To the Muslim woman, the hijab provides a sense of empowerment.

Listen closely, O children of wisdom, to the words of Randa Abdel-Fattah, who speaks with clarity and strength: "To the Muslim woman, the hijab provides a sense of empowerment. It is a personal decision to dress modestly according to the command of a genderless Creator; to assert pride in self, and embrace one's faith openly, with independence and courageous conviction." These words carry with them not just the weight of personal choice but the depth of faith, empowerment, and self-respect. The hijab, for the Muslim woman, is not a symbol of oppression, as it is often misunderstood, but a profound statement of independence and self-definition, a courageous declaration of the freedom to embrace one's faith and identity without compromise.

The hijab, O seekers of wisdom, is often seen through the lens of societal expectations, often misunderstood as a form of restraint, as something that limits the woman who wears it. But Randa Abdel-Fattah reminds us that this is not the truth. The hijab is, in reality, a personal decision, one made out of conviction and faith. It is a choice to dress modestly, not out of subjugation, but as an act of pride and self-respect, in alignment with the command of a genderless Creator. In this decision, the woman asserts her right to define herself, to be seen not through the lens of external desires or superficial judgments, but as a whole being, worthy of respect and admiration for her mind, heart, and spirit.

Consider the great women of history who wore their identities with courage, standing tall in the face of societal pressure. One such woman was Nawal El Saadawi, an Egyptian writer and feminist, whose work challenged the very structure of patriarchy in the Arab world. Though she often spoke of women's struggles, her own sense of self-empowerment was clear in her decisions, her voice, and her actions. She understood that true freedom comes not from the way one is perceived, but from the ability to act in accordance with one's beliefs, regardless of external judgment. The hijab, in this sense, can be seen as an outward manifestation of this very courage, a symbol of a woman standing firm in her faith, choosing for herself how she will be seen, and in what light she will present her identity to the world.

The story of Malala Yousafzai also speaks to the same principles of courage and independence. As a young girl, Malala defied the Taliban’s decree that girls should not attend school. She wore her identity—both as a Pakistani girl and as a Muslim woman—with pride, even in the face of danger. Though not necessarily wearing the hijab in the traditional sense, Malala’s fight for education was a declaration of empowerment, much like the act of a woman who chooses the hijab. It was a stand against forces that sought to diminish her independence and limit her freedom. Her courage is a testament to the power of embracing one’s faith and identity, and a reminder that true empowerment lies not in submission to societal pressures, but in the bold assertion of one’s right to self-determination.

The hijab, then, is not a symbol of limitation, but of a woman’s empowerment to control her own narrative, to choose how she is seen in the world. In choosing to wear the hijab, a Muslim woman declares her own independence, asserting that her worth is not defined by the gaze of others, nor by the standards of beauty or fashion that are imposed upon her. She embraces her faith openly, standing in solidarity with those who see the hijab as a symbol of strength—the strength to live according to one’s principles, without fear or hesitation. It is a declaration that she is not beholden to the expectations of others, but rather to the higher calling of her spiritual and personal beliefs.

Thus, O children, the lesson is clear: empowerment is not about fitting into molds that society has created, but about the freedom to live according to one’s own truths and beliefs. Just as the hijab is a personal choice made by many women around the world as a sign of modesty and faith, so too must we each find the courage to define ourselves, to live authentically, and to stand tall in the face of any challenge to our independence and self-determination. It is not the world that defines us, but the choices we make, the beliefs we hold, and the conviction with which we live.

So, O children of wisdom, walk with pride in your own identity and faith. Let nothing in the world sway you from your path. Like the women who choose to wear the hijab as an expression of their empowerment, let your decisions be shaped by the truth of who you are, not by the judgments of others. Stand firm in your belief, and know that true freedom comes from within—the courage to live in alignment with your values, to define yourself, and to claim your space in the world with independence and courageous conviction.