[unapelosina]

As salamu alaikum guys! I hope everyone is in the best of health and imaan, insha'Allah.

Some of you will know, I've been around SF for quite a long while now, although I spent some time away - anyway, I'm back, and I'm proud to say I'm now a full-time wearer of the hijab, ma sha Allah! I've been wearing it full-time since mid-September 2011, and I love it. I feel proud and content while wearing it, I feel empowered as a Muslim female, and I get respected. Al-hamdulillah

I'm looking, from perhaps my 16th onwards? (April), to start wearing the niqab. I find both the hijab and the niqab equally beautiful - I love the modesty that comes with them both, and I've read a few stories from women who have gone from hijab to niqab. I was just wondering if there are any Muslim sisters here with experience on wearing both of these headscarves, or even just the one, and how they feel about it?

I understand that niqab isn't fardh, whereas hijab is. I'm a bit confused about the whole 'niqab' debate - call me naïve, but from what I've read, some people seem to view the niqab as an ancient custom of the Middle Eastern people, who have carried out the tradition of wearing it over hundreds (or thousands) of years, and it is now associated with Islam, when it is rather a cultural thing, not a religious one. Other things I've read conclude that niqab is in fact Islamic, and the Prophet's (sali allahu alaihi wa salam) wives used to wear it. But then again, that could be due to the fact that it's an ancient local Arabian custom!

What are your opinions on all this?
Wa alaikum us salam!

[tinamasak]

Niqab has been an accepted part of our religion for 1400 years. Those who are calling it a custom are attempting to conform our religion to the wayward and corrupted sensibilities of today's societies. They are attempting to take Islam down the same route Christianity has gone down - a religion that has been chopped and changed so much that it is far off from that which was revealed by Allah.

There are three levels of Hijab. Please read the following by a renowned scholar:

http://www.deoband.org/2010/06/hadit...ts-boundaries/

[tinamasak]

Btw there are no options for any brother to vote - unless he is modernist bent on dispensing with integral parts of Islam under the guise of custom.

[NanoGordeno]

Wa-alaykumus Salaam waRahmatullah

Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur`aan Shareef :

"...So hasten towards all that is good..." [Surah Baqarah 2 : 148]

Why wait until April?
We don't have any guarantee we will see April.

Why delay in earning more rewards ?

Take the step of veiling quickly.
Alhamdulillah, there won't be any regrets.

* Masha-Allah, on the noble efforts you are making at such a young age. Allah Ta'ala give us all Istiqaamah and keep us in His Special Protection.

[Candykiss]

MashaAllah sister. Asslaamualaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu and mabrook on your coming into Islam. Alhamdulillah Allah taala is most Raheem and His ways of guiding people towards khair are amazing SubhanAllah. MashaAllah you are very excited about being Muslim and about having started wearing the Hijab. may Allahtaala keep you safe and on Siratal Mustaqeem. ameen.

Certainly you must rush towards khair as Allah taala commands in the Quran and as per advices of other sisters here. If you feel in your heart that only and only for the sake of Allah taala, you want to complete the act of purda by starting to wear the NiqAB, then theres no reason to delay it. Allah taala says in the Quran that Shaitan is our open enemy and you never know with his waswasa upto April, our decision may fall weak.

WHy wait to celebrate your being 16 in April. Celebrate each day of your life that you are MUSLIM. Alhamdulillah.

lots of love and duas for you,
your sister in deen

As salamu alaikum guys! I hope everyone is in the best of health and imaan, insha'Allah.

Some of you will know, I've been around SF for quite a long while now, although I spent some time away - anyway, I'm back, and I'm proud to say I'm now a full-time wearer of the hijab, ma sha Allah! I've been wearing it full-time since mid-September 2011, and I love it. I feel proud and content while wearing it, I feel empowered as a Muslim female, and I get respected. Al-hamdulillah

I'm looking, from perhaps my 16th onwards? (April), to start wearing the niqab. I find both the hijab and the niqab equally beautiful - I love the modesty that comes with them both, and I've read a few stories from women who have gone from hijab to niqab. I was just wondering if there are any Muslim sisters here with experience on wearing both of these headscarves, or even just the one, and how they feel about it?

I understand that niqab isn't fardh, whereas hijab is. I'm a bit confused about the whole 'niqab' debate - call me naïve, but from what I've read, some people seem to view the niqab as an ancient custom of the Middle Eastern people, who have carried out the tradition of wearing it over hundreds (or thousands) of years, and it is now associated with Islam, when it is rather a cultural thing, not a religious one. Other things I've read conclude that niqab is in fact Islamic, and the Prophet's (sali allahu alaihi wa salam) wives used to wear it. But then again, that could be due to the fact that it's an ancient local Arabian custom!

What are your opinions on all this?
Wa alaikum us salam!

[Colorostikse]

^ True that Nomadic, some sisters misuse their Niqaabs and ruin the whole stance of it for all others who genuinely wear it to protect their modesty. Such women should be slapped in Public, I'd like to do that to them personally. Either do it proper or just leave it the **** alone, do you comprehend ?

Oh and if I were to wear it I'd like to commit to it, but considering how ugly I am I don't think I need to

[SteantyjetMaw]

Assalaamu'alaikum sister,

I went from wearing hijab to wearing niqab about 7 months ago, I'm almost 22 years old. I have to say, I have found the change hugely beneficial in my life. I find that this extra level of covering really brings you closer to the sunnah and you are much more aware of your trying to emulate the wives of the Prophet (saw).

I personally take the view of several Muftis I consulted who, in the Hanafi madhhab, say it is wajib (therefore sinful not to do so). I of course respect the view of other sisters who say it is sunnah and so in the difficult climate today choose only to wear hijab. We shouldn't go around judging other people.

Sister, I would pray istikhara and make a decision about it sooner rather than later. I was umming and erring for several months because I was just about to graduate from university and wasn't sure about it, but in hindsight it would have been better just to do it when I first felt the urge to do so. If you want to message me privately about it your are most welcome iA.

Wallahu a'lam.

[Colorostikse]

Assalaamu'alaikum sister,

I went from wearing hijab to wearing niqab about 7 months ago, I'm almost 22 years old. I have to say, I have found the change hugely beneficial in my life. I find that this extra level of covering really brings you closer to the sunnah and you are much more aware of your trying to emulate the wives of the Prophet (saw).

I personally take the view of several Muftis I consulted who, in the Hanafi madhhab, say it is wajib (therefore sinful not to do so). I of course respect the view of other sisters who say it is sunnah and so in the difficult climate today choose only to wear hijab. We shouldn't go around judging other people.

Sister, I would pray istikhara and make a decision about it sooner rather than later. I was umming and erring for several months because I was just about to graduate from university and wasn't sure about it, but in hindsight it would have been better just to do it when I first felt the urge to do so. If you want to message me privately about it your are most welcome iA.

Wallahu a'lam.

Masha'Allah

Indeed we shouldn't judge, but when a sister is looking like a tart in her Niqaab outfit, she should just remove it, because there is no point in her wearing it. The whole essence of wearing Niqaab is to cover your modesty, not reveal your assets for the world to oogle at. Not right at all. Naoozobillah

[HootSnori]

!!! This is a SIGN!

Yesterday night I was thinking hard and long about putting on the niqab. Today I actually went out and bought one! I’ve got butterflies about wearing it tmrw though. I never ever thought I’d put on niqaab. I always said I wouldn’t do it because, in part, I just look so average(I’m not pretty in fact with a beard, I’d look like a bro).

The main problem I had with the niqaab before was that it would prevent me from being active and making a difference in the world. I had this perception that niqaabis are timid and fragile, not daring and bold! Basically what I did was generalize my two little experiences with niqaabis (yes indeed! that’s how fantastically smart HighHopes is ).

I truly believe that I will make a big difference in the world and that’s only because with Allah’s help anything is possible. But how can I believe that and deliberately ignore highly recommended (if not wajib) acts of worship? That would be very hypocritical of me. Niqaablessness or beardlessness or hijaablessness will never bring anybody closer to success; success can only from Allah and absolutely no one or nothing else. This is what I kept thinking about last night and may we all be completely convinced of that in all our hearts. Amin thumma amin. Barak Allahu Feekum

I really think this thread is a sign for me to go ahead with this so let’s do it together my little sis Sarah who is just so inspirational! I’m actually wearing mine right now! just trying to bond with it you kno hehehe.

Barak Allah my little sister Sarah and all of my sisters and brothers for your encouragement and wise words. May Allah SWT love you all very much. Amin

[Yyaqyped]

Asalaamu' Alaykum Sis How are you? Well anyways, I've worn Hijab almost my whole entire life. I'm really young, make that extremely young. And I'm already thinking about the future. I love Hijab and it's amazing it separates me from the Kuffar women & it's like a symbol "Ya I'm Muslim and I'm not afraid to prove it." I was raised in a Muslim family and I didn't really know the true meaning of Hijab and I didn't mind wearing it. But I became religious and I understand why we wear hijab, I love my hijab. I never ever will leave the house without hijab. I actually want to wear Niqab when I get to college (Insh'Allah) because first of all for personnel reasons, I don't really like it when males look at my face or even look at me. And I also think it will keep me from doing Haram. I believe that Niqab is a choice and not Fardh but, I ADVISE ALL MUSLIM WOMEN TO WEAR NIQAB PLEASE. And dot jump from no hijab to niqab, star with hijab and learn the true meaning of hijab and feel comfortable with hijab than insh'Allah you'll be ready for Niqab. I think niqab is not an "ancient middle eastern culture" style. I think many women have worn Niqab in the past but Allahu A'lam. But IM SO HAPPY YOUR A HIJABI, Alhamdulilah And if anyone is going to wear Niqab/Hijab wear MODEST CLOTHING. Not tight jeans and make-up and hijab, no. And not a front open Abaya with your legs sticking out and wearing Niqab, no. So insh'Allah may Allah make it easy for us & reward us for obeying his commands Ameen

[boizzones]

I personally take the view of several Muftis I consulted who, in the Hanafi madhhab, say it is wajib (therefore sinful not to do so). I of course respect the view of other sisters who say it is sunnah and so in the difficult climate today choose only to wear hijab. We shouldn't go around judging other people.

Wajib therefore not sinful? Who said that?

Witr is Wajib in the hanafi madhab, but if you miss it it isn't sinful??

[SteantyjetMaw]

Wajib therefore not sinful? Who said that?

Witr is Wajib in the hanafi madhab, but if you miss it it isn't sinful??

Sorry if you misunderstood me sister, I said wajib therefore sinful *not to do so*, i.e. that it is sinful not to wear niqab. Hope that makes sense inshaAllah

Wallahu a'lam

[HootSnori]

Wearing niqaab today, I felt so much more respected. Breathing was a little difficult but other than that, I’m pleased. Only good can ever come out of doing the right thing. May Allah SWT make putting it on easy for all my sisters and especially you my wonderful sister Sarah. Amin
Barak Allah

[codespokerbonus]

Al hamdu lillah, been wearing niqaab for a few weeks. At first, because I wear glasses, the cloth was going into my eyes so I left it, but al hamdu lillah I went for it soon after. I don't have to worry about anymore stares al hamdu lillah (except for the usual ones where people are amazed to see a niqabi, not that it matters) : )Actually I had it in my draw for about a year, but only had the courage to put it on much later. You get used to the breathing issues and moving your head with niqaab. Al hamdu lillah : ).

[boizzones]

.

[HootSnori]

Al hamdu lillah, been wearing niqaab for a few weeks. At first, because I wear glasses, the cloth was going into my eyes so I left it, but al hamdu lillah I went for it soon after. I don't have to worry about anymore stares al hamdu lillah (except for the usual ones where people are amazed to see a niqabi, not that it matters) : )Actually I had it in my draw for about a year, but only had the courage to put it on much later. You get used to the breathing issues and moving your head with niqaab. Al hamdu lillah : ).

How fantastic my sister Salikah Muslimah! May Allah SWT make us treasure our niqaabs and never part with them amin.

[unapelosina]

all!
Jazak Allah for all your responses. May Allah reward us all for wearing the hijab and the niqab, whichever we choose, ameen!

From other research I've done, the general interpretation of niqab is that it's wajib in the Hanafi and Shafi'i maddhabs, but not fardh, whereas hijab is. Most scholars from those maddhabs agree that it isn't obligatory because niqab isn't allowed on pilgrimage since the face isn't classed as the awrah, but it is a sunnah since the wives of the Prophet (sali allahu alayhi wa salam) used to wear it.

In my present circumstances (and Liverpool isn't the safest city in the world, although Buxton is somewhat safer... ha ha), I don't feel I should wear the niqab. My family are only just adapting to my full-time wearing of the hijab, and I feel that in Liverpool, especially alone, I would face a lot of harassment and possibly even abuse - I feel it would put my safety at risk, and most scholars agree that in these circumstances, niqab isn't necessary. Also, surely, if it is not required for salah and not allowed on Hajj and Umrah, it isn't obligatory. So, for the time being, I am in love with my hijab and needless to say, since it is a fardh, I will continue to wear it!

I have every intention though, insha'Allah, of leaving the West within the next few years, and wearing the niqab. Of course, life can be snatched from us at every given moment and insha'Allah, I will become a full-time niqabi very soon.

Please remember me in your du'as, as I will remember you all in mine!

[Hmwmzian]

Wajib does not mean "highly recommended". Wajib also means obligatory. The difference is that criticizing a fardh act is kufr but not so for wajib. As for revealing the face during hajj, then no, the actual ruling is that no cloth should be touching the face. Some sisters wear caps that extends the face cover forward, thereby fulfilling the niqab as well as not having the cloth touch the face.

May Allah allow you to act upon your noble intentions.