Niqaab: The Veil
Archived under My Writings , Sisters .
Umm Junayd
For those of you who read the title of this entry and thought: "Oh, she's going to go on about it being obligatory", I'm not. I just wanted to share a few things, that's all.
Yesterday I went shopping with Junayd to buy some fish, some clothes for Junayd and a lovely gift for my mother. As I exited my car at the car park in order to buy a parking ticket, I noticed a lady with her three young boys. They were adorable, mashaa`Allaah. [This is not going to be one of my personal ramblings, so read on.] The lady had walked up to the paying booth and her little boys were squabbling over who should put the money in, and who should push the button for the ticket to come out of the machine. Although it was raining, I didn't mind -- afterall, they're children and children do these kind of things.
As I waited patiently for them to finish the transaction, I realised that they did not notice that I was behind them waiting. This is probably why the lady nearly jumped out of her skin when she turned around. What had she seen? She had turned around to see "a scary ghost" as one of her sons put it.
Usually my niqaab has always acted as my special 'da'wah channel'; it has spurred up many conversations with people who might not otherwise speak to me. It has really allowed me to let people know about Islaam.
This woman tried to gracefully explain to her little ones why I decided to dress like a 'ghost', however, I began to recognise that she herself didnt know. It was to my regret that I couldnt let her know myself.
I've had many experiences while wearing the niqaab and these are my words of advice to my sisters who live in a non-Muslim enviroment and decide to wear the face-veil.
1. PURIFY YOUR INTENTION -- the intention is the basis for everything. Once you've got that covered, inshaa`Allaah Allaah will make things easy for you.
2. DONT GET ANGRY -- I say this because when I first started wearing the niqaab I became very defensive and at times abusive to those who were rude to me. Yes, you will get the stares and rude comments. Simply put on a smile [even if they cant see it] and carry on walking gracefully.
3. BE EXTRA NICE -- we should be nice anyway, but showing extra good adaab will show people that this is what Islaam teaches us.
4. STAY AWAY FROM DODGY PLACES -- now, we have to use the intellect that Allaah gave us and realise that certain places and times simpply are not safe for sisters who wear niqaab.
5. INVITE YOUR [FEMALE] NEIGHBOURS ROUND -- I found that my neighbours felt uneasy about the fact that they know what I look like, so I invited one [whom I'm closer to] over one day so she's be more comfortable around me. It doesnt take much - tea and biscuits are just fine.
6. EDUCATE YOURSELF -- we should be wise and afterall Muslims are supposed to be 'the best of the best'. So be clued-up about the enviroment you're living in and the people you're living with.
I hope that this has proved to be of some benefit for the Muslim and non-Muslim readers of this blog.
Your Thoughts
as salaamu 'alaikum
Thats why im nowhere near wearing niqaab. So many responsibilities come along with it subhanAllah. Sometimes i think " So if i decide to go there, does that mean i can't wear niqaab?" and silly things like that. Anyway.... May Allah reward those sisters who do wear niqaab who face hardship in the path of Allah.
wa 'alaikumus-salaam
Akh Abu Jamiylah: aameen! When you said "may Allaah reward you with min khayr kathiran" you I translate that as 'May Allaah reward you with 'from much good''? *confused*.. why'd you use the 'min'?
Ukht 'Bint Adam': hmm.. i see what you mean, but i then ask myself: "If I cant wear niqaab to go there, would i want to go there if I didnt wear the niqaab??" Just something to think about.
Salam,
RE: Nikaab
why where it hijab is sufficient ..Infact I think it causes divisions to in that those who where it think they are more superior Muslimas to the one's wearing hijab alone...I thought hijab and moderate dress was enough and the only requirement laid down by Allah (swt) ws
Assalaamu 'alaikum dear sister Rakha,
Thank you for the comment you left on this entry, i hope you will take the time to read my reply.
The great scholars of Islaam have yet to come to an agreement about the nature of the niqaab; ie. if it is obligatory or not, however, we do know that the great women of Islaam [ie. the Prophet's (sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam) wives wore it and many of the sahaabeeyah. Since they are our role models, why should we not choose to follow them?
Having said this, those who believe the niqaab to be obligatory have their evidences and those who do not have their evidences too -- that is why i chose not to delve into the discussion about whether it is obligatory or not. The fact that i choose to wear it does not mean that i impose this view on anyone, rather, i leave sisters to research into the matter and they can make their choice just as i have.
With regards to divison, i think maybe this has been your personal experience and im not quite sure if it correct to generalise. No doubt, my dear sister, there are sisters who wear it to show off and there are some who wear it so that they may feel 'pious' - but to say it causes divison may be a great injustice to those of us who do choose to wear it with the right intentions.
Remember, modest dress may have different interpretations -- someone who is used to wearing mini-skirts then decides to wear tight trousers may regard her tight trousers as being 'modest' - do you see what i mean?
I hope you have taken no offence to my response and i invite you to continue to contribute if you feel the need to.
wassalaamu 'alaikum
~ Umm Junayd
Salam'alaikum sister.
I am a Hijabi girl who interest to wear Niqab...
its really nice Post.
a motivation for my self also..
Plz pray for me... so that i can wear Niqab :D
jazakillaah khaer.
Love,
Sister Dina
As-Salaamu Alaykum
Keep up the good works in da'wah and may Allaah reward you with min khayr kathiran
Was Salaamu Alaykum
Abu Jamiylah Abdul Malik