WHY THEY HATE OUR NIQAB

When I first started wearing the Niqab, I felt very awkward when people threw rude comments at me. Later, when the comments started to increase, my awkwardness converted to anger, and there were times when I stared hard and straight at those who offended my Niqab and let them know how angry I was. I know some people who take these comments coolly, but some others, really tend to lose their temper.

Now, thankfully, not many people abuse Niqabis in my country Alhamdulillah. Apart from the occasional ‘ninja’ there’s really nothing much. But at times when they do or when they stare at us as though we are dirt, I’ve learnt to control my anger. I’m no longer intimidated by any comments people throw at my Niqab, because deep down, I know that the only reason they hate my Niqab so much is because they find something undeniably beautiful about it.

Let’s face the fact: Would any of us approach and throw rude comments at a woman who is semi-naked? As Muslims, all of us hate the sight of women dressed that way, because it’s nothing short of a disgusting sight. But would we insult her for her clothing? Obviously not, because we just don’t care about what or how they dress. We might hate it in our hearts, but we would never go to the extent of humiliating them. So long as we are covered, Alhamdulillah, we are happy. And that’s what matters. 

But why is that people are so very concerned about our Niqab? Why are they fighting so hard to ban it? If they don’t like it, fine, they can keep it to themselves, but why abuse Niqabis?

As far as I’m concerned, it’s because they are intimidated with our Niqab. They probably find it hard to accept the reality that there are women out there who have the strength to cover up despite the demands of the society, despite the demands of fashion and despite the lure of this sex-crazed world. In short, all this hatred probably stems from jealousy.

So, for us, all these comments, all these Niqab bashing and all the tosh about Niqabis being oppressed and subjugated, only makes us stronger because our Niqab probably threatens people who are so bent of slaving behind fashion and their desires. You know what? I think people who call the Niqab oppression are the ones really oppressed.

There is always a reason behind hatred. It’s either:

#1   Someone has done something that has harmed you in some way

#2   Jealousy

I really can’t find any other reason for hatred. So lets put the Niqab ban and Niqab hate into this perspective.

The Niqab was banned because those officials concerned hated the Niqab. Yeah, they brought forward some baseless reasons, but it all comes down to their hatred for the Niqab. So, now, which category does their hate for the Niqab fall in to? I don’t know of any instance where any Niqabi has ever harmed any person in any way. So it most certainly cannot fall into that category. This makes it automatically fall into the next: Jealousy.

You must be wondering why. Just take this example. You’re a man whose wife is wearing a low-cut, skimpy, short dress and all men are gaping openly at her. Another man, whose wife is covered up, is not getting any kind of (bad) attention from men. Put yourself in this man’s shoe. Wouldn’t you be jealous of the woman all covered up and her husband? Wouldn’t you envy the protection and privacy this woman and her husband enjoys? 

So, I my opinion, Niqab haters’ hatred is really stemmed from jealousy and of course, to humiliate Muslims as much as they possibly can.

Niqabis, don’t you ever, ever worry about people humiliating your Niqab. They probably envy you and your strength, that’s all! So hold you head high because you are one of those strong and rare women who can dress to please only Allah. Stay strong!

So now, I’m not afraid of any comments haters throw at me. I just remind myself that these people have been imprisoned by others, but me-I’m free. Free to dress as I please-not to please others, but only my Lord. And at the end of the day, that’s all what counts!

Note: These are my very personal opinions and it doesn’t apply for all Niqabis. We are all entitled to our own opinions and this is mine. 

SOLACE TO A DEPRESSED HEART

Sometimes, when we get depressed, nothing seems to comfort us at all. I’ve had times where depression really hits me hard, but Alhamdulillah, I’ve grown over it ever since I heard that a true Muslim can never be depressed. How can Muslim ever be depressed when he has got Allah right by His side, ever ready to hear all his cries and answer his Duas? How can a Muslims be depressed when he knows that this world is transient and that our true abode is in Jannah where the pleasures we are promised are beyond our imagination. Jannah is such a beautiful place that has pleasures no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard and no mind can ever grasp and comprehend. Each time we are suffering from a bout of depression, just think of Allah and His Jannah, and trust me, it really helps to make you feel a lot better.

When you are depressed, just remember that there is another person somewhere in the world who is suffering a hundred times more than you. This is exactly why our Prophet Muhammad (Sal) has asked us to look at people who are not so well off as we are so that we may be thankful to Allah and not look at people who are better off than us because that is when our heart incline to being ungrateful to the numerous blessings Allah has bestowed upon us. This is exactly what Shaitan wants us to feel like, so don’t ever fall into his trap. When any thought like this ever crosses your mind, say A’oozhubillahi min as-shaitaani rajeem (I seek refuge in Allah from Shaitan-the rejected one).

I found this amazing piece on the web titled ‘To you whose eyes are loaded with tears’. I’m sure anyone depressed would find so much of solace after reading this. It made me feel so much better Alhamdulillah!

Oh  you whose mind has wandered in grief, Oh you whose eyes are loaded with tears; relax and know that your Creator aids, and that His mercy will bring you peace. And know that your reward is secure with He Who doesn’t disappoint the one who seeks to please Him. Be at peace, for after poverty comes joyous meeting, and after sleeplessness comes sound rest. O you who are oppressed in the lands, who suffer from hunger, pain, sickness and poverty, rejoice in the knowledge that you will soon be satisfied with food and that you will be happy and in good health. 

Let us make these supplications, their purpose being to eliminate hardship, anxiety and grief: 

"There is none worthy of worship except Allah, the Ever Forbearing, the Most Great. There is none worthy of worship except Allah, the Lord of the Tremendous Throne. There is none worthy of worship One Who sustains and protects all that exists, there is none worthy of worship except You, and by Your Mercy do we seek Your aid." 

"So be patient, with a good patience..." (Qur'an 70:5)

          ''After every difficulty comes ease'' (Al-Quran)

I also love these words by Umar (ral). It’s just so inspiring MashaAllah!

“No amount of guilt can change the past and no amount of worrying can change the future. Go easy on yourself for the outcome of all affairs is determined by Allah’s Decree. If something is meant to go elsewhere, it will never come your way, but if it is yours by destiny, from it you cannot flee.”

 Also remember that if Allah has willed something for you, it will reach you even if it be between a mountain and if it wasn’t meant for you, it wouldn’t reach you even if it be in between your lips.

Hopefully, those who are reading this feel better now In Sha Allah! :)

HIJAB INSPIRATION

With so many people degrading-or rather trying as hard as they can to degrade Muslim women in the Hijab, our Hijabi sisters do need a lot of encouragement and Hijab haters need to understand the wisdom behind the beauty of the Hijab. So this is one story I'd like all Hijabis, future Hijabis and everyone else to read. 

A Non-Muslim man once approached a Muslim Scholar and asked him why women in Islam had to wear the Hijab, when it seemed to be a form of subjugation and oppression to the rights of women. The Scholar, in reply to this question, took out two toffees from his pocket. He removed the covering of one toffee and threw it onto the bare ground. He then took another freshly wrapped toffee out of his pocket and threw it on the bare ground. He then picked both the toffees and offered it to the Non-Muslim and asked him to take what he wanted. This man, obviously choose the toffee that was covered.

The Scholar then asked him, ‘I offered you two toffees, both of which had fallen on the ground. Tell me why you choose this one.’ 

The man replied, ‘Because it’s covered”.

The Scholar then said, “This is why our women our covered. They are beautifully covered, and just like you chose the covered toffee, our women choose to be covered. You chose the toffee that was unsoiled and protected in its wrapper rather than the one that was open and soiled. It's the same with our women too. They respect themselves and receive their due respect too because they are covered and protected-Not open and soiled for all to see."

NOTE: I can't remember the exact wording of the story because I read it some time back. The general idea is the same though-I've just written it in my own words with a few additions. 

A FATHER'S ADVICE TO HIS DAUGHTER ON THE VALUE OF HIJAB

The Hijab has been terribly stereotyped by people as a material of oppression and female subjugation. What these Hijab and Niqab haters fail to understand is the real, unimaginable beauty and wisdom behind wearing it. There are hundreds of people eagerly waiting to throw abusive remarks at Hijabis and Niqabis, but you know what? Just don't let their opinions put you off. They don't know how precious you are and how beautiful the Hijab and Niqab really makes you. They are ignorant, and you my dear Hijabi and Niqabi sisters are walking examples of what true modesty, beauty of respect for women should truly be! Be proud of that!

I found this wonderful story about the perfect advice of a father to his daughter and why she should be wearing the Hijab. If only all of us can encourage non-Hijabi sisters this way too, because his explanation is just so beautiful. Here is it:

“If memory serves me correctly, I was wearing a little white tank top and a short black skirt. I had been raised Orthodox Muslim, so I had never before worn such revealing clothing while in my father’s presence. When we finally arrived, the chauffer escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father’s suite.

As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day. My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget.

He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Hana, everything that Allah (SWT) made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You’ve got to work hard to get to them.”

He looked at me with serious eyes. “Your body is sacred. You’re far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too.”

Source: “More Than A Hero: Muhammad Ali’s Life Lessons Through His Daughter’s Eyes.”

Those who think the Hijab and Niqab is oppressing and women who are surrendering to that ugly stereotype seriously have no idea what a precious thing they are missing. Stay strong dear sisters in Islam! I love you all for the Sake of Allah (SWT)!

A SUNNAH THAT INSPIRED A WOMAN TO ACCEPT ISLAM!

I heard a very inspiring story recently about how following a single Sunnah can change the hearts of people. Thought of sharing it with all of you in hope that one day, we can be the cause of Hidayah (Guidance) in a Non-Muslims In sha Allah and Ameen!

A Muslim woman moved into a new house of which the upper story was occupied by an old woman. This Muslim woman, on the day of her arrival, prepared some food for herself and gave a bit of it to her neighbour upstairs. This elderly woman was so touched by this act of charity that she exclaimed: My daughter lives the storey ahead of me, and not once has she ever given me anything of what she cooked. And seeing as you are not my daughter, neither my family, nor from my own religion, but a newly moved neighbour, I’m so glad of your act of kindness.

The Muslim woman then said: In my religion, our Prophet (sal) has said: ‘‘While preparing gravy for food, some water be added if necessary, to dilute the dish so that the neighbour’s need could be satisfied”.

The elderly neighbour was so astounded by the beauty of Islam, that she immediately testified & pronounced the Shahadah! Masha Allah!

We never know how much our actions, however small or big we believe it to be, can change the total perception of a person. Let others know about how a small act of Sunnah can change the hearts of others. Let your actions speak! Follow Islam & the Sunnah of Nabi (sal) in every walk of your life & your actions may be the cause of guidance in someone! Hope this story inspired all of you. May Allah make use of us to propagate His Deen, enlighten others with the beauty of Islam and be the cause of Guidance in at least one person! Aameen!