Struggling with hijab after being betrayed by the man I loved
Assalamu alaikum, please no judgement-just need some advice from sisters. I don’t really have anyone to talk to and I’m lost. A bit of backstory, sorry it’s long: I was engaged to a man I’d known for over two years. He encouraged me to wear hijab about a year ago and said he was trying to be better in his faith too. But I found out twice that he was watching porn. He promised the first time to stop, and things seemed to change for a while, but a few months ago I found out again. He lied and deceived me. To me that is cheating. We broke up both times but got back together because he kept promising to change and sometimes did-until I discovered more lies. He also had a habit of looking at other women in sneaky ways before the first time, which he blamed on porn. After he said he’d quit, I thought it had stopped, but I was wrong. The betrayal has really hurt me. I have nightmares, I cry a lot, and my trust is shattered. What’s twisted is he supported me putting on hijab and focusing on deen, yet was choosing naked women over me in secret. I feel disgusted and betrayed. I want to take off the hijab and leave that identity behind because it now feels like a reminder of his hypocrisy. My biggest fear was being cheated on-my dad and many men I’ve known have been unfaithful-so this has reopened old wounds. My relationship with Allah feels weak right now. Reading the Quran when I was in so much pain, I came across verses about hoor al-ayn and it broke me; I closed it and cried. It felt like God was rubbing salt in the wound. I’m scared to open the Quran again. I can’t shake the feeling that I’ll never be enough for any man, whether in this world or the next. That thought is poisoning my faith and making me want to abandon hijab and distance myself from religion. I also have almost no support. This man was the only person who seemed to care and took care of me, despite everything else. That’s why it’s so hard to let go. He could be loving at times, which made the cheating even more shocking. We’re very attached emotionally, and the thought I wasn’t enough for him has crushed me. I’ve kept this inside for so long. I’m sorry if I sound messy, but I need guidance. Should I remove my hijab because it reminds me of betrayal and hypocrisy, or should I try to hold on to it as part of my faith even while I heal from this? How do I rebuild trust in myself, in other people, and in my relationship with Allah after something like this? Any advice, duas, or practical steps would help. Jazakum Allah khair.