Letting Go of Who I Was to Become Who Allah Wants Me to Be

There’s a quiet moment that comes before every big decision in our lives that small pause between who we were and who we’re becoming.

For many sisters returning to the deen, wearing the hijab feels like that moment. It’s not just about a piece of cloth; it’s about a shift in identity. It’s realizing that you’re no longer dressing for the world’s approval, but for Allah’s pleasure. Yet, that step can feel heavy not because hijab is a burden, but because leaving behind what once felt familiar can feel like losing a part of yourself.

You might find yourself thinking, “I’m not ready yet.”Or, “What if I don’t recognize myself anymore?”

But ya Ukhti, the truth is you are not losing you. You’re simply shedding what was never meant to stay.

Shaytan’s Whisper

Shaytan’s greatest trick is not always to make us sin, it’s to make us cling to our past.He whispers, “You’ve changed too much,” or “You’ll miss who you were.”He reminds you of the comfort, the attention, the old ways that once made you feel free.But that “freedom” was a cage dressed as comfort because deep down, you knew something was missing.

Allah tells us:

“Indeed, Shaytan is an enemy to you; so take him as an enemy.” (Surah Fatir 35:6)

The Power of Change

Change is uncomfortable. That’s why it’s powerful.You’re not meant to feel completely ready; you’re meant to trust Allah through the uncertainty.

Every great story in Islam began with a step of faith, Ibrahim (AS) leaving his people, Musa (AS) standing before Pharaoh, and countless women who walked away from their old lives for the sake of Allah.

So when you put on that hijab, even with shaky hands or a trembling heart, know that Allah sees your struggle. Every doubt, every tear, every whispered “Ya Allah, help me” is written as an act of worship.

-Unknown Ukht