THE NOTION OF MODESTY THROUGH HIJAB: AN ANALYSIS OF HAYA’ IN SOFIA KHAN IS NOT OBLIGED

Abstract

Ayisha Malik’s “Sofia Khan is not Obliged†(2016); is a successful ‘Chick Lit’ novel on Muslim dates. It recounts the tale of a second generation British Muslim woman who faces challenges in her personal, professional and social life due to her decision of wearing the hijab, full time. This study focuses on Aysha Malik’s general concentration on hijab throughout the text and zooms it out critically. The concept of ‘haya’ from the Islamic points of view is chosen to foreground the analysis of the study. ‘Haya’ is a combined package of versatile good aspects of a person; consisting one’s religious belief, modesty, having the sense of self-dignity, the way of gazing, talking and behaving to others and also the way to interact with both men and women. Of course ‘wearing hijab’ is one of the visible features of ‘haya’ (Aisha Wood 2006), symbolising modesty. The paper intends to pursue after Sofia’s coming of age through her practicing ‘haya’ in everyday life. Sofia is a die heart follower of Islam, at the same time, she is a feminist. She is not subjugated by any unsuitable situation or person and this mix attitude gives her a heroic look. Sofia’s coming of age in this novel is noteworthy, even her strong faith in religion transforms her personality into a missionary. Thus, the Muslim dating story ultimately turns into the icon for the whole community of Diasporic Muslim women. Finally, this paper suggests that practicing ‘haya’ in everyday life, one can meet the spiritual development, which is an ultimate goal of every single Muslim. For Muslim women it starts with carrying the mentality of wearing hijab in any situation. Applying the concept of ‘haya’ through the hijab matter and relating it to the Muslim women in the West add the flavor of originality to this paper.