Why I Shed Bikini For Niqab ?

By Sara Bokker (a former actress/model/fitness instructor and activist)

I am an American woman who was born in the midst of America’s “Heartland.”I grew up, just like any other girl, being fixated with the glamour of life in “the big city.”Eventually, I moved to Florida and on to South Beach of Miami, a hotspot for those seeking the “glamorous life.”Naturally, I did what most average Western girls do.I focused on my appearance and appeal, basing my self-worth on how much attention I got from others.I worked out religiously and became a personal trainer, acquired an upscale waterfront residence, became a regular “exhibiting” beach-goer and was able to attain a “living-in-style” kind of life.

Years went by, only to realize that my scale of self-fulfillment and happiness slid down the more I progressed in my “feminine appeal.” I was a slave to fashion. I was a hostage to my looks.

As the gap continued to progressively widen between my self-fulfillment and lifestyle, I sought refuge in escapes from alcohol and parties to meditation, activism, and alternative religions, only to have the little gap widen to what seemed like a valley. I eventually realized it all was merely a pain killer rather than an effective remedy.

By now it was September 11, 2001.As I witnessed the ensuing barrage on Islam, Islamic values and culture, and the infamous declaration of the “new crusade,” I started to notice something called Islam.Up until that point, all I had associated with Islam was women covered in “tents,” wife beaters, harems, and a world of terrorism.

As a feminist libertarian, and an activist who was pursuing a better world for all, my path crossed with that of another activist who was already at the lead of indiscriminately furthering causes of reform and justice for all.I joined in the ongoing campaigns of my new mentor which included, at the time, election reform and civil rights, among others.Now my new activism was fundamentally different.Instead of “selectively” advocating justice only to some, I learned that ideals such as justice, freedom, and respect are meant to be and are essentially universal, and that own good and common good are not in conflict.For the first time, I knew what “all people are created equal” really means.But most importantly, I learned that it only takes faith to see the world as one and to see the unity in creation.

One day I came across a book that is negatively stereotyped in the West--The Holy Qur’an.I was first attracted by the style and approach of the Qur’an, and then intrigued by its outlook on existence, life, creation, and the relationship between Creator and creation.I found the Qur’an to be a very insightful address to heart and soul without the need for an interpreter or pastor.

Eventually I hit a moment of truth: my new-found self-fulfilling activism was nothing more than merely embracing a faith called Islam where I could live in peace as a “functional” Muslim.

I bought a beautiful long gown and head cover resembling the Muslim woman’s dress code and I walked down the same streets and neighborhoods where only days earlier I had walked in my shorts, bikini, or “elegant” western business attire. Although the people, the faces, and the shops were all the same, one thing was remarkably distinct--I was not--nor was the peace at being a woman I experienced for the very first time.I felt as if the chains had been broken and I was finally free.I was delighted with the new looks of wonder on people’s faces in place of the looks of a hunter watching his prey I had once sought.Suddenly a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.I no longer spent all my time consumed with shopping, makeup, getting my hair done, and working out. Finally, I was free.

Of all places, I found my Islam at the heart of what some call “the most scandalous place on earth,” which makes it all the more dear and special.

While content with Hijab I became curious about Niqab, seeing an increasing number of Muslim women in it. I asked my Muslim husband, whom I married after I reverted to Islam, whether I should wear Niqab or just settle for the Hijab I was already wearing.My husband simply advised me that he believes Hijab is mandatory in Islam while Niqab is not.At the time, my Hijab consisted of head scarf that covered all my hair except for my face, and a loose long black gown called “Abaya” that covered all my body from neck to toe.

A year-and-a-half passed, and I told my husband I wanted to wear Niqab.My reason, this time, was that I felt it would be more pleasing to Allah, the Creator, increasing my feeling of peace at being more modest.He supported my decision and took me to buy an “Isdaal,” a loose black gown that covers from head to toe, and Niqab, which covers all my head and face except for my eyes.

Soon enough, news started breaking about politicians, Vatican clergymen, libertarians, and so-called human rights and freedom activists condemning Hijab at times, and Niqab at others as being oppressive to women, an obstacle to social integration, and more recently, as an Egyptian official called it--“a sign of backwardness.”

I find it to be a blatant hypocrisy when Western governments and so-called human rights groups rush to defend woman’s rights when some governments impose a certain dress code on women, yet such “freedom fighters” look the other way when women are being deprived of their rights, work, and education just because they choose to exercise their right to wear Niqab or Hijab.Today, women in Hijab or Niqab are being increasingly barred from work and education not only under totalitarian regimes such as in Tunisia,Morocco, and Egypt, but also in Western democracies such as France, Holland, and Britain.

Today I am still a feminist,but a Muslim feminist,who calls on Muslim women to assume their responsibilities in providing all the support they can for their husbands to be good Muslims. To raise their children as upright Muslims so they may be beacons of light for all humanity once again. To enjoin good--any good--and to forbid evil--any evil.To speak righteousness and to speak up against all ills.To fight for our right to wear Niqab or Hijab and to please our Creator whichever way we chose.But just as importantly to carry our experience with Niqab or Hijab to fellow women who may never have had the chance to understand what wearing Niqab or Hijab means to us and why do we, so dearly, embrace it.

Most of the women I know wearing Niqab are Western reverts,some of whom are not even married. Others wear Niqab without full support of either family or surroundings. What we all have in common is that it is the personal choice of each and every one of us, which none of us is willing to surrender.

Willingly or unwillingly, women are bombarded with styles of “dressing-in-little-to-nothing” virtually in every means of communication everywhere in the world.As an ex non-Muslim, I insist on women’s right to equally know about Hijab, its virtues, and the peace and happiness it brings to a woman’s life as it did to mine.Yesterday, the bikini was the symbol of my liberty, when in actuality it only liberated me from my spirituality and true value as a respectable human being.

I couldn’t be happier to shed my bikini in SouthBeach and the “glamorous” Western lifestyle to live in peace with my Creator and enjoy living among fellow humans as a worthy person.It is why I choose to wear Niqab, and why I will die defending my inalienable right to wear it.

Today, Niqab is the new symbol of woman’s liberation to find who she is, what her purpose is, and the type of relation she chooses to have with her Creator.

To women who surrender to the ugly stereotype against the Islamic modesty of Hijab, I say:You don’t know what you are missing.

To you, the ill-fated corrupting conquerors of civilization, so-called crusaders, I say: BRING IT ON.

Sara Bokker is a former actress/model/fitness instructor and activist. Currently, Sara is Director of Communications at "The March For Justice," a co-founder of "The Global Sisters Network," and producer of the infamous "Shock & Awe Gallery

Opinions of four madzhab regarding niqab

Imam Abu-Hanifa (Rahmatullah alaih)- the face and palms is excluded from hijaab but the condition is there should be no fear of fitna. The Hanafi Jurists have said due to the immorality of times and weakness of resistance, it is compulsory for a female to cover her face which is the

focus of her beauty.

Imam Shaf’ie, Imam Malik and Imam Ahmed (Rahmatullah alaih) –It is not permissible for a lady to expose her face and palms whether there is danger of fitna or not.

Veil is legitimately defined as the dress that covers the whole body of the woman including her head, face, hands and feet. It should be long, loose and plain not defining her shape. Veil has been prescribed for women to block the road to sin. In short, veiling is a source of covering the face, hands, feet and other parts of the body. Allah Ta’ala states, ‘And they should draw their veils over their bosoms.’ (24:31)

‘O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (except eyes to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed.’ (33:59)

The Purpose of Veiling

The purpose of veiling is to safeguard woman from the biased looks of men and provide her a pure atmosphere at home so that she can perform her household duties properly and contribute to improve the whole society as Allah states, ‘And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the former times of ignorance.’ (33:33)

History shows that the children, who were brought up by their mothers in observance of the social values and religious obligations, later became the leaders of the nation. They admitted that the credit of their booming career goes to their mothers who bestowed on them the qualities of sincerity, faithfulness, honesty, self-reliance and social service; and encouraged them to continue their education. Veiling gives an esteemed position to woman and protects her from sexual harassment by people. On the other hand, a woman, who displays her beauty and wears tight, short and transparent clothes, attracts men towards her. Consequently, they try to exploit her sexually using all possible techniques. Sometimes, woman also becomes weak and surrenders herself to the lust of men. Veiling provides security to woman and promotes a pure atmosphere in the society. But those who consider themselves as modern people consider it a disgrace and construe it as shackles for the woman. In comparison to the right and wrong, this world and the hereafter, paradise and hell, the observance of veiling is much smaller than that.

The rationale of veiling

Woman is Allah’s beautiful creation. On one hand, she satisfies man’s sexual desires and on the other hand, she plays a significant role in the growth of the human generations. No doubt, woman has a great attraction for a man. Due to this attraction, it is feared he will indulge in sins. Therefore, Allah has forbidden man strictly from fornication and adultery. He has also forbidden woman from exhibiting her charm. Regarding make-up and perfume, it is permissible for woman to wear them in front of her husband and closely related members of the family as Allah states, ‘They will not reveal their adornment except to their husband or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women.’ (24:31)

The first verse regarding veil was revealed in al-Madina when Umar ibn al-Khattaab admonished the prophet’s wife, Sawdah bint Zam’ah, while going outside without a veil. Allah Ta’ala states, ‘O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (except eyes to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed.’ (33:59)

Generally, the veiling covers the whole body including head, face, hair, bosom, hands and feet. But in the absence of men it is permissible for woman to uncover her face as narrated by Aaisha [Radhiallaahu anha], ‘Some riders passed by us while we were with Allah’s Messenger [Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam] in the state of ritual consecration. When they came face to face, one of us let down her cloak (veil) from her head on her face and when they preceded us, we uncovered it.’ (Abu Dawud)

The Advantages of Veiling

The veiling system contains a number of advantages particularly in a society where the rape, sexual molestation and disrespect of woman are very common. Some of them are listed below:

1. Veiling is a protection for Muslim woman against the behaviour of the wicked;

2. It is an identify of the Muslim that distinguishes her;

3. It gives her an honoured position in the society;

4. It acts as a barrier between men and women to keep them away from sins;

5. It is a means for observing chastity of woman;

6. It awakens the fear of Allah in the heart of man and woman and saves them from falling in the abyss of evil;

7. It teaches man to respect the veiled woman, provide her protection from the curious persons and ensure the uplift of the high morals and social values in the society.

The Disadvantages of Unveiling

Due to mixing up with the non-Muslims, particularly, in the countries where the Muslims are in minority, the practice of unveiling has become a regular feature. But it is very harmful for the Muslim society. Unveiling has a number of disadvantages. Out of them, some are as follows:

1. It is a violation of the Qur’aan and Hadith;

2. It shows woman’s weakness in belief;

3. It is a cause of temptation for men and women;

4. It strips off her modesty that is an integral part of Faith as the Prophet [Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam] said, ‘Modesty is part of Faith.’ (al-Bukhari)

5. It subjects her to sexual harassment;

6. It hurts her dignity and feelings and it stains her chastity;

7. It prompts woman to take part in commercial advertisements and films as a showpiece and a source of enjoyment for the viewers.

Recommendations

Here are some recommendations that must be adhered to by a veiled woman when going out. They are as follows:

Veiling is the tradition of Muslim women. Since its prescription, the prophet’s wives, daughters and other believing Muslim women have strictly observed it. Today also, the Muslim ladies must keep it up. The veiled woman must understand the rationale of veiling and fulfill its requirements.

She must avoid wearing perfume and showing her finery in any way.

She must not be encouraging while dealing with men at the time of need.

She must be harsh in voice and avoid speaking softly, because it can be misconstrued as an invitation to strangers.

She must not stamp her feet letting her anklets tinkle or any other action that calls attention towards her.

She must be careful and reserved in her motions and even in looks while walking outside.

The women who display their beauty are often subjected to sexual exploitation by immoral people.

It is a fact that the life of the world is nothing but superficiality while the actual life is the life if the Hereafter where everyone will be rewarded for their deeds. The righteous will enjoy Allah’s pleasure. All blessings will be at their disposal. While the sinners and transgressors will be doomed to punishment that cannot be imagined. The evidence from the Qur’aan and Hadith confirm that Allah’s punishment will be severe.

Therefore, it is incumbent upon them to be chaste and veiling is a must for woman. However, she can uncover her face in the presence of the people who are closely related to her. She can freely move in front of the men in her common dress that has prescribed in the pleasure and comfort of her home.

It is the face from which the brands of beauty gush forth, passions are stirred up and the lusts are excited. The woman is bound to veil her hair, face, bosom, palms and feet according to the teachings of Islam.

As a matter of fact, the charm of woman is incorporated in her personality and dress. So, Allah has ordered woman to draw cloaks and hide her beauty from the strangers and distant relatives.

References: ma’ariful-Quran, vol. 7, pgs. 217-219., Fathul-Bari, vol. 10. pg. 677 Hadith # 4795, Umdatul-Qari. Vol. 19, Fataawa Rahimiya, vol.4 pg. 94-106

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

http://askimam.org/fatwa/fatwa.php?askid=0fa3005a27b626c083c2467d3ef35484

Detailed discussion on whether Niqab is fard and the Importance of Niqab.

All praise is to Allah, we praise Him, seek His aid, and ask His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evils of ourselves, and from the bad consequences of our deeds. Whoever Allah guides there is none who can lead him (or her) astray, and whoever Allah leads astray there is none who can guide him (or her).

I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah alone without any partners (i.e. sons, daughters, wives, etc), and I testify that Muhammad ibn Abdullah (peace be upon him) [the direct descendant of Ibraheem (AS) through his son Isma'eel (AS)] is His last Prophet and Messenger. As for what follows:

A number of Niqabi sisters, especially those who have converted to Islam, have had other Muslims harrassing them for wearing Niqab. For those who have converted to Islam, the problems come from a wide range of people, husbands, father in laws, sister in laws, other Muslims some who are not practicing Islam and some times from those who appear to be practicing parts of Islam but not up to the mark. It appears most of the problems that Niqabi sisters face is from Muslims born into Muslim families. Although on rare occasions some non-Niqabi convert sisters too have harassed sisters wearing Niqabi .

Let is look at first of all the Issue of Niqab in brief. Niqab is covering the face. Righteous Islamic scholars have talked about the issue of Niqab in detail. Some of them believe Niqab is fard ( compulsary) and others believe it is not fard but it is a highly recommended Sunnah.

For instance Shaikh 'Abdul-'Azeez 'Abdullah bin Baaz and Shaikh Muhammad ibn Saalih Al-'Uthaimeen said that the Niqaab is indeed wajib (compulsory upon the believing women and their argument is strong and convincing, Others such as the Muhaddith of our time Shaikh Muhammad Naasiru-Deen Al-Albaanee said that the Niqaab is not wajib (compulsory) but rather Mustahab (highly recommended) and this argument is also strong and convincing.

Thus both sides believe that it is highly recommended for Muslim women to wear Niqab and the sisters should wear it. The dispute between the scholars is weather a sister sins if she does not wear Niqab. Even those who believe that Niqab is not Fard say that when the Muslimah is very close to the men. She MUST cover her face. Or if she knows that such men will look at her with desire or a wrong way then she MUST also cover her face.


Many of the great Ulema of the past have also said that Niqab is fard (compulsory). Therefore the safe option to take is to wear the Niqab.

For if you wear it and it was not fard (compulsory). Then you will InshaAllah at least get the reward for practicing something that the Prophet peace be upon him approved of and his wives and the sahabiyat did. And they are the roles models for the women of this Ummah with regards to how a women should dress and behave. So you do not loose out at all if you wear the Niqab.

Niqaab is indeed a practice of the Sahabiyaat and the mothers of the believers

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said:

The truth of the matter is that Allaah has made two types of adornment: visible and invisible. It is permissible for a woman to show her visible, outward adornment to people other than her husband and mahrams. Before the verse of hijab was revealed the women used to go out without a jilbaab and the men could see their faces and hands. When it was permissible for a woman to show her face and hands, it was permissible to look at them because it was permissible for a woman to show them. Then when Allaah revealed the verse of hijab and said (interpretation of the meaning):

"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allaah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful"

[al-Ahzaab 33:59]

Then the women began to observe hijab in front of men.

It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “May Allaah have mercy on the women of the Muhaajireen. When Allaah revealed the words (interpretation of the meaning)

‘"and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)"

[al-Noor 24:31], they tore their aprons and covered their faces with them.”

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4480)

The Mufassireen, such as Al-Qurtubi, site in their Tafseer of the Ayah on Jilbaab (Al-Ahzab 33:59) that the Jilbaab is: "a cloth which covers the entire body... Ibnn 'Abbaas and 'Ubaidah As-Salmaani said that it is to be fully wrapped around the women's body, so that nothing appears but one eye with which she can see." [Tafseer Al-Qurtubi].

However, aside from this Tafseer, we do in fact have an authentic Hadeeth mentioning Niqaab.

The Prophet (peace be upon him ) commanded: "A woman (pilgrim) does not cover her face with a Niqaab (i.e. does not tie or affix) nor should she wear gloves." [Al-Bukharee; Muslim; Saheeh Abi Dawood #1600; authenticated by Al-Albaanee].

Thus, from this authentic Hadeeth, we can clearly see that the Sahabiyaat (RA) were accustomed to covering their faces with Niqaab otherwise, there would not have been any need for the Prophet (peace be upon him) to specifically forbid it during the state of Ihram. Likewise, during Ihram, men are forbidden to cover their heads which shows that outside of being in the state of Ihram they were accustomed to covering their heads, and Allah knows best.

It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah said: “The riders used to pass by us when we were with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in ihraam. When they came near, each of us would lower her jilbaab from her head over her face, and when they passed by we would uncover (our faces).”

Narrated by Abu Dawood, 1833; Ahmad, 24067

Shaykh al-Albaani said in Jilbaab al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah (107): its isnaad is hasan because of the existence of corroborating reports.

This hadith indicates that a Muslimah does not wear a fixed Niqab when in ihram but when men come near she can cover the face by lowering the jilbaab from her head over her face and uncover the face when the men pass by during Ihram.

Abu Dawood (1783) narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘When any one of you wants to propose marriage to a woman, if he can look at that which will motivate him to go ahead and marry her, then let him do so.’ I proposed marriage to a girl and I used to hide myself until I saw that which motivated me to go ahead and marry her, then I married her.” Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, no. 1832. In the report narrated by Ibn Maajah it says that he hid in her garden to see her.

This hadeeth indicates that the women of the Sahabah used to cover their faces, because if it had been the custom for women to uncover their faces, there would have been no need to hide, because he would have been able to see her in any place if she had been uncovering her face.

It was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah… that Safwaan ibn al-Mu’attal al-Sulami al-Dhakwaani was lagging behind the army. He came to where I had stopped and saw the black shape of a person sleeping. He recognized me when he saw me, because he had seen me before hijaab was enjoined. I woke up when I heard him saying ‘Inna Lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’oon (verily to Allaah we belong and unto Him is our return),’ when he saw me, and I covered my face with my jilbaab.”

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3910; Muslim, 2770)

Look at how our mother Aa’ishah , who is regarded as one of the best scholars of all time, understood the commandment of hijab. She speaks of Safwaan ibn al-Mu’attal al-Sulami al-Dhakwaani recognising her because he had seen her face before the commandment of hijab and further again she covered her face. This thus shows the importance of covering the face.

My dear brothers and sisters. The issue of both men and women covering their aura is not a light issue. It has always been the goal of shaytan (satan) to cause mankind to become naked and his shame be exposed from the time of the first human being, Adam,the father of the whole of humanity,.

Allah promised our father Adam (father of all humans), that in Jannah (heaven) he would never be naked and he will never go hungry. Allah honoured Adam and the whole of mankind by creating for us clothing. Such an honour was not bestowed upon the animals, satan and the jinns. They do not have cloth.

The Story of satans enmity towards Adam and whole of Humanity is repeated in almost every juz of the Quran. Every Muslim should know this story and understand its implications.
When Allaah had completed the creation of Adam, He commanded the angels to prostrate to him, so they prostrated, except for Iblees, who was present but he refused and was too arrogant to prostrate to Adam:

"(Remember) when your Lord said to the angels: ‘Truly, I am going to create man from clay.
So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down prostrate to him.’
So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them,
Except Iblees (Satan), he was proud and was one of the disbelievers"
[Saad 38:71-74 interpretation of the meaning]

Then Allaah told the angels that He was going to place Adam on earth and make generations after generations of his offspring, as He said (interpretation of the meaning):

“And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: ‘Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth’”
[al-Baqarah 2:30]

When Iblees refused to prostrate to Adam, Allaah expelled him and cursed him:

“(Allaah) said: ‘Then get out from here; for verily, you are outcast.
And verily, My Curse is on you till the Day of Recompense’”
[Saad 38:77-78 – interpretation of the meaning]

When Iblees knew of his fate, he asked Allaah to give him respite until the Day of Resurrection:

“[Iblees (Satan)] said: ‘My Lord! Give me then respite till the Day the (dead) are resurrected.’
(Allaah) said: ‘Verily, you are of those allowed respite
Till the Day of the time appointed’”
Saad 38:79-81 – interpretation of the meaning]

When Allaah granted him that, he declared war on Adam and his descendents, made disobedience attractive to them and tempted them to commit immoral actions:

“[Iblees (Satan)] said: ‘By Your Might, then I will surely, mislead them all,
Except Your chosen slaves amongst them (i.e. faithful, obedient, true believers of Islamic Monotheism).’”
[Saad 38:82-83 – interpretation of the meaning]

Shaytaan started his war with mankind by trying to pretend he was a well wisher of Adam and Hawa (eve)

Allaah caused Adam and his wife to dwell in Paradise and as a test for them, Allah commanded them to eat of the fruits of Paradise but He forbade them to eat from one tree:

“And We said: ‘O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the Paradise and eat both of you freely with pleasure and delight, of things therein as wherever you will, but come not near this tree or you both will be of the Zaalimoon (wrong-doers)’”
[al-Baqarah 2:35 – interpretation of the meaning]

Allaah warned Adam and his wife against the Shaytaan, as He said (interpretation of the meaning):

“O Adam! Verily, this is an enemy to you and to your wife. So let him not get you both out of Paradise, so that you will be distressed”
[Ta-Ha 20:117]

Then Shaitân (Satan) whispered suggestions to them both in order to uncover that which was hidden from them of their private parts (before); he said: "Your Lord did not forbid you this tree save you should become angels or become of the immortals." ).(Quran 7:20)

. And he [Shaitân (Satan)] swore by Allâh to them both (saying):

"Verily, I am one of the sincere well wishers for you both." ).(Quran 7:21)

So he misled them with deception. Then when they tasted of the tree, that which was hidden from them of their shame (private parts) became manifest to them and they began to stick together the leaves of Paradise over themselves (in order to cover their shame). And their Lord called out to them (saying):

"Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily, Shaitân (Satan) is an open enemy unto you?" ) (Quran 7:22)

Thus for their disobedience to Allah. The honour of being clothed was immediately taken away. This is what satan wanted all along. He was jealous of the great honour that Allah had given to Adam and Hawa. And he wanted to mislead them and have them stripped of the honour they had been given.

We can see how mankind as a whole is deceived by satan into disobeying Allah. Which leads to mankind loosing their sense of honour and causing their Aura to be naked,

Satan tricks men and women to uncover what Allah has told them is shameful to uncover amongst certain people,
Satan tricked Adam and Eve by falsely promising them promising them that if they ate form the tree they will become angels and become immortals and it would not be a sin to eat form that fruit.

Thus this battle of the hijab is not a new battle. It started in heaven and will continue till the last day. One of the ultimate goal of shaytan is for you to expose what you are not allowed to expose. In the history of humanity, shaytan tried to get men and women to uncover the parts that Allah ordered them to cover.

"O Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts, etc.) and as an adornment, and the raiment of righteousness, that is better. Such are among the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh, that they may remember (i.e. leave falsehood and follow truth )."(Quran 7:26)

"O Children of Adam! Let not Shaitân (Satan) deceive you, as he got your parents [Adam and Hawwa (Eve)] out of Paradise, stripping them of their raiment’s, to show them their private parts. Verily, he and Qabîluhu (his soldiers from the jinns or his tribe) see you from where you cannot see them. Verily, We made the Shayâtin (devils) Auliyâ' (protectors and helpers) for those who believe not. )".(Quran 7:27)

Through history shaytan has deceived people. The first fitna for the children of Israel was through the women. When shaytan persuaded women to go outside their homes without covering the way Allah had commanded them to cover.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) warned against: “Beware of women, for the first fitnah among the Children of Israel was because of women.” Narrated by Muslim (2742).
And he said: “I have not left behind me any fitnah more harmful to men than women.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5096)and Muslim (2742)

.

Narrated AbuSa'id al-Khudri:

Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) said: There was a woman from Banu Isra'il who was short-statured and she walked in the company of two tall women, with wooden sandals in her feet and a ring of gold made of plates with musk filled in them and then looked up, and musk is the best of scents; then she walked between two women and they (the people) did not recognize her, and she made a gesture with her hand like this, and Shu'bah shook his hand in order to give an indication how she shook her hand.
Muslim 20: Book Number: 26, Hadith Number: 5598

Thus shaytan persuaded this women to go out in a way that would attract men. High heels today are very common. We can how they make a women move her body more seductively and her legs to apear more slender and seductive. Women wearing perume is also common place and we know how how it makes a man want to get close to her, smell her body and then to taste her flesh.

We should realise that fashion was not first invented in Paris but rather this sort of fashion was invented in the shaytans factory To strip humans from the honour that Allah has bestowed upon them. Shaytan want humans to dwell in hellfire with him. Shaytan knows he will go to hell for his arrogance and he wants to take as many humans with him as possible because he blames humans for his own destruction.

After the Jews it was the Christians who were tricked by shaytan. The hijab became exclusive for certain people. The nuns. Then it went shorter and shorter. Sometimes from the top and sometimes from the bottom. And you can see some of the nuns now they show their neck and parts of their legs.


Today shaytan tricks the some Muslims by making similar promises to the Muslim women and the their families as he made to Adam and Hawa. He promises Muslim women that they will get nice husbands if they remove the Niqab. Then shaytan promises the Muslims that the Kuffar will be happy with us, stop attacking us, we will not look extremists to the kuffar and they will flock to Islam if our women folk remove their Niqab and Hijab.

But those who do not fall for the tricks of shaytan will say disobeying Allah cannot give us good. It will result in destruction and loss of honour.. We will be stripped of our dignity. Just like our parrents Adam and Hawa forgot and disobeyed Allah. They listened to the whisperings of shaytan and their shame was exposed and they were expelled from paradise.

A Muslimah should ask Allah for a good husband not have shaytan helping her. Shaytan only wishes harm for you.

We call people to Islam in the hope to further the deen of Islam and gain the pleasure of Allah. Allah and His messenger have shown us how to do dawah. How can some one call to a religion and at the same time imply that their suggestions, which may be inspired by shaytan ,are better than those of the Allah and His Prophet peace be upon him?

Allah says:

"By Allâh, We indeed sent (Messengers) to the nations before you (O Muhammad ), but Shaitân (Satan) made their deeds fair-seeming to them. So he (Satan) is their Wali (helper) today (i.e. in this world), and theirs will be a painful torment. 16:63.

We are told that we will follow the Jews and Christians in every way. So much so that if a Jew or Christians was to have sex with his own mother some one among the Muslims will copy his way.

It was proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” Narrated by Imam Ahmad and Abu Dawood. In Saheeh Muslim (2077) it is narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) saw him wearing two garments dyed with safflower, and he said, “These are from the clothing of the kuffaar " do not wear them

As mentioned earlier the Jewish women went lead astray a particular way and Christian women went also astray a particular way. In every rakah of every Salah we ask Allah to make us not be like the Jews and Christians. Unfortunately some Muslim men and women have become like them. As mentioned earlier the Christians were tricked by shaytan into thinking the hijab is just for a certain pious elite amongst them called the Nuns. Who dedicated themselves to the Church etc.

Some Niqabi sisters have said that their husbands and other sisters say that Niqab is just for the wives of the Prophet peace be upon him. Some Munafics (hypocrites pretending to be Muslim) have gone so far as to say that the whole Muslim dress code is just for the Wives of the Prophet peace be upon him. And they try to fool us by using quoting some verses and not quoting all the verses to do with the issue of women’s dress code.

For instance the quote the following two verses



Allah says:

"O you who believe! Enter not the Prophet's houses, except when leave is given to you for a meal, (and then) not (so early as) to wait for its preparation. But when you are invited, enter, and when you have taken your meal, disperse, without sitting for a talk. Verily, such (behaviour) annoys the Prophet, and he is shy of (asking) you (to go), but Allâh is not shy of (telling you) the truth. And when you ask (his wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts. And it is not (right) for you that you should annoy Allâh's Messenger, nor that you should ever marry his wives after him (his death). Verily! With Allâh that shall be an enormity” (Quran 33:53)

And in another verse Allah says:

“It is no sin on them (the Prophet's wives, if they appear unveiled) before their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their brother's sons, or the sons of their sisters, or their own (believing) women, or their (female) slaves, and keep your duty to Allâh. Verily, Allâh is Ever All Witness over everything.” (Quran 33:55)

Obviously two verses talk only about the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) wives. Some very stupid people use these verses in a poor attempt to get sisters away form Niqab. In fact in the 1990’s such people tried to use these verses to get Muslim women to falsely believe that even covering the hair was not compulsory for the ordinary Muslim women. Some enemies of Islam are still doing this in the hope that the Muslim women who are ignorant of their religion will believe them and stop covering.



The reason why the cannot use these verses to falsely suggest that hijab or Niqab is just for the Prophet's wives is that, only 4 verses latter in the same surah Allah say:

"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e.screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allâh is Ever Of Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Quran 33:53)

This verse clearly shows that the hijab is for all Muslim women. Since this verse is so close to the other two verses, anyone says Hijab is just compulsory for the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and claims to be a Muslim and is a speaker or a writer or runs an Dawah organisation (man or women) must be one of the two. Either he is a Munafic (worst form of a non-Muslim as he/she is a hypocrite pretending to be Muslim and clear enemy of Islam) or extremely dumb.

They enemies of Islam mainly the kaffirs used to concentrate their attack on the Authenticity of the Quran. Because if you can prove that the Holy book of a religion is incorrect then you destroy that religion completely. However for so many centuries they could not find a single mistake in the Quran and they finally gave up. But instead of saying this book is from our creator. Their jealousy, hate and arrogance makes them try to find other ways of getting Muslims away from Islam and try to prevent non-Muslims from coming to Islam. So now they try to attack the secound source of Islam which is the Hadiths of the Prophet peace be upon him.

Similarly the Munafics (hypocrites) have tried many ways to get Muslims away from Hijab. One of them was to work with the kaffirs. The kaffirs acted as teh bad guys by attacking Muslim women and girls physically and along came the Munafics pretending to be the well wishers of the true Muslims and saying you are in danger of being attacked. So save your self and stop wearing coverung your head. MashaAllah even the school aged Muslim children told them "We will not stop wearing Hijab. Allah has promised to protect us and he will protect us"

After their plot against Hijab was foiled they went for an easier attack. That was to attack the Niqab as they know that there is division between the Muslim scholars over weather Niqab is fard or something that is very highly recommended.

Interestingly you will find the Munafics and the Kaffirs will use the writings of those great scholars such as sheik Albaani and twist things. Thus these enemies of Islam (munafics and Kaffirs) will say Niqab should not be worn or there is no need to wear it. They know that even Islamic scholars who believed that Niqab is a highly recommended Sunnah, such as sheik Albaani (rahimullah) , say the when the Muslimah is very close to the men. She MUST cover her face. Or that she knows that such men will look at her with desire or a wrong way then she must cover her face. Yet they do not mention these statements.


One dumb women was saying hey listen to Why I wear Hijab and not Niqab. Then she went to quote sheik Albaani opinions on Niqab. But the true reality is that sheik did not say do not wear Niqab. But rather he believed Niqab was highly recommended.

Yet this poor women is trying to suggest that wearing Niqab is something not good and makes a women inferior. So what are such women saying that the Sahabiyaat and the Prophet’s wives were doing something less good by wearing Niqab in a society were fitna was less than that of today and the heart of the Sahabah were far more purer than our hearts?

Such men and women are dumb because I don’t believe everyone of them is Munafics but rather just lacking in logical thinking.

The face of a women is something highly desirable to a man. Any man who is normal no matter how pious he may be. If he saw a women with a beautiful face he will want to look at her again even if she has hijab on. If he is very pious he may try very hard not to go for a secound look and he may even succeed. Even those brothers who, along with their wives are against Niqab, you often see them staring at the faces of sisters with hijab.

One of the convert sisters said she decided to have a niqab picture only on her profile on a website because she was geting sexual remarks men such as You are so hot and so on even though she was in Hijab.

In certain websites were brothers and sisters have profiles along with their pictures . You will see men going absolutelly crazy over sisters with certain type of face. They will be comments like " you are so hot, sexy, you ahve a nice smile lets be friends, you have a pretty face, you are stunning, georgeous, my email is this contact me and so on"

However when the niqab is worn such comments are rare and only occur whne the sister does not wear niqab properly. In that she shows parts of her face, wears a colourful niqab and shows too much of her eyes especially whne she has extra attractive eyes. In many cases such sisters do not actually wear niqab in real life and thus do not know how to wear niqab or do not care.

It is also well know that men are attracted to women's lips. Some women spend vast amounts of money on lip stick and some even on surgery to beutify their lips and make them even more apealing for men.

Several magazine articles, polls, blogs have been dedicated to the lips of the acctress Angelina Jolie. Describing her Lips as being big and sexy. What does sexy mean. We can see how close this word is with sex. It seems to be a very good desription of something that is seducutive, haveing sexual apeal and luring the men to commit fornication and adultery.

Men clearly state what their facination is about lips. They think her lips in particular will be good for oral sex and also kissing. These are the thoughts that go through their mind which they even write on blogs and forums.

Therfore when the British Shariah hating politician Jack Straw says he wants to see womens lips. We know exactly why he wants to see womens lips. When the wives of these kind of men learn about their husbands cheating with on their wife with their secutary or other women they cannot understand why it happened.

The beauy of the face and the value of the niqab is even mentioned in hadith.

Narrated Anas:
Um (the mother of) Haritha came to Allah's Apostle after Haritha had been martyred on the Day (of the battle) of Badr by an arrow thrown by an unknown person. She said, "O Allah's Apostle! You know the position of Haritha in my heart (i.e. how dear to me he was), so if he is in Paradise, I will not weep for him, or otherwise, you will see what I will do." The Prophet said, "Are you mad? Is there only one Paradise? There are many Paradises, and he is in the highest Paradise of Firdaus." The Prophet added, "A forenoon journey or an after noon journey in Allah's Cause is better than the whole world and whatever is in it; and a place equal to an arrow bow of anyone of you, or a place equal to a foot in Paradise is better than the whole world and whatever is in it; and if one of the women of Paradise looked at the earth, she would fill the whole space between them (the earth and the heaven) with light, and would fill whatever is in between them, with perfume, and the veil of her face is better than the whole world and whatever is in it.(Bukhari Volume 8, Book 76, Number 572 )

There are some groups who want a modern Islam (i.e. they want to change Islam). They generally believe in free mixing of the two sex’s and are opposed to Niqab and some are violent opposed to Niqab from among their leader ship even. Even some brothers from such ridiculous groups admit that certain sisters (in hijab) are big fitna for them. Some will say no they are not and may suggest the problems is just for the unmarried ones and their wives may even mock and abuse sisters in Niqab. Yet you will find they (the husbands) cannot control their eyes. Whenever a pretty sister in hijab goes by their eyes are following them.

Even the most pious Muslims (which are very few) cannot compare their levels of piety with the piety of the Sahabah and Sahabiyaat,

Let us imagine how that environment must have been. A city full of best Muslims ever to live on this earth. Yet even in such an amazing conditions the Muslimahs felt it necessary to wear Niqab.

Now let us look at our state of affairs. There is no one who fears Allah like the Sahabah. Even in the Muslim community the majority do not adhere strictly to Islam. Some are on drugs, others drinking and going disco and committing zina. You cannot expect such people to leave any women alone as they do not fear Allah like the Sahabah feared Allah. Then in non Muslim countries they aren’t going to fear Allah at all as they do not believe in Islam. So do you think they are going to lower their gaze?

Some Muslims are tricked by shaytan in to thinking Niqab should be worn just in Muslim countries. This defies logic as one of the purposes of the Islamic dress for a Muslimah is her protection against unwanted advances. The most pious men you have in a society the less likely something bad will happen. If the society is full of almost 99 percent Muslims and they are all very pious. Then the risk of fornication and adultery and rape is going to be far less. Yet if the Sahabiyaat wore Niqab is such societies.

Then in today’s Muslim societies which are full of Muslims who jump at the chance for fornication and adultery then it only seems right that if the Sahabiyaat felt it necessary to wear Niqab in their pious society then Muslim women need to wear it for sure in our impious Muslim societies and even more in Non-Muslim countries were the majority do not even believe in Islam and their morals are very little if any when it comes to sex. They society does not restrict them to sex inside marriage. But it even encourages them to have sex with at least more than a hand ful of people before marriage. The one who is the best puller (seducer) is admired and congratulated. And for many, it is even a goal to sleep with as many women as possible and brag that he has slept with so many women.

The more a women covers the less the chance of men trying to seduce her. If she wears Jilbaab and khymar (scarf) without gloves and Niqab then less chance than her being seduced if she had the same attractive face as a women with the same face wearing say a miniskirt and a short top. If however the sister wore Niqab and gloves then she I less likely to be hit on than a sister with jilbaab and khymar but no Niqab and gloves. And if she stayed at home then even less likely.


So far we have established that Niqab may be Fard and if it is not fard it is a highly recommended Sunnah as it was approved by the Prophet (peace upon him ) and his wives who are the role models for the Muslim women wore it and so did the other Sahabiyaat who best generation of Muslim women. And in addition exposed some of the plots of the Munafics.

Now let us deal with some of the problems Niqabi sisters face directly form other Muslims or Munafics. And why these problems occur.


If a person thinks that Niqab is fard then she should not remove it because there is no obedience to the created when it involves disobedient to the creator. As I mentioned earlier the covering mentioned in the Quran was for all women. It did not say that only the Prophet’s wives should cover their face. Nor is there any hadith which says that the Prophets wives should cover their face

And from the two Hadiths quoted we know that the Prophet wives and the other Sahabiyaat covered their face and that’s how they understood the commandments of Allah regarding hijab

The hadith of Asma which is used to prove that face and hands can be uncovered is disputed by the two camps. Other Hadiths used to prove that women can uncover face are to do with when women are in ihram and about to prayer. These latter two are special circumstances. However in any case one thinks why did Ayesha cover her face and why did she praise the Muslim women for covering their face and why did she say that the other Sahabah recognised her because he had seen her before the command for hijab. And as we know just an accidental look can give a person and idea of what some one looks like,

Also we should note that the silence of the prophet peace be upon him in matters is considered as approval. In case of Niqab if it was ward the Prophet peace be upon him would not even need to be asked if it can be worn. And I haven’t come across any hadith were the prophet peace be upon him was asked weather Niqab can be worn. But rather there are hadith were the Prophet peace be upon him told women not to wear Niqab during prayer and ihram. This further could strengthen the case of those who say it is fard.

Whatever the case may be regarding whether Niqab is fard or highly recommended, mocking something which is Fard, or Sunnah is a extremely serious crime in Islam. The Prophet’s wives wore Niqab. We got the Niqab from them .If a Muslim calls any Niqabi a Ninja or approves of Kaffirs laughing at the Niqab. Then we can see what he thinks of the Prophets wives. Also since the Prophet approved of them wearing it. We can see that he has a very low opinion of Messenger of Allah’s decisions.

Or if he says you are being extreme. He is implying that the Prophets wives were extreme and that the Prophet allowed extremism.

Since Allah choose the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him as his last and final Prophet and Messenger to mankind and an ideal example for mankind. Then he does not have a good opinion of Allah decision
Question :


What is the ruling concerning one who ridicules those who wear the proper hijab and cover their faces and hands?

Answer :

Praise be to Allaah.

Whoever ridicules a Muslim woman or man for sticking to and applying the teachings of Islam is a disbeliever. This is regardless of whether it is concerning woman's hijab or any other matter of the Shariah. This is based on the following narration from ibn Umar: At a gathering during the Battle of Tabuk, one man said, "I have not seen
anyone like our Quranic readers who is more desirous of food, more lying in speech and more cowardly when meeting the enemy." A man said, "You have lied and you are a liar. I shall definitely tell the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about that."
That news was conveyed to the Messenger of Allah and the Quran was revealed. Abdullah ibn Umar added, "I saw the man holding on to the bag of the camel of the Messenger of Allah and the dust was striking him while he was saying, 'O Messenger of Allah, we were just joking and playing. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was simply saying the verse of the Quran],

"Was it Allah, and His Signs and His Messenger you were mocking? Make no excuse, you have disbelieved after you had believed. If We pardon some of you, We will punish others among you because they were sinners" (al-Tauba 65-66).

So ridiculing believers has been equated with ridiculing Allah, His Signs and His Messenger.

The Standing Committee (www.islam-qa.com)
You see how serious Allah took that issue which I was far less serious than some one mocking a Niqabi sister for wearing a Niqab by calling her ninja, laughing at her when others make fun of her Niqab or call her backward or extreme. Or worse.
The historical incidence was mocking the Quran readers and not even mocking the rules of Allah or implying that those who wear Niqab are extreme and so on.

If a man or women implies that a Sister who wears Niqab is being extreme then they are implying that the Prophet peace be upon him , his wives, his female companions were also extreme.

It seems every decade some one comes out with a new term to justify their un-Islamic ideas. The terms do have Islamic origins but they are always misused. For instance some will say Islam is the Middle path. That is true. Islam is the middle of the two kuffars. For instance One kuffur says the way to live is have free sex and the other way is to the Catholic way which says do not have sex at all. Islam says have sex as much as you like but within marriage and with one’s wives or husband. Thus you can see the if you stick strictly to Islam you will find that Islam is in the middle.
However what deviant Muslims and the Munafics wanted to decade or so ago was to misuse this teem the Middle path to dilute Islam by a half. A diluted version will not be Islam it will be towards one of the other two ways. And this group of people started to allow forbidden things. This will also take a person out of Islam as no one can make what Allah has forbidden as lawful.
In recent years the word extremism is being used in the same manner to try and dilute Islam and smash the roof and top floor of the house of Islam. It should be the aim of every Muslim to do their utmost to stop the Munafics and those Muslims who are tricked by the Munafics and by shaytan and the other enemies of Islam.
Many of the Niqabi convert sisters have said that the most opposition they get towards their Niqab is from other Muslims. For instance Sister Khadija says “

"I think you will find that non Muslims offer the least resistance to Niqabi women, it is the Muslim women who do not wear Niqab that can be (not always, alhamdullilah) but can be the most hostile to us. every Niqabi I know has experienced more kindness and openness from the Jews and Christians than from their sisters. Sisters need to know, even if they choose not to wear Niqab, that this is a part of our deen, Mashaallah
khadijah.

Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us when he said: “There will come a time of patience when the one who adheres steadfastly to his religion will be like one who holds a burning coal.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2260; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 957.

Al-Qaari said: The apparent meaning of this hadeeth is that just as it is impossible to hold on to a burning coal except with intense patience and great difficulty, at that time no one will be able to adhere to his religion and the light of faith except with great patience

There are many reasons to why some Muslims especially some Muslim women may give Niqabi women a hard time
1. They fear that their men folk may tell them to wear Niqab.

2. They wear the headscarf and enjoy the feeling of being special or the praises of people. However if some one wears Niqab she will get more respect than then and thus her status may go done. Or she is simply jealous that other Muslims will think that the Niqabi sister is more pious than her.

3. They wear a headscarf and wear western cloths to keep both non-Muslim and Muslims happy. Saying to the Muslims hey I am like you. See I wear a headscarf. And at the same time say to the Kaffir friends hey I wear your cloths. So she wants to please Allah and shaytan at the same time. This does not work as you have to choose which side you are on. Are you in the party of Allah or the party of shaytan.

4. If she doesn’t wear even the headscarf then you remind her of her obligations to wear Islamic dress and it makes her feel guilty.. In some cases she may feel jealous that you have a higher reputation than her. So she wants to pressurise you to leave of Niqab and possibly whole of your dress code so that be at equal footing with you in terms of completion of status in society. Some sisters and brothers think the deserve the praises of people more than a pious sister or a pious brother due to their big bank balance, big house, degree, their job, their political contacts. They feel the only way for them to be praised is to remove the competition. So they will try and mock you. Point out any single fault you may have to the people and even to you. This is why even when they are totally shameless they will say oh we saw a bearded guy the other day doing so and so and they will laugh and this helps them forget the reality which some know very well but do not want to accept. This is pure shaytanic. Shaytan could not accept that Adam was better than him. Saying Adam is made of clay and he is made of fire. Even this claim that he was better because he was made of fire was his faulty thinking. As we know whenever there is a fire. It is easily put out by throwing soil on it. So he did not even have daleel for his claim. Likewise the praises of people do not make a person good. But it is the criterion laid down in the Quran and Sunnah which determines who is better. According to the Quran the best person is the one with best Taqwa. Bank balance, who you know, how many people praise you or what your degree or what your race is does not enter the equation.

5. Also some men may not like A Niqabi sister because they are also jealous that their wife, mother or daughter does not wear Niqab and people will think that the Niqabis sister is better that their females.

6. Some Muslims want to be so accepted by the disbeliveers that they think what will the kaffirs think if they see a women like that (i.e. in Niqab). That they will think bad of them too. Just like a non-Muslim thinks that her daughter causes her embarrassment to her non-Muslim family, friends and neighbours they too think that a Niqabi causes them embarrassment amongst their non-Muslim friends or even enemies.

7. Some foolish Muslims think that Niqab is not good for dawah. This is also a ridiculous shaytan inspired thought. I having established that the Niqaab is indeed an authentic part of Islam, we must then conclude that to hide it is what is counterproductive to Dawah. No one would dare think that the Sahabah spread Islam throughout the lands of the earth by concealing the practices they learned from the Messenger of Allah (SAW); thus, as 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) declared: "LET THE SUNNAH GO FORTH AND DO NOT STOP IT WITH OPINIONS."

8. The best person at dawah was the Prophet peace be upon him and he taught his companions how to give dawah to non-Muslims. The true fact is that these people who make such foolish claims they lack true dawah skills. They cannot explain the beauty of Niqab so due to their inadequacies they want to reject it. Just like the Christians could not explain some of the verses of the bible so they just rewrote the bible and deleted the bits they did not want. On another issue some one said the non_muslims think Islam is too hard. Well this is true. So what you want us to do?

It seems they want to dilute it by getting rid of the hard bits. Then they have to come out with a name for this new religion. Islam means submission to the will of Allah. That new religions meaning would be submitting to the will of the kaffirs. So it would need an appropriate name and a Muslim is one who submits to the will of Allah. So they would need a new name for the people of their religion.

Just as an example many non Muslims who get interested in Islam. One of the worries they have is the 5 daily prayers. They say oh we couldn’t do that. That seems too hard. If we were to listen to these foolish modernist then we would reduce the prayers to once in a while and end up in hell with shaytan. But when we do our job correctly. We know in reality the prayers do not take long and we could easily explain that to them. But we can explain to them the benefits of prayer and that Allah has given us so many things. The eyes with which to see and so on. And should we not be grateful to Allah for all that he has given us? In fact I explained this to a non Muslim who was thinking about converting but then changed her mind and now after our talk she is studying Islam more.

And in reality NIQAB IS VERY GOOD FOR DAWAH. This is another reason why some of the elite of the non_muslims are so against Niqab. They may not admit it but they know that Niqab is a visible sign of Islam. People see a Niqabi they will want to know why she is wearing that. Does her religion oppress her. Lets see what is written in their Quran. One of the Convert sisters complained about people staring at her. I explained it could be good for dawah. As a result of her wearing Niqab some one may want to find out why is she wearing that and pick up a book on Islam or search on the net. As we know many people have become Muslim by simply picking up a surfing the net or reading the Quran or a book on Islam. An incidentally the same sister was being observed by another unpractising Muslimah. Who finally came up to her and said I like your dress and I observed you and other peoples reaction to you.

In some Muslim families the relatives are afraid that if the daughter wears a hijab or a Niqab she will be maybe attacked or her children may be attacked or the family be attacked. The scare mongering that shaytaan and the friends of shaytaan whispers are to get sisters to uncover the face and eventually their whole head and then body.

Some deviant scholars even do this. They have been either tricked by shaytaan or they have been promised by the human enemies of Islam things like money. High position in society or university or simple friendship.

One deviant scholar used to lie year after year. He would reject certain clear law of Islam and make things that were haram as halal.
After 9/11 it seemed that many munafics came out openly and showed their true colours. This liar he was being propped up by the British government to be Mufti of the British Muslims. They tried to make him famous in the media. He tried to use the fear of Muslims in Britain of being attacked. He came on television stating that the Muslim females should not wear hijab as they may be attacked. Many scholars eventually declared that sisters should not listen to him. However, it was the young school girls who said that they will continue to wear the hijab as Allah has promised to protect them. But who will protect him against Allah?

In fact within a year or so Allah killed him and British government with all their doctors and sophisticated technology could not save him or bring him back to life.

On the authority of Abdullah bin Abbas, who said : One day I was behind the prophet and he said to me:
"Young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice] : Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, ask of Allah; if you seek help, seek help of Allah. Know that if the Nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, it would benefit you only with something that Allah had already prescribed for you, and that if they gather together to harm you with anything, they would harm you only with something Allah had already prescribed for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried."

narrated by Tirmidhi, who said it is true and fine hadith

In a version other than that of Tirmidhi it reads:

"..Be mindful of Allah, you will find Him before you. Get to know Allah in prosperity and He will know you in adversity. Know that what has passed you by was not going to befall you; and that what has befallen you was not going to pass you by. And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and ease with hardship."

The Muslims will be tested and Allah, the Exalted, says:
"And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirun (the patient)". (2:155)
"And surely, We shall try you till We test those who strive hard (for the Cause of Allah) and As-Sabirun (the patient)'' (47:31)
"O you who believe! Endure and be more patient..". (3:200)
"Seek help in patience and As-Salat (the prayer). Truly, Allah is with As-Sabirun (the patient).'' (2:153)

"Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning.'' (39:10)

“As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (i.e., Allaah’s Religion – Islamic Monotheism). And verily, Allaah is with the Muhsinoon (good doers).” [al—‘Ankaboot 29:69]

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“The only saying of the faithful believers, when they are called to Allaah (His Words, the Qur’aan) and His Messenger, to judge between them, is that they say: “We hear and we obey.” And such are the successful (who will live forever in Paradise).

And whosoever obeys Allaah and His Messenger , fears Allaah, and keeps his duty (to Him), such are the successful” [al-Noor 24:51-52]

Alama Ehsan Elahi Zaheer (rahimullah) said “cowardice never saved a nation”
If some one thinks that the kuffar will not attack them or their children if they remove their Niqab. Then look at the Muslims of Bosnia. They removed even their cloths, They went out half naked just like them. This happened in our life time. The women and children were raped. Babies roasted on spit and fathers made to eat them. The bikinis and the miniskirts did not save them. In fact due to the war some of the Bosnian Muslimah started to wear NIQAB. A Muslim should not be stung twice. Allah has told us that the kaffirs will not be happy with us until we leave Islam completely and embrace their religion. Even if the sisters go out butt naked (without even your underwear ) the kaffirs will still not leave you unless you take their religion. This is an early warning system. The one who knows everything in the past , the present and what will happen in the future has told us about. We have been told that the non-Muslims will not leave us in peace unless we say we are not Muslim and we become Christian. This life is short. The peace is short and not the real peace. The real peace will be in Jannah (heaven) and it will be eternal and it will be for those who are Muslims and the non-Muslims will have endless and unthinkable torture.

In addition to this a convert sister when she did not wear Niqab she had more problems form Europeans kaffirs than she has now that she wears Niqab. Now she gets stares but before Niqab she had old men shouting at her as if they wanted to kill her. Obviously they can see she is white and European. Therefore she has become Muslim and they hate Islam and one of their own has gone over to the enemy side. Of course she will get more harassment. They will think she is a traitor to their religion or race. But if she wears Niqab. For them it is any Muslim women so their anger will be not at such elevated levels. They may think why this women wear this. Oh she is a Muslim. What is this religion? Why does it make her hide her face? Maybe I could find a book about this religion? Or let me search their holy book and see if it tells men to oppress their women. And we know form our MuslimConverts.com website that many people come to Islam because they read they Quran. There are many reasons why they hate the Niqab and one of them is that they fear it will attract people to Islam.

If a women appears in front of non-mehrem men without her hijab. Then she is showing her aura. and she is naked. Just as if she showed her breasts or her private parts. If she shows her hair to non-mehrem men then she is naked. When a sister understands the importance of Hijab she will feel naked without it in the presence of non-mehrem men. One 17 year convert sister from Canada said that her mother converted to Islam and she also converted as her mother converted. She said "my mother kept bugging me about hijab since I was 14 years old" and she disliked her mother bugging her but finally she started to wear it. It started with fashionable hijab (which is not correct hijab) then she eventually progressed to jilbaab and hijab that was dark in colour so not attractive. Finally one day after listening to her stepfather and Mother she decided to wear Niqab. And her mother wanted the young teenage daughter to wear Niqab before her as she was not quite ready herself. She had noticed that with her face showing boys had tried to talk to her even in the presence of her mother at stores counters. Eventually after wearing Niqab for some time she said that she feels naked without her Niqab and she does not like going out without her family,

Also when men understand the true values of hijab they would prefer to die than have their women go out without Hijab. As we know form the story of the third khalif of Islam.

As I said before it appears the whenever Satan or kaffirs and Munafics attack they try to attack the foundations of whatever part of Islam they are attacking.. When their attack against the foundations or the roots is not sucessful they focus their attack on the braches and whne that is not sucessful they move on the leaves. However even then they try to attack the braches and roots when ever they can. In this case the foundation is the term Hijab and the branch is the Niqab and then other things like the Jilbaab and nowadays they are very patient in their attack.


There were many cases were the Sahabah put their Islam before their family and even their very lives. The following is a beautiful hadith of how those who truly believe in their lord will stay firm on their deen at all costs.

Suhaib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "There lived a king before you and he had a court magician. As he (the magician) grew old, he said to the king: `I have grown old, so send me a young boy in order to teach him magic.' The king sent him a young boy to serve the purpose. And on his way (to the magician) the young boy met a monk to whom he listened to and liked it. It became his habit that on his way to the magician, he would meet the monk and sit there and would come to the magician (late). The magician used to beat him because of this delay. He complained about this to the monk who said to him: 'When you feel afraid of the magician, say: Members of my family detained me. And when you fear your family, say: The magician detained me.'

It so happened that there came a huge beast and it blocked the way of the people, and the young boy said: 'I will know today whether the magician or the monk is better.' He picked up a stone and said: `O Allah, if the way of the monk is dearer to You than the way of the magician, bring about death to the animal so that the people be able to move about freely.'

He threw that stone at it and killed it and the people began to move about freely. He then came to the monk and told him the story. The monk said: `Son, today you are superior to me. You have come to a stage where I feel that you would be soon put to a trial, and in case you are put to a trial, do not reveal me.'

That young boy began to heal those born blind and the lepers and he, in fact, began to cure people from all kinds of illnesses. When a courtier of the king who had gone blind heard about him, he came to him with numerous gifts and said, `If you cure me, all these things will be yours.' He said, `I myself do not cure anyone. It is Allah, the Exalted, Alone Who cures; and if you affirm faith in Allah, I shall also supplicate to Allah to cure you.'

This courtier affirmed his faith in Allah and Allah cured him. He came to the king and sat by his side as he used to sit before. The king said to him, `Who restored your eyesight?' He said, `My Rabb.' Thereupon he said, 'Do you have another lord besides me?' He said, `My Rabb and your Rabb is Allah.' So the king kept torturing him until he revealed the young boy.

The young boy was thus summoned and the king said to him, 'O boy, it has been conveyed to me that you have become so much proficient in your magic that you cure the blind and the lepers and you do such and such.' Thereupon he said, `I do not cure anyone; it is Allah Alone Who cures,' and the king took hold of him and began to torture him until he revealed of the monk

. The monk was summoned and it was said to him: `You should turn back from your religion.' But he refused. The king sent for a saw, placed it in the middle of his head and cut him into two parts that fell down.

Then the courtier of the king was brought forward and it was said to him: `Turn back from your religion.' He, too, refused, and the saw was placed in the midst of his head and he was torn into two parts.

Then the boy was sent for and it was said to him: `Turn back from your religion.' He refused. The king then handed him over to a group of his courtiers, and said to them: `Take him to such and such mountain; make him climb up that mountain and when you reach its peak ask him to renounce his Faith. If he refuses to do so, push him to his death.'

So they took him and made him climb up the mountain and he said: `O Allah, save me from them in any way you like,' and the mountain began to shake and they all fell down (dead) and that young boy came walking to the king. The king said to him, `What happened to your companions?' He said, `Allah has saved me from them.'

He again handed him to some of his courtiers and said: `Take him and carry him in a boat and when you reach the middle of the sea, ask him to renounce his religion. If he does not renounce his religion throw him (into the water).' So they took him and he said: `O Allah, save me from them.' The boat turned upside down and they all drowned except the young boy who came walking to the king. The king said to him, `What happened to your companions?' He said, `Allah has saved me from them,' and he said to the king: `You cannot kill me until you do what I command you to do.'

The king asked, `What is that?' He said, `Gather all people in one place and tie me up to the trunk of a tree, then take an arrow from my quiver and say: With the Name of Allah, the Rabb of the boy; then shoot me. If you do that you will be able to kill me.' `

The king called the people in an open field and tied the young boy to the trunk of a tree. He took out an arrow from his quiver, fixed in the bow and said, `With the Name of Allah, the Rabb of the young boy,' he then shot the arrow and it hit the boy's temple. The young boy placed his hand upon the temple where the arrow had hit him and died.

The people then said: `We believe in the Rabb of this young boy.' The king was told: `Do you see what you were afraid of, by Allah it has taken place; all people have believed.' The king then commanded that trenches be dug and fire lit in them, and said: `He who would not turn back from his (the young boy's) religion, throw him in the fire' or `he would be ordered to jump into it.' They did so till a woman came with her child. She felt hesitant in jumping into the fire. The child said to her: `O mother! Endure (this ordeal) for you are on the Right Path".
[Muslim]

.
Also the European concept of when in Rome do as the Romans. In Islam a Muslim is commanded to obey Allah no matter were he is or whose house he is in. Everything in this world belongs to Allah included people. So were ever we are on Allah’s earth or universe we must obey Allah at all times. It does not matter whose house you are in. You should dress according to Islam whether the host like sit or not. Not long ago it was the culture of Rome to treat black people worse than animals. To rape their women and beat and torture them when ever they felt like it. How would they feel if they tide was turned against them?

If the native Indians took back power in the North America and treated all the white people in a way similar to how the white people treated them or the black people. And said to the Muslims you must do as we do as when in Rome do as the Romans. And they wanted us to gang rape and beat the white women and torture their men. We as Muslims could not participate just because the host nation demanded us to do as they did.

Similarly a Muslimah does not uncover her aura or free mix with men just because she is in a country or some ones house and the host nation or host demands she uncover her aura.


The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no obedience if it involves sin, rather obedience is with regard to that which is good and proper.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 7257; Muslim, 1840

To summarize Niqab is a well established practice in Islam. It may even be compulsory for Muslimahs to wear Niqab. Thus it is best to be on the safe side and wear it. Any Muslim who mocks the Niqab or any other concepts of Islam is a disbeliever. It is one of the ultimate goals of shaytaan to get mankind to strip mankind of dignity by getting him to expose what he is not supposed to expose. The battle of hijab began form the time of creation of the first human being and will continue till the day of judgment. Today is a time to revive Niqab and all aspects of Islam that we not doing

Asslamualikum
AbuUbaida
www.muslimconverts.com

Assalaamu alaikum wa ramatullahi wa barakatu!

I wear niqab (for the last four months full-time; 12 months before that "part-time") Alhamdulillah. But could I please have some advice from Brother Abu Ubaida about how to deal with my in-laws, esp. my father-in-law (who is Arab & quite religious in most other aspects) who opposes my wearing it? My father-in-law has said I shouldn't wear the niqab at his house...this is a big problem as my & my husband's presence is required every Saturday night at the 'family meeting'. All my husband's brothers (four of them) attend this meeting with their wives & kids. Although I don't mix (the others sit in a big group to listen to the Qur'anic lesson) with the men, I still have to walk past the brothers-in-law as there is no other way to the private room.

I have discussed this twice before with my father-in-law to no avail & do want to obey him in all that is halal. So far I either make excuses not to go to family meetings (say I have headache, which this does cause me headache!) or arrive so early & leave so late, but unfortunately this is not always possible for various reasons.

So, should I refuse to go to his house or just wear it there anyway? Please note, he loves me dearly but is old & firm in his ways....two of my other sisters-in-law have tried to wear it too, in the past & he has yelled at them to "Take it off!!" or told them if they are going to wear it to "get out!!". I obviously wish to avoid such a scene for my & his dignity. His reasons are that firstly it's not required (he cites the daif (weak) hadith of Asma, allowed by the Prophet sallahu alayhi wasallam to show her hands & face; and when doing tawaf/ihram women must show their face & hands.) And secondly, in this kaffir country (Australia) women are at risk of physical harm if they wear it (I don't think that is true, either). If the last reason were true anyway, he wouldn't have a problem with me wearing niqab, inside his home (where the non-believers can't see me, can they?).

It's obvious (to me) that he will not be convinced that covering the face is wajib for women (it seems only Allah can help him to see) so my problem is how to deal with the situation now-how not to cause a (further) rift?

Your sister-in-Islam,
Aliyah

Sister Aisha, also convert said”

I love my niqab and feel more free than ever. i live in a society that have low amount of Muslims, so it is for the kaffirs here very disturbing to them that i wear it. But i don’t care any more, before i was afraid of what people would say bout it, but now i don’t care. oh ya and a another thing is...the Muslimahs that are born Muslims...they can give me the most bad stare or just look very bad at me coz me wearing my niqab...why is that? From converts/reverts the approve of it and are very pleased and happy bout it…”,

She further added that her husband disapproves of her wearing Niqab. He claims that Niqab is only for the wives of the Prophet peace be upon him. I have already as I have proven above that the sahabiyat also wore Niqab. She further adds that he calls mocks at her calling her ninja, laughs at her when kaffirs talk bad about her Niqab and says to her she is putting the kids in danger,

Asslamualikum Sisters,

InshaAllah the above article I did will have also answered your questions.

walikum salam

AbuUbaida

http://muslimconverts.com/niqab/niqab.htm

Benefits of Niqab Story

By Oum Hajar (a revert To islam)

Asalamalaykum wa Rahmatullah wa Baraketu

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam,

I am a Muslimah who reverted to Islam after I got married to an Egyptian Muslim. Alhamdullilah…Qadr…I am a foreigner living in Cairo, Egypt.

I have been wearing the niqab for 3 years now, I have decided to wear it when I was pregnant with my daughter Hagar, despite my husband's relatives telling me not to do so as I may stumble or fall. I still did…it is Jihad nifsi. Allah (SWT) has always been with me. Alhamdullilah.

I too was used to wearing all sorts of fads before especially when I worked as a flight attendant, before I met my husband in 1995.

SubhanAllah! Niqab, is good for women as it avoids deceitful eyes, temptation for men which will lead them to sin. The shaitan works in very mysterious ways, that's his job, to ead us away from Allah.

We all have difficulties to breath, and it gets hot in there too sometimes. But we women who wear niqab believe, the more
difficulties you have for Allah's cause, and bear it, the more rewards we obtain in paradise, InshaAllah.

I practiced Islam after reading and reading and reading…this triggered me to do so when my husband asked me questions about Christianity. And I can't just answer him rationally! To think, I was brought up in an all girls school run by nuns, and a mother who is a devoted Catholic.

This is my short story:

Before I got married, I worked in a Muslim country for four years as flight attendant. While I attended mass, I could hear the Adhan calling. It bothered me and thought the sounds they were doing were strange. Being brought up and sent to an all girls school run by nuns and a mother who was devoted to the Roman Catholic religion, I had totally no idea what is Islam!

I got married in mid 1997,lived with my husband in his country and converted to Islam by the end of the year. When I saw my mother-in- law prostrating on the floor, I thought it was also strange. I converted to Islam without knowing anything about it.

After taking loads of tests after two years of not conceiving, I then knew that both my fallopian tubes were blocked, I had a growing pituitary tumor and the ovaries making the eggs were weak. I was sickly when I was young, I even had a thyroidectomy at 16.

In the end of the year 2000, my husband all of a sudden started to pray. I guess, Allah had given him the chance. Both of us were working that time in a five star hotel. My husband told me to pray so that Allah would give us a child. In mid 2001, he taught me how to pray, and I was reading the Sahih Al Bhukhairi by Dr. Mohammed Muhsin Khan at the same time. Later on, realizing that the god of Islam is the god of Abraham and all the prophets, Jesus was one of
them. Allah as what the Muslims call Him is the One True God.

Ramadan before the year 2002 came I was praying the lailatul qadr and would wake up an hour before the fajr to pray. I would even pray with my husband and we would ask Allah to give us a child. I knew I was crying most of the time when asking HIM heartedly and sincerely. Just as a
child crying when it wants something from the parent.

In February 2002, I had an In-vitro Fertilization operation for short, test tube baby. After two weeks, I was confirmed pregnant and is blessed by Allah with a beautiful and healthy baby girl. ALHAMDULILLAH!!!!!

It was a miracle, as not too many women conceive right away on the first try with IVF. I knew that God has given me a gift. I knew that if we work hard for something it is always given to you. I left my life in the hands of God even when I was young. I made Allah my Auliya. I have proven to myself and I want to show the world that there is no might and power except with Allah!

Fee Amaan Allah
Oum Hagar

ALLAH KNOWS BEST

http://www.muslimconverts.com/

Niqab story

My Niqab Story

By 17 year old Tara Blackthorn

Assalamu'alaikum

This is my niqab story. I had accepted Islam during the beginning of my 11th grade school year. Before taking shahadah I had adopted wearing a jilbab and hijab. One of my Muslim friends enlightened me on the evidence of niqab. She had said that their were two scholarly views based on its daleel, however the practice of niqab was the safer choice, so I decided that the day after school lets out that year, I will InshaAllah start to wear niqab. Then I started asking myself, why I was waiting until the summer vacation, was I that scared to face my peers at school with the niqab? I had already shocked everybody with jilbab and hijab, I just didn't want to deal with their stares and hushed comments. I became scared that I was committing shirk by putting the opinions of my schoolmates before that of Allah. Also I was very scared of taking the subway in my niqab, I already received murderous stares from various pairs of eyes.


The next Jumu'ah prayer that I attended, Alhamdulillah, the imam was talking about the amount of time we have in this life and suddenly I became restless. I seriously started to think about the waiting period that I had set up for my self to start the niqab, and was it the right thing to do. I can't be sure if I will live until school ends. (This thought was triggered by the unfortunate event that had occurred earlier that year, my childhood friend had died in a car accident and I was a bit sensitive about death during the Jumu'ah.) I made up my mind that from that Saturday, I will be wearing my khimar a little bit differently, with only my eyes showing. I am still wearing the niqab and I have not regretted my decision. For those of you who live in New York City and know the state of their public transportation system, I hope it gives you strength to start your own niqab by knowing that I take the subway (train) and sometimes the bus at least 5 times a week in my niqab. Whenever I take the subway, I remind myself of the hadith that says that if the whole world wanted to harm you, they wouldn't be able to, unless Allah willed it.May Allah raise your Iman and reward in the Hereafter.

http://muslimconverts.com/hijab_niqab/niqab_tara.htm

NIQAB IS FREEDOM

FOR ME, NIQAB IS FREEDOM :WHY I COVER MY FACE
- A MUSLIM WOMAN'S STORY
by Aliyah bint Les Yaqub

Tuesday October 24, 2006/Shawwal 2, 1427



Bismillahir Rahmanhir Raheem-in the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Merciful.



Lately, there has been much controversy about "the veil" in the media. Certain people (e.g. politicians such as Jack Straw) have been making statements that, should he have directed them towards any other group in society, they would most probably elicit much derision and uproar. Yet, when such ignorant, hateful and insightful remarks are directed towards members of the Muslim community, there seem to be many who are "jumping on the band wagon". Why is this? There seem to be quite a few reasons why some are opposed to women wearing the niqab (the piece of fabric which covers the face). Some are saying that a woman who wears a niqab cannot be fully integrated into society & that it is a hindrance to communication. Others are saying that it is "scary" & "frightening" & may hinder her being able to be identified; or that they want to "liberate" those "poor oppressed" women who are "forced" to wear it. Well, whatever the so-called reasons that are causing people to call for the removal of the niqab from the faces of some Muslim women, it is without a doubt as a result of 9/11 in New York & the bombings in London. What is not happening is these people respecting the rights of women who want to wear the niqab. So perhaps the question needs to be asked: not of why women shouldn't cover their faces but why they choose to do so and why this choice (and their right to do so) should be respected.



I wear the niqab for a several reasons. One reason I wear it it is because I am a Muslim woman. If I weren't a Muslim, I highly doubt I would ever choose to cover my face. I say this also because I personally have not seen any non-Muslims wear it (though I have heard accounts of some Christian & Buddhist women covering their faces). Primarily, I wear it because I seek to please Allah, but not everyone who seeks to please Allah wears a niqab. I wear it to be more modest, but not everyone who wishes to be more modest chooses to wear a niqab. I wear it to help my Muslim brothers (& other men) to lower their gaze, but not everyone who wants to stop men looking at them does this. I wear it out of respect (but not by his request) for my husband, but not everyone who respects their husband (or whose husband requests it) wears a niqab. So, I wear it because for me, it is easier to put a piece of material on my face to achieve all these things as I don't know any other way to do so as completely & easily. I also wear it because, in the past, when I have worn just the headscarf & abaya (long cloak) I found myself becoming increasingly shy & loathe to show my face around men. I discovered to my surprise (after reviewing my feelings & behavior) that in the presence of strange men (men who are not very closely related to me or 'mahrams') I would either lower or turn my head, turn my whole body, use my hands to hide my face by pretending to touch my upper nose area or hide completely and I found that I was reluctant to leave the house even when I needed to. So, as you can see, this is was a problem. In fact, by NOT wearing niqab I was turning into a recluse; I was NOT a functioning member of society. In essence by NOT wearing my niqab, I was becoming as they say "segregated" & was not "integrating" into society. So in a nutshell, niqab allows me to feel comfortable enough to go outside my house for my needs, it allows me the feeling of liberty to be in the presence of non-mahrams without dread & embarrassment on my part. It is for me, a freedom. I know this may seem difficult for non-Muslims to understand and to be honest it probably would have seemed so to me prior to my entering Islam.



My journey towards wearing niqab "full-time" has been many things. It has been frustrating yet encouraging, confusing yet enlightening, difficult yet easy, heartbreaking yet uplifting; basically full of ambivalence. What is has always been is wonderful because this journey has drawn me much closer to Allah. I first started by wearing niqab "part-time" using a half-niqab (which covers only the nose & mouth). It is put on underneath the headscarf & the elastic back would allow me to pull it up or down in a fraction of a second. I would wear it for a few minutes at home & then for short trips out depending on where I was going. For instance, if I were to go to the masjid (the more correct term of 'mosque') or my husband's shop I would wear it. If I were going to the grocery store I would leave it off. At first (when I drove on my own) I wouldn't wear it while driving. When I was more confident wearing it while walking around I would then wear it while driving. I laugh now to think of the picture I must have made plus what the other drivers must have thought when they saw me-niqab plus sunglasses in a little hatchback! I currently wear the "headband-style" of niqab, the under layers exposing the eyes with a top, sheerer layer to cover the eyes which can be flipped back for better visibility. It is worn over the headscarf and sits just on (covering) my eyebrows, like a headband and is secured at the back of the head with either ties or with a velcro fastening. This allows me to conceal or reveal my eyes depending on where I am, what I am doing or to whom I am talking with. I do not drive now on my own out of personal choice (much to the frustration of my husband, I think) previously I drove just twice a week, to & from my Qur'an lesson- and I drove with the eye screen up and I find it did not in any way hinder my ability to maneuver my car.





To be quite honest a major impetus for me to even consider wearing something to cover my face came from visiting my husband while at his shop. I would see the interest many of his customers would have in me. Being a very pale-skinned person with western features & colouring, my husband would often receive enquiries about me. After a while, he started to get quite annoyed, as did I, with the questions about where I was from, why didn't he marry "his own kind", why did he marry me (i.e. why did he marry an Australian, a revert?-for some Muslims here these seem to be dirty words when used in the same sentence as 'marriage'), why did I enter Islam, did I have a sister (for the purposes of marriage)? I used to think, "what do they care, can't I be just a MUSLIM?" I (& my husband especially) was becoming increasingly upset with men (many of whom are Muslim & should know better not to do this), to put it plainly, ogling me for whatever reasons. We also were afflicted, we believe by "al-'ayn" or the jealousy eye-which is very real-and suffered a short period of intense marital hardship which we had never experienced before. Alhamdulillah, after becoming educated about how to gain the protection of Allah & the cure, this trial lifted. But it left me with a valuable lesson-that it would be better to cover my face for a variety of reasons. I think the final straw (no pun intended) was when one day after dropping my husband off at his work, I had a minor car accident. The first person who came to the scene was a non-Muslim, an acquaintance of my husband. He asked if I were OK & in the meantime my husband came running back after hearing the noise of the crash. He was later asked by this non-Muslim acquaintance who had spoken not more than ten words to me (covered in my long headscarf & loose abaya, both black) if I "had a sister". This made me realize that even to the non-Muslims the headscarf & abaya of the Muslim woman were not enough to deter interest. I said to myself at the time, "right, that's it! I've had enough! I'm wearing my niqab everywhere from now on!" And I have, Alhamdulillah and I have never once looked back.



I truly believed that it was enough to wear what I was wearing (headscarf and abaya) to deter men's interest; I thought to myself, "what else is there to cover when everything sexual or desirable IS covered?" Well, the answer is, the things left to cover are the face and hands. And when you think about it, a woman's face & hands are the focal point of beauty ESPECIALLY when she has covered every other part of her body with loose clothing. I mean, what else is there to look at? When you say a woman is beautiful you are not talking about her feet or her knees;you are talking about her face. What areas of a woman's body have more money spent on them than the face and hands (besides hair)? Multi-billion dollar industries are devoted to selling products for the face and hands. Hours and hours are spent in the further beautification of these areas. Beauty spas/salons and manicure centres are plentiful all over the world. And there is nothing really wrong with this except that is causes men to further desire women (and also perhaps can be seen as a major waste of time.) Which for the Muslim woman is a problem, unless the man happens to be her husband! So anyone who says that the face and hands are not important or desirable-even sans cosmetics-is underestimating the beauty of women and the ability of men to find beauty in the women around him.



So I spent many hours pouring over the evidences, days, in fact looking at ahadith and of course, ayat in the Qur'an. I did this because in my "part-time" wearing of niqab I had discovered that my father-in-law was somewhat opposed to niqab (for reasons I did not [and still don't fully] understand). Also, I had encountered a sister who said to me, "you know, you don't HAVE to wear it!?" So, I wanted to be fully equipped to handle any questions and oppositions; basically I wanted to be able to justify to Muslims why I wear niqab. As I delved into the evidences, I discovered that there are two views: mustahabb (highly recommended) and fard/wajib (obligatory,compulsory). To the common-garden variety Muslimah like me I was a little frustrated. Why with something that seemed (to me) so crucial, was there such a difference of opinion? I had decided to wear niqab anyway & to make it easier on myself I really wanted the covering of the face to be obligatory and was searching for such (clear) supporting evidence from scholarly interpretation; main reason being was my belief that my father-in-law was going to oppose me on this issue & forbid me from wearing it. I finally came to a personal decision (from looking at the evidence from the Qur'an & Sunnah & taking the more correct of scholarly opinion) about this issue; that covering the face is fard/wajib. After realizing that if the scholars can't agree on the status of covering the face then the common Muslim isn't going to agree either, I really had to look at WHY I wanted to wear niqab so much, basically so I could justify my decision to my father-in-law. I had also made the salatal-istikhara (prayer of guidance) so that whichever path I did choose it would be with guidance from Allah. I thought again about all the things that had happened to me in the time since I became a Muslim and I also looked at my level of faith. So why did I feel this compulsion to cover my face in the presence of strange men? I discovered I really wanted to wear niqab because I fear Allah. Wallahi I fear the Day of Resurrection (Yaumul-Qiyaamah) and what I may have to answer to Allah for. If covering the face is obligatory, I fear He may ask me why I didn't do it. If covering the face is "only" highly recommended & something for which extra rewards are given, I fear he will ask me why I didn't do something that I knew to be a highly recommended Sunnah (Sunnah is that which the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, did, which he enjoined, and which was not forbidden by him when done in his presence) knowing what fitnah (trial) I was perhaps causing others. I know of saheeh ahadith that support this and after seeing them, and after knowing them and understanding them I couldn't truthfully plead ignorance to Allah on the day when our hands, our eyes, and our limbs and even our Qur'an will speak for us, even if we do not wish to tell the truth. So after considering all these (many) reasons, I understood that I had more reason to wear it than not to. And the reasons for not wearing niqab suddenly seemed so insignificant compared to the real reason why I should which is to gain the pleasure of Allah insha'Allah (Allah willing) and to insha'Allah lose the displeasure of Him.



Most of the reasons that I did not wear niqab (which seem so silly now) were because I was worried what people would think of me. The main person I was worried about was my father-in-law, I just didn't want him to think that I was going against his wishes and 'challenging' him. Then I was worried what other Muslims will think, for instance, "who does she think she is to wear a niqab, she's only a 'convert' ." I was also worried what westerners and non-Muslims will think; they will be confused and /or frightened; I will be harassed; I will be discriminated against; I will be put in danger etc etc. Not to mention the (initial) discomfort and inconvenience of wearing niqab. At that time of confusion, the only opinion I didn't worry about was Allah's and what He thought of me. For me, that suddenly put it all into perspective. All the other reasons, the staring, the insults, the discomfort, the questions, even what I thought was the opinion of my father-in-law (whom I love dearly) didn't matter anymore. All that mattered was Allah. For Whom we have no reason to exist but to worship Him. I knew without a shred of doubt that as I would be covering my face in the hope that I would gain Allah's pleasure, He would make it easy for me and He would protect me from all harm. And that any hardship I faced as a result of covering my face would insha'Allah only be an increase in any rewards I would gain.



Alhamdulillah, Allah has made my journey of wearing niqab easy (well, easier than some sister whose stories I have heard). Yes, sometimes people stare and whisper, sometimes they say some remarks under their breath and once someone called me a 'ghost' while standing in line at the checkout counter (to which my bearded and fierce husband gave a menacing reply) and recently I was harassed on my way to my Qur'an lesson (while driving on my own, so now I have arranged a time when my husband can drive me). However, in general, Muslim and non-Muslim men have afforded me with greater respect than even before. Hijab (with or without covering the face) enables a Muslim woman to no longer cringe with embarrassment when walking past a group of men; a Muslim woman if properly covered can be fully assured that those said men cannot gaze lustfully at her chest and will not be waiting until she passes to take a look at better look at her back view. I have come into contact with many non-Muslim women go out of their way to smile and to be polite and kind as if they instinctively know the hardship the we Muslim women especially the "niqaabis" face due to the ignorance of our fellow Australians. On a lighter note, I am always amused at the expressions of surprise on peoples' faces when they hear my very Australian-with-no-trace-of-an-accent voice. And then when they (if it is a woman) see an amused set of blue eyes, I think then they suddenly feel embarrassed at their misconceptions and stereotypes. I hope then they realize that underneath I'm just a normal woman with a family with hopes and dreams who just happens to cover her face & body. And that this woman does not represent "The Enemy". It is also my hope that other Muslim women (even the ones who wear niqab) do not create difficulties for their Muslim sisters who wish to cover their face. I have found that some munaqabahs (niqab-wearing Muslim women) have harassed "part-time" niqaabis for not covering all the time. It is my hope they understand that this step requires patience, understanding, support and lots of eman. And Allah knows best. As with any other religious action whether you deem it fard or "just sunnah" (ooh, that's a term that just gets on my nerves) we should be encouraging and definitely not discouraging other Muslims to perform them.





Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I wrote this fisabeelAllah (for the sake of Allah) to help non-Muslims understand why some women cover their faces despite such opposition (even from other Muslims) and to encourage those sisters who are wanting to.



Anything good and correct I have said is from Allah and anything incorrect is from me or the shaytan (the devil). Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, 'ash-hadu 'an laa illaaha illaa 'Anta, 'asaghfiruka wa 'atoobu 'ilayka.



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Sister Aliyah entered Islam two years ago. She met her husband first briefly when they were unmarried while attending an Australian high-school together and tutoring him in English and then again, 15 years later and about six months after her entering Islam. She happened to walk into his butcher shop (as a Muslim) to buy halal meat.

Taken from http://muslimconverts.com/niqab/niqab-aliyah.html