As February rolls around, three main themes dominate our social media feeds: Hijabs, Valentine's Day, and Black History Month.
A Valentine’s Day workshop for Muslim kids (ages 5-12). Click here to join today only.
While I usually don't pay much attention to these events, I found myself intrigued by the surge of posts about Hijab stories.
World Hijab Day traces its roots back to Nazma Khan, a Bangladeshi-American woman who initiated the movement in 2013. Recognizing the misconceptions and discrimination faced by Muslim women who wear the hijab, Khan aimed to foster understanding, tolerance, and acceptance. Since its inception, World Hijab Day has grown into a global event celebrated on February 1st, promoting empathy, education, and religious freedom.
While the hype surrounding Hijab Day initially intrigued me, my personal journey with the hijab is far from profound. Growing up in a family where all women wore the hijab, I simply followed suit from a young age. Despite this, I joined the momentum by creating a Hijab montage, sharing teachers' inspiring stories with young women.
However, the varying interpretations of hijab symbolism—from a pearl-like adornment to a shield from male gazes—highlighted a fundamental truth: defining hijab extends beyond individual experiences. The nude see-through Hijab collections and the bare-neck turban or hoodie styles isn’t what our role models had in mind when Hijab was discussed in the books of knowledge.
True hijab, as described by Allah (SWT), embodies obedience to divine commandments. It's rare to see someone fully embody the meaning of hijab today (including myself). The mothers of the believers, described as appearing like moving tents, exemplified true hijab. They viewed it as a concept rooted in commandment and not a choice, equivalent to Salah in its importance to our faith.
In my household, we live by the motto, "If we can't pray in it, we can't wear it," extending this principle to boys as well. In fact, one of the ways I teach parents inside Forming Early Foundations is to Salah-Train their children from 0-6 by integrating Salah-readiness practices into the home culture.
World Hijab Day or not, I want us to reclaim the authentic meaning of hijab and resist the secular narratives that dilute its significance. Let us shift our focus from superficial trends to a deeper, God-centric understanding of our faith. I’ve put together a brief Hijab parenting roadmap on Instagram last month that can offer some value to you.
Before we continue, If you are looking to wake up EXCITED for your day to start every day because of how well you’ve designed your life in a way that pleases Allah swt, then join the most PRACTICAL challenge that will help you do just that crafted for parents. Check it out here.
What does love got to do with it?
Moving on to the next theme, love, people started to expand the belief that all love should be celebrated because it’s the binding force between humanity. It’s quite the marketing campaign, isn’t it?
For Muslims, love and kindness isn't confined to a single day of grand gestures; it's a discipline grounded in mercy and compassion. Love permeates our most sacred relationships, guiding us in parenthood, marriage, siblinghood, community and beyond.
Do we really need a day based on a pagan theology to dictate how love should be celebrated? Call it Galentine or Valentine or a holiday of harmless love and kindness, I am here to tell remind you and I that as parents of young children, the onus in allowing our children to participate in a holiday that promotes Shirk, among many other ungodly actions, falls on us. There is no sugar-coating to this. I encourage you to look consciously beyond the capitalistic marketing efforts of a re-branded Valentine that is aimed to become more palatable for the global majority.
Tokenising Bilal (RA)
Lastly, on Black History Month, the Muslim community must do better. If Black people are only acknowledged in February, our world won't improve until we address the biases within our hearts. The last sermon of the prophet isn’t just an Emaan boosting Khutbah. It is laws of life that he (saw) left us with to live by. Bilal is not the only Black companion that ever lived and it’s a shame that our children can only refer to him when asked to name Black companions. Let's move beyond tokenism and performative efforts towards conscious and meaningful change. And we all know that long-lasting meaningful change begins at home. To support and facilitate your anti-racist initiatives and Islamic parenting + education at home, I have a library of resources designed for children inside Forming Early Foundations. The waitlist is now open.
That’s it from me this week! Can’t wait to chat in the next inshallah.
What’s brewing in our community?
1- Muslim Parents Glow UP Challenge: Craft your personal and parenting life this year to get your dreams come true with ease this year. Join the challenge here.
2- The Ramadan in Pieces Webinar. Join here for details.
3- The Muslim Parent Mastermind: The secret project is finally OUT. A mastermind for parents who are ready to become better people, parents, and professional ready to increase their income so they can lead the life they value in ways that pleases their lord. Join the list for details.
Take care. Assalamu Alekum.