Additionally, regarding the hijab being my decision, it means that I wear the hijab because of a decision I made on my own without being forced by anyone. I live in Indonesia, where more than 80% of the population is Muslim. The environment in which I grew up is also predominantly Muslim, with very few adherents of other religions. I was raised in a family that upholds religious values. My father is a religious man; he would ensure that his children always practiced religious rituals such as prayer, fasting, and reading the Qur'an.
However, when it came to the hijab, he never imposed it on his daughters. He always respected our space to explore and understand our beliefs, but on the other hand, he also explained the importance of performing religious rituals as a foundation for maintaining balance between this world and the hereafter. In the social environment where I grew up, the community never judged a Muslim woman, whether she wore the hijab or not.
Why the hijab?
As stated in Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 59, the commandment of hijab aims to guide women on how to dress in a manner that is appropriate which is modest and safe. In my journey from a girl to a woman, I have certainly faced various challenges and issues. During my teenage years, I experienced changes that also affected my perspective. Moreover, the vulnerability to peer opinions made this perspective easily shaken and frequently changing, especially concerning self-image, which often left me feeling lost in social contexts.
Looking back at how I grew up and how society is now, I increasingly realize that the hijab is not just a religious symbol but also a necessity. I see the role of the hijab as a boundary to be able to say "enough" to myself. This "enough" is mainly directed at the social pressures that demand physical perfection and appearance as a measure of a woman's worth. The hijab serves as a reminder of the existence of Allah as my Creator, who teaches me about what is good and what is bad through the Qur'an. This distinction between good and bad then becomes the standard for saying "enough."Â
Why stay within the bounds of "enough"? Because it is a form of worship.
It's important to underline that even though the hijab is referred to as a form of boundary, this doesn't mean that women who wear it are restricted or cannot do this and that. However, when a woman has resolved to wear the hijab, it means she has committed to getting closer to Allah, so every action she takes is based on the question, "Does Allah approve?" This commitment guides Muslim women in determining what they should and shouldn't do. So, women who wear the hijab do not live in confinement, but the steps they take in their lives are part of their desire to get closer to Allah.
So, Why the hijab? Because the hijab helps strengthen self-identity and build self-confidence that does not rely on the views of others, as the primary goal is closeness to God.
How important is the hijab to you as a hijabi in society?
The hijab serves as protection against objectification by a society often obsessed with outward appearance. Wearing the hijab is like making a statement that my body is mine and not open to be judged or exploited by others. Therefore, wearing the hijab for a Muslim woman can bring peace, protection, and strength in navigating daily life, especially in society.
So, from my perspective as a hijabi, the hijab is not a form of oppression, it is a decision made out of a servant's desire to draw closer to the Creator.
