Dear Ms. Guided

I sometimes hear or read statements made by Muslims that cause me to gasp. And though responding to such things can lead to bitter debate it is dangerous to turn a deaf ear in the hope that such misleading words will be ignored. There are just too many voices of untruth in the world today. The internet has submerged many of us into its web of info give-and-take and is now a powerful player in the spread of Islamic knowledge. It is issuing a great amount of fitnah as well. It assists not only in giving wider venue to the evils of the world in general, but also in giving a  far-reaching voice to Muslims spreading misguidance. Years ago, few of us would think we would be able to write a letter of opinion and then send copies to thousands of people. Yet, this is exactly what the internet has given us the ability and boldness to do. It is obviously a very forceful tool capable of being used for personal and Islamic benefit and, sadly, widespread harm as well. I recently read a gasp-and-grasp-your-heart letter of criticism from a purported Muslim addressing the subject of hijaab (niqaab [the face veil] to be exact) and I felt the tug of the Internet's power. I wanted to ignore the letter but my mind kept returning the writer's words to my thoughts. In truth, there are indeed many Muslims in the world who feel exactly the same way as the writer of that letter. So, although I am responding to the words of one person, I am addressing Muslims all over who hold or have ever held thoughts such as those expressed by the writer whom I shall euphemistically call "Ms. Guided".

"Ms. Guided" (who actually wrote with a man's name) wrote a letter in response to an article by a sister advocating hijaab and niqaab. The gist of the letter expressed the following: "The necessity of hijaab is questionable since the majority of Muslim women do not wear hijaab Sisters that wear niqaab are usually unattractive or are forced to do so by their husbands  Due to the impressive beauty of the women of the West there is no real competition and therefore no need for hijab Wearing the niqab perpetuates the stereotype of a Muslim woman being oppressed and causes non-Muslims to cringe and feel sorry for Muslim women. Wearing niqaab and what is deemed 'excessive' hijab is a cause of turning potential Muslims away from accepting Islam. Niqab does not belong in this culture [presumably referring to the countries of the Western world]. It is backward, medieval and very oppressive."

Dear Ms. Guided, It is a sad fact that some Muslims do indeed share your feelings. Though we have been granted the blessing of true guidance, we have become a nation of such weak inner religious fiber that we cannot uphold the responsibility that Islam places upon our shoulders. We are failing as a nation and it is our own fault. So, Ms. Guided, my guilty conscience and my concern for you as my sibling in faith as well as for all my brothers and sisters has brought me to reply to your letter. I pray that Allah, subhaanahu wa ta'aalaa, causes my words to be that of truth and allows them spread far and wide. Perhaps by facing the grievous sentences you have written we can begin to take the needed steps toward strengthening ourselves as Muslims deserving of Allah’s mercy and kindness. I am not writing to address the subject of niqaab as a requirement, as that would entail many, many pages. But I will pass on what I believe will benefit us as Muslims, and hopefully you, regarding the subject. You are right in that the discussion of veiling the face has been an issue for a long time amongst the scholars and more so by simple people like ourselves. Some, scholars and common Muslims alike, are quite convinced that it is an obligation and can provide you with the evidence from A to Z. Other Muslims are uneducated on the matter and do or do not believe or practice it based upon their own personal feelings or desires. Others choose to follow the scholar who agrees with what they want to be the truth. And still others really aren't sure and don't know what to believe. But here is a very simple conclusion to consider:  It is without question a haraam act for a woman to not wear hijaab when in the presence of those from whom she must cover herself. And it is without question a halal act for a woman to wear hijaab, which includes a full niqaab. No scholar worth his words would insinuate that hijaab is not an obligation or that wearing a niqaab is not permissible or wrong in any way.

You write, "First, I think this issue is really "moot", meaning dead. In a time when most Muslim women DO NOT even wear hijab, raising this issue really smacks of ignorance of the current times."

The error here lies in not distinguishing between actions that are correct and acceptable by Islamic standards and those which are clearly impermissible. One cannot call for changes to be made to the religion of Islam based upon the practice of those weak in faith. It is an unfortunate fact that we Muslims seem to be unable to take the good of the world, which includes some practices and products of non-Muslim societies, and leave the bad. Islamic laws and requirements are not based upon the trends and changing desires of Muslims from year to year and culture to culture. For example, salaah is performed in the same way with the same number of rak'ahs and at the same prescribed times throughout the world. Yet some  Muslims may "decide" that their active lifestyle is being hampered by salaah. This may lead them to reduce their performance of it or even stop fulfilling it altogether. Their doing so will not change the obligation nor will it make their neglect of it acceptable just because "times have changed" or because their non-Muslim employer doesn't like to see them prostrate on a prayer rug during work hours. It is a sad fact that some Muslims have such poor religious-esteem that they cannot bear to fulfil their Islamic obligations under the critical eye of the non-Muslim world. If they cannot remove themselves from such influences, at the least they should conceal their acts of disobedience rather than call for acceptance of them or criticize those who have the firmness of faith to fulfil their obligations. Your words express a disease that is spreading rampantly through the Muslim world - that of  Muslims who would rather call everyone to join them in sin rather than acknowledge their wrongfulness.

You go on to say, 'Second, this issue has always been controversial even among the greatest scholars. Most argue that the famous sahih hadith is enough (the Prophet (S) said the nothing should a woman show except for her face and hands).'  

If you do a little research on this I believe you will find that no scholar, past or present, has declared this hadeeth to be the level of 'saheeh' (authentic - although some some scholars accept the hadeeth it is considered by the vast majority of hadeeth scholars to be da'eef jiddan (very weak) containing four 'ilal (shortcomings) and thus cannot be used as an argument or basis of a sharia' ruling. - Ed). Though it is widely used as evidence of what you are claiming, particularly by scholars and followers of the Modernist Islam movement, this merely serves as evidence that such a belief is not based upon an authentic source of information. To gain a better understanding of the issue of veiling I suggest you read the three volume Arabic work titled "Awdatul Hijab". It includes an entire historical perspective as well as exhaustive research and evidence drawn from the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the teachings of our scholars of past and present.  

You write, "Third, my personal experience proves that most sisters who wear niqab are either unattractive or simply forced to wear it by their husbands. In a culture where woman walk around in their underwear, mini skirts, and are impressively very beautiful, the chances that men would look at an unattractive woman hidden behind a face mak (sic) is zero. zilt. nil. It's not as if men are gonna line up to look at her. even I believe that even if she took the hijab off, still competition is too stiff. No man would be interested in her regardless. It is VERY rare to find a really "beautiful" muhajabba, let alone one with niqab. So, the question is why even bother wear niqab? I'd understand if a "stunning" Muslim woman wears niqab. But one who is not shouldn't. if she does, she'd simply perpetuates the stereotype of the oppressed Muslim woman. The Taliban syndrome. Burqa and a face mask = oppression."  

You've made a very clarifying statement in your words, "the chances that men would look at an unattractive woman hidden behind a face mak (sic) is zero. zilt. nil." This, Ms. Guided is exactly what Muslim women want - formen to NOT look at them. What disbelieving women want and expect when the walk in public is the exact opposite. We are very different from them in our lives and in our goals. To compare us and expect us to adhere to their norms is the core of this issue. You are calling for cultural Islam of the democratic kind based upon "what pleases the people" rather than adherence to the commands of Allah, subhaanahu wa ta'aalaa. The Qur’an calls this "itibaa' al-hawaa" -following ones desires and whims, or as perhaps seems to be in the case you represent, pursuing the desires and pleasure of  non-Muslims.  

And who is more astray than one who follows his own desires without guidance from Allah? Verily Allah guides not people who are Dhaalimoon (wrongdoers, disobedient to Allah, polytheists) [Al-Qasas 50]  

If you were to follow their desires after what you have received of knowledge then you would have against Allah no protector norhelper. [Al-Baqarah 120]  

And if the truth had been in accordance with their desires, verily the heavens and the earth and whosoever therein would have been corrupted! Nay, We have brought them their reminder but they turn away from their reminder. [Al-Mu-minoon 71]  

We have made heedless of Our remembrance one who follows his own desires and whose affair (deeds) has been lost. [Al-Kahf 28]  

Exceed not the limits in your religion (by believing in something) other than the truth and do not follow the vain desires of people who went astray in times gone by and who misled many and strayed from the right path. [Al-Maa-idah 77]   As for being forced by a husband to veil, I believe you will find that the truly enlightened Muslim women of the world will obey their husbands in that which is permissible, knowing that their door to paradise lies open with the pleasure of their husbands. It would be reprehensible to criticize such an act. Though the concealment of stunning beauty would be a convincing reason for obliging the niqaab, I dare say you should widen your horizons and look deeper. Beauty is not a requirement for the wearing of hijaab or niqaab nor is there evidence for you to suggest this. If we were to consider such a narrow view of hijaab, what would become of the poor woman who is indeed unattractive and suffers because of such an attitude? She will find herself in the true world of oppression of non-believing women who struggle daily to meet the world's expectations of beauty and attractiveness. She will waste sums of money on products that promise her whatever dreams of beauty she seeks. She will worship her false gods at the altar of the mirror. And she will sacrifice much in doing so. Though attractiveness may be your measuring stick of value it is a mere piece of wood to Allah, subhaanahu wa ta'aalaa,  

And when you look at them their bodies please you and when they speak you listen to their words. They are as blocks of wood propped up. [Al-Munafiqoon 4]  

I believe you will find that attraction based upon beauty is the least valuable element for a relationship. Women who are concerned first and foremost with their beauty and maintaining it often shirk other responsibilities and obligations as women, wives, and mothers for the sake of vanity. Seldom do they show the same level of concern for their physical and emotional health or that of their daughters and even sons, as they do their own vanity. They spend tremendous amounts of time and money in struggling to achieve and maintain the ideals of beauty such as those that you hold so that they can be admired and desired. This is not the goal of a Muslim woman nor is it even a respectable desire. Indeed one of the many benefits of hijaab is served in denying people the ability to judge women based upon their physical appearances. If we were to veil and protect only the really beautiful women of the world then perhaps the attacks, abductions, and rapes being committed upon the uncovered would only involve unattractive girls and women and the elderly! That doesn't seem quite fair does it?  

You express your understanding of the sources of Islamic law in saying "Time to lift oppression on our Muslim sisters. Let them breath, for God's sake. If neither the Qur’an nor hadith imposed it on them, then nobody should try to read between the lines to justify it. Everything that is "haram" was mentioned "explicitly" either in the Qur’an or Sunnah. Everything that was not [is] not."  

This is not entirely correct. True, we are to take our knowledge from Allah and His Messenger, Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam. However, we are told also to follow the Sunnah of those who followed the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam- the righteous predecessors – as well as those who are in charge over us.  

O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those of you who are in authority. If you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination. An-Nisaa 59  

Through these channels we find guidance for the application of Islaam in our daily lives. Some things are inferred from general rulings such as the haraam nature of cigarette smoking and recreational drug use. Other things are explicitly stated such as the permissibility of taking another wife and the prohibition of eating pork. But it is when we differ, when we cannot comprehend a ruling or when a matter is unclear that we turn to our knowledgeable scholars of past and present to clarify such things – to "read between the lines" as you call it, just as Allah, subhaanahu wa ta'aalaa, and His Messenger, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, have directed us to do:  

So ask those of knowledge if you know not An-Nahl 43  

Some issues are very clear and explicit, just as you state. Others are not and many of them constitute the areas to which the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam referred in his famous hadeeth as "shubuhaat".  

"Verily the halal is clear and the haraam is clear; and in between these two are areas that are not clear (mutashaabihaat). Many people may not know whether those items are Halal or Haraam. Whosoever leaves them, he safeguards his religion and his honor ('irdhihi). He is, therefore, safe. Anyone who gets involved in any of these unclear matters, he may fall into the unlawful and the prohibited. This case is similar to the one who wished to graze his animals too close to a restricted area, so that the animals may step into that area. Indeed for every landlord there is a restricted area. Indeed the restriction of Allah is the Haraam." (Sahih Al-Bukhaari & Sahih Muslim)  

We know that avoiding the shubuhaat and adhering to that which is without question is the only way to safeguard our religion. For many sisters who have made the decision to wear the niqaab this point has been an influencing factor. If we consider the niqaab on this basis, it is seemingly closer to the truth and removes one from the question of sin. A Muslim woman who chooses to reveal her face lives in a state of question regarding the correctness of her action.  

Beyond the subject of hijaab your expressed concerns are of the oppression and mistreatment of Muslim women. Such acts of abuse cannot be denied and should be addressed and stopped wherever possible. Yet we cannot achieve this by emulating the lifestyle of the culture in which you live. That would not be a life based upon Islamic teachings but rather upon misguidance and kufr. We should correct our Islamic attitudes and behaviours by living the teachings of the Qur-aan and the Sunnah. The best example of this is in the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, who ordered his own wives to fully veil themselves and remain in their homes. Who are better adherents to the way of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam than his own Companions and those who followed them, both male and female? I believe if you acquaint yourself with these people and their lives you will be quite surprised that they practiced many things which western-cultured people might consider oppressive. Such a consideration is to be expected of societies that have ever-changing standards of right and wrong and which strive for enjoyment of this world.  

You write, "In my my own community I have seen with my own eyes how sisters are mistreated by their husbands, beaten starved, kicked out of their houses...and in one case, this Afghani guy beat his wife in a public park!!!...I know a Muslim brother who never lets his wife sit next to him in the car. She sits in the back, and his 7 year old son sits next to him. This sister wears niqaab. Regardless of the reason, this is what non-Muslim (sic) se, and this is what they judge us on. And according to you, we should not worry about how they perceive us....but the fact remains that the majority of Muslim women in so-called Islamic countries are "oppressed". In Saudi Arabia they can't vote or even drive a car. In Afghanistan, they can't even get an education. Western media did not make up these stories. They are real. And this is the only thing the West sees--in contrast, we Muslims have not suceeded in convincing them otherwise."  

You are right to be concerned and even embarrassed about acts of oppression against women. Certainly the incidents of abuse that you mention are prohibited in Islam and should be stopped. However, Muslim countries and their rulers have a right and indeed an obligation to set governmental laws and regulate certain aspects of community life that they see to be of benefit. Sometimes the laws they set apply to women particularly because they are necessary for their protection from unIslamic situations and influences. Muslim rulers will be held accountable for their actions just as they will be blameworthy for not curtailing evil in society when it presents itself. We should keep in mind though that in achieving women's rights and indeed any and all rights of Muslims we are not required to fulfill them in accordance with Western ways and standards or through un-Islamic means. Rather we should consider how such rights of Muslim women were fuliflled by the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, and his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, when he established the first Islamic state in Al-Yathrib.  

You express fear that veiling casts a bad image upon Islam's treatment of women and causes non-Muslims to turn away in disgust. But you, Ms. Guided, show your own hatred for hijaab in your words, "Tell this sister to lift the oppression from her face and live!". You are calling women to uncover their faces out of your own disgust. I fear that such an attitude may cause you to be one of those whose deeds are in vain.  

That is because they hate that which Allah has sent down [the Qur-aan and Islamic laws] so he has made their deeds fruitless. [Muhammad 9]  

Even if you do not believe in the obligation of niqaab you cannot deny that veiling was instituted by Allah very specifically upon theMothers of the Believers and very generally upon Muslim women as a whole. This is evidenced by their covering their faces even during Hajj.  

In writing about the niqaab-wearing sister giving da'wah to non-Muslims you say, "This sister claimed that 2 American women accepted Islam through her but 2 is a very small number, don't you think? How many cringed when they saw her wearing a face mask? How many thought, "God, I feel sorry for this oppressed woman?" Or, "Here comes the Taliban". Answer: Thousands, if not millions."  

Ms. Guided, are you not aware that regardless of how sincerely we try to invite others to Islam and no matter what methods we use we are unable to guide them of our own accord? It is Allah alone who guides people to Islam.  

It is not upon you their guidance but Allah guides whom He wills. [Al-Baqarah 272]  

If their aversion is hard on you, if you were able to seek a tunnel in the ground or a ladder to the sky so that you may bring them a sign, had Allah willed He could have gathered them together unto true guidance. So be not one of those who are ignorant. [Al-An'aam 35]  

And if We had willed surely We would have given every person his guidance. [As-Sajdah 13]  

I'm afraid, Ms. Guided, that your statement is actually one of critique against Allah, subhaanahu wa ta'aalaa, for guiding only two women through this niqaab-wearing sister's da'wah efforts. May Allah guide you! The sister you refer to was seemingly trying to explain that hijaab itself does not turn away those whose hearts seek the truth and have been granted the blessing of Allah’s guidance. Through Allah’s Will and His Will alone a non-Muslim may accept Islam regardless of whether it is presented by a niqaab-wearing sister or a mini-skirt wearing disobedient Muslim. The difference in the two presenters lies in the strength of their faith. Where one might impress upon an observer their commitment to their religion and how she prefers the pleasure of Allah to the pleasure of mankind the other will undoubtedly present the picture of compliance and assimilance into non-muslim cultural values and pleasure at the expense of her faith. And sadly, you seem overly concerned with what non-Muslims think and say, just as Allah says about the hypocrites:  

...and when they speak you listen to their words.[Al-Munafiqoon 4]   With the knowledge that it is Allah who turns the hearts of those who sincerely seek the truth there is truly no benefit in your concern of the reactions to a niqaab-wearing Muslimah. Rather than criticize your Muslim full hijaab-wearing sisters, support them. You would do much more good by trying to explain Islaam, including hijaab and niqaab, to those who you fear regard Muslim women to be oppressed. What's the worst thing that can happen to you in doing so? Get a reward from Allah?  

As for the idea that veiling the face is oppression, you are complaining of a cultural acceptance issue, not one of oppression. Are we to alter every aspect of Islam that other cultures consider oppressive so as to mold a new form of Islam that will satisfy their desires? It would be naive to think that if the niqaab is discarded, such cultures will be accepting and appreciative of hijaab without a face veil. Without doubt such people still consider us oppressed by our long hems, billowing garments, and headscarves. Where will it end Ms. Guided? With the abolishment of hijab? With the obliteration of any and all Islamic values that exist between and differentiating the sexes? Or maybe with our complete assimilation of Western culture? Allah, ta'aalaa, in His far-reaching wisdom, and all encompassing knowledge tells us:  

Never will the Jews or the Christians be pleased with you till you follow their religion. Say, "Verily the guidance of Allah that is the [only] guidance. And if you were to follow their desires after what you have received of knowledge then you would have against Allah neither any protector nor any helper. [Al-Baqarah 120]  

Ms. Guided, I ask you to look deeply at the self-consciousness that is shading your otherwise obvious concern for Islam and Muslims. You seem to wish to present Islam in a positive light so that it will meet the approval of certain people yet your feelings reveal a dismal reflection upon your eemaan. Your thoughts display your being caught up in a common trap - that of concern over what non-Muslims think of you and of Islam. Your Muslim sisters who, in wearing a full hijaab from head to toe, are emulating the best of women, the wives of the Prophet Muhammad (radiallahu'anhun). In saying that niqaab is "backward, medievel, and very oppressive" speaks volumes of your view of the Prophet's treatment of his own wives. To criticize this and call believing women to comply with the expectations of disbelievers is truly a sad thing. I beg Allah, subhaanahu wa ta'aalaa to grant you guidance and wisdom to see the error of your ways and beliefs. For without the guidance of Allah we would all be in a state of self-oppression from which no one can help us escape, especially not the disbelievers whom you are aiming so hard to please.  

The most likely reality is that the issues you are presenting in your letter are largely the result of a detrimental situation that is very well known - that of Muslims living in the lands of kufr. The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallaam, warned us of the danger of submerging ourselves into non-Muslim societies and living among disbelievers. He knew that being surrounded by those who do not uphold and respect Islam would be detrimental to our faith and could lead us to viewing our deen and dunya through their eyes. As a strong warning he cleared himself of any responsibility of the sins a Muslim may commit under the influence of such a residence saying, "I am innocent of every Muslim who resides among the mushrikeen." Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawzeeyah explains, "A Muslim is oppressed and despised among [the disbelievers] and even if they refrain he cannot be assured that they will not harm him or tempt him against his religion. It is a duty upon a Muslim to uphold his religion and make it known that he is of the Muslims."  

Ibn Taymeeyah commented regarding this, "Being among them and living among them, even just a little, is a cause for one to develop aspects of their morals and character...The mere act of living among them is a cause and a suspicion of one imitating them, acquiring their characteristics and morals, and their blameworthy deeds and indeed even their religious convictions and as a result one who lives among a kaafir becomes like him. As well, the external act of participation [in living and working with disbelievers] stimulates internal feelings of love, friendship, and benevolence just as internal feelings of love encourages external acts of imitation of them. Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam has forbidden a Muslim to reside among the mushrikeen if he has the ability to make hijrah away from them ... and he said "Whoever gathers among the mushrik and lives among them is one of them." ('Awn Al-Ma'bood - Vol 7 pg 338, Al-Jihaad)  

Ms. Guided, rather than criticize Muslims who are trying to adhere to Islaam wherever they maybe, perhaps the finger should be pointed to those Muslims who; due to their living among non-Muslims and under kufr influence; are failing to adhere strongly to Islamic beliefs and practices because of their satisfaction and empathy with the disbelievers and even emulation of them. Considering Muslims who do so have lost the sympathy and support of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, it seems to me they are the ones in need of correction and help.  

O you who believe! If you obey those who disbelieve they will send you back on your heels and you will turn back from faith as losers Aala 'Imraan 149  

Note: Though the niqab has a verifiable history of wear by women during the era of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, much of what is worn today as a niqab is actually a form of decoration and attraction and far from the face garment of modesty that it should be. Rather than concealing the facial beauty of a woman while allowing her freedom of vision such niqabs of decor expose much more than is necessary and when worn with eye makeup make a woman appear very attractive. Some are trimmed with lace, fringe, embroidery, sequins or other decorative attachments and are made from material so thin that the face is visible. Some scholars dislike the wearing of the niqab for this reason and at least one has issued a fatwaa against its wear in any form so as to curb the abuse of its permissibility. So it must be emphasized that the purpose of wearing niqaab may also be defeated if not worn in a certain manner.