Her Identity
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Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem
Alhamdulillaah Wassalaatu Wassalaamu ‘Ala Rasulillaah
Those that attended the Friday khutbah last week felt the buzz and that refreshing feeling of pride in our deen, and left with their heads held up high. Those that missed it, it’s available here: http://cityisoc.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/khutba-014-heads-held-up-high-150110-1240.mp3
As sisters, whether with the Hijaab or Niqaab, we are looked upon many times as those that are oppressed, controlled and dictated by man. However, no one wants to understand the relationship, servitude and obedience one has with their Lord when observing true and correct hijaab, and why they listen and obey and act upon what is prescribed to them in the Qur’aan and Sunnah. No one can truly understand this concept of listening and obeying until they believe and taste the sweetness of eemaan.
Quite some time back, I was having a conversation with a sister who told me about a non Muslim who tried the niqaab, a sort of experiment, to see what Muslim women feel when they wear it and if she would feel something that will make her see the niqaab differently as she didn’t understand the niqaab.
After experimenting with the niqaab, she concluded that the niqaab was oppressive and restrictive and didn’t understand the purpose or reason behind it. This same woman tried the “prayer”, but could not connect to it or feel the tranquillity that many spoke of. The reason? … It is only after you believe that you do actions which you hope will be accepted by Allaah. No one will truly feel what the Muslims feel until they have the Conviction in Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). This woman did not believe in Allaah, so how can she truly feel or appreciate and adorn herself with the commandment of Allaah and feel the same contentment that a believing person has?
As Muslimahs, we cover for the sole purpose of Obeying and Pleasing our Lord who has commanded the hijaab, and to feel the sweetness of eemaan and strengthen our relationship with Him, not because of a man, not because we are married (thats usually a classic question asked when referring to why you cover/wear the veil- “Did your husband tell you to wear that?”… “errm, i’m not married….!”) but because we want please and obey our Lord.
As Muslims, we are proud of our identity and moreover, as Muslimahs we are proud of our Hijaab! And indeed, all Praises are due to Allaah, the Supreme!
So, here’s some questions for my dear sisters… this is with the purpose of acknowledging and remembering the blessings and favours of Allaah upon us, to appreciate what we have, so others can perhaps feel inspired and motivated inshaAllaah, and for some, so they can try to understand from the Muslimahs.
How does it feel to cover?
Is it hard living in the west and covering? Does all the attention make it hard for you, or does it make you stronger?
How does it feel, is the niqaab really something that disintegrates you from society? Is it a division for you?
Any experiences?
What sort of weird situations have been in, if any?
Any words of encouragement to others?
Feel free to ignore the questions I wrote and write something else which is related to the topic insha’Allaah.
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Your Sister in Islaam.
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jazakillah khair for the naseeha
How does it feel to cover?
As a muslimah, i feel proud to cover for the sake of Allaah, and im not just saying because thats what people want to hear or i feel like im suppose to say it, rather thats how i sincerely feel, Alhamdulilah Allaah has given me the wisdom to see the hidden and apparent benifits of the khimar, jilbab and the niqab Alhamdulilah, may Allaah the All-Powerful guide the sisters of this ummah to the correct hijab, ameen
Allaah says in surah Ahzab ayah 59 “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 OftForgiving, Most Merciful
Is it hard living in the west and covering? Does all the attention make it hard for you, or does it make you stronger?
Alhamdulilah honestly speaking, in regards to the niqaab, sometimes in a sense it is a struggle and alot of non-niqabi’s dont see that it takes a certian level of strength and eemman to go out there in a society which is predominately kaafir, and the muslims are just as bad or worse to you being veiled, but Alhamdulilah the struggles does make you stronger as it is constantly testing your faith and intentions, because everytime, someone gives you a dirty look or a rude comment you know that this is for non other then Allaah, and this act of covering which is for your own benefit is the least we can do for Allaah as nothing we do will ever be enough, Wallahu’alam, May Allaah accept this act from us and makes us sincere righteous believers, and may the sisters of this ummah join us in this matter and all matters encompassin the deen, ameen
How does it feel, is the niqaab really something that disintegrates you from society? Is it a division for you?
prior to me attending city uni, i felt like a ghuraba in my predominately white middle class college, and it was a great platform for dawah, however i did not feel disintergrated as i was a very active member of the college and was known very well by my teachers, i was very kind and generous, to the females in my classes as our manners and character is also part of the muslim identity and dawah, and at city i feel very intergrated as the uni Alhamdulilah does not regard our niqab as an issue, rather this is an excuse the kuffar use, to attack this noble and beautiful deen of ours
Any experiences?
on the 2nd day of eidul-adha i was on the bus with some of my family we were on our way to visit a family member, this young women kept smiling at me through out the journey, i was confused but i returned the smile in hope that she could see it through my eyes, as i had a niqab on, anyway the bus came to an end, and this women approached me, bent down to where i was sitting, and told me i was lovely, she then gave me a dozen white roses and left the bus, i was shocked in amazement, and i tried looking for her to thank her and talk to her but i couldnt find her. SubhanaAllaah may Allaah guide her, ameen
sometimes you get random encouragement from people in the streets or they’d being smiling at you so proudly
Any words of encouragement to others?
o’ sister in islaam, remember your purpose for creation, o’sister, islaam came to elevate you from the worship of man, do not chose the creation over Allaah, hear and obey, adhere to the qur’an and the sunnah, and yes you can do it ukti, you can preserve your modesty, cover yourself for Allaah, Allaah is the All-hearing, so sisters asks of Him, make your hayaah a piority, because if you chose to do other then this, then know that you are chosing to please the kuffaar and imitate their way of life, those who have incurred Allaah’s wrath and anger
look at the beautiful commandents of Allaah in surah An-nur
30. Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.). That is purer for them. Verily, Allâh is All-Aware of what they do.
31. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms, etc.) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband’s fathers, their sons, their husband’s sons, their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islâm), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful[].
Jazakillaahu Khayran Umm Junaid, may Allaah increase you in good, grant you steadfastness upon the haqq, strengthen you, love you and be pleased with you in the dunya and akhirah, aameen.
Masha’Allaah, that lady that gave the flowers seemed interesting, may Allaah guide her, aameen.
Once I got on the train, it was a sort of packed train, i saw an empty seat and sat down. The train hadn’t moved yet, so everyone was just waiting and minding their own business, and then a man that was sitting opposite me got up and got everyones attention on the carriage by saying “Excuse me everyone!” very loudly. I took off my earphones thinking he was one of those ticket inspectors guys and waited for him to continue. He pointed at me and continued: “That’s not integration, so i’m leaving this train because i don’t want to be on this train with that, that shouldn’t be allowed”, and he left. I was just thinking oooooook.
Alhamdulilaah.
SubhanAllaah…
as salamu`alaykum
In all honesty I believe in the west, well in London anyway, we have got it easy wearing the niqab. Yes we have a few comments here and there, some stares but alhamdulillah nothing too severe. Infact some of my experiences have been and continue to be pleasant. At my university (the university of westminster) my teachers did everything they could to faciliate my studies. In one class “speech sounds” (a bit like tajweed but in the English langauge) it was a interactive class that required the class as well as my lecturer to see my face. My lecturer (may Allah guide her) willingly without me requesting it, split the entire class according to gender and made two different sessions so that my session was without males to ensure I could participate fully.
Compare this to the situation in Egypt - subhanAllah its currently exam season in Egypt and niqab has been banned in exam halls. What did our sisters that observe niqab do? They tried to wear swine flu masks and sit the exams! Imagine that… they tried everything they could to protect their honour and hold fast to the obligation of niqab.
So really when u get a few remarks, a few stares, remember we have it so easy compared to what our sisters around the world are going through.
May Allaah subhaana wat’ala preserve all the Niqaabis!!
I can’t remember that I have ever seen a niqaabi and not made a sincere dua’a for her.
jazakAllahu khair Umm Idrees for that great post it is important that as the muslimah we speak up and inform and give our own reasonings for the things we do purely for the sake of Allah subhana wa ta’ala and also Umm junaid for sharing wise words. For my sisters that wear the niqab and do so willingly and with sincere pride for their religion i would like to say stay strong for surely it is only the pleasure of Allah that you seek, be patient thorugh any hardships because the world is but a few passing days and your obedience and strength will not be forgotten or unrewarded inshAllah. There has been alot of discussion surrounding the niqab recently and i urge the sisters to stick together in our religion for if we dont we will all but encourage further attacks and arguments against our beautiful deen, for those who denounce the niqab i ask where is your proof, there is no dispute about this and when asked about the niqab proudly say that it is part of islam. If you do not know or not sure you are obliged to find out for this is you deen.
May Allah provide our niqabiis with the strength and eeman to carry on and all the sisters also. i am proud of our hijaab and may Allah give me the strength to wear the niqaab for inshAllah i only want to do what pleases Allah and what i know is best for me. I seek refuge in The Most Gracious from saying things that which I do not do.
Jazakillaahu Khayran SH. I agree with you, yes we do have it easier when compared to others around the world, Alhamdulilaah, some sisters do not have any problems here but it is still a struggle for some, a struggle from within and a struggle due to their surroundings. However, this comes down to individual eemaan and strength. But, its not just the niqaab, some of our sisters that are covered in the hijaab and abaya have struggles, and even sisters that I know of that know its fardh to cover but don’t and this is sometimes due to external surroundings and knowing that they “won’t fit it”, or its hard to get the job they want, it being easier to be uncovered than being covered etc, and again, this is down to individual strength.
Alhamdulilaah, iv had alot of good/positive experiences ( errm can’t think of any at the moment), but at the same time, I’ve had lot of negative ones aswell, Walhamdulilaah.
Side point>>
Yes, some have expressed that they feel intimidated when they see a veiled women, but why is it that everyone and anyone is allowed to dress in a way that is pleasing to them, wear the colour they want to, wear as much layers as they want to, or wear no layers and all of this is due to their desires, but when someone puts on a veil, due to their conviction in their Lord, and their love for their Lord, there is a out cry. Why is it that shes allowed to wear what she wants but i can’t? That is called oppression! Why do men on the television, media and those in “power” think that they are elevating Muslim women by wanting to ban the niqaab? That is oppression, from man!!
They speak about it being a security threat.Yes, there was a man that escaped wearing a full veil, but does that mean that the veil should be ban and result in oppressing those that want to wear it? Alcohol and over drinking sometimes results in domestic violence, rape, fights, health problems, a busy Saturday night in the A&E department, has this been banned? No!
@ Bint Adaam. BarakAllaahu Feeki. MashaAllaah. May Allaah make what is pleasing to Him easy for you, aameen.
MashaAllaah umm idrees i can see that you are extremely pasionate on the topic of banning the niqab
but remeber they oppress and attacks us, and label us barbaric and extremist only because they detest our religion and they are sworn enemies to islam
recently i read an article on Al-jazeera about the dutch mp, who made the movie fitnah and called for the ripping out of pages from the qur’aan in his ignorance, in court he said
that he did not have a problem with Muslims.
“I also do not intend to hurt people’s feelings. I have nothing against Muslims,” he said.
“I have a problem with Islam and the Islamisation of our country because Islam is diametrically opposed to freedom.”
if he hates islam then he hates muslims, im sorry but all that i saw
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/01/201012094532873241.html
its a lil of the topic i know but i think its not an attack on the niqab thats the problem but rather thier problem is islam in general, its a bit like the evil man kamal el turk, who so called liberated turkey but one of the first things he did was the banning of the veil and turbans in public places, although he claimed he was bringing democracy to turkey, where is the democracy and freedom of speech in that, the niqab, hijsb thobe or turban increase the islamic presence outwarly in a community or society and they do not want this outward dawah, because then you are displaying your religion outwardly
and SH yes Alhamdulilah Allaah has made it easier for the sisters in london then eygpt in regards to education, but the sisters in eygpt are less likely to get attack and torture, or even rape just for wearing the niqab, some sisters in certain areas of london literally get abuse, i do not want to get into detial as i do not want to deter the sisters, and everything is from Allaah so Alhamdulilah, you had a good case ukthi but you should not judge your experience with many others
The Islamic Society will be having a Hijab/Niqab series on the website inshaAllaah. We will also have a few talks this year regarding this topic bi idnillaahi ta’aala.
Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem
@ SH
The biggest difference between the sisters in Egypt and us is that we have to fight our desires and the temptations of our surroundings every day to ensure we stay covered. We walk down the street for fear of being attacked, but satisfied in knowing that we are pleasing Allaah. We put on our niqaab on knowing that we are going to get stared at, verbally abused and some even physically abused, but we walk with contentment in our heart for we know this is what our Lord obliged us to do.
We go into school/college/university/work, knowing that we are different and that people will talk to us as though we are stupid or uneducated but we are satisfied in knowing that the little knowledge we have of the Qur’aan and Sunnah, we stick to it dearly.
Some of us go back to our families, knowing that they disagree with us being veiled, and abusing us [at times] but we carry on, silently making du’aa to Allaah to guide our family to the haqq and soften their hearts to the truth.
If we look at it from the perspective of the government, yes we do have it easy, as it is not banned, walhamdulillaah. But know that every day each sister leaves her house with the niqaab on [even the hijaab for some] we have our stories and not every one of us has it as easy as it might appear.
Yes, some of us go to educational institutes and workplaces fully covered but there are others who are not able.
So, the niqaab might be an issue for sisters in Egypt because of the government, but I rather the government tell me I can’t wear it and be safe from being attacked than the government encouraging it and fear of being attacked by ignorant people.
I’m not saying that our situation is worse than those sisters [I would have quit, had I been in their situation, but everyone is different I guess] but we do not have it ‘easy’ but rather our difficulties compared to our Egyptian sisters are different. For whenever I hear a story about them I get angry, angry not because these people are saying this but angry that these people are saying these things and implementing these rulings under the banner of Islaam, rules that the kufar themselves haven’t implemented [yet].
Our difficulties are different but our aspirations are the same.
Walhamdulillaah ‘ala kuli haal, for the test of these sisters is truly inspiring for it makes us appreciate the blessing Allaah has bestowed on us, to have opened our hearts to the deen and made us Muslims who try to follow Islaam to its purest form.
May Allaah guide us all to the haqq. Aameen
SubhanAllaah. You know an Ustadh once said that you never know when you can give da’wah indirectly to a person. And on the day of judgement when you come and stand in front of Allah azza wa jal and you see all these random good deeds, youll be like ‘Woah subhanAllah where did this come from Ya Allah?!’ Through the wearing of the Niqaab and your apparent outward appearance of being a Muslimah, you never know who you can be indirectly giving da’wah to and who you would have interested to research into the beauty of al Islaam.
May Allah strengthen the Muslimahs of the Ummah and guide them to the haqq aameen.
How does it feel to cover?
Feels awesome mashaAllaah. When we cover ourselves with the Hijaab, the Niqaab know that we must always make the sincere intention that we are only doing it to seek the Face of Allah Subhana hu wa ta’ala. The Hijaab dignifies the Muslimah, it makes her strong, it gives her an identity. SubhanAllaah Allah has truly truly blessed us with a cloak of such honour. May we always be thankful to our Lord for blessing us with the Hijaab and guiding us to Islaam, Aameen.
Is it hard living in the west and covering? Does all the attention make it hard for you, or does it make you stronger?
“Verily! (During the worldly life) those who committed crimes used to laugh at those who believed. And whenever they passed by them, used to wink one to another (in mockery); And when they returned to their own people, they would return jesting; and when they saw them, they said: ‘Verily! These have indeed gone astray!’ But they (disbelievers, sinners) had not been sent as watchers over them (the believers). But on this Day (the Day of Resurrection) those who believe will laugh at the disbelievers. On (high) thrones, looking (at all things). Are not the disbelievers paid (fully) for what they used to do?” [Surah Al-Mutaffifin 83:29-36]
Let them look at you. SubhanAllaah, always think Allah azza wa jal has BLESSED and HONOURED me with his Dheen, I feel proud walking with a Niqaab on. We should have pride as Muslims, we should never shy away from who we are. Some may think that its hard to wear the Niqaab in the west and that it cant be accepted into ‘our society’. But SubhanAllah if we do not stick up for the Niqaab and make it known that it IS part of the society then what will they attack next? Today the niqaab, tomorrow the hijaab. I mean the ayaat of Allah should be enough of a reminder for us.
And all that attention- SubhanaAllah, just think ‘Alhamdulilaah, I’m wearing a cloak of Imaan.’
How does it feel, is the niqaab really something that disintegrates you from society? Is it a division for you?
We should not see the niqaab as something that disintegrates us from society. Niqaabis are part of the society. I mean SubhanAllaah us sisters within the universities and work places should make the effort inshaAllah to approach the Muslim and non Muslim women and get to know them. Let them know about your dheen and your presence. SubhanAllaah, Im sure those of us who observe the niqaab have seen how our lecturers question the niqaab and Islaam and when they hear the niqaabi speak its like ‘wow she has a voice’. I mean this is good, we need to show the people that niqaabis are intelligent and have a voice and are not afraid to question their views and that we are not oppressed.
Any experiences?
What sort of weird situations have been in, if any?
Erm, the classic one is the marriage one. SubhanAllaah I went back to my old college the other day and my old tutor saw me and goes to me ‘OH, did you get married’… and ‘I was like err no… ‘
Another funny one is I dont understand why people say can you see where your going- I mean Hulooo… The niqaab frames the eyes- so my vision is CLEAR. SubhanAllaah. and Random people also see you in the street and go ‘peek a boo, i can see you’ and ‘Im like thinking, Nah you dont say!’
Another time someone goes to me, you never know you could be driving and your niqaab could be blowing around and then it will cover your eyes and then you will have an accident… i was like okkkk…..
MashaAllaah sometimes when you do get on the trains and buses though women do smile at you a lot and your like sitting there thinking aww may Allah guide her aameen.
Any words of encouragement to others?
Be sincere. Sincerity is the key. And know that if you make that little tiny step towards Allaah, Allaah will run towards you. Know that Allah has blessed and honoured us, we should always keep that in mind. We do not need to explain our actions to anyone other than Allah. We do EVERYTHING for the sake of Allah, no one else. Have tawakkul in Allah and be sincere towards him and Allah will bless you and protect you when you are observing the Hijaab.
May Allah make our hearts and our feet firm on His Dheen, Aameen.
MashaAllaah Umm ‘Ammaarah.
The ayahs from Surah Mutaffifin that you wrote are ones very close to my heart, they are the ayahs that I always think of that keeps me strong when it isn’t the easiest of situations outside, walhamdulilaah.
There is also a hadeeth that is very dear to me in regards to certain situations including the niqaab, which is the hadeeth: “Islam began as something strange, and it shall return to being something strange, so give glad tidings to the strangers.” MashaAllaah love this hadeeth.This hadeeth was actually the last of a string of events before I started to wear the niqaab. Walhamdulilaah.
Assalamu ‘alaykum
Masha’Allah it’s nice to read all the sisters’ stories and experiences. May Allah make them a source of guidance and encouragement for all those sisters who are waiting to take that next step of donning on the Niqaab. Aameen.
I was at Kings Cross station last week, looking for the Northern line, the normal escalators were shut so had to take a long route round. SubhanAllaah, that route was packed out, jammed with people, and all these people were walking towards me (it felt like a one way route BUT it wasnt). I don’t usually travel during busy times, so not really used to it and so many people. I felt quite paranoid, and self conscious, as if everyone was staring at me, so had my head down, (almost wanting to be invisible), alhamdulilaah, i’v never felt like that, hence making my feelings at the time more ajeeb. Until I remembered the words from the khutbah, Be proud O Muslims, you are from the best of nations, SubhanAllaah, remembering those words put a smile on my face, and when I put my head up with pride, I swear by Allaah, it felt like all those people had dissappeared/they were none existant.