Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu!
We were interviewed by a lovely sister on this blog http://www.ssisters.com. By the way, do check out their website. It's really all about sisters!
So here's the interview:
WHAT PROMPTED THE START OF NIQAB LOVERS BLOG, TWITTER PAGE AND ETC?
The reason I joined Twitter and the reason I’m on Twitter now are totally different. I started off just out of curiosity and it was a personal account. The start of the Niqab Lovers Twitter page was abrupt- that’s the word for it. It all started off after I heard a great lecture by an Aaalim about the Niqab, it’s importance and particularly about the Niqab ban in France and how much the sisters there have to endure. Well, after I heard that lecture, I tweeted something about why people can’t deal with modesty and how they can’t force a woman to remove something she wants to wear. It was through that tweet that I met a sister from a different country and we had a long conversation about the Niqab. Through that, I got to know two other sisters and we all spoke about how we can try and raise awareness about the Niqab and how a woman ought to have the freedom of modesty. Initially, we thought of a Facebook page, but we started a Twitter account. It all happened in less than a few days I suppose, and that’s how we started on Twitter, Alhamdulillah!
As for the Niqab Lovers blog, that wasn’t our initial idea too. A Muslimah sent us a direct message through our Twitter page saying that she’d started a blog and if we have anything to say about the Niqab, to email her and she’ll put it up on her blog. Of course we agreed, but then suddenly, it hit me… Why shouldn’t we start a blog too? We just had so much to talk about the Niqab and the 140 characters on Twitter honestly isn’t enough to express our love for it. Well, the blog was faster than our Niqab Lovers Twitter page- it was all created and set up in a matter of a few hours!
SINCE YOU GUYS PROMOTE THE NIQAB, YOU CERTAINLY WEAR THE NIQAB, SO CAN YOU TELL US WHAT LED YOU TO WEARING THE NIQAB?
To be frank, nothing lead me to wear the Niqab. For me, it was something natural- something I just felt I had to wear. My mother and sisters were already wearing the Niqab before I started, and from the time I’ve known, I’ve loved the Niqab. I’d spend a whole lot of time in front of the mirror trying out my Mother’s Niqab, and when I finally decided on wearing it, I asked my parents, and they agreed. It was just as simple as that! From that day on, I’ve never looked back. The Niqab has really become part of who I am now, Alhamdulillah!
IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY, WE HAVE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE ATTEMPTING TO WEAR THE NIQAB BUT ARE CONSTANTLY TOLD IT'S NOT COMPULSORY OR NECESSARY. CAN YOU SHED A LIGHT INTO THAT SENSITIVE TOPIC?
There is a difference in opinion as to whether the Niqab is compulsory or not, but no Scholar in Islam would ever tell you that the Niqab isn’t something Islamic. Rather, even those who say the Niqab may not be compulsory agree that wearing it is much better. Plus, it’s a Sunnah, and the reward for it is great, Subhanallah! Prophet Muhammad Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam has stated that "He who clings to my Sunnah when my Ummah is corrupt, will receive the Reward of a hundred Martyrs.” (Mishkat).
Ponder over that Hadith for a moment… Wouldn’t you want that reward?
Also sisters remember this. When the Quranic verse about the Hijaab was revealed, the Sahaba women covered their faces immediately. They wasted no time in doing so, and what does this show us? It shows us that they understood the verse to mean covering the face, and while we contemplate for years on whether the Niqab is obligatory or not, the women at the time of Prophet Muhammad Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam wasted absolutely no time in following the Commands of Allah, Subhanallah!
The best example for us, Muslim women, lies in the Ummahatul Mu’mineen and if they covered their faces, what stops us from doing so too? What makes those times any different from now?
The Quranic verses about the Hijaab are clear. Read it, ponder over it and follow what’s prescribed in it:
“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)
"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)
If you want to read more about why the Niqab is important in Islam, you can read about it here:
Niqab is necessary in Islam
Is wearing the Niqab obligatory?
The bottom line is, if you want more rewards, if you want to follow a Sunnah, if you want to emulate the Ummahatul Mu’mineen and if you want to attain more closeness to Allah, wear the Niqab.
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SPREAD THE KNOWLEDGE OF NIQAB AND HIJAB?
I have probably not done enough, but with Allah’s Help, I’m trying my best. Talking about the proper Hijaab and Niqab with sisters is a touchy subject and honestly, it’s pretty tough to explain to them how we ought to be following it as it should be followed. But hopefully, through our Twitter page and our blog, we can reach out to more people In Sha Allah.
The moment we know the importance of something in Islam, it becomes our responsibility to practice and preach it to others too, so if our posts about the Hijaab and Niqab has managed to bring about a change in at least one Muslimah, our efforts are definitely not wasted, Alhamdulillah!
WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES?
Well, I’ve been called a Ninja plenty of times, but most the time, people just don’t look at my Niqab as though it’s bad thing, which is really good Alhamdulillah! Thankfully, the country I live in have a fair number of Niqaabis so seeing a woman covering her face isn’t something unusual.
I don’t know if I can call this a personal experience because this happened to my sister some time back. However I was there when the incident took place so I can relate to it. When checking our ID cards, a security officer (a non-Muslim) placed his hand over the place where my sister’s photo was printed while checking the details, so that was definitely a lovely experience. To know that there are people out there who respect our Niqaab… It’s really something great!
DOES THE NIQAB AFFECT ACADEMICS OR PROFESSIONAL LIVES? HOW WOULD YOU ADVICE YOUNG ADULTS/TEENAGERS THAT WEAR THE NIQAB TO SCHOOLS AND OFFICES?
Although a lot of people say this, I don’t think it’s fair to say that the Niqab affects the academic or professional lives of people. I think what really happens is when the academic of professional loves affects the wearing of Niqab. I know it might seem harsh to some of you, but this is where the real test it. If you’re finding it hard to cope with your academic/professional lives, it’s your decision to make. Whether you’re going to sacrifice the Niqab for anything or whether you’ll sacrifice anything for the Niqab. Allah has revealed in the Quran:
“And we have not created man and Jinn expect that they worship Me”. (Al Quran 51: 56)
Worshiping and adhering to the Commands of Allah is our foremost priority. Everything else is secondary.
For all those young Muslimahs who wear the Niqab to schools or offices, remember that so long as you strive to please Allah, Allah will protect you. Don’t you ever worry about what people will say or think about your Niqab. Remember that all that counts at the end of the day is whether or not you have pleased Allah.
AND FOR SISTERS THAT REALLY WANT TO DON THE NIQAB/HIJAB BUT DON'T HAVE TE SUPPORT FROM THEIR FAMILIES. WHAT WOULD YOU ADVISE THEM TO DO AND WHAT STEPS WOULD YOU GIVE THEM TO FOLLOW WEARING THE NIQAB WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS?
Firstly, make plenty of Du’aa to Allah. Du’aa can change anything and if you ask Allah to help you in doing something good, there’s no way He’ll let you down. It might take some persuading and it’ll definitely take time for your family to agree, but be patient and ask Allah. He is the only One who can change people and He’s the only One who can helps us when we really need help.
Secondly, let your actions speak. If your family doesn’t agree your wearing the Niqab, let them understand how much you want to do it, and through your actions, show them how much the Niqab means to you.
I know it’s tough to advice sisters who really want to wear the Niqab, and I know that it’s easy for me to simply say ‘Go ahead’. The only advice I can give is that you show your family proof that the Niqab is important in Islam, speak to them about how much you want to wear it and how much it means to you and of course, make lot and lots of Du’aa. And let me assure you, sisters, if you really want to wear the Niqab, no matter how tough it might seem, Allah WILL help you! All it takes is a little patience.
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF WEARING THE NIQAB?
There are so many pros of wearing the Niqab. I don’t know if I can list everything!
For one, the moment you wear the Niqab, it really fills you up with peace, security and tranquility. Trust me when I say that no piece of cloth can ever make you feel more liberated than the Niqab. I really find it appalling that so many people assume that the Niqab oppresses, when in fact wearing it gives you such a sense of freedom and security. Subhanallah!
A lot of people find it tough to lower their gaze, but with the Niqab it’s easy really, Alhamdulillah! Looking at non-mahrams from underneath my Niqab would be so hypocritical, and MashaAllah with Allah’s continuous Help, lowering the gaze is much easier now.
If you want to strengthen your relationship with Allah, the Niqab really helps. Trust me on that too. The reason for this is that you know deep inside of you that you’re wearing it for no one- only for Allah. You’re acknowledging the fact that you’re a slave of Allah- not of people or of fashion statement or trends. You’re letting the world know that your Niqab is something between you and Allah.
Cons of wearing the Niqab… Well I guess there’s only one- it’s tough to eat an ice cream under the Niqab! It gets all sticky and messy!
DO YOU HAVE ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS THAT YOU WANT OUR READERS TO KNOW ABOUT?
Sadly, no. Whenever I’m free, I post on the blog and although I thought of starting a Facebook page some time back, I’m afraid I don’t have the time for it now. Hopefully, Allah opens us some other way through which I can give more Dawah. The Twitter page and blog is all for now. And Alhamdulillah for that!
PARTING WORDS
It’s not all worth pleasing people at the cost of displeasing Allah. I know that the moment we grasp the reality of this fact, our Imaan will naturally be strengthened. This, first of all, is a reminder to me more than to anyone else. If you do something for the sake of Allah alone, give something for the sake of Allah alone and stay away from something for the sake of Allah alone, that’s when we will see real contentment, real peace and real satisfaction. When we do something displeasing to Allah, the guilt will keep biting at us, and we can never find peace in doing something Allah has not permitted for us. Once again, this is a reminder to myself firstly, because we need to be reminded often and we need to keep our Imaan in constant check. Each time we are tempted to sin, may Allah help us to remember this:
“The life of this world is only a (passing) enjoyment, and surely the Hereafter is the abode to settle” (Al Quran 40:39)
We make mistakes, we learn, but we don’t change. If we really want to bring about a change in us, we have to change what is in ourselves. May Allah help us all!
So here's the interview:
WHAT PROMPTED THE START OF NIQAB LOVERS BLOG, TWITTER PAGE AND ETC?
The reason I joined Twitter and the reason I’m on Twitter now are totally different. I started off just out of curiosity and it was a personal account. The start of the Niqab Lovers Twitter page was abrupt- that’s the word for it. It all started off after I heard a great lecture by an Aaalim about the Niqab, it’s importance and particularly about the Niqab ban in France and how much the sisters there have to endure. Well, after I heard that lecture, I tweeted something about why people can’t deal with modesty and how they can’t force a woman to remove something she wants to wear. It was through that tweet that I met a sister from a different country and we had a long conversation about the Niqab. Through that, I got to know two other sisters and we all spoke about how we can try and raise awareness about the Niqab and how a woman ought to have the freedom of modesty. Initially, we thought of a Facebook page, but we started a Twitter account. It all happened in less than a few days I suppose, and that’s how we started on Twitter, Alhamdulillah!
As for the Niqab Lovers blog, that wasn’t our initial idea too. A Muslimah sent us a direct message through our Twitter page saying that she’d started a blog and if we have anything to say about the Niqab, to email her and she’ll put it up on her blog. Of course we agreed, but then suddenly, it hit me… Why shouldn’t we start a blog too? We just had so much to talk about the Niqab and the 140 characters on Twitter honestly isn’t enough to express our love for it. Well, the blog was faster than our Niqab Lovers Twitter page- it was all created and set up in a matter of a few hours!
SINCE YOU GUYS PROMOTE THE NIQAB, YOU CERTAINLY WEAR THE NIQAB, SO CAN YOU TELL US WHAT LED YOU TO WEARING THE NIQAB?
To be frank, nothing lead me to wear the Niqab. For me, it was something natural- something I just felt I had to wear. My mother and sisters were already wearing the Niqab before I started, and from the time I’ve known, I’ve loved the Niqab. I’d spend a whole lot of time in front of the mirror trying out my Mother’s Niqab, and when I finally decided on wearing it, I asked my parents, and they agreed. It was just as simple as that! From that day on, I’ve never looked back. The Niqab has really become part of who I am now, Alhamdulillah!
IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY, WE HAVE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE ATTEMPTING TO WEAR THE NIQAB BUT ARE CONSTANTLY TOLD IT'S NOT COMPULSORY OR NECESSARY. CAN YOU SHED A LIGHT INTO THAT SENSITIVE TOPIC?
There is a difference in opinion as to whether the Niqab is compulsory or not, but no Scholar in Islam would ever tell you that the Niqab isn’t something Islamic. Rather, even those who say the Niqab may not be compulsory agree that wearing it is much better. Plus, it’s a Sunnah, and the reward for it is great, Subhanallah! Prophet Muhammad Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam has stated that "He who clings to my Sunnah when my Ummah is corrupt, will receive the Reward of a hundred Martyrs.” (Mishkat).
Ponder over that Hadith for a moment… Wouldn’t you want that reward?
Also sisters remember this. When the Quranic verse about the Hijaab was revealed, the Sahaba women covered their faces immediately. They wasted no time in doing so, and what does this show us? It shows us that they understood the verse to mean covering the face, and while we contemplate for years on whether the Niqab is obligatory or not, the women at the time of Prophet Muhammad Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam wasted absolutely no time in following the Commands of Allah, Subhanallah!
The best example for us, Muslim women, lies in the Ummahatul Mu’mineen and if they covered their faces, what stops us from doing so too? What makes those times any different from now?
The Quranic verses about the Hijaab are clear. Read it, ponder over it and follow what’s prescribed in it:
“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)
"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)
If you want to read more about why the Niqab is important in Islam, you can read about it here:
Niqab is necessary in Islam
Is wearing the Niqab obligatory?
The bottom line is, if you want more rewards, if you want to follow a Sunnah, if you want to emulate the Ummahatul Mu’mineen and if you want to attain more closeness to Allah, wear the Niqab.
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SPREAD THE KNOWLEDGE OF NIQAB AND HIJAB?
I have probably not done enough, but with Allah’s Help, I’m trying my best. Talking about the proper Hijaab and Niqab with sisters is a touchy subject and honestly, it’s pretty tough to explain to them how we ought to be following it as it should be followed. But hopefully, through our Twitter page and our blog, we can reach out to more people In Sha Allah.
The moment we know the importance of something in Islam, it becomes our responsibility to practice and preach it to others too, so if our posts about the Hijaab and Niqab has managed to bring about a change in at least one Muslimah, our efforts are definitely not wasted, Alhamdulillah!
WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES?
Well, I’ve been called a Ninja plenty of times, but most the time, people just don’t look at my Niqab as though it’s bad thing, which is really good Alhamdulillah! Thankfully, the country I live in have a fair number of Niqaabis so seeing a woman covering her face isn’t something unusual.
I don’t know if I can call this a personal experience because this happened to my sister some time back. However I was there when the incident took place so I can relate to it. When checking our ID cards, a security officer (a non-Muslim) placed his hand over the place where my sister’s photo was printed while checking the details, so that was definitely a lovely experience. To know that there are people out there who respect our Niqaab… It’s really something great!
DOES THE NIQAB AFFECT ACADEMICS OR PROFESSIONAL LIVES? HOW WOULD YOU ADVICE YOUNG ADULTS/TEENAGERS THAT WEAR THE NIQAB TO SCHOOLS AND OFFICES?
Although a lot of people say this, I don’t think it’s fair to say that the Niqab affects the academic or professional lives of people. I think what really happens is when the academic of professional loves affects the wearing of Niqab. I know it might seem harsh to some of you, but this is where the real test it. If you’re finding it hard to cope with your academic/professional lives, it’s your decision to make. Whether you’re going to sacrifice the Niqab for anything or whether you’ll sacrifice anything for the Niqab. Allah has revealed in the Quran:
“And we have not created man and Jinn expect that they worship Me”. (Al Quran 51: 56)
Worshiping and adhering to the Commands of Allah is our foremost priority. Everything else is secondary.
For all those young Muslimahs who wear the Niqab to schools or offices, remember that so long as you strive to please Allah, Allah will protect you. Don’t you ever worry about what people will say or think about your Niqab. Remember that all that counts at the end of the day is whether or not you have pleased Allah.
AND FOR SISTERS THAT REALLY WANT TO DON THE NIQAB/HIJAB BUT DON'T HAVE TE SUPPORT FROM THEIR FAMILIES. WHAT WOULD YOU ADVISE THEM TO DO AND WHAT STEPS WOULD YOU GIVE THEM TO FOLLOW WEARING THE NIQAB WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS?
Firstly, make plenty of Du’aa to Allah. Du’aa can change anything and if you ask Allah to help you in doing something good, there’s no way He’ll let you down. It might take some persuading and it’ll definitely take time for your family to agree, but be patient and ask Allah. He is the only One who can change people and He’s the only One who can helps us when we really need help.
Secondly, let your actions speak. If your family doesn’t agree your wearing the Niqab, let them understand how much you want to do it, and through your actions, show them how much the Niqab means to you.
I know it’s tough to advice sisters who really want to wear the Niqab, and I know that it’s easy for me to simply say ‘Go ahead’. The only advice I can give is that you show your family proof that the Niqab is important in Islam, speak to them about how much you want to wear it and how much it means to you and of course, make lot and lots of Du’aa. And let me assure you, sisters, if you really want to wear the Niqab, no matter how tough it might seem, Allah WILL help you! All it takes is a little patience.
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF WEARING THE NIQAB?
There are so many pros of wearing the Niqab. I don’t know if I can list everything!
For one, the moment you wear the Niqab, it really fills you up with peace, security and tranquility. Trust me when I say that no piece of cloth can ever make you feel more liberated than the Niqab. I really find it appalling that so many people assume that the Niqab oppresses, when in fact wearing it gives you such a sense of freedom and security. Subhanallah!
A lot of people find it tough to lower their gaze, but with the Niqab it’s easy really, Alhamdulillah! Looking at non-mahrams from underneath my Niqab would be so hypocritical, and MashaAllah with Allah’s continuous Help, lowering the gaze is much easier now.
If you want to strengthen your relationship with Allah, the Niqab really helps. Trust me on that too. The reason for this is that you know deep inside of you that you’re wearing it for no one- only for Allah. You’re acknowledging the fact that you’re a slave of Allah- not of people or of fashion statement or trends. You’re letting the world know that your Niqab is something between you and Allah.
Cons of wearing the Niqab… Well I guess there’s only one- it’s tough to eat an ice cream under the Niqab! It gets all sticky and messy!
DO YOU HAVE ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS THAT YOU WANT OUR READERS TO KNOW ABOUT?
Sadly, no. Whenever I’m free, I post on the blog and although I thought of starting a Facebook page some time back, I’m afraid I don’t have the time for it now. Hopefully, Allah opens us some other way through which I can give more Dawah. The Twitter page and blog is all for now. And Alhamdulillah for that!
PARTING WORDS
It’s not all worth pleasing people at the cost of displeasing Allah. I know that the moment we grasp the reality of this fact, our Imaan will naturally be strengthened. This, first of all, is a reminder to me more than to anyone else. If you do something for the sake of Allah alone, give something for the sake of Allah alone and stay away from something for the sake of Allah alone, that’s when we will see real contentment, real peace and real satisfaction. When we do something displeasing to Allah, the guilt will keep biting at us, and we can never find peace in doing something Allah has not permitted for us. Once again, this is a reminder to myself firstly, because we need to be reminded often and we need to keep our Imaan in constant check. Each time we are tempted to sin, may Allah help us to remember this:
“The life of this world is only a (passing) enjoyment, and surely the Hereafter is the abode to settle” (Al Quran 40:39)
We make mistakes, we learn, but we don’t change. If we really want to bring about a change in us, we have to change what is in ourselves. May Allah help us all!
Here's the link to the interview: http://www.ssisters.com/2013/05/18/interview-with-niqablovers/
Yay for being a niqaabi. Even I am one. Alhumdulillah
ReplyDeleteMasha'Allah! Congratulations <3
ReplyDeleteMasha Allah, He gives me an instinct to open your blog. I'm about to be a niqabi sooner. InsyaAllah. Pray for me that someday my parents will fully accept my dreams. Of correcting my inside and achieve mardhatillah. Insya Allah.
ReplyDeleteMashaAllah, that's great sis! May Allah make it easy on you and reward you immensely.
DeleteWhere do you buy your niqabs from? I found several websites but the ones I really like are from a website that sells from Saudi Arabia. I have a question. Can someone who wears glasses full time, wear niqabs that have the nose cord or not? There is an option on the niqab for the nose cord (which i really like) or an eye screen and i'm not sure which one to choose. I want to make sure I can wear the nose cord one even though I have glasses.
ReplyDelete