10 Muslim Women Share what Modesty means to them
At Niswa, we value modesty. This October, we decided to ask Muslim women around the world what modesty meant to them. This is what they had to say:
-@jamilaxnaf
Toronto, ON, Canada
"Modesty to me is the way of our ancestors, Adam and Hawa (AS). It was one of the first human needs on this Earth...it is a reminder to always remember Allah’s commandments and try to follow them. That in my daily life, I try to bring positivity to my workplace and hope. That I am to be asked about all of my actions on this Earth. That my ego must bow to the commands of Allah."
-@hijabi_mommy
Atlanta, Georgia
"...Modesty is hard to define but I think as long as you find what works for you, you’ll be good. When I wear my hijab I feel modest, I feel invincible. It helps me realize that people appreciate me for who I am..."
-Mariam A.
St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
"...Modesty, to me, does not stop at my hijab or clothes, but how I represent myself in my mannerism, my words, and my actions. It's this ensemble that creates modesty, not just a piece of cloth."
-@wordsbehindasmile
Chicago, IL, USA
"To be modest doesn't only pertain to the clothes on your body but also the way you act, in a way that is unassuming, polite, kind, and humble..."
-Fida Sattar
"For me, as a Muslim woman, modesty starts with covering my self especially my head, neck, chest, and body. I wear loose-fitting clothes and long sleeves. Then treating everyone with respect and not judging anyone and then down to using manners and so on..."
-Umelkayer Yusuf
"To me, modesty does not only pertain to appearance. It is a state of mind and how one carries oneself - with humility, sincerity, and simplicity..."
-@f.raz
Chicago, IL, USA
"Modesty for me is not only about dressing...but about the inside, your niyyat or intention while wearing your hijab or nikab...especially about the way you act..."
-@fildausibrahim8603
Rwanda
"Modesty to me is being aware of God at all times in the way you live. To live in a way where the way you dress, the way you speak, the way you act, the way you deal with life and others around you is in a God conscious and humble manner."
-Nadiya Quraishi
Hanover Park, IL, USA
"Personally to me modesty is more than a hijab or the clothes that you wear...its the way you behave, the way you conduct yourself in interactions with others. It is realizing that people are observing you and even when you're alone God is watching you and acting accordingly. I practice modesty through respect for not only others but also for myself. "
-Sara Abdelrahim
Boston, Massachusetts
Thank you to all those who participated in this month's #modestwoman feature. We had amazing responses on both our post call-outs as well as email submissions. We will be doing these spotlights regularly and your friends have a chance to be featured too! If you were featured this time or you love what we're doing, please spread the word!