Ruling on Sisters wearing niqab

[UmmMusab]

Assalamu alaikum warahmatullah

What is the ruling on sisters wearing the niqab? I personally would like to wear it, but think it may be impractical in this society, as I hope to work in the near future, after I graduate, inshallah.

Jazakamullah Khair,
Walaikum salam warahmatullah.

[Abu Nihla]

Asalam alaikum,

Yaa Ukhti to say it is in-practical to wear Niqab in your society will negate the universality of the Islamic message. The issue on Niqab has been discussed by the Ulama. Some say it’s wajib while some have said it’s mustahab, while some have only encouraged the women to wear it.

For me and what I recommend on my wife is to wear Niqab since this is being on the safer side and more modest in display. Personally I advice you to wear Niqab and observe the Jilbab and avoid shopping for fatwas. Don’t let the society impose on you.

Wasalam alaikum.

[gag order]

i think what umm musab meant was impractical in terms of conversing in the workplace where it may hinder the ability to communicate effectively and not impractical in terms of the deen itself.

[UmmMusab]

Yes brother gag order, that's what I meant. But as I hope to study pharmacy, Inshallah, please pray for me I get the grades I need, Inshallah, I doubt I will be allowed to serve customers behind a counter with a niqab on, although I really want to wear it, I don't know what to do? Because I want to study Pharmacy BADLY too! Please can someone provide evidences and rulings on this issue. Jazakhallah Khair.

ps. I think my family will FLIP if I did wear the niqab anyways. :sad:

[Tauheed]

Asalaam alaikum

Sister I don't have the evidence to hand however the schoars mention that in area or situations of Fitna the Niqab needs to be worn. Here is a link for the womans dress code in general http://www.daruliftaa.com/question.asp?txt_QuestionID=q-05102588

[UmmMusab]

jazakallah khair for the link, however, I want to find out more about the niqab...Does anyone know if you can wear it on some occasions and take it off for others, or once you start wearing it, do you have to wear it forever?!

[Abuz Zubair]

whether or not niqab is fard or just musatahab is a long and old debate where people often find it difficult to come to any conclusion.

Although, it is still fair to say that if an issue is between obligation and recommendation, one is ought to do it. For if one does it, at least there is no fear of sin, whereas if one does not, then the fear is quite real.

Even then, I would suggest that you refer to a Sheikh you trust and inform him of your situation, that you study, etc. Should you wear niqab, or not? What if it becomes an obstacle in your work. This advice must be sought from someone who is not only clued up about the fiqhi ruling, but also knows the reality of your sutuation, and therefore can advise you accordingly.

Even if you decide not to wear a niqab while at work, etc, there is no reason you shouldn't at other occasions. Especially at wedding occasions, even sisters who do not usually wear niqab, put it on due to make up, etc; or if you are organising an Islamic event, lecture, then surely it is best to wear a niqab when interacting with brothers.

Lastly, as Allah says: 'Fear Allah, as much as you can'

wasalam

[Abu Nihla]

Well Abu Zubeir I think has given you the best lead and thus it would be safer to take on wearing Niqab. Also one good thing I realized is that the Yemeni women are leading on this. If you watch Yemeni T.V. You will find the women wearing Niqab even in Factories not forgetting even in playing fields just as the some Irani women.

The thing is that in a liberal and a democratic society nobody should forbid you from wearing Niqab just because you engage in social discussions. In Kenya we have women who wear Niqab and you will find them behind shop counters and even in some government offices or NGOs’ what’s surprising is that it’s mostly the Muslim women who will rush to ask for permission from the employers to allow them to wear Niqab to the work place. By default I discourage the Muslim women from doing that but instead just wear Niqab to the work place and see the reaction of the boss.

Sometimes you can even sue them if they insist you remove it. In most democracies were morality is relative take your chances. If you wear a miniskirt and a spaghetti top they will accept you.

Hope you achieve the best in your carrier and put on Niqab.

[UmmMusab]

Jazakallah Khair for your replies. ok, to be honest, I really, really want to wear it, but I think it would be the hardest thing I ever do! I currently work part-time in a local Pharmacy, and think it may be very impractical. I am stuck, although I know of some sisters who only wear it when they are out on the street etc. but how about when I'm at uni, I may need to do practical work, and the niqab might not be allowed to be worn?! But then I don't want to wear it for a little while and then take it off, if you get what I mean. I'l come to a decision at the end of my holidays, Inshallah, and see how things go. Please make dua for me, that this decision becomes easy for me.

Jazakallah Khair
Your sister UmmMusab.

[abu imaan an-nepalee]

Asalam alaikum,

Yaa Ukhti to say it is in-practical to wear Niqab in your society will negate the universality of the Islamic message. The issue on Niqab has been discussed by the Ulama. Some say it’s wajib while some have said it’s mustahab, while some have only encouraged the women to wear it.

For me and what I recommend on my wife is to wear Niqab since this is being on the safer side and more modest in display. Personally I advice you to wear Niqab and observe the Jilbab and avoid shopping for fatwas. Don’t let the society impose on you.

Wasalam alaikum.

alhamdulillah brother nicely put!

Brother please tell your fellow ht-shabab this as well as they claim (here in U.K.) that niqaab is in-practical, even I know a member who broke off an engagement because the sister wore niqaab!

And I'm talking about seior members bro not just small time shabab!

wa ALLAHU A'lam!

[gag order]

you can imagine the difficulties customers would have when they come to you with their ailments and speak with you about very intimate matters.
thankfully professional work in a muslim country makes allowances for niqab where the personal space of a woman is better understood.

you have chosen pharmacy as a career, a job that requires giving advice to a wide cross section of society - when customers ask to see you they expect to see you literally!

furthermore wearing niqab may contravene the 'dress code' and every company has one, it is not stated anywhere that you cannot wear niqab but your immidiate line manager no matter how liberal, will not allow it. even funky hairstyles and big earings are frowned upon, to them a niqab is going too far! though they make an exception for the headscarf which is widely accepted in the workplace and this is becos it will not interfere in communicating and is a gesture of tolerance in a multicultural society.

in the west a lot emphasis is placed on facial communication and even moreso in the workplace they have built up expertise in this field called occupational psychology. a world away in a muslim country it is sufficient for a muslim woman to be just heard and not seen.

there are many descisions that lie ahead such as whether or not you agree to supply the morning after pill or contraceptives or supply pork insulatard? or if a muslim customer asks if the alcohol in creams is halal or not? so while you persue your career you will need to form an opinion on these issues, islam-qa of shekh muhammed salih al-munajjid is useful and easily accessible to assist you in this.

i pray that allah grants you success - ameen

[Umm]

Assalaamu Alaikum sister,
Irrespective of whether you decide niqaab is waajib or not, find a good scholar to ask, and then sincerely take his advise. Consider before you ask him:
If the shiekh says, yes I must wear niqaab, are you prepared to follow his advice, even if it is at the expense of a career?

May Allah reward you for your concern and guide you to what is best - ameen.

wa-salaam,
Umm.
P.S. So many local sisters have ditched their niqaabs since 7/7. It really shows how weak the Ummah are - ready to compromise at the drop of a hat.

[UmmMusab]

Jazakallah Khair everyone for your advice and encouragement...Now this has left me in a dilemma, I'm actually considering taking a different career route, but this will be sooooo difficult. I am stuck!!!

Brother gag order: I thought about what you said, with regards to the other issues, true. Can you please tell me where I can get access to "islam-qa of shekh muhammed salih al-munajjid is useful and easily accessible to assist you in this...." inshallah, becuase I need help on this matter urgently.

Please pray or me.

[gag order]

http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?ln=eng i apologise for not providing the link earlier, there is a section called the fiqh of minorities and is of great relevance to muslims in the west. alternatively you may submit your own question.

[UmmMusab]

Jazakallah Khair for the link brother gag order, I have submitted my questions, and Inshallah await a reply.

[Abu Nihla]

Don’t want to sound petty but I think the fiqh of minorities is but just a fiqh to suppress Islam. It’s strange that we go shopping for Fatwas even when the issue apparently looks convincing that you should take on putting Niqab. The all idea of social scenarios where your face has to be seen e.t.c. is irrelevant. What you can do if you fear braking regulated dress code why can you just do Pharmacy then open your own pharmacy or look for one that belongs to a Muslim or migrate to where the muslims are the majority?

I still strongly advice you to put on the Niqab.

abu imaan an-nepalee I strongly suggest you desist from petty issue of HT e.t.c Islam is above HT as a name. Just to inform you. All the HT members that I know and are married all of them the wives wear Niqab.

[Abuz Zubair]

Don’t want to sound petty but I think the fiqh of minorities is but just a fiqh to suppress Islam

True that some modernists use 'minnority fiqh' argument to dilute Islam. It is also true that other modernists (HTs) refuse to even recognise the concept of minority fiqh.

I believe the right opinion is between the two extremes.