4 American Muslim sisters: How hard was it for you to start wearing Niqab, and do you face any problems with w

Question

wearing Niqab in public? Also if you live in a Muslim community do your brothers and sisters support you in your decision or do they act like the Non Muslims and shun you? I'm asking because I am seriously considered buying and wearing Niqab and overhead Abaya Insha ALLAH sometime in September and would just like you're help and commets on this. My husband has said I don't need to wear it here in USA because he fears for my safety if we're outside if I decide to start wearing the Niqab and overhead Abaya. But I am thinking of doing it anyway for ALLAH(SWT) and because I believe it is fard on every Muslim woman since the wives of the Prophet(PBUH*) wore them. Shokran for enta/enti help.

To Feefee: I live in Toledo, Ohio.

Most of the Muslim women here are from Saudi Arabia and I only know a few of them but they all speak Arabic and since I don't I'm at a disadvantage. But from seeing a few Muslim Saudi sisters they didn't wear Niqab at all just the overhead abaya and hijab.

Answer 1

Dear Sister: You are very brave and may Allah (SWT) bless you and reward you for it. It takes strong belief and conviction to wear not only a hijab but a Niqab. Be strong and be ready for confrontation/isolation from ignorant cowardly human beings. I read before that you may be moving to a community which does not have many muslim families, please be aware of your surroundings and may you find true friendship and support.

Answer 2

Read the Qur'an!!!
Qur'an was not sent to make people difficult.
It is also said, do the things that you can do (out of the teaching), then gradually you can do more and more.

Abaya is not ISLAM, it's ARAB culture.
Islam is not Arab.
Cover your aurat is to protect the muslimah from harashment.
Do you really think niqab is a symbol of good muslimah?

Dont mix between Arab culture and Qur'an messages.

Believing in ONE GOD and taking Muhammad s.a.w as His prophet, doing Shalat, fasting during Ramadhan, zakat and Hajj if you can afford it ;
Have you done those above thouroughly and properly?

After youve done the MUST properly, you would not need to post such question here .

You say, :Wearing niqab for ALLAH (??) ; Are you sure (??) .
If you are sure then, In that case, dont ask here but :
Shalat Istikharah, ask your question yourself straight to Allah (SWT)

Also, to be a good muslimah ,learn the Qur'an, if you are really Arab,you would understand the verses without translation.
Read the Qudsi and shahih Hadiths (Muslim & Buchari); you get your answer there better than here.

Wassalamu'alaykum wr wb.

Edit :

I saw your answer somewhere abt veil ,quoting An Nuur 30 it supposed to 31 not 30; also Al Azhaab 59 ;
None of both saying about showing the eyes only.
Especially Al Azhaab 59, you didn't finish the whole 59.
Well, Islam is not a religion to make the followers stupid and ignorants, but some people make it sounds rediculous. Nothing and no one can fool Allah SWT.

Answer 3

Salaam sis, very good question. If it is a sincere wish in your heart and that is your understanding, then I can give you some advice from my own experience.

I have studied the issue of niqaab a lot, and I have come to my personal understanding that what is fard is covering all except the hands and face and covering the face is more reward (of sunnah.) As in, you will not be accountable if you choose not to wear the niqaab.

I wore the niqaab for about 3 years and just recently stopped, because I moved to a new town where there were less Muslims (and less exposure to Muslims) and I feel extremely comfortable in a head scarf and long clothing (abaya.) The Muslims in my old city were used to it and respected/supported my decision, and I believe they do here as well (most.) But I feel like it is easier for me to communicate with others as well as for others to approach me when my face is not covered, and I want people to be able to approach me if they want to ask me about my beliefs. Overall, if you put your trust in Allah, He will make it easy for you (although, there are always some situations that are difficult to deal with.) And, keep in mind your safety because Allah does not wish that you put yourself in any harm, so if where you live it doesn't seem suitable, He knows your intention (and insha'allah you will be rewarded for the deed anyway) but if your husband fears your safety, you should comply by him too so that he's not constantly worried about you. But, again, you do think it is fard, so it is very difficult for me to say.

May Allah make it easy on you. Take care. Ma'assalam :)

Answer 4

As Salaam Alaikum ArabMuslim

Very good question:

After 911, yes, the world have changed! And, I as a Muslimah in the USA, do understand people are afraid. However, I still wear full covering, niqab & gloves, and yes it's different in public, and some of my non-Muslim family are afraid for me as well, but my husband fully support me because he understand I love covering and I was covering before the world changed in the USA.

Many Muslimahs in the USA still cover and many of them still wear niqab & gloves.

All Americans are not going to cause you problems for wearing niqab, but maybe you will encounter 2 out of 50 people that will ask you questions, or they may make nasty unwanted statements. And, you will have many people who will give you funny looks just for covering, and you know they did that before 911. It's just human nature to look at someone different, smile.

Just to let you know, I can go to the stores along, and it's okay. Now, on the other hand, if something else bad happen in the USA, and the Arabs-Muslims are at fault. Then, I might not travel alone because I'm sure the mixer of fear and revenge are bad elements.

I will make du'a for you.

Answer 5

Sister, May Allah SWT give you immense reward for your intentions. As already mentioned, according to majority Niqab is not mandatory but Hijab is. I am a Muslim who wears a beard. Some people might shun you other might not. But if we do this then it is for Allah SWT and not for the pleasing or non-pleasing of women. This might give you trouble when finding firends, or getting married(which you already are Allhamdulilah).

At the same time, take to your husband. Make sure he is fine with this. Because since it is not Fard its not a good idea to put him in an uncomfortable position. But if you wear it definitely you will be tried and will feel as you are treated different. Atleast at first.

KarramaKi Allahu, wa HadaKi Allah ala SiratiHi Almustqim, wa Jazaki Allahu Bi Niyyatik.

Answer 6

Salam sister...Not an american but have moved here recently and i am happy to see that muslims women are same everywhere..Sister..Niqab is kind of more for this community and you see it is not compulsory but yes you can follow hijab easily but telling you i have seen sisters wearing niqab very confidently and i don't know what other people say but i have noticed that in America you are free to wear whatever you want...nobody bothers..some people would stare and this is same for a muslim country if you don't wear a bold dress there, they would stare..see this is only a "changed" thing that would bother them..but not everyone is same...wear whatever you want..umm But yes you would be taken a bit more suspicious than others and you know this is becuase of a general suspicions for muslims all over the world and you know the reason...! but don't even care..My sister in law wears hijab and when she flies somewhere she is checked even more keenly on airport and it takes longer..but she doens't mind...See we have to pay "something" for our religion and i think this is a minor sacrifise..so if people stare at you or even pass comment ..don't even bother..take it as a test...! Go with your heart and religion and forget all....! \
May peace be with you

((Hugs))

Answer 7

Sister, the majority of Muslim jurisprudents are of the opinion that niqab is not fard. Since your husband is concerned about your safety I suggest you not as this command was exclusive to the Prophet's(PBUH) wives and you wouldn't be sinning for not wearing it. If you insist though, it's your perogative I'm not amongst those who would shun a sister or anyone who choses to dress different than I. I've seen sisters in my area wear niqab and generally speaking, they're not viewed favorably even though my area is populated with Muslims. So this might be quite a trial for you depending on where you live.

I wish you well whatever you choose,

salaam alaikum

Answer 8

Praise be to Allaah.

I'm not an american muslim sister ...
But i'd be grateful if you allow me to comment ....

Allaah does not enjoin something that is harmful for His slaves, and the Laws of Allaah are based on wisdom and the rulings of sharee’ah are meant to be easy. Allaah does not burden any soul beyond its scope. If something in Islam is too difficult for a person, then there should be a way to make it easier, as is the basic principle of sharee’ah. So if a person is unable to pray standing up, he may pray sitting down, and if a person is unable to fast – because of old age or chronic sickness – then he does not fast and he should feed the poor instead, and so on.

And trust me the following link will help you, PLEASE READ IT:
http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?ref=69432&ln=eng

Answer 9

sister, I apologize to you for asking a sincere question and you get teenage answers. You should talk to other Muslims that were hi-jab, not here. And if you do, know that you'll get both positive and negative responses in any western country. But as long as you know why you're wearing it, I think that will help. My sister doesn't wear it, but some of her friends do. May Allah guide you to what's best for you.

Answer 10

Salam Aleykum!
Me personally I don't have a problem wearing hijab because I have always been a cover up, dressy type person, mainly because of my respect for the lord!
I have incountered some difficulties in public, like from guys being perverted or old friends of mines teasing me a little and so fourth, which I could careless and doesn't really bother me all that much and so fourth.
But at my job it's a problem......I don't wear hijab always to be honest........but I am working on it!!!!!!!
The community I live in here is a very high percentage of muslim woman in hijab (include my 2 neighbors) and my family is very understanding my mother, my brothers,and my sister, aunts, some friends,etc. Yes they respect me and my desicion, but only my eldest sister haves a problem, but not mostly with me being muslim, but mostly she has a problem with me wearing hijab, and even thought I haven't been wearing it every single time......she still doesn't talk to me and it has been like this for a couple months now? Me and my sister have never stayed distant, and I come from a very strict, strong but respectable family!!!!!
I also believe in every woman should be in hijab as well but as I stated earlier I don't wear hijab at my job, and I'm working on it!
Wearing hijab is what every muslim woman should do, I definitely agree with it and to you....... go for it!!!!!!!!!
As-Salam Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah!!!!!
God Bless You!!!!!