I live in Saudi Arabia, where women are to be covered properly with a type of garment that would show no shape of the body. Some may think it as oppression, no freedom to express your true self and even a way for the men to "control" women. Some may think it as a good thing to be covered from head to toe. A nice, subtle way of self defense to a lot of cruel things.
I used to think the former. I covered my hair and thought that it was enough. After all, that's what all the women in my country do anyway. So they can't be wrong, can they?
I used to feel like this country I live in was a little too strict. I used to think, why do I need to do something I don't want to? Believe me, I tried to dump the garment at every possible time. I didn't understand why Muslim women need to cover like that. Why can't we just cover our hair and be done with it?
Thankfully, I have amazing people surrounding me here. Amazing people that knew more about the religion than I did.
In school, we often have our talks on religion. A good friend of mine, even covers her face when she's around non-Mahram. I used to think it as a little odd but she explained to me as to why she does it. And I watched enough Youtube videos/read enough books to understand why the women dress like "ninjas".
I quite appreciate the explanations. Truth be told, I feel slightly ashamed that I still can't get myself to do that much.
Why do these people cover themselves to that extent?
The answer is simple. (1)They're protecting themselves from being judged based on how they look. (2)They're protecting themselves from inviting unwanted troubles that could be caused by the influence of the devil. And simply, (3)they're just following what Allah has stated in the Quran, in Surah Al-Nur(The Light).
Like it or not, all of us are slightly, if not a lot, judgmental. We judge things based on their appearance, and rarely ever the content.
How can you feel proud when you achieve something only because the other party likes how your face looks, and how your behind seems firm and for the lack of better words, big? Do you not think by doing that, you're only selling yourself to the world?
I'm a girl as well. I know what it's like to be checked out by cute boys, and the way it feels when somebody compliments on how pretty you are or how they think your outfit is the best they've seen.
The downside is though, that's all they're ever going to think of you. The easy, pretty girl they think they can get anytime they want.
Do you honestly want to encounter a friend that way? Where's the respect?
Plus, the world doesn't contain that much of those "cute boys". There's some really spooky lads out there who would look at you and think of the nastiest things.
The news have told us so much about girls getting raped/disturbed/kidnapped/murdered by creepy people.
Why would you want to invite that even more by dressing up terribly?
These "ninjas" who covers, they're protected from being judged that way. They keep their pride and dignity. They do not feel the need to be checked out by boys who would probably not respect them anyway. They don't feel the need to win something over by a pretty face or a luscious body.
Before, I couldn't see all the benefits of wearing the Abaya. Well, except for the fact that I didn't have to go through the trouble of picking out "suitable" clothes to wear in public. So when I went back to Malaysia for holidays, I kept wearing the "normal" clothes. I remember there was a guy at the cafe I was having supper at, actually looked at my butt and had a good giggling session with his friends(HOW EMBARRASSING?!). I can't imagine what my parents must have felt at that moment. It was a shameful thing, not something I would ever want repeated again. And also, the guy looked as if he hadn't showered for days, EW?
So what I'm trying to say is, you'd never get the respect you want when you're not clothed right. People look at you with eyes bulging out in the rudest way. EVEN if you have a headscarf on! But you can't blame them and you can't think that they would get the sin for doing it. YOU are exposing yourself and making yourself available to be done that way. On top of feeling the mega shame, you'd also get the sin for wearing inappropriate attires and also the sin for letting the boys look at you that way. You get double, they get one. How is that ever beneficial on yourself?
Trust me, it's much easier being covered anyway. I don't have to splurge so much on new trends because it won't even matter what I wear inside the Abaya(for all I care, it could be pyjamas!) thus, saving more money for university! It's a big win, I tell ya.
I've never tried going out with an Abaya in Malaysia or any country outside the Middle East for that matter. But, I'm promising myself that I would give it a go, especially that I'm planning on going back for my studies(and thinking of my worried father). And may I just add how classy girls look with Abayas on? I mean, seriously. The shiny, charcoal gray material. Darn, now I'm really excited for it.
And lastly..
Make the change. Forget about what others would think of you because you know for a fact that you're doing the right thing.
Enjoy!
