
(Education License – Standard Image)
We live in an era of extreme convenience, and it’s no surprise this has greatly dulled our capacity for hardship. When people can work remotely, do Instacart groceries, and see what their friends are up to without leaving the premises of home – discomfort becomes a counterculture. It’s easy to lose touch with the value of hardship, a quality that nurtures the soul and draws us closer to Allah SWT. I’ve found that wearing the hijab serves as an act of resistance to this culture of ease, because it pushes us to put our desires second to God. A challenge when our lives have been structured to prioritize ourselves. Unlike praying or fasting, which can be done privately, hijab is a more blatant reminder that some of the most beneficial acts of worship are meant to be uncomfortable and can leave us struggling. And that is okay.