Alhamdulillah, there is a lovely new website dedicated to inspire Muslimahs towards the Niqab and please do check it out. They have some really inspirational stories and some entertaining interviews. And finally, let your friends and family know about this website and help spread the word. May Allah accept it from us! This is the link to the website:
www.niqabie.com
Assalam alaykum warahmatullah sis, how would you describe yourself in three words?
Walaykum salam warahmatullah, I hope you don't mind if I skip this question sis! It's a bit tough to describe myself... So sorry :(
So when did you start wearing the niqab?
I started wearing the Niqab when I was thirteen, Alhamdulillah. A lot of people think it's too young an age to start the Niqab, but I wouldn't have it any other way. :)
Why did you decide to wear the niqab?
My mother and older sisters were already wearing the Niqab before I started, so I guess it was only kind of natural for me to follow in their footsteps. I've always loved the Niqab and I knew that I had to wear it. Even before I started wearing it, I used to try on my mother's Niqab and see how it looked on me. In all honesty, nothing actually inspired me to wear the Niqab. I just felt that it was something I had to do. And no- I wasn't forced to wear the Niqab by anyone. Wearing the Niqab was entirely my choice and I'm immensely grateful for it, Alhamdulillah!I have been wearing the Niqab for many years now, and every time I go out wearing it, it makes me realize what a great blessing it is. I may have started wearing the Niqab for a few reasons, but over the years, I've come to realize that it's really a prestige to be emulating the Ummahatul Mu'mineen and the daughters of Prophet Muhammad Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam in the way they dressed. It's really an honour!
How was it at first?
I'll be frank- the Niqab was pretty tough at first. I found it a little bit uncomfortable but when we do something for the Sake of Allah, we have to sacrifice something and although those first few outings with the Niqab were a little difficult, I've gotten used to it now and honestly, I've becomes extremely comfortable with it. It was a blissful kind of difficulty though. I know, some of you might wonder how, but it's kind of like fasting- it is difficult, but there's a beautiful sense of satisfaction and peace in fasting for the Sake of Allah. That's exactly how the Niqab is for me. The Niqab has becomes a part of me and I'd really feel incomplete if I had to go out without it.
Have you ever taken it off and if yes why?
I have- during visits to the doctor. Thankfully, I don't go to the doctors that often, so the times I've removed the Niqab are really rare. And most doctors in my country respect the Niqab, so they don't ask me to remove it all the time unless of course, it's really necessary. Alhamdulillah!
What did your family think of the niqab?
My family were very happy with my wearing the Niqab. Like I mentioned, my mother and older sisters were Niqabis before, so my family was really supportive of the Niqab. I have a few cousins and an aunty who still think I'm too young to be wearing the Niqab, but in general, I had no problems with my family about the Niqab :)
What do hubby and baby if applicable think of your niqab?
Hmm, I'm not married so I'm not entirely sure! But usually, husbands are meant to be supportive of his wife's wearing the Niqab. It's something he should actually be happy about because his wife is covering up her beauty so only those men that matter in her life can look at her. I know a lot of girls who worry that wearing the Niqab can make it difficult when looking for marriage proposals because not all men agree with the Niqab. Personally, I think that that by wearing the Niqab you are ensured that you get only the best and most suitable spouse In Sha Allah.
What's your motivation?
There's a lot, honestly :) For one, if you do something expecting to earn the Pleasure of Allah alone, He will reward you abundantly, so that's probably my greatest motivation. Besides, wearing the Niqab helps in making you come closer to Allah, because we have chosen to please Him above pleasing anyone else, including ourselves, so hopefully my Niqab would be the cause of my attaining closeness to Allah. In Sha Allah :) With so much of corruption in the world now, where women are being exploited shamelessly, it takes strength to go beyond the norm and turn away from the lure of the fashion world, but when you wear the Niqab, it becomes a lot easier to stick to pleasing Allah. People might say that the Niqab is just an outward thing, but Wallahi, it really helps in choosing right from wrong and re-connecting with Allah in a beautiful way.
How do you deal with drama or negativity towards the niqab?
At first, when I got any insults by people because of the Niqab, I used to get really hurt and offended. But now, I generally ignore all the hate and keep reminding myself that I'm wearing the Niqab for Allah, so nothing anyone says can affect me. After all, all that matters at the end of the day is Allah's Pleasure. The advise I give to Niqabis who have to endure taunts and insults because of their wearing the Niqab is to just ignore the haters and pray that Allah inspires their hearts to the beauty of modesty one day as well. How we deal with all the negativity can really reflect on our religion, so silence is the best response.
Funniest niqab memory
This is a tough one! There is no funny Niqab memory for me, unless you count slopping ice-cream all over my Niqab or trying to drink something while travelling and flopping the entire drink all over me. I wouldn't call that a funny Niqab memory, but it certainly would have been funny for the people to see an ice-cream or food-stained Niqabi! :D
