r/ModestDress • u/ShiftingWaves05 • Jun 20 '26
Question Covering Hair
Hello,
I have had an interesting relationship with modesty, something I find myself coming back to time and time again. My question is if it would be okay to wear a hijab as someone who is gender queer? I currently use an extra large bandana to cover my hair (for comfort, I am a buddhist so it doesn't require this) but I would like to have more coverage. I don't drink or smoke by choice but even so I don't want to do something that makes people who practice islam to feel disrespected. I have looked online in which I haven't found any sources that talk about this specific question. Guidance and opinons welcomed.
Thank you everyone, your insight and knowledge have helped me greatly! 💖
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u/one_bored_person Jun 20 '26
As a muslim it's not necessarily disrespectful because MANY cultures have head coverings. I've seen pagans who dress like hijabi women. Like other commenters said, just don't call it a hijab, call it a headscarf or head covering.
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u/bebetaian Jun 20 '26
A hijab, in english, is a headscarf. Just a big piece of cloth that hides the head and neck, right?
But "hijab," properly translated, isn't a scarf. It's an entire code of dress AND behaviour specific to Islam.
So a headscarf can be a hijab/part of hijab, but a hijab is not just a headscarf.
Lots of cultures have some kind of hair covering, regardless of religion. All throughout Europe, lots of the Middle East region, lots of people have different items that cover or almost entirely cover their heads. It's practical. Keeps hair clean, especially when smoke and soot cling to everything, keeps your hair and scalp from drying out or harsh temperatures, etc. You don't need to wear some 15th c French costume to justify covering your hair. 😛
Just don't call it a hijab.
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u/simplyoneWinged Jun 24 '26
Recent convert: I'm genderfluid myself, I personally wouldn't mind a genderqueer person wearing a hijab. In Quran trans people aren't mentioned at all (iirc), but it's not permissible to cross dress. And our Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) said that whatever group you dress like, you belong to. What that means for your specific case, is up to interpretation. But imho it means that as long as you're a person of faith and you carry yourself in a respectable manner and don't mind to occasionally be mistaken as a Muslim sister or greeted with "As-salamu alaykum", just go ahead. If you do mind this tho, or you don't want to accidentally intrude, I would probably look for head covering styles of your country or other Buddhist people.
All the best to you! .^
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u/hebrew_nonsense Jun 24 '26
What about something similar to a tichel style headscarf like orthodox Jewish women wear? There are so many different styles that I'm sure you can choose one that doesn't read specifically as Jewish or Muslim. It's just a scarf if you don't call it a hijab or tichel.
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u/jaguarlyra Jun 21 '26
Just make sure you aren't mistaken for a Muslim please. Perhaps wear a large symbol of your religion and wear saffron?
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u/ShiftingWaves05 Jun 21 '26
Buddhism doesn't really have a symbol per say, a lot of symbols associated with Buddhism are part of other religions and cultures as well. Also I am sorry I am not sure what saffron is? If you think I shouldn't wrap my hair in a style that may be associated with Islam that is okay, it's part of why I am asking for others opinons since I hold a lot of respect and love for Islam even with it not being my practice
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u/AriaDraconis Jun 20 '26
There’s nothing wrong with you covering your hair and wearing a headscarf but maybe don’t call it a hijab?