From the Diary of an Extremist
April 2, 2009 by Guest Authors
Filed under Relationships
Umm Zakiyyah
“Go back to your country! We don’t want you here!”
The words still echoed in my mind as I crossed through the carpeted lobby of the Student Union building. Students sat in huddles on the floor, others sat lazily on the arms of couches, occasionally laughing at something someone said. When I walked by, the voices quieted suddenly. Like needles pricking me all over, I felt their eyes following me.
But no one said anything.
I held my breath until I rounded the corner where there was a staircase leading to the second level. I didn’t like taking the elevator. It was too uncomfortable. I never knew who’d end up riding the short ascension with me. Besides, thirty steps never killed anyone.
At least I hadn’t heard of it if it had.
When I pulled open the heavy door, I heard a burst of laughter from the lobby that was so distinct from the earlier banter that I knew that I had, again, been the butt of a joke.
I sighed, letting my footfalls on the steps distract me from the pounding in my chest. My face burned and I wondered how long I could hold up. I had been wearing niqaab for eight months, but I was still adjusting to life in the face veil.
No one told me it’d be like this. Yes, Neveen had warned me people wouldn’t like it, but I mean, this? O my God. Do these people have a life? I thought. All I do is dress how I want—which is what I thought my American nationality gave me right to—and I don’t have a day of peace in my life. If it wasn’t one thing, it was another.
“Are you a terrorist?” a woman asked me last week at the mall. When I turned around all prepared with my sarcastic reply, I saw her eyes widened and her jaw dropped in a stupor, as if she really, I mean really, expected an answer. If I hadn’t been so irritated, I would have laughed.The first response that came to my mind was, Well, if you really thought I was, would you feel comfortable coming up and asking me? But I just smiled—not that she’d benefit from that gesture since my niqaab concealed my face—and said politely, “No, ma’am. I’m a Muslim.” I paused until her mouth opened wider as she got over the fact that I could actually speak—and in perfect English, no doubt. “And you should be Muslim too.”
At that, I had walked away, my heart pounding in my chest, seething at the ignorance—and audacity—of people.
Presently, my heart softened as I saw the MSA room ahead of me. It looked so official, the name plate on the door: “Muslim Student Association.”
I let out a breath of relief as I pulled open the door. The soft sound of Qur’an wafted from the speakers in the corner of the room, and my eyes welled at the beautiful recitation of Surah Ar-Rahmaan—the Qur’anic chapter entitled “The Most Gracious.”
The room smelled of sweet incense and I breathed in the scent of home. I took a seat at the table and glanced around. There was no sign of Amira—the MSA vice president. I checked my watch. It was 11:31. I was only a minute late. Hopefully, she hadn’t forgotten about me.
I flipped up my face veil before removing my notebook from my bag and opening it to review my notes in preparation for the meeting. My heart beat had slowed to a comfortable rhythm, but for some reason I was a bit nervous. The last time I’d met with the MSA officially was the year before, when I was vice president myself. Then, Amira had been the secretary, and we met at least twice a week to brainstorm ideas for the organization.
I looked over my list of concerns and suggestions:
o Movie Night (concern)
o Potluck Night, one for men, one for women (suggestion)
o Music during social events (concern)
o Nasheeds played instead (suggestion)
I frowned. It was much shorter than my original list. But I trusted Neveen more than myself, so I had taken her advice and chose brevity over venting. It was hard not to vent though. Sometimes I felt as if my jilbaab and niqaab were not only a barrier between me and non-Muslims, but a barrier between me and other Muslims. It just didn’t seem fair. I had expected to be voted out of my vice president position, but I hadn’t expected to feel like an outsider in the MSA itself. This, Neveen hadn’t warned me about.
“Don’t expect too much,” she had told me earlier that morning. “People aren’t really open to these types of changes.”
“I think they’ll be open,” I told her. I had always been somewhat of an optimist. “Besides, if anyone can convince them, I can. Amira and I were best friends. She’s the one who—”
“I know, Latifah. I just don’t want you to get your hopes up. I know Amira’s really sweet, but you have to realize that you’ve changed and—”
“I haven’t changed,” I said, a bit offended. “I’m the same person. All I did was put on a jilbaab and niqaab.”
“But that’s not how they see it. To them, you’re a…” She averted her gaze and looked out the window momentarily as she searched for the word.
“A what?”
Sighing, she met my gaze. “Extremist.”
I felt my face grow hot in anger. “An extremist?” I narrowed my eyes. “Neveen, how could you even think something like that? These people are like family to me. Yes, we have our disagreements, but I love Amira like a sister. She’s the one who taught me about Islam. And the MSA is the closest thing I have to a family. I don’t care what differences we have, I’ll always love them for giving me a home when my parents turned their backs on me after I became Muslim.” My eyes had begun to water as I reflected on how much these people meant to me. “They’re all I have, and whatever they say or do, I’ll stick by them, because they’re my brothers and sisters in Islam. We all have mistakes. I don’t think it’s fair to accuse them of something like that.”
She shrugged. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Maybe I’m overreacting.”
“Yes, you are,” I said, still a bit angry at her comment. “Now tell me what you think I should say at the meeting.”
Presently, the door to the MSA room opened and Amira entered. She smiled and walked over to me, extending her hand as she greeted me. “As-salaamu’alaikum. I’m sorry I’m late. My meeting with Rahim went longer than I expected.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had another meeting.”
Without responding, she took a seat across from me and set down the clipboard she was holding. I was only half aware of the document and fifty-dollar bill attached to the clipboard.
“Okay,” she said, letting out a sigh. “Let’s just get started. I don’t want to take too much of your time. First, I’ll let you explain why you—”
“Let me turn off the Qur’an first,” I said, getting up and walking over to the CD player and pressing the off button. When I returned to my seat, I saw that Amira looked a bit agitated, but I didn’t know why.
“Like I said,” she began again. “I’ll let you start first, then I’ll tell you what conclusions we’ve come to.”
I didn’t understand her last comment, seeing as though I had called the meeting and hadn’t yet told her my concerns. How then could she and Rahim have come to any conclusions?
Not wanting to get distracted, I told her my concerns, all the while hearing Neveen in my head telling me to be calm, diplomatic, and kind in my words.
When I finished, I exhaled, realizing just then how nervous I was.
“Okay, Latifah. Let me just be honest with you.” Amira leaned forward on her elbows with her hands clasped. “We were very upset that you didn’t tell us you were coming to movie night a couple of weeks ago. I mean, you’ve never come before, and then all of a sudden, you show up?
You could’ve called to tell Rahim, or me at least.”
I creased my forehead in confusion. “Tell you? But…”
“Honestly, I feel like all you do is come to things to sabotage them. You never have anything good to say. And you made everyone feel really uncomfortable that night.”
She narrowed her eyes, hurt. “Did you even realize that we had invited the dean to that event?”
I felt myself growing defensive. “But I didn’t even say anything there. I just sat in the back and watched the movie.”
“That’s the point, Latifah. You didn’t say anything. You just sat back and watched. And everyone else interacted, talked, laughed, and tried to enjoy themselves.” She shook her head. “I thought you didn’t watch movies anymore.”
I didn’t know what to say. “I don’t. It’s just that it was a Black History Month program, and the movie…” I lost my train of thought for a second.
“Something the Lord Made,” she said in a flat tone, staring at me unblinking.
“Yeah, I’ve seen it before, and I knew it was clean, so I thought—”
“You thought. What about what we thought? How do you think it feels to have the dean sitting there with his wife enjoying the evening, and then walks in some, some…” She wrinkled her nose. “…some terrorist for all they know. I mean, you don’t even have the decency to put on something presentable. It’s always the same thing, that ugly black sheet. God, Latifah, last year you had such a sense of style. You wore colors, bright colors.” Her nose flared. “And now,” she contorted her face even more, “this.”
I was so stunned at her words that I was only vaguely aware of the tears gathering in Amira’s eyes.
“I don’t know what is going on with you, but you can’t keep this up. I’m scared for you.”
“But…” I stammered, feeling my face go hot and tears burning my eyes. “What does this have to do with anything? We’ve always had meetings on being diverse, even trying to find ways to make non-practicing Muslims feel welcome. I don’t understand what—”
“Of course you don’t understand, Latifah. You’ve been brainwashed. And I hope to God that you wake up soon.”
“Brainwashed?”
“Yes. Wearing that stupid mask on your face, looking like a ninja. And then all of a sudden, music is haraam, movies are haraam, and talking to men is haraam. I really don’t—”
“What? I can’t believe what you’re saying, Amira. All I suggested is that we try to be more sensitive to other people and more mindful of intermingling in our social gath—”
“There you go again. ‘Intermingling.’” She shook her head.
“I have things to do,” she said before I could respond, “so let me just get to the point.”
I felt as if my face was on fire. I didn’t know what to say. This was surreal. She couldn’t be serious. I mean, even if she listened to music and watched R-rated movies herself, certainly she realized that there were hundreds of other Muslims who didn’t. And my jilbaab was a problem now? O my God. I didn’t know what to say. All I was doing was obeying what Allah said in the Qur’an and dressing as the female companions of the Prophet, sallallaahu’alayhi wa sallam, had dressed. Even if Amira didn’t want to dress as they had, what was so wrong with my doing it?
“Here.”
I looked up to find Amira standing, the clipboard under one arm, and the fifty-dollar bill in her other hand outstretched toward me.
I gathered my eyebrows. “What’s that for?”
“You.”
I still didn’t get it.
“It’s a refund for your MSA dues.”
“Wh-wh…?”
“Yes, Latifah, a refund. You heard me right. I already spoke to the dean of the school, and he agreed that this is the only way to solve the problem. It’s already official. We’ve revoked your membership.”
I was speechless as I stared at her.
When I didn’t accept the bill, she let it drop to the table.
“When you get past this crazy phase,” she said, “I’m here. It’s just that right now, we can’t risk having extremists in the MSA. It’s bad for da’wah. And, honestly, it’s bad for us.”
At that, she walked away, opened the door, and let it close behind her; and I was left in the silence of the room. But now, I didn’t even have the Qur’an to comfort me.
Right then, in my mind there was the faint echo of the women’s words from earlier that day, and at that moment, they took on an entirely new meaning. “Go back to your country! We don’t want you here!”
Umm Zakiyyah is the internationally acclaimed author of the novels If I Should Speak, A Voice, Footsteps, and Realities of Submission.
(c) Copyright 2009 by Al-Walaa Publications. All Rights Reserved.
Image: reway2007
(8 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Assalaamu aleykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
This is really, really good, masha’Allah. I remember before I reverted, my friend Linsey, who reverted about six months before I did and lives in Canada, mentioned that Muslims she spent time around treated her as if she was an extremist for praying on time even when they were at the mall or out somewhere. I have similar feelings around our MSA here – I don’t wear niqab often (yet, insha’Allah), but I wear the abaya often and dress more conservatively than most of the sisters. When I first got involved with MSA (shortly after converting to Islam) one of the longtime sisters came up to me and said in this whisper, like I might explode if she spoke too loudly, “Maybe you shouldn’t wear so much black.” It does make me uncomfortable around other Muslims, especially because there’s a whole set of assumptions that come with it – for example, if you wear niqab or even jilbab, you must be ultra-conservative or an “extremist” when it comes to other “rules,” too, whereas for me, I tend to be pretty conservative with hijab but I have different experiences and feelings about all the “rules” – it’s not like if you put a niqab on you must automatically believe you can never speak in front of non-mahram men and that all disbelievers should be shot on sight. And the “it’s bad for da’wah” argument always gets me. I’ve seen scholars say things like that before as well, about not dressing so that we get ostracized from the non-Muslims around where we live. I don’t believe wearing niqab makes one automatically bad at da’wah – I’ve had great conversations with non-Muslims while wearing it. At the same time, dressing how we feel best before Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala and in our daily lives is more important. It’s not that da’wah isn’t, but I don’t believe they have to be mutually exclusive.
Asalaamu alaikum. May Allah make it easy for our sisters and surround them with pious companions.
Assalaamu alaikum wa rahamtullah,
Jazakillah khair for the article and may Allah make it easy for all those striving upon His path for His sake.
SubhanAllah walhumdulillah… I’ve had it really easy with my niqaab.
But, yes, the negative responses received from Muslims are always the most hurtful if not the most negative. But, alhumdulillah, as long as Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala accepts.
May Allah accept all our deeds from us and forgive us our short comings.
Just to add to the dawah point… I’ve personally given dawah with niqaab and didn’t it find it much different from dawah without niqaab…possibly more productive.
What is really effective with niqaab, though, is “indirect” dawah. Acts of kindness and politeness are noticed more. If someone opens a door for you, it’s a nice gesture, but if it happens to be someone wearing all black, face covered by veil, whom you would normally be “repulsed by” or “afraid of”, you’re bound to notice it and remember it because it goes against your expectations.The same person says “good day” as they pass you by and you can hear the smile in their voice, you’re left with a warm feeling and a positive association with that veil. waAllahu ta’ala aalim.
Again, dawah depends on the person… unrefined character in a Muslim who doesn’t happen to wear the veil is also “bad for dawah”.
wa Allahu ta’ala aalim.
Salaam alaykum sister Latifah,
Please be patient with their ignorance. I used to be like one of them in my first years of college, and believe it or not, I really didn’t know that many Muslims wore hijaab, let alone niqaab.
Please read this, and I hope it offers some consolation, insha’Allah:
http://muslimmatters.org/2008/04/17/lessons-from-ignorance-part-1/
Siraaj
Salaam
I’m really so surprised at how this sister was treated by fellow Muslims. Although, I wear jilbab, and initially found it slightly difficult because even Muslims treat you differently, thinking you’ve suddenly become really strict or conservative. But I think what was particularly helpful for me was that there are quite a lot of Muslims at my university, and my Islamic Society (UK version of MSA) and the sisters active in it really encouraged me and guided me when I had doubts or questions (rather than tell me I was giving them a bad rep by wearing it!)
It must have been so tough to wear niqab in an environment like that, may Allah give us strength and make it easy for us all.
(Also, I agree with Umm_Eesa, i’ve seen that niqaabis can give the best dawah with kind gestures.)
Salaamu ‘alikum,
I wear hijab/ jilbab and did throughout most of high school too. In high school I was president of my MSA for a while and for the time I wasn’t, I kept telling the leaders to have events separate, etc. That is of course noble and the right thing to do, but at the end of the day, I felt like the priority of my da’wah (bringing it back to Tawheed, inculcating eeman and taqwa and love / fear / hope of Allah in peoples’ hearts) was missed.
I have a similar friend who was president of her MSA and emphasized gender segregation so much that it basically scared people from MSA (I’m not saying it’s right – but it’s a fact). I guess in MSA, if you are welcoming you can attract a lot of non-practicing Muslims who usually wouldn’t come in the first place. They pray, meet other Muslims, come closer to Allah (swt), etc…. and I think this needs to be kept in mind.
But also, you shouldn’t gear the da’wah so much on that side of the spectrum so as to isolate the practicing Muslims who want to wear proper hijab and niqab.
I think the author did a good job of portraying how a sister may feel when she decides to follow the Qur’an and Sunnah as much as possible and others are hostile towards that. That’s how I felt in high school and still feel in college/ uni at times when others take things like music, gender mixing, etc. easy.
I always wonder though: WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GIVE NASEEHA??? I have still not answered this question and seriously need help. I always fear that I will come off ‘too strong’ and discourage the others from being involved in MSA / good things they are doing in the first place. But then I don’t ‘forbid the evil’ since I’m so afraid to turn them away / be rude so it’s an issue I struggle with.
UmmZakiyyah and others, what are your *practical* tips for turning around this problem / MSA culture?
JizakumAllaahu khayr.
Wa’alaiku mus salaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh,
JazaakumAllaahukhairan wa BarakAllaahufeekum for your supportive words and positive feedback on my short story.
This is a fictional piece, but it does depict some of my experiences with Muslims outside of the college/MSA context. For me, it is most disheartening when Muslims ostracize Muslims who practice Islam according to how the Companions understood it, yet they are open arms to non-Muslims and non-practicing Muslims. So often we hear of how we need to include people who don’t pray or cover or fast, etc., which is true; however, it isn’t often we hear of how to include those who already do these things.
For many Muslims, I think “strict” Muslims make us uncomfortable b/c their presence reminds us of our own faults, or it highlights the possibility that we ourselves need to learn or practice more, and this makes us very, very unwilling to have them around.
Yes, ignorance is definitely a factor, but if I’m honest with myself concerning the time period before I studied Islam for myself (I was born to Muslim converts), it was much more than ignorance that led me to view the “strict” Muslims with scorn. There are at least three other factors I believe played a role in my attitude: insecurity, pride, and envy. Oftentimes, these factors are more pervasive than ignorance itself…although I usually blamed the “strict” Muslims for my discomfort around them.
Practically speaking, UkhtShabaab, I think the most important things are firstly sincerity, meaning constantly turning to Allah in du’aa and asking His guidance on how you can be more active, included, and helpful. Secondly, we must have lots and lots of patience with others, even if it’s apparent that their mistreatment is not due to merely ignorance. Thirdly, you must be an example while being an active part of MSA. It’s best if there is more than one person on your side. Some things you can do include:
Always be present at meetings.
Support all good efforts by the MSA.
Come up with and implement activities, even if you plan something yourself and invite others to it (like a sisters’ dinner at your room/apartment to have open discussion).
The key is don’t give up and don’t get frustrated, especially if the MSA comprises all the Muslims in your social circle.
As for naseehah, I think meeting privately with more rational MSA officers/members, wisely bringing up concerns at meetings, writing heartfelt letters outlining concerns, being supportive of their good efforts, and always having a good attitude/character when you speak, as well as being a good listener, help tremendously. And Allaahu’alam.
May Allah forgive us, give us beneficial knowledge, and give us hikmah and rahmah in our dealings with our brothers and sisters, both the “struggling” and the “strict” amongst us.
your sister in Islam,
Umm Zakiyyah
Beautiful piece, even if it was fictional. Because in some places, it actually rings true. And you’re definitely right on when saying,
“For many Muslims, I think “strict” Muslims make us uncomfortable b/c their presence reminds us of our own faults, or it highlights the possibility that we ourselves need to learn or practice more, and this makes us very, very unwilling to have them around.”
Whenever we do something wrong, and someone makes note of it, some of us are too proud to admit our faults, and so we get defensive.
You provided great advice for what to do in these situations. And we must always remember, that whatever we do, we must do it for the sake of Allah and always try to purify our intentions. And don’t sacrifice your beliefs to make others happy, because once your intentions change, you won’t be successful and you won’t be happy unless you do everything for the sake of Allah.
And Allah knows best. May He guide us all.
It isn’t just envy that causes people to react this way. There is a reality that some sisters who choose to cover more – from abaya/jilbab to covering the face do think they are better. Many won’t salaam a non-niqabi sister or lecture people constantly on why they are doing it wrong. There are some that push for the strictest interpretations of faith – which limit thier own freedom of movement and impose it on others. I know a sister locally, who is never without a jilbab (not a problem of course) who for years chastised anyone who didn’t dress like her or restrict themselves as she did. I think it is dealing with folks like that which leads to an assumption that the niqabi sister is only out to rain on their parade. Particularly in an MSA setting – you want to reach a larger audience – and no, you shouldn’t compromise your Islamic values but if you take it to the furthest extremes of “appropriate” your message will be lost. PLus it isn’t representative mos of the time. Even within Muslim gatherings, I have seen whole groups of people leave when we went from a normal segregated environment where no one mixed to a hyper-segregated one which turned people off so they left. How will that help reach non-Muslims? Our MSA has some very strict male members (men whose wives are never seen outside the home – so the sisters aren’t members of course) to members that are co-habitating with their lover and go out partying on the weekends. It takes all kinds. Ultimately there should be room for all.
Thanks Afifa for sharing your comments.
There are definitely those out there who appear to push their lifestyle on others. However, this can never be an excuse to mistreat anyone who looks like them. This blanket generalization and justification for mistreatment is actually the essence of extremism itself. This is where racism is born, as well as oppression of others: If I have a bad experience with a person from a certain country or of a certain skin color, they all have to “pay”; thus, I myself become an extremist and an oppressor…in the name of avoiding extremism and oppression.
In reality, both presently and historically, it is those who practice religion more “strictly” who suffer most from the intolerance of others. The oppression of the Companions in the past and the current suffering of Muslims who are unjustly treated and incarcerated speak for themselves. There are also societies and universities that forbid the Islamic covering, the headscarf as well as the niqaab. You do not find such restrictions on “non-practicing” Muslims. Thus, I am amazed that the stereotype of extremism isn’t actually the other way around: Those who don’t cover or practice Islam “strictly” are “extremists”. Of course, neither stereotype is correct, but I find this current stereotype very ironic.
My experience too has been that the great majority of sisters who cover as the female Companions did do not “lecture others constantly” or “chastise” others. They simply walk in the room and people assume they are “judging” others. They simply share their understanding of hijaab (as all the other sisters are doing) and they are “chastising” or “lecturing” others. They can smile, speak kindly, even say they realize there are different opinions, and they (ironically) still are accused of thinking they’re better or of “chatising” others. Thus, they are the ones who are in actuality judged harshly and chastised, hence the common experience of Latifah in the story.
In the end, yes, some situations are not based on envy as you say. And I agree. However, regardless of whether or not envy is involved, the treatment of those like Latifah are far more common than the “judgment” and “chastisement” of others coming from those like her. In most cases, the judgment and chastisement is imagined, and is rooted in the spiritual insecurity of the observer. However, there does exist an insignificant minority of people who fit the stereotype [I myself discussed this minority in detail in my latest novel "Realities of Submission"]. Nevertheless, the reality is that there is a greater lack of tolerance and “chastisement”, among Muslims and non-Muslims, for those who practice Islam as Latifah does, than the other way around.
SubhanAllah, this was amazing. Jazaaki Allahu khayran Umm Zakiyyah. I have felt like and have been treated like Latifah before, but alhamdulillah for family and righteous companions who assist you in khayr.
I just wanted to say that I absolutely love your writings mashaAllah, may Allah bless you in it and increase you in it, and that we miss you at Dar us Salaam
Assalamualaikum,
Mashallah, another excellent peice of writing! I have to get your books sis Um Zakiyah.
I agree with sis Um_eesa that a well-mannered, polite niqaabi is great dawah.
As salaamu alaiykum,
Wonderful piece. MashaAllah!
I’ve been on both sides of the table with this issue.
I must say, it is much easier to give dawah to my children! *smiles* I commend those of us who struggle to maintain balance while giving dawah to both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
asalamu alaikum. I really love ALL your novels umm zakiyyah and i loved this short story too! i read all of your novels and wish more!! it would be so cool if you finished this diary! please i want to know more about you .. if you can have a spare email or something we can talk! my name is laila
asalamu alaikum.
Assalaamualaikum warahmatullah
I really enoyed reading the story and cant wait to read the rest. I love all yor novels and I am waiting for the next book. I never so such a good writer. I am trying to be one one day. I think giving dawah is a challenging job and needs a lot of patience(صبر). I am doing dawah now and pray for me. I always wanted to be a daiyah. I am asking all of my sisters to make duaa for me. I love you all.
…give glad tidings to the strangers
actually although the Niqab in Islam exists, but it was only for the wife’s of our prophet not any women just wear it… unless she is so beautiful to seduce other men with her beauty..
but it’s not the point, the point is sadly the media now photograph that any muslim wearing the niqab is a terrorist… and so everyone is afraid from dealing with them.. and youth just make jokes..
i myself was walking in the streets in a small town in Sweden, and found a women wearing the Niqab, it was the first time for me to see a muslim so what about that… later girls were talking and they said when this women walk around the mall she creeps everyone inside… even babies cry…
Look my dear.. i’m no saying to take it off.. but i see that it’s not that essential… not that necessary… Hijab is also good way to show that u r muslim.. i agree with u when it comes to other things regarding movies and stuff like this…
but sometimes u have to look around and take into consideration the world around u and how they will understand such act from u and react to it….
Feelings. It does not matter if they are irrational or baseless. Some people feel uneasy, nervious, scared. Should they – no. Do they – yes. Be aware of the feelings you create in others especially when you are going against the norms of society.
Alsalamu- 3alukm,,
I hope that things will be easier for you Inshallah…I just started wearing the niqab four days ago actually and 7amdiallah its been GREAT!!, though the first day i was so nervous when i went to campus but than I did iztghfar and I straighned my shoulders and walked proudly. when i first entered the building, i saw bunch of students sitting outside waiting to enter the class, and my class was on the side where they were sitting so i walked the oppsite direction , then i thought to my self, look at all these girls wearing shorts and tank-tops because they choose to wear this, and I choose to waer the Niqab because i choose it after taking into consideration what the quran and Mohammed SAW said. I love wearing Niqab, i think its beautiful………may allah direct me in the right path and help all the sisters that are struggling and make their faith stronger. BE proud of Niqab
oh and the MSA, subhan-Allah.. i have no comment but if they actually did this to you, than why do they even consider them-selves good musliums who are trying to give da3waha?????????
i havent been to the misjid yet but i did receive an email from one good freind congratliting me, but tomo is friday and i usually go to the lectures on friday night so inshallah i wouldnt be judged by comments like” you dont have to wear it, your in America OMG?”
btw, on my second day of wearing the niqab, after i parked my car in the garage, a muslium sister actually parked next to me, subhan-Allah and we both got out of our car the same time, and we know each other,, so i was like
Salam 3alukm,, she didnt recognize my voice,
its me Rahma,
Who?
Rahma,
oh…..really, when did u wear the niqab? you kno you dont have too
i started to smile,,,, but i do,,i wanted too.
ok see you around
….
subhan allah, she didnt have the guts to walk with me and both of our classes were next to each other wallahi..
i felt so bad because shes muslim, and wearing the Hijab. its not even conservative clothing but inshallah may allah direct her to the right path…
but i do see your point of how we musliums can discourage each other but trust me, ther is still good peopel out there who will support you….
i just wanted to share this with the sisters here…
Im new with Niqab… but i want to keep it on…