By Ikraam Leena Musoke
Like many, I was born Muslim and this is my biggest blessing ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ. I appreciate and love my religion. However, what strengthens that love is how it includes a journey of learning ways to prioritise my “deen” or religion, over “dunya” or worldly possessions.
Let me take you back in time, toward the end of 2020, to be exact. I had decided to begin my spiritual journey and by this, I mean working on my connection with Allah (SWT). I decided to look for ways I could build my Islamic knowledge, connect with other Muslims in-person during Islamic events or other occassions, to hopefully have a positive impact on Muslim sisters who may struggle with wearing the hijab or to listen to some sisters’ experiences of discrimination. Interacting with other Muslims helped me realise that I needed to begin working on myself, faith-wise.
Around September 2020, I decided to begin wearing the hijab and it was not easy for me, but I fell in love with it sooner than I thought I would. I began listening to podcasts and reading books written by scholars, specifically Mufti Menk who wrote his “Motivational Moments” book series. His quotes from his book and motivational speeches have made my journey easier ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ. His teachings drove me and encouraged me to continue practicing my religion. Consequently, I read the Quran with more purpose than I had done before and I began slowly replacing music with podcasts which enabled me to focus on other aspects of Islam. I became more comfortable with wearing the hijab and what to do when I slack off. I began changing my ways, accepting that I am not perfect. In fact, I am beautifully imperfect: “Making mistakes is part of life. It doesn’t make you a failure. But, the ones who learn from them and strive to do better are winners!” said Mufti Menk in “Motivational Moments.”
When I find myself slacking off from wearing the hijab, I repent, listen to or read the Quran, pray to Allah (SWT) for guidance and find myself moving forward, more spiritually.
Judgmental looks, comments and overall discrimination exist and make it harder to wear the hijab or to continue wearing it. However, the focus should not be on people’s opinions. The choice is for me to make and not for the world to make it for me. Fear of all that is in dunya is a natural feeling, but in taking pride in your religion, that will help you conquer it: “Fear not, indeed, I am here with you both; I hear and I see,” (Surah Taha, Verse 46, Quran).
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