Mini Skirts or scarf/modest clothing, my choice and I choose both
I am writing this post because I get sooo many questions about how my life is without mini skirts or bikinis (good God, is this really an issue with all the problems in the world such as poverty and financial crisis?). Alright I admit, I probably might have thought this myself before becoming a Muslim so I hope to shed some light on the topic. So with my title above, I can imagine people thinking “what the…” how can you possibly team a mini skirt with a head scarf. Lol, that is not what I am doing…Let me explain…
As a born and raised westerner and Muslim convert, I have the advantage of not only knowing about life as a Muslim but also previously as a non Muslim living in a western country, along with the understanding of both. That means that before Islam I have experienced wearing the latest fashions at that time, such as the knee length denim skirt I remember wearing to uni.
One of the things I really like about the modest dressing of Islam is you don’t dress up to look all beautiful for the whole world but wear your yuckiest, daggiest garb for your family, particularly the hubby. So going out, for many reasons such as modesty, our own protection and respect, modest clothing is required for a great wisdom of reasons (ps. There are dress codes for both sexes). In the home, I remember how much I admired before I was Muslim seeing Muslim women look all lovely and put on makeup and perfume for when their hubby comes home from work. I remember how one sister mentioned how just a little effort every day (and no I don’t mean wearing a ball gown and full on evening makeup), but just say something nice but comfy, and some effort on appearance really helped kept that spark in their marriage.
This doesn’t mean of course your hubby can get away looking unkempt while his wife has gone to all the effort! What I am trying to say is, by all means, where the mini skirt or cute dress at home (in front of what is lawful), but going out, I honestly feel much better if I am dressed modestly and I also feel so much better spiritually. I dress the way I do for God and that is what I choose to do. My husband does not force me to dress the way I do, nobody forces me.
As for those that ask me, don’t I feel restricted? The answer is no, never have. What I have found is how much I enjoy freedom within the given boundaries. I love that God has given me boundaries for my own protection and also as a test in this life, but there is freedom within those boundaries, for instance I might wear a long demin skirt with my blouse while the Muslim sister sitting next to me is wearing a Pakistani cultural shirt and pants called shawaar kameez of whatever colour. The point is we both would be dressing to meet the required conditions (i.e. not see through clothing etc).
Cleanliness is required in Islam and there are many requirements on hygiene which I appreciate. There is nothing wrong with looking after your skin, as you are taking care of something that God has given you. The point is not to go to extremes as all the marketing out there encourages us to.
This life is temporary and I found it liberating to have come to a point where I know not to focus so much on the external appearance, but on developing on my personality and character in a positive way, having a good heart and doing good deeds as much as I can. I can’t afford time wise to have distractions that this current era demands, how everything so much is about looks, body weight, the latest fashions and bling bling….does my soul really care about all that? Will it be more importance once we are in our graves on how good we looked or what we did in the life that is good?
