For many Muslim women, hijab serves an act of worship and hallmark to their identities. We cover our heads and relegate the way we dress to adhere to mandates set by Allah (S) and His Messenger (saw) and to connect to our broader Muslim culture. Environment also remains a key factor in the way Muslim women wear hijab. Changing temperatures, especially heat, mean careful consideration of clothing.

Hijab is more than covering one’s hair. It is a style of modest dress and behavior (don’t forget behavior) in accordance with Islamic teachings and applies to women and men. We often forget that in the Quran, the primary mandate regarding hijab addresses men first. Allah (S) says:

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them. Lo! Allah is aware of what they do.” [Surah Nur 24:30]

Modesty in behavior and dress, in general, is not gender specific. However, Allah (S) directed believing women`to cover specific parts of their bodies. In the next verse, He says:

“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms.” [Surah Nur 24:31]

It is generally agreed that this is where the mandate for Muslim women to cover their hair (and body), and the cultural application of hijab as a religious head covering, extends. Women across the globe who choose to adhere to the Islamic directive of hijab do so in a range of beautiful and wonderful ways that demonstrate the faith’s diversity.

Many Muslim women negotiate hijab dually – as an act of devotion (one way of exhibiting submission to the Creator) and a cultural asset that feeds their social identities. In the article “Is Hijab Religious or Cultural? How Islamic Rulings Are Formed,” Dr. Tesneem Alkiek explains:

"Culture continues to play a role in how – not if – the hijab is worn. Culture, for instance, can set normative standards for clothing colors and styles. The flexibility and practicality of culture, in turn, is bounded by the minimum requirements of the verse, which is to cover the body with the exceptions detailed above."

Culture and environment influence how Muslim women choose to dress and wear hijab. In regions with dramatic seasonal changes, that often means changes in fabric and style to afford wearers comfort, warmth on chilly days and coolness on hot ones. All of us who adhere to modest dressing and hijab at some time or another have been asked if we’re hot (um, yes) and how we deal with the heat.

As temperatures rise in the U.S., I asked Muslim women what they do/wear in the heat. They gave some great tips to keep cool in hotter weather.

Managing the heat in the summertime requires the same amount of planning as the winter cold. I wear long, flowing, bright colored dresses, made of natural fabrics. Dresses are a must because they allow air to flow and are not close to the skin. Sandals with minimal straps and embellishments keep my feet comfortable and cool. I also keep a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen in my vehicle.

Unfortunately, as the temperature rises, covering Muslim women are often queried about their body temperatures by complete strangers. Please do not do this or make remarks like, “oh I know she’s hot” or, “Are you hot?”

It’s rude and extremely irksome. Seriously, are you genuinely concerned? What would you do if she said, “Yes, I am hot.” Fan her? Buy her water?

Let's be real! When it's 90 degrees outside, everyone is hot, period. The least we can do is extend grace to each other and mind our business while trying to stay cool.

As temperatures rise, the way I beat the heat is I keep my thoughts, my clothes and my hijab – light figuratively and literally. The saying, it all begins in the mind, applies here. As hijab was once a struggle for me, this is a time I pray for strength and reset my intention. I remember why I wear it and for Whom I wear it.

The story of one of my favorite sahabiyyat (female companions of the Prophet Muhammad (saw), Nusaybah bint Ka’ab (ra), reminds me that if she can fight in battle protecting the Rasul (saw) in full hijab, then I can certainly walk down the streets of Brooklyn and rock my hijab.

A few tips: Keep your fabrics and colors light. Opt for cotton clothes and chiffon hijabs; they know how to catch a breeze! May Allah (S) bless you and grant you tawfiq. Ameen.

An observation I’ve made since moving south more than a decade ago is that it’s best to stay inside in the air conditioning once it reaches 90 degrees. I also cover all of my skin with preferably 100 percent cotton, linen or breathable fabric. I have ventured out in the scorching heat to beaches, amusement and other parks. I’ve seen victims of the Florida heat in all of these venues. I always wondered why they expose their bare skin to the blazing rays; even with sunscreen, this sun is merciless.

I’ve seen park attendees vying for shaded areas, fanning themselves, painfully sunburned and drinking beers. Breezes catch the flowing fabric of my garments that are moist from my sweat, creating instant relief and propelling me forward to the next shady spot or the exit. I constantly drink water to stay hydrated.

I also don Muslim full-covering bathing suits and find that once I swim, they stay wet enough to provide continued cooling while the gentle breezes from the ocean cascade over them. I sit close to the water's edge, oftentimes with my chair partially in the water with my feet in the sand. Umbrellas at the beach or a tent are a must for changing privacy and more protection from the sun.

I stay cool by staying in the house. I work from home, so I take advantage of not having to go into the sweltering heat. Work is fun for me, so I don’t mind it.

When I do have to go out, I tend to drape my hijab loosely so my neck can breathe. I also will wear dresses instead of pants and sandals instead of shoes.

While wearing hijab is not a requirement to work at Haute Hijab (the company, while Muslim-owned and led, is a mix of Muslim and non-Muslim employees), many women on the HH team cover their heads. Below, they offer some great advice to keep cool.

I wrap looser in the summer, albeit being careful to still be properly covered. I wear fabrics like our Bamboo Wovens specifically because I can wrap it without pins. And, it doesn't need underscarves. Also, no way with the layering. I know it works for some women to layer a sleeveless maxi dress with a lightweight cardigan or unbuttoned top. I do that too on occasion, but much prefer to wear a singular lightweight top.

I find myself pairing my Indian kurta tops, which are longer and looser, with joggers or linen pants more in the summer. These longer kurta tops fulfill the job of helping me be modest while trying to be cooler.

And honestly, I don't go out a lot in the heat of the day – I just can't handle the heat. So I definitely adjust when I'm out and about, and I have the privilege of doing that because my kids are older, so I don't have to be taking them to a lot of outdoor places or outside for playground time. We go for walks often in the evening after dinner and maghreb prayers or later in the evening before sunset, when the heat isn't as intense.

Recently, I’ve been wearing the Tech Sport Wrap on the super hot days to stay cool, and it’s changed my life immensely. It really does cool so well, Masha’Allah, is so breathable, and it never smells after a long hot day of being out. I don’t wrap my hijab too tightly around my neck to give myself breathing room.

I stopped with the layering. Over it. If a shirt has see through sleeves that needs another long sleeve under it, it does not get worn. I only look for linen or opaque clothes now. I can’t be layering in the summer.

Lastly, fabric makes a difference. Ditch the thick jeans and go for thinner ones and cooling fabrics like linen or those sporty joggers.

I wear our Woven hijabs, and I’m really into light blazers over sleeveless tops as well as long-sleeved shirt-dresses, which look cute over pants. Maxi dresses are another easy option and any light denim jacket looks good over those that are sleeveless.

For centuries, Muslim women have made wearing hijab their own, infusing this visible aspect of their faith with the realities of life. They embrace its beauty, pushing back on stereotypes and general misconceptions that hijab is a wholly form of social and political oppression. For them, it is a part of their complex identities, and they don’t allow people or nature to hinder them from rocking it in all their dopeness.

Stay cool, my sisters. Stay cool.