I’ll never forget her question to me: “If you die before you get married how will you stand before Allah(swt), and explain why you never wore hijab?”

I battled with hijab for many years. I went to a public school on the east coast of the US. There was a small population of Muslim students in my class, and I deeply struggled to fit in while maintaining my identity.

It was my Sophomore year in college when I met, my dear friend, who asked me this very question. She was genuine, friendly, and unapologetically modest. I enjoyed her company and never once felt judged in her presence.

While walking together after class one afternoon she nonchalantly asked what was preventing me from wearing hijab. Instinctively, I replied that I wanted to find a husband first and feel beautiful on my wedding day. This prompted the question that, forever, changed my life.

I had no comeback; I was stumped. My physical and spiritual transformation ensued from the next day forward. I began wearing maxi dresses and long sleeves. This continued through the month of Ramadan which had quickly creeped up.

That Eid morning, I put on my hijab for salah, and I never took it off. Alhamdulillah.

True Hijab Story By: Angie Eldekki (aka Umm Laylah), Founder of Laylah’s Classroom

Read other inspiring stories of women’s decision to wear the Islamic head covering called, Hijab.