Jilbab & Niqab - For the dear sister who asked

Posted under Uncategorized by Radiant Light

Assalamualaykum WaRahmatuAllah

This post is for the sister who asked regarding, Jilbab & Niqab.
May Allah reward you sister.

I personally would say that, jilbab and niqab are two of the most beautiful forms of covering for any woman.
In a world where the norm is that wearing almost nothing is what constitutes as beauty, hijab/niqab gives women a freedom from the slave trade of fashion.
They protect a woman from the gaze of men, and hide her beauty from those who have no right upon it.

It is upon each individual how they feel they should cover, as to observe only the hijab, or include the niqab also.

Many argue that the niqab attracts more attention to the woman, and if so is the case, why should it matter, because nothing can be seen at all anyway.

I would encourage you, to follow up on your intention sister, Ask Allah for help and go for it, as when we do things for the sake of Allah , He ultimately will help us.
When we observe the hijab and niqab our ultimate goal should be to act upon what Allah has commanded and to please Him only.

If you fear that you will be ridiculed, then please put your heart at rest dear sister as, those who cause such offence will one day have to answer to Allah as we all do, the more we persevere the more our emaan grows, and the more reward we will get Insha’Allah .
Do not take to heart if others insult or degrade you, instead be the better and make dua to Allah for their guidance.

Remember there is always some-one who will find a fault with everything, like the example of the peacock, all admired its beauty, but one said ‘what ugly feet it has’. The Prophets and great people of the past were ridiculed when they stood for what is true and right, and they were the greatest people to walk on earth.
So have Patience and persevere, keep your heart pure and Insha’Allah all good things in both worlds will come to you.

I used the following to answer your question to quote the relevant Ayah and Ahadeeth;
http://muttaqun.com/niqab.html

also please take a look at

http://www.muhajabah.com/niqab-index.htm

From the Quran:

Al-Ahzab 33:59

O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils)* all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

From the Ahadeeth.

Hadith - Bukhari 1:148

The wives of the Prophet used to go to Al-Manasi, a vast open place (near Baqia at Medina) to answer the call of nature at night. ‘Umar used to say to the Prophet “Let your wives be veiled,” but Allah ’s Apostle did not do so. One night Sauda bint Zam’a the wife of the Prophet went out at ‘Isha‘ time and she was a tall lady. ‘Umar addressed her and said, “I have recognized you, O Sauda.” He said so, as he desired eagerly that the verses of Al-Hijab (the observing of veils by the Muslim women) may be revealed. So Allah revealed the verses of “Al-Hijab” (A complete body cover excluding the eyes).

The above mentioned Ayah and Hadith, explain the necessity of women to cover themselves.
By covering it is meant a modest dress, where the shape and figure of a woman can not be seen.
As in the following Hadith;

Hadith - Abu Dawud, Narrated Dihyah ibn Khalifah al-Kalbi
The Apostle of Allah was brought some pieces of fine Egyptian linen and he gave me one and said: Divide it into two; cut one of the pieces into a shirt and give the other to your wife for veil. Then when he turned away, he said: And order your wife to wear a garment below it and not show her figure.

Firstly the injunction is to cover the bosom, this includes the hair up to the waist, then after that the clothing should still be loose in order not to show the figure of the woman.

Jilbab is the easiest method to do this, as its is a long loose cloak which covers the woman from neck to toe.

As opposed to the contrary black in colour jilbabs, all colours can be worn, as long as it is not for vanity.

As far as niqab is concerned, it is reported that the Wives of the Prophet (saw) observed niqab. Thus making it halal for women to wear.
It is not obligatory how ever as is Hijab.

So, whether agreeing that niqab is required or not, one must surely acknowledge that it is a desirous sign of piety. What better example of sunnah to follow for a muslimah than that of the Prophet and his wives RA. Every Muslimah is encouraged to cover to the fullest, showing only one or both eyes.

May Allah reward your efforts dear sister in Islam, May Allah guide you and help you follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (saw) and his wives. Ameen

May Allah (swt) forgive me for my short comings, and make me better than what others think of me.

In need of your constant duas as always.

WaAlaykumAssalam WaRahmatuAllah

PS: I deleted your comment, because I addressed what you asked :)