A QUESTION FOR THOSE WHO DON'T SEE THE NIQAB AS NECESSARY IN ISLAM

There are differences in opinion as to whether Niqab is obligatory in Islam or not, so I thought of asking one small question.
Before we go further, please read these posts:

IS WEARING THE NIQAB OBLIGATORY IN ISLAM?
NIQAB IS NECESSARY IN ISLAM

Here's the question: Who understands the Qur'an better- us or the Sahabas at the time of Prophet Muhammad sallalahu alaihi wasallam? Obviously, the Sahaba understood the Qur'an much better than us. Which brings us to these 2 Qur'anic verses:

''O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks ("Jalabib") veils all over their bodies. That is most convenient that they should be known (as such) and not molested: and Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful." (Surah Al-Ahzab: 59)

“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; That they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what is apparent of it and that they should draw their veils over their bosoms.” (Surah Noor 24:31)

And this Hadith:

Narrated Safiya bint Shaiba:
‘Aisha used to say: “When (the Verse): “They should draw their veils over their necks and bosoms,” was revealed, (the ladies) cut their waist sheets at the edges and covered their faces with the cut pieces.” Volume 6, Book 60, Number 282: (Sahih Bukhari)

Aisha (RA) mentioned the women of Ansar, praised them and said good words about them. She then said: “When Surat an-Nur came down, they took the curtains, tore them and made veils from them.” [Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith No. 3577]

Now, just answer this question: if the Sahaba women covered the faces immediately after Surah Noor was revealed, what stops us? They covered their faces the moment that verse was revealed because they clearly understood that this verse implies to covering the face. If they had interpreted that verse to mean that it just implies to the Hijab (Head cover), why did they cover their faces?

Please leave a comment if you have any questions, and I'll try my best to reply it, In Sha Allah. Otherwise, you can send me an email on niqablovers@gmail.com if you want want any clarifications on this topic.

HOW MY NIQAB HAS STRENGTHENED ME

I know that a lot of people believe that wearing the Niqab is difficult. Yeah, it might be difficult, but it's a struggle and it's a kind of Jihad. As Prophet Muhammad sallalahu alaihi wasallam said:

"The best Jihad is for one to perform Jihad against his own self and against his desires."

But everything difficult gives us a valuable price, and in the case of my Niqab, it has given me not one or two, but countless blessings, Subhanallah! When I say I'm proud, blessed and honoured to be a Niqabi, Wallah I really mean it. 

We all know that lowering the gaze it tough. A lot of people have told me that it's probably easier to look at non-mahrams while wearing the Niqab, but this is not true. Staring at a non-mahram man from beneath my Niqab would make me feel like a terrible hypocrite, so MashaAllah, with Allah's Help, lowering the gaze has become a lot easier. 
(For those who are finding it difficult to lower their gaze, you might want to read our post on How Tough Is It To Lower Our Gaze)

Wearing the Niqab might seem more like an outward thing, but Subhanallah, it really affects not only our physical being, but our spiritual and mental attitude as well. The Niqab has helped me to become more independent. I know that no one's judgement will affect me but Allah's. I know that if I am able to please Him, that's victory enough!

With my Niqab, I can step outside, knowing fully well that I'm covered just the way I'm supposed to be. And knowing that I'm doing something the wives and daughters of Prophet Muhammad sallalahu alaihi wasallam and the Sahabi women did... Subhanallah! It's really a privilege. 

I can safely say that Alhamdulillah, I've a lot more courage and confidence now than ever before because my Niqab has taught me that what it is to be a real modest Muslimah. Nothing anyone thinks or says can affect me, because I know that while Niqab-haters keep claiming that the Niqab has imprisoned me, they are clearly blinded by their own imprisonment and prejudice. May Allah guide them all.

Now I can say, knowing deep in my heart that I'm a Muslimah, dependent on no one but Allah, caring for no one's words but Allah's and my beloved Prophet Muhammad sallalahu alaihi wasallam's, caring for no one's opinions but Allah's and caring for no one's pleasure but Allah's. I can safely say that I'm a Muslimah- proud, honoured and blessed!

A SHORT ADVICE FOR THOSE WHO GIVE DAWAH

In The Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
This is first a reminder to myself, and then to others.

Verily, actions are judged by their intentions

How many of us give Dawah? It has to be every single one of us, because we have all been encouraged to enjoin what is good and forbid evil. Dawah doesn’t have to be something big- not necessarily. You give some good advice to someone based on the Quran and Sunnah- that’s Dawah. When someone drinks water without being seated and you remind them if the Sunnah way of drinking water- that’s Dawah.

Dawah can be any small action through which you enjoin good and forbid evil, but the magnitude of it depends on your intention. Masha Allah, there are plenty of Islamic Dawah pages on Twitter, Facebook and on blogs, etc, but not everyone has the audience they need. Sisters and brothers, please remember this- Dawah isn’t about the audience you have. It’s about how you affect the audience you have.

We have to have sincerity in whatever we do, and even the smallest action can become significant due to our intention and the greatest action can become small in the Sight of Allah due to our intentions. Whatever it is, at the end of the day, all that matters is what you have done for the sake of Allah.

I agree- purifying our intentions may not always be that easy. For example, on Twitter and Facebook, its natural that when we post something, we’d like to have a lot of retweets, likes, shares, etc. But if this is our intention, our Dawah is pointless. Its absolutely pointless and it would hold no value in the Sight of Allah whatsoever. Remember that.

Before doing something, while doing it and even after doing an action, make sure that it’s only for Allah’s Sake. Even if we have only a 100 FB likes or followers, make sure that when you post something beneficial, purify your intention. Keep telling yourself “I’m doing this for Allah, no one else”. Do this, and trust me, Allah will reward you upon your intention.

Please watch this small video. Its less than 1 1/2 minutes, and its extremely beneficial, especially for all those who give Dawah. Do watch it for the sake of Allah.

You see, you don’t have to have a whole lot of people. Say for example, you have about 10 followers on Twitter or a few friends on Facebook and you post something like “Say Subhanallah, and get a tree planted for you in Jannah. Who can spare 2 second to say Subhanallah?” wouldn't at least one out of your 10 followers/friends say it? And if they do, wouldn’t you get rewarded for it as well? 

Prophet Muhammad sallalahu alaihi wasallam said "One who direct towards good is rewarded equal to the doer of good" [Sahih Muslim]

Brothers and sisters, its virtually pointless if you have 10000 Twitter followers and Facebook likes if your motive behind posting is for gaining like or retweets. For the sake of Allah, please purify your intentions. Only that will matter.

So now, In Sha Allah, why don’t you go and post something beneficial on Twitter or Facebook ONLY FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH? Trust me, you’ll feel so good about yourself for the purity of your intention.

And finally, don’t ever belittle any small word of encouragement and Dawah. If your intentions are pure, you have no idea how many people your Dawah will affect!