One of my favourite ways to reflect on the Quran is to reflect on the Names of Allah that Allah uses at the end of the verses. It shows straight away the tone that Allah is conveying the verse in and adds a whole new depth to the verse.

I remember the first time I read the meaning of the verses of hijab. There aren’t many verses that talk specifically about hijab, but the few there are come towards the center of the Quran.

I came across them at a time when I was young, struggling with the way I looked, desperate to appear beautiful. I had the thick-rimmed glasses, the acne, and some days just looking in the mirror was too much. There was no way my parents would let me dabble too much in makeup, and so my only outlet to appear and feel more beautiful was through my clothing.

I knew how important the hijab was, but sometimes I’d try to push the boundaries — maybe wear a tighter skirt than normal, or push my hijab back a bit too much, anything to feel just a little more beautiful.

I wanted to be better… but some days it was too hard.

The verse that changed things

I knew the verses of hijab and modesty existed; I’d memorized them while doing my hifdh. But it was on a random day while revising the verse of Surah Ahzab (33:59), I noticed the ending of the verse.

It felt like I was seeing the verse for the first time.

Because of all His Beautiful Names, in this verse, Allah directs us to His Names of Forgiveness and Mercy.

He could have ended these verses about His Punishment — warning us of the consequences of breaking the laws of hijab.

Allah could have ended these verses about His Wisdom — reminding us that He knows what is better for us than we do.

But instead, Allah reminds us that He is All-Merciful and All-Forgiving.

What it opened my eyes to

It was as though Allah was telling young teenage me that He could see and hear my struggles.

He could see this internal battle that was raging inside me — the intense need to feel beautiful, to feel loved by the world battling the side of me who was trying to be the best servant to her Lord, trying to draw a cloak over all those desires.

He could see me tripping and falling — one day strong in my submission to Him, yet the next day tripping into the well of my desires.

He could see all this.

And He was telling me — He is right there, ready to forgive me as I try and stumble and try again.

I felt so loved, so understood.

And those verses, till today — years later, now at a time when the thick-rimmed glasses and acne and low self-esteem have disappeared — these verses still bring so much comfort.

Comfort that my Lord is One who knows me so well — my human nature and all its weaknesses — and with all of my weaknesses still wants only the best for my Hereafter.

Just knowing that my Lord wanted the best for me, was always there for me to return to — it’s what made me want to be better servant to Him in all aspects of my life, beyond my hijab too.

So sis,

You who are trying to begin wearing the hijab.
You who are trying your best to dress more modestly.

Know that your sacrifice is seen by Him.
Know that He sees your struggle and your shortcomings.

And know that for the days you trip (which we all do), He is the Most Forgiving.
So just turn back to Him.

Because He is waiting for you to.

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🫶 If you reached till the end of this reflection, thank you my friend. I appreciate it!