Wearing the niqab is certainly no easy feat. Unlike what some may think, it takes a great deal of confidence to decide to wear it and even more to keep it on.
Yet, Muslim women who wear it are met with all sorts of preconceived ideas about who they are. This can sometimes make them feel like the world is against them.
Society Against the Niqab:
In many places, the niqab is viewed with suspicion. People assume it represents oppression rather than choice.
Universities Against the Niqab:
Some educational institutions create barriers for niqabi students, making it difficult for them to study freely.
Workplaces Against the Niqab:
Women in niqab face discrimination when seeking employment, with many employers refusing to accommodate them.
Non-Muslims Against the Niqab:
Many non-Muslims misunderstand the purpose of the niqab and see it as a form of oppression rather than a spiritual commitment.
Muslim Women Against the Niqab:
Even within the Muslim community, some women criticize the niqab, seeing it as unnecessary or extreme.
Even Muslim Men Against the Niqab:
Some Muslim men discourage women from wearing the niqab, either due to personal beliefs or fear of societal backlash.
When Did the Niqab Become a Symbol of Oppression?
Society has created an image of oppression around the niqab, but history tells a different story. The great female companions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) wore it, yet they were far from oppressed.
The Female Companions: True Strength
How do we picture the female companions? Are they like movie superheroes in tight clothes, or are they like the women we see in the masjid, covered head to toe?
What truly defines freedom or oppression? Is it the clothes, or is it the strength of character?
The Legacy of the Best Women
The female companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not leave their homes without their jilbabs. Yet they were not weak or powerless.
- They were on the battlefield.
- They were educated in the masjid.
- They worked in the marketplaces.
- They were wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters.
They were known, recognized, and respected in their communities—not just by women, but by the best of men.
A Symbol of Strength
The women of Islam showed us the meaning of the Quranic verses on hijab. When they heard those ayaat, they tore their aprons and covered their faces.
So the next time you see a Muslim sister covered head to toe, think about the women who were the best of us in history. Women who learned directly from the Prophet (peace be upon him), who supported him, advised him, and followed him.
The Niqab: A Blessing, Not a Burden
The correct hijab is a blessing from Allah. It does not add or subtract anything from our lives except what Allah has decreed.
Loved this! Flipped the whole narrative. Strength, dignity, and pride — that’s the real story. 🔥
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