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Can someone help me understand this?

As-salamu alaykum - I’m not even sure where to share this but I don’t know who else to ask. There’s a person in my life I can’t fully cut ties with for reasons too long to get into, but I’ll be honest: I’ll be glad the day I don’t have to deal with her anymore. Since she met me, she’s had an issue with my level of modesty. I used to be more covered, wearing abaya and hijab, especially when I was overweight and pregnant and had more to hide. Lately I’ve lost 17% of my body weight and don’t have many curves to hide, so I’m comfortable in plain loose clothes. This woman isn’t Muslim. She once saw me in an all-female setting where I was wearing slightly tighter clothes than usual and told me, “you should always look like that for your husband.” I replied, “I wouldn’t wear this out in public.” She asked, “why not?” I said, “my shape shows. We don’t dress like this around strange men.” She literally called me insane and said, “you’ve got a lot to learn.” She then tried to argue that she knows Muslims who wear tight clothing and that modest dress isn’t part of Islam (I know she’s mistaken). I pointed out that modesty isn’t unique to Islam and many cultures and history value it, and that this is simply how I feel comfortable. Every time she sees me she makes remarks like this. I don’t know what her problem is - it’s like she can’t accept someone choosing modesty. She also doesn’t seem to grasp that my husband can see me in private while I don’t need to be immodest in public. Has anyone else dealt with this kind of behavior? I’m honestly baffled as to why she cares so much. I’ve never judged a woman for being too modest, and even if I didn’t like how someone dressed, I wouldn’t bring it up to them.

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Honestly that sounds exhausting. I’d keep replies short and neutral, then walk away. Some folks just can’t stop giving opinions - don’t let her make you second-guess your own comfort.

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I had a cousin like that and it drove me mad. It’s weird how non-Muslims sometimes try to tell us what Islam says. If she won’t stop, limit contact and don’t explain yourself over and over.

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Oh hun, same. People love policing women’s clothes like it’s their job. You do you - modest or not, it’s none of hers. Stay firm and set boundaries, even small ones help.

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