Should I Remove My Hijab Because I’m Struggling with My Health?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
I’m a 30 years old married woman with a child. I have been wearing hijab for the last decade. I have always struggled with health problems and struggled to wear a hijab because of them. It’s much more difficult now as I’m aging, and I feel like due to my conditions (severe hormone imbalance, psoriasis, fibromyalgia), my intention to keep wearing the hijab has been decreasing.
May Allah forgive me, but I’m struggling. I have to deal with chronic pain, extreme fatigue, headache, and nausea, so I don’t know how long I can hold this practice. I’m shattered to even think about removing my hijab, but I don’t know what else to do.
Answer
Thank you for your question. May Allah reward you for your sincerity and give you a quick recovery and permanent healing from your conditions.
Hijab
If you are saying that an expert doctor has told you to remove your hijab for a medical condition, then you should speak to a local, reliable scholar directly or a mufti, as this may be permissible until your condition improves. If you have psoriasis, try cutting your hair short and wearing cotton hijabs loosely, if necessary.
Intention
If you are saying that you are simply losing your motivation to wear hijab because of your chronic pain and fatigue, but not in order to help your medical condition, then I urge you to be patient. Hijab is not meant to be a source of pain for you. I ask you to look into your heart and ask yourself why you put it on in the first place. Renew your intention, ask Allah to ease the matter for you, and make dua that He guides you to the right decision. Suffering from health issues is not easy, and I want to remind you that taking off your hijab gives you no guarantee that you will suffer less. What we do know is that suffering increases one’s rank with Allah and purifies one from sin.
The Believer
Please remember this important hadith: Suhayb (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Wondrous is the affair of a believer, as there is good for him in every matter; this is not the case for anyone but a believer. If he experiences pleasure, he thanks Allah, and it is good for him. If he experiences harm, he shows patience and it is good for him.” [Muslim]
Please see these links as well:
Prophetic Supplications to Cure Illnesses
What Is the Prophetic Advice Regarding Illnesses?
Are There Any Supplications for My Health Issues?
What Can I Do to Strengthen and Increase My Faith?
May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.
