As a Muslim woman, I’m aware that many people don’t understand why I do or say certain things for my religion. Sometimes, people aren’t brave enough to ask me their pressing questions. Sometimes they are. And sometimes they do ask, but I don’t have the time to answer them. After all, you can’t really explain an entire religion or mindset on a two minute walk from class to class. Here are six questions muslims get asked about, but don’t get the chance to explain.

1. Why do you wear that head thing?

This “head thing” that muslim women wear is called a hijab, but hijab isn’t only a scarf worn on the head. The definition of hijab is "cover," or in other words, "a barrier." In Islam, a hijab is a veil, sometimes from head to toe, used to protect a woman.

Think about it. If you bought a new iPad, would you leave it bare, or cover it with a screen protector and an Otterbox?

The hijab is used to protect women from wandering eyes and glances of malicious intent. There are more reasons that Muslims wear hijab besides this, though. I use hijab as a declaration of my religion, to show that I am Muslim and that I am proud. I also use it to show my identity. I don’t want to be judged or evaluated on the way I look. I want to be known and valued for my thoughts and the things I say, not for the way I look or how “pretty” I am.

Hijab is a form of empowerment and identity for Muslim women. Completely their choice. And let’s not forget, men also do hijab! Their hijab is to be respectful of women and not make them uncomfortable by "lowering their gaze" — no staring or catcalling.

SEE ALSO: Muslim Girls Answer Top 10 Basic Questions About Hijab

2. Do you not eat or drink for the entire month?

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast for the entire month, but many people misinterpret that to think that we don’t eat or drink for the entire month. Obviously that’s not true, or else none of us would make it past the first week. Muslims fast during Ramadan to become closer to God and to practice abstinence and self-control.

I also believe that fasting helps me humble myself and learn to appreciate my life and blessings more whenever I felt hungry like people who don’t have a privileged life. So during Ramadan, we eat before sunrise, fast for the day and eat again at sunset.

3. Why can’t you wear nail polish?

OK, this may not be that common of a question because not everyone knows that Muslims can’t wear nail polish. But for those who do know, they still don’t know why. Technically, Muslim women can wear nail polish. The reason that we can’t always wear it is because it covers our nails.

In Islam, before we pray or read the Quran, we cleanse ourselves by performing “wudhu” by washing our hands, arms, face and feet. If we wear nail polish, we can't properly cleanse our entire hands and would not be able to pray.

The exception to this is when women are menstruating. When women are on their period, they cannot pray or read Quran, so we are technically allowed to paint our nails as we don’t have to do wudhu.

4. Why do you have to pray right now?

If you’ve ever spent a whole day with a Muslim, you may feel like they stop every five minutes to pray. (Almost) everyone knows that Muslims pray five times a day, but they may not know that it happens at certain parts of the day. I’ve had to pray in parking lots, in the back of restaurants or in the middle or a park, and my friends always ask why I can’t just wait until I get home to pray.

Every prayer happens at a certain time in the day, and you have a chunk of time, basically until the next prayer starts, to do it.

5. Are you vegetarian?

Although some people may be vegetarian, not all Muslims are. If you’ve ever been to a restaurant with a Muslim, you may have noticed that they don’t eat the meat. This is because Muslims only eat halal meat, which is basically meat that is killed according to how the Quran instructs, zibah: which is to cut the jugular vein, carotid artery and windpipe of the animal.

You usually don’t find that meat at typical American restaurants, so Muslims find halal restaurants to eat at. This is also why we can’t eat other products like Jello that could contain meat products in it.

SEE ALSO: 7 Haram Ingredients Muslims Will Thank Allah We Can't Eat

6. Can you eat halal bacon?

Although we eat halal meat, bacon is one of the things that we cannot eat at all. There are a few things that are forbidden in Islam, including alcohol and bacon. Besides avoiding these foods because our religions just says to, these foods also can be damaging to a person’s health, which is another reason Muslims avoid them.

This was not at all to discourage questions about Islam and Muslims because I very much love answering questions. I appreciate those who care enough to learn!