Why Ramadan is the best time to start wearing the hijab and how to address it at work.

This time last year I started contemplating wearing the hijab again after a few years of not observing it. I knew it was an obligation and it would be something that would bring me closer to Allah. Still, I was scared for several reasons: the thought of taking it off again, feeling like a hypocrite, not being good enough, not being ‘spiritually there yet’ and lastly, how the people around me would react. What I realised is I’m never going to be perfect. There will probably never come one, particular moment where I feel like I’ve attained a spiritual level where ‘I am now ready.’ Nor does Allah expect that from us.

When it came to the first day of Ramadan I decided to just put it on and see how I felt – no pressure. At that time I was working in Tech as a Senior Programme Manager and my team was entirely made up of ‘Tech Bros’. A few minutes before a team call I contemplated whether to wear it or not, staring at myself with a hijab on in the Google Meets waiting room. I made my intentions and went for it. I decided to send a Slack message to my entire team a minute before the meeting. Maybe I felt like I was giving them a heads up. I had several client meetings that day and by the second one it felt much less awkward. Once you’re over that first hurdle it’s easy. The truth is, nobody cares as much as you think they do. 

If you’ve been contemplating wearing hijab this Ramadan, here are my top tips: 

1. Make the intention, do it for Allah ❤ 

Remember why you are doing it. First and foremost, it is an obligation and it is for Allah alone. And it will bring you closer to Him. Wearing the hijab is a form of worship. Take it one step at a time. The fact that you are thinking about wearing the hijab shows that Allah is calling you to Him. That very feeling is a good thing and should fill you with hope.

2. If you feel awkward about walking into work with a hijab, let them know beforehand 

Messaging my main team before they had a chance to see me really helped me feel less awkward. Wearing the hijab during Ramadan felt easier as most colleagues knew that Ramadan was a time of increased spirituality for Muslims. I also went into client calls and just addressed it lightly – ‘I know I look a bit different today…’ But if you don’t feel like it, you don’t have to say anything at all and you’ll find most people won’t either.

3.  Own it and use it as an opportunity to educate (only if you want to) 

If you feel confident, use the opportunity to invite questions. I personally really liked having random people ask me about my hijab because it gave me a chance to talk about Islam and spirituality. It allowed them to open up about faith and ask questions they may have had about Islam and have been too nervous to ask. I also ended up presenting in a company-wide meeting on the topic of Ramadan and its significance (also, I was one of two Muslims at the entire firm!)

 4. Stay with good company, and if you don’t have it, make dua for it! 

Good company changes everything and it starts with a dua. Then put yourself in environments where you are around good energy and those people who bring you closer to Allah. I felt like I really needed friends who would encourage me and keep me accountable. As humans, we are easily influenced and the easiest way to ‘be better’ is to be surrounded by people who you aspire to be. Those who are the best in character. I made sincere dua, put myself in the right environments and Allah opened so many doors for me. I started going for Tarawih prayers every night and ended up making random friends I’d be excited to see each night. I attended Islamic classes and felt the blessings of being within these ‘meadows of Paradise’. Good company really is a huge hack. Find friends that draw you closer to Allah.

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