Pray ya'll are well and in the best state of health and Imaan. :)
Okay, so recently I had a sister email me, asking me about my whole Niqab experience, as well as other questions. When I first began wearing it, a lot of sisters who knew me would ask me similar questions, for example, why did I wear it? Was it a bad decision etc? So, I decided to answer some of those questions here, inshaAllah, and give you all a bit of an insight to how it is wearing the Niqab in the West.
If you have any other questions, drop me a comment below!
Bismillah,
1)Why do you wear it? Why do women wear it?
My ultimate reason for wearing the Niqab was because, after Umrah, I felt like I needed to change myself in certain ways. One of those ways was by doing something optional; out of my own individual choice. I don't believe the veil is obligatory, but desirable, and so I wore it in order to seek the reward and pleasure of Allah. Moreover, after wearing it for a while in Madinah, it had become a huge part of me, such that when I returned to the UK with it off, I felt bare, as though something was missing. The veil gives me comfort and allows me to feel protected, by the will of Allah.
2. Why don't you talk to guys?
In Islam, Allah has laid down certain rules and limitations which Muslims have to stick by. There will be times, and especially living in the West, it is a given, that you will have to, at some point, interact with the opposite gender. Whether that is at school, college, uni or the workplace. Its going to happen. However, the beauty of our religion is that is gives us guidelines on how we should interact. To be honest, wearing the veil makes me question my actions so much more, as now I am representing a Muslim woman, hence, my actions need to conform to what my identity shows.
That is why we avoid talking to guys unnecessary. If we need to, then we maintain a formal, professional and to the point disposition, as to not get into any fitnah (temptation).
We believe, that a woman is like a pearl, protected and treasured. Her beauty, which can be seen through her speech or actions, is kept for her husband's eyes and ears only. :)
3. Half the people I know wearing it give it a bad name. They see it as an escape route from their sins and look down n other people. Doesn't it defeat the purpose of wearing one if you're worse than most people anyway?
Like you said, that's 'half the people you know' - which means, its not the case of the majority. The minority who do that may see it as an escape route from whatever, but at the end, it all boils downs to intentions. If they are defeating the purpose by wearing the veil for purposes which go against Islam, then Allah will judge them individually. We just have to do our job of reminding. Its like those who wear the Hijab, yet walk around bobbing their head to Music.
Sincerity and purity of intention is key.
4. Since you started wearing it do you feel as if your relationship with your Lord has strengthened?
Absolutely. I'm not going to lie, but when you first start wearing it, ts no easy thing. Especially here. You do feel odd, strange and uncomfortable, especially when your roaming around town with it on. However, Allah makes it easy, and you definitely feel stronger, and grateful for your identity as a Muslim woman.
5. How d you eat?
Haha! I pick up the morsel of food, lift my Niqab slightly... I then look around making sure no one is staring at me weirdly, I then take the morsel of food and pop it in my mouth as quickly as I can. It has to be a fast process or else you'll have food falling everywhere! Mind you, ice-creams and smoothies are difficult to consume when you're wearing a Niqab. Either you go sit in the car and slurp down your ice-cream or have to wait till you get home. :/
Sacrifice right? :)
6.Do you feel your Niqab inhibits your ability to socialise? If so to what extent?
No way. Not at all. I know Niqabi's who have the most amazing social parties EVER. Ok, they might live in Saudi, but seriously, socialising ain't a problem at all for all the Niqabis I know. Rather, it makes things such much easier. I wear make-up so much more now that I wear Niqab, only because I know its covered from the eyes of men, so once I reach the location for our sisters only, halal party, I can pull it off and let the party begin! :D
7. Can you see properly?
Err.. yeah. Alhamdulilah!
8. Can you breathe properly?
Always get asked this one. Yes, Alhamdulilah, breathing under a Niqab is easy. In Saudi, I do remember moments where I had to lift it up to get some air, as it was burning hot, however, normally one can breath fine. :)
9. Do you think your Niqab restricts your approachability? In general do you feel as if you have to make an extra effort with people?
With some people, yes. However, I've met non-muslims who have become intrigued and curious when I've worn the Niqab. They want to know more about it, and more about me as a person. They get so surprised when I tell them that veiled Muslimahs, are educated, do have a life, and are pretty much normal human beings!
10. Do you find it difficult wearing one in todays society what with such negative media?
Not really. In certain areas only. I feel people need to see beyond the veil.
11. Do you feel safe like more with it or without?
With it! A millions times over.
12. Do you think the general public feels safe around you?
Ask them. :p
13. Has it restricted you in terms of what you wanted to do as a career?
Nope. I aspire to be a full-time mother and a part-time councellor, and in no way do I feel my Niqab restricts that, inshaAllah. :)
14. Don't you feel suffocated?
Nope.
15. Do you feel paranoid?
Noope.
16. Whats it like to sunbathe at the beach?
Haven't tired it yet! Will let you know once I do. :D
*Imagines laying on the sand, watching the birds fly across the beautiful sky, through Ted Baker sunglasses, which are sat effortlessly on top of my black Niqab*
17. If you had a choice would you take it off?
Noope. I pray I am able to stick to it inshaAllah.
18. Do you feel you're more likely to be abused? Whether verbally or physically?
Certain areas, yes. Therefore, if I am travelling to a place I know that is possible and has happened before, and if my fathers with me, then I will take it off. Sometimes you have to make a wise decision which will benefit you and others around you.
19. Don't you feel like strippng sometimes?
Sometimes! If I've been out for a loooong time. The best thing is getting home into your PJ's. Can't beat it. :)
20. How do you feel you express your identity? When would you prove your identity?
Through my appearance, words and actions.
21. Do you know Batman?
I AM Batman. ;)
22. Have you seen a change in peoples actions around you since you started wearing the Niqab?
Umm.. yeah, initially I did. Now, they've just got used to it. As they say, 'be yourself and the world will adjust.'
23. How has it impacted your day to day life applying for jobs?
Haven't really been applying for jobs tbh. Actually, I did apply for one recently, and of course now that I wear the Niqab, I have to apply to places where I know there will be a majority female-only environment.
24. Do you always wear it?
I wear it most of the time. Only when I go out of town, and feel that their may be a potential threat, then me, my mum and my father will come to a collective decision to remove it for that time. However, I do hope I can wear it permanently.
25. How long have you been wearing it?
1 year and 5 months to be exact, Alhamdulilah. :)
26. Do you feel conscious when going to a new place or seeing new people?
No. I love meeting new people!
27. Do you think you personally have to reach to more people to try and break the stereotype? Considering you've been on both sides of the table ie not wearing a Niqab to wearing the Niqab?
Yes, definitely. In fact, I feel its a responsibility upon my shoulders, to try and break those stereotypes by letting people know and showing them, that majority of VEILED WOMEN ARE NOT OPPRESSED INTO WEARING IT, THAT THEY DO HAVE A CHOICE, THAT THEY DO HAVE A LIFE, WEAR MAKE-UP, ATTEND PARTIES, CHILL, EDUCATE, WORK, etc etc. (Sorry for the cap locks.) But yes, I feel we need to reach more people and let them know, that the veil does not restrict us... it emancipates us. :)
28. Do you wear the NIqab even at home when answering the door?
I get my dupatta (scarf) and cover my face with it lol. Too much effort going and grabbing my Niqab. Oh, and I lose my Niqab a lot. Hence, I have to buy a spare...
29. How do you expect people to recognise you?
People usually recognise me through my voice or eyes. It may be surprising, but people recognise me instantly.
30. Were you forced to wear it by your husband or father?
Nope. I'm not married soooo, and my father in fact, advised me to think about it as he knew it was a huge decision I was making. But I was adamant, and after trying it for a while in Makkah/Madinah, I fell in love with it. Niqab isn't just a peice of cloth as some say, its beyond that, its a protection, its our identiy, our way of expressing our faith and guarding our modesty. If only some looked beyond the veil.
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