Well, as non-muslim male I´m only in the situation of an observer. From this point I wouldn´t agree completely with isramiraj. At first it´s great to to in consideraation, where people are living. Social contacts are in big cities less common than in small villages, so the segregation is less effecting and also pressure by neighbors and pedestrians to do or not to do anything is in bigger city not so a important issue. At the other hand, almost here around the color black isn´t synonymous with witchcraft, but it is the fashion color historical worn by people being in mourning. Thats why completely black doesn´t provoke positive feelings, people may be more cmfy if the niqabi chooses a more friendly color.

Peter

I believe many women who say niqaab is optional hold that opinion because it is the easy way out.

Or they may never have seen the evidences that say it’s waajib.

Or they may be following al-Albaani’s opinion on it being mustahabb.

Or they could be following the majority of scholars on the issue.

Or they may have looked through and compared evidences and come to the conclusion that it’s not waajib.

There could be other reasons, but without empirical evidence, the best we can say is, Allah subhaana wa ta’aala knows best.

Siraaj

I enjoy reading this thread alhamdulilah. I have learned a lot of perspectives so far.

The truth is this. One cannot judge someone because they are a niqaabi , or a hijaabi. We can’t always tell the circumstances of the sister. Eman cannot be decided by whether a sister wears niqaab or not.

When I made hijrah from Houston to Jordan, I was alone. I moved here to Jordan for the sake of Allah. My view on the niqaab issue has developed into a broader perspective since then.

I felt that in Houston there was always the underlying danger of being attacked, or mugged, because I was alone after being divorced. So I felt very vunerable, so I took it upon me to always walk “like a man”, and always walk with wide steps, being constantly aware of my surroundings at all times. Alhamdulilah I survived and nothing ever happened to me, even when I would make it a point to go at night for grocery shopping, in order to avoid the heat and the crowds. I would just take my kids, and put my trust in Allah that nothing would happen to me in the fairly lit parking lots. But that was a very challenging and scary lifestyle, and I made a point to remarry. Although it meant losing my two beloved children, I followed through, and traveled alone to Jordan.

On my way up here, some things happened, good things actually. I went wearing my face veil and abaya. I put in my heart that Allah would protect me and cast fear in the hearts of those who might have had enmity towards me. So Alhamdulilah I got to Frankfurt, and I had a thirteen hour lay- over, so I quickly looked for the masallah, to seek refuge there till my flight time arrived.

All of sudden this Khaliji sister walked in. She saw me, and I saw her, we said salam and she assumed I was from Saudi because of my accent in Arabic. After I told her I was a new muslim American from Houston, she was shocked totally.
My niqaab had snapped when I was sleeping there, and so I asked her if she had a closed pin. And she gave me one and then she asked if I needed anything. She happened to be not from Kuwait but she was Emirati. I told her a kind “no, Alhamdulilah I’m okay.” But in truth I was in great need after all those taxi rides took my money. We said our salaams, and she left. Soon suprisingly after about 15 minutes, she came back and gave me 100 Euros for the sake of Allah and asked me to make du’ah for her. I was so thankful to Allah for the help, and quickly prayed two raka’at.

I got some odd and fearful looks from the Frankfurt Airport guards, but once they saw my passport and heard me speak English, they left me alone. I travelled back to my country about 2 and half years ago, and I did not wear my niqaab then, because I felt that the situation was not safe for me, since I had to travel alone.

After what happened in Amman, and how the hotels were destroyed by the suicide bomber from Iraq, things have changed totally here in Jordan. When I was at the main Army Hospital in Amman, the undercover police quickly came after my husband and I, because we were standing next a window over looking the entrance of the hospital. There werea lot of secret police hidden around us, they heard us talking English, and so they raided us and took us to the secret police. They accused us of being foreign terrorists. I was appauled and surprised. But the military later appologized as they were only caring out orders.

Then after that I tried to get a job, in a town where perhaps 25% of the ladies wear niqaab. I was turned down because I wore niqaab. The employer assumed I was not suitable for the job because of my clothes. I took the matter to the Royal Court. Alhamdulilah things got resolved, however they could not help me because by policy they do not interfere with private sector companies. While I was at the Royal Court, the secretary commented to me and said, “One should cover their eyes or not wear niqaab at all.” So that like kind of made me ponder. I’m not sure what the ijtihaad is for that. However I certainly could not cover my eyes.

The society sometimes has led people to make wrong assumptions of niqaabis. People sometimes make terrible allegations that they are hiding themselves for sinful purposes to not be recognized by relatives, in order to go meet men in secret. Or they are accused of being members of an extreme politcal sect. If I were to wear that pull over abaya, I’d automatically be assumed as being from Iraq, and that is not a good thing here in Jordan, because of the politcal and security situation at this time.

So since then I had to remove my niqaab, but I did it for the sake of Allah only, and not for any other reason, insha’allah. I just believe it’s safer without it. Especially travelling, and because I have to the military hospital and what not, it’s just safer. And after having wore it for 8 years, I was sad that those rewards are not there, however, at the same time, I can feel a little bit more comfortable feeling safe. However I only commanded respect when I did wear it. I honestly believe one can be close to Allah without the niqaab. However the niqaab helps to bring one closer to Allah. There are also so many other things also that can bring one closer to Allah, da’wah, dhikr, sadaqa in secret, ikhlaas, Qur’an, Allah made our religion easy alhamdulilah. Wa Allahu ‘Alem.

These days I choose to wear the abaya and hijaab in the summers, and the jilbab in the cold winter, as I believe that the niqaab is a well- rewarded sunnah. So insha’Allah I am not sinning by removing it. However I do have the intention to wear it again insha’Allah. I honestly think that it is a personal decision as to how one wishes to wear their hijaab. However my Qur’an teacher, once said in a lecture, that imagine dieing in what you are wearing, would you feel comfortable standing before Allah in what you are wearing today?

I hope to start the face-viel for the pleasure of Allah Almighty but obviously Shaytaan whispers all these doubts into my mind.

The thing is if u fight jihaad against your inner.self( nafs) then Allah (S) will send protection to u since your following him and giving up something dear (face)..

Insh-Allah i will persevere in Canada & stand strong!
Peace out

I hope this reaches everyone in the highest of faith and happiness. I am the average muslim brother who isnt married but is around a large muslim community and with it many niqaabis, masha’Allah. I think that the major issue with this issue is that we ourselves don’t propogate our values and beliefs enough to the non-muslims. If the community around is educated enough insha’Allah they will become more accepting and more welcoming. I know that here in Houston, Tx we have open houses quite often and we invite the non-muslim community and showcase what our Muslim community is all about. We show them educational videos and let the the two communities interact and get a feel for each other.

On another note, i think that we as the Men of our community and brothers/fathers/husbands to the Women of this community should learn to be more supportive of our Women. Sometimes i think that we leave our Women out on an Island of their own and left to fend for themselves.

If your a man question yourself what do i do to make the life of a female member of my family or community a little bit easier out there.