Hijab Intention to Modesty
Hijab, a symbol of modesty and devotion, holds a profound significance in the lives of Muslim women. Beyond its physical manifestation, the hijab is a reflection of one's inner intentions and spiritual connection. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of intention in wearing the hijab and how it enhances the experience of this sacred practice.
Why does Intention Matter?
Intention is the driving force behind every action we take. It shapes our thoughts, emotions, and ultimately, our reality. When it comes to hijab, intention transforms it from a mere piece of cloth into a powerful symbol of faith and self-expression.
By wearing the hijab with a sincere intention, a woman embraces her identity as a Muslim and reaffirms her commitment to her beliefs. It becomes a personal statement of devotion, reminding her of her connection to Allah and her purpose in this world.
Some of us may have prepared a list of things we want in life that will help us in getting ahead. As much as we look forward to getting those wants, we may need to take a step back and revisit the intentions that drive us to achieve our goals. It is good practice to always identify the purpose of our goals rather than rushing to fulfill them so that we can reap the most benefit out of it.Intentions are the roots of every action. It reflects the underlying motives of why we plan something or do what we do. Narrated in a hadith, our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said,
"Actions are (judged) by intentions (niyyah), so each man will receive what he has intended for.” [Bukhari & Muslim]. This underlines that intention is the ultimate foundation of our actions.
Setting the Right Intentions
Imam Muhammad Ibn ‘Abd Allah Bin Shaykh Al-Aydarus mentioned: “A virtuous intention is the source of all goodness.” The heart is where intentions are formed. Hence as the heart and mind are interconnected, what we intent will influence our thoughts and then our actions.
So, does the state of heart influence our intentions?
In another hadith, Prophet Muhammad s.a.w mentioned, “…in the body there is a piece of flesh; if it is sound, the whole body is sound, and if it is corrupt the whole body is corrupt. Truly, it is the heart.” (Sahih Bukhari).
If the heart has such a significant influence on our body, what more on our intentions? Hence, it is vital that we ensure our hearts are in a ‘healthy’ state as we set our intentions to avoid pursuing any actions or goals that may harm ourselves and others.
One of the ways to keep our hearts directed to Allah s.w.t is to recite a supplication that was practised by Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.:
" اللَّهُمَّ مُصَرِّفَ الْقُلُوبِ صَرِّفْ قُلُوبَنَا عَلَى طَاعَتِكَ "
‘O Allah! The controller of the hearts, direct our hearts to Your obedience.’
Using Intentions as Anchors to Our Actions
In an interview with Inc.com[1], author of ‘Living with Intent’ Mallika Chopra said, “Personally, I have found that when I state an intent, it actually provides an anchor for me. Being purposeful, we will often make choices and look for opportunities to achieve—it provides that anchor in our thinking and decision making.”
Indeed, when we are aware of the intentions of our actions and goals, it helps us to be objective. With intentions, we tend to be more conscious of the things that will help us to achieve our goals and things that hinder them. Our intentions also help direct us on what needs to be done and how things should be done. This reflects our principles and values.
For Muslims, being God-conscious is one of the ways to ensure our intentions are pure. When we are conscious of God, it is natural that we only act upon something that brings benefit and comfort to others, and not otherwise.
Having Multiple Intentions for a Single Action to Maximise Benefits
"Muslim multiple intention for every action for maximum benefits"
The sahābah and scholars would carry out a single action for which they would have many intentions, so that they could be rewarded abundantly for every intention. It is due to this that Yahya b. Abī Kathīr said, “The intention reaches further than the action.”
In ‘The Book of Intentions’ by Habib Muhammad Bin ‘Alawi Al Aydarus, he has written a list of intentions for different actions, with each action paired with many intentions. For example, if you plan to help people and fulfill their needs, you may have the following intentions:
1- To obey the command of the Prophet;
2- So that Allah, Most High, may come to your assistance;
3- To follow the Prophet ;
4- To bring joy and happiness to them ;
5- To be humble ;
6- So that Allah may allow others to assist you and fulfill your needs.
So, go ahead and think of as many intentions as you can and pair them with your goals. You’ll be surprised at what you can achieve!
Conclusion
There is an Arabic saying that goes:
عَلَى قَدْرِ نِيَّاتِكُم تُرزَقُون
‘You will get what you intended.’
This phrase beautifully mirrors the saying of our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w that: “...each man will have what he has intended for.”
For Muslims, any good deed that is done for the sake of Allah s.w.t, regardless of its quantity, will definitely be rewarded. To ensure that we gain rewards from our good deeds, it is important that we keep our intentions pure and sincere. Intending to dress modestly coupled with practice will help you to redefine beauty stereotypes you may hold and help you feel true freedom. I urge you to set your intention for hijab and begin by covering a few days a week or even on Fridays. Small steps are the only way to overcome what may seem like a hurdle but is more like a gentle path. Light cotton hoodies are a great way to begin your journey.
So, let’s look deeper into our hearts and ask ourselves what we truly want to achieve out of our goals. Are they built upon temporal pleasures such as human recognition or monetary rewards or are they built upon sincere intentions that enable us to gain His recognition?
May Allah keep our intentions pure and grant us guidance to act upon them. Insha-Allah.