If a Woman Does not Wear a Burqa, Is She Bad?

Growing up in a family where the burqa was common, I witnessed a painful paradox: beautiful Islamic garments being worn alongside ugly behavior. This isn't about the niqab or burqa themselves - these are noble Islamic traditions - but about how we sometimes misuse them as measures of piety.

"They honored the outer veil but neglected the inner veil of the heart. They preserved their hijab but exposed others' faults. They wore symbols of modesty yet displayed pride in their 'perfection'."

"يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَقُولُوا قَوْلًا سَدِيدًا"

"O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak appropriate words" (Quran 33:70)

Honoring Islamic Attire While Honoring Others

Three Essential Understandings:

1. Hijab/niqab are blessed acts of worship when done for Allah
2. No Islamic practice licenses disrespecting others
3. True faith combines outer observance with inner refinement

"وَالْحِجَابُ أَعْظَمُ"

"The greatest veil is the veil of the heart" (Ibn al-Qayyim)

Quranic Guidance on Modesty

Allah commands:

"قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ"

"Tell believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity..." (24:31)

❓ Does wearing hijab make one superior?
❓ Does piety give license to judge others?
❓ Can we honor choices different from ours?

"لَّيْسَ الْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ"

"Righteousness is not turning your faces east or west..." (Quran 2:177)

The Code of Conduct for All Muslims

• Respect personal choices in Islamic practice
• Never use ibadah as a weapon against others
• Practice ghibah (backbiting) prevention as seriously as hijab
• Remember all good deeds can be nullified by bad character

"The Muslim is one from whose tongue and hand people are safe" (Bukhari)

Healing Our Community

To those who've been hurt:

🌱 Your worth isn't determined by others' opinions
🌱 Allah sees your struggles and intentions
🌱 True believers build bridges, not walls

"The greatest jihad is to beautify your character, not just your appearance"

"وَلَا تَسُبُّوا الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ فَيَسُبُّوا اللَّهَ عَدْوًا بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ"

"Do not insult those they invoke other than Allah..." (Quran 6:108)

May Allah help us honor His commands with wisdom,
And adorn our hearts before our bodies.
آمين

Author: Yasmeen Shaheen for NiqabTribe Blog