(I hope this doesn’t end up being too cheesy. I’m lactose intolerant anyway, so I’ll try to remove the cheese.)

Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim (In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful)

Dear Hijabi Sisters,

We really think it’s absolutely amazing that you wear the hijab. Especially those of you living in the West! I can only imagine what it feels like to undertake this; it’s not something I can ever experience (nor do I want to…).

The truth is that what you’re doing is extremely difficult and takes a lot of courage. As a guy who wears jeans and a simple shirt, I get no weird looks, no feelings of “inferiority” from others, no pity either. But as soon as you put on your hijab you announce to the world that you are Muslim. I know it’s not easy, but your reward is with Allah, and He is the best of those who reward! InshaAllah you will have an excellent reward in Jannah, the supreme achievement.

Similar to how everyone picks the winning team, and similar to how people enter Islam in huge crowds, multitudes, when Islam is successful (historically), most women too cover up when Islam is successful (again, historically). Our Prophet (saws) himself said that those who converted to Islam during the early days of dawah were not equal (in reward) to those who converted after Islam had been successful. WHY? Because anyone can choose the winning team. What’s difficult is choosing the right team while the right team is struggling. And that’s exactly what you guys do. Despite all the difficulties going on in the world, all the controversies, and all the negativity, you choose your religion over everything else. That’s the type of courage we Muslim men admire!

And I admit that women usually have it harder than men, and not only for cultural reasons. No matter how many heavy weights I lift, I won’t ever have the strength of one of you. But inshaAllah those difficulties will be an intercessor for you on the Day of Judgement!

And don’t ever feel sad that the women around you display more of their beauty. We lower our gazes anyway; we don’t want to look at it out of fear of Allah. Instead we prefer women like you, who cover themselves for the sake of Allah. InshaAllah you will have righteous husbands who will appreciate the difficulties that you undertake.

Islam is not easy, nor should it be. Everything in this life is a test, and the harder the test, the greater the reward. May Allah reward you with the best of rewards! Besides, how can a believing, God-fearing man not appreciate a wife who covers herself? Nope, the true believers would very much admire you for doing so.

Lastly, is there anything, in your opinion, that Muslim men could do which would make life easier for you as a hijabi? I admit it’s a broad question, but I would really like to know how we, husbands and future-husbands, can support our wives and daughters. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts.

May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon us all.

Sincerely,

Your Brother in Islam

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