressing and not stand out straight away as an other(muslim). It's easier fitting in the workplace, university, socially as a nonhijaabi than a hijaabi....its all really about assimilation.
Anyways, as a guy ive never posted in this section but wanted to offer my two cents. The same issues plague muslim men also, not just in the west but even in the muslim lands. For example, the beard is a sunnah...and in actuality most of the Islamic schools of thoughts/madhabs hold that growing the beard is compulsory, whereas some say its not forbidden but disliked to shave the beard. But yet you see more clean shaven muslim men then bearded? Why? Because of colonialism in the Muslim lands. Being clean shaven is associated with being reer magaal/ilbax since that's how the colonisers looked and having a beard is reer baadiyo/unkempt and uncivilised. Most muslim men subconsciously hold this belief despite knowing that Prophet Muhammad SAW had a beard,and ordered for the Muslims to be different from the non-Muslims by growing their beard and trimming their moustache.
Last thing, as Muslims our goal is to seek the pleasure of Allah, follow his commands and seek reward from Him in the Hereafter. Hijaab is a Commandment to the Muslim woman in the Quran, an order from God. The muslim woman who leaves her house without proper hijaab is commiting a sin everytime she leaves her house, like it or not because she is disobeying Allah. If we truely believe we shouldn't look at conforming but instead take comfort and happiness by knowing that we are obeying our Lord despite all the hardships we might face in this worldly life whilst hoping for His reward and mercy in the Hereafter.
Allah says in the Quran
36. It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error.(Surah Ahzaab)
24. O you who believe! Answer Allah (by obeying Him) and (His) Messenger when he () calls you to that which will give you life, and know that Allah comes in between a person and his heart (i.e. He prevents an evil person to decide anything). And verily to Him you shall (all) be gathered.(Surah AlAnfal)
It all just comes down to a matter of faith and emaan. And believing deep down that Allah knows what best for us and is the most wise...a Muslim should be proud of his/her religion, and not feel ashamed or awkward about it.
