Our Problem: Covered Faces... Or Covered Hearts?

In the name of Allah. the Ever Merciful, the Especially Merciful

Note: this article is about the face veil which is worn by sisters, and as such it may seem that i have not addressed the many problems on the part of brothers. If Allah wills, these too will be addressed in the future!

The Niqab or face veil is something that many Muslim women choose to wear in front of 'non-Mahram' men, in addition to covering their bodies. Whilst i had not, until this Summer, encountered any female relative of my own who wears the Niqab, i have always had great respect for my Muslimah sisters who choose to wear it.

No Niqabi Muslimah living in London will tell you that she wears it due to it being mandatory in Islam, and certainly not because her husband forces her. Rather, the answer is always 'i choose to wear it'. In fact, there are Hijabis who have opposed their own parents for the freedom to wear the Niqab. Why then, i wonder to myself, do so many have a problem with it? And i am not referring to non Muslims. Rather my question is regarding Muslims, and particularly lovers of Ahlulbayt (as), who sometimes condemn their own sisters for wearing the Niqab in a very harsh manner.

Some months ago, in a programme with Sh. Mohammed Al-Hilli, the respected scholar mentioned the issue of the face veil. There was a comment made in response, essentially urging the Shaikh to reply in a manner that would make it appear that Islam is somehow not in favour of the face veil being worn in Western society.

i do appreciate this view. i understand that in some ways it may, as orientalist opponents of the Niqab often say, 'create more barriers' between Muslims and their non-Muslim neighbours. Indeed, taking this one step further, many Muslim women who choose not to wear the headscarf believe that even covering their heads with a scarf in public 'creates more barriers', while the need for interaction and communication has never been greater. And by the way, my own mother who observes the Islamic covering, is also of the view that the face veil is not appropriate for Western society, as are many other sisters who do observe the Islamic Hijab correctly.

My personal opinion is irrelevant. i would never enforce it on my wife or daughters. However, should they choose to wear it, i would support them in their decision inshaAllah.

My question is this: as Muslims living in Western society, what is our idea about the Islamic Hijab? Is this idea the same as that brought by the prophet Muhammad (s)? What is the purpose of the physical covering? Is it to empower women to enter confidently into society? Is it in order to allow women to mix freely in a mixed gender environment? Is it to protect women the way a gem is protected?

To be honest, i haven't yet found the answers to all these questions. But i do wonder at times whether our idea of Hijab has become very different to the original idea given to us by our Creator. Sure, women are allowed to stroll the streets, go window shopping etc so long as social and physical Hijab is observed. However, it comes down to the individual's understanding of their Creator, themselves and their purpose. This goes for both brothers and sisters, for it is our understanding and beliefs that determine our actions. i have the highest respect for the sisters who, before taking any decision, ask themselves: What would Lady Fatimah Al-Zahra (a) do?

When did Lady Fatimah Al-Zahra (a) leave her home? Is her example limited to 6th century Arabia?

With the popular trend of thought that 'we are all the same - we just cover our heads!' that has become instilled in some of our minds, asking such a question is irrelevant and absurd, as modern society is drastically different to 6th century Arabia. On the other hand, however, by those who have a spiritual understanding, it is maintained that whilst is is true that society has advanced in a material sense (more buildings, better architecture, security etc), human beings essentially remain the same. Our needs to eat, drink, sleep, marry... have these changed over time? The attraction between genders; has it decreased due to society's advancement? While encouraging material as well as spiritual progress, it is these needs that Islam addresses. For example, the need to worship is an essential need, irrespective of time or location, and as such all Muslims bow down in prayer on a daily basis, irrespective of their location or the modernity of their society. The Islamic Hijab has also come to address these essential, human needs, and as such is applicable in every age and to every society, though there may be diversity in the way of wearing the physical Hijab. It is here that Muslims disagree: is the face veil unsuited for Western society?

i posed this question to the office of one of the leading scholars of the school of Ahlulbayt (as), Ayatullah Sayyid Ali Khamenei. The last part of the response was particularly interesting.

What is the ruling regarding the face-veil being worn by a woman in front of non Mahrams? Is it permissible, recommended, allowed, discouraged or impermissible? Is the ruling different for Muslims living in the West?

In front of non-mahram men, a woman should cover her entire body except for the face (the area which is to be washed in wudu') and hands up to wrists. Unless the face and hands up to wrists are adorned, it is not obligatory to cover them, although covering them goes with caution. Regarding this ruling, there is no difference between the West and other countries.

In conclusion, i would like to say that whilst it is fine if we personally disagree with the face veil being worn in Western society, let us at least appreciate the courage that our Niqab wearing sisters possess to cover their faces, whenever they leave their homes. For sure, it is no walk in the park! Furthermore, i would like to add that Muslims who support the banning of the face veil should not be fooled into thinking that the agenda behind such decisions is national security. It isn't. Today it is the Niqab. Tomorrow it will be the headscarf. At the end of the day, if Allah has allowed something, do we have the right to disallow it? If Muslim women choose to cover their faces, should they not have the freedom to do so? It's hard enough being attacked by your enemies, but being attacked by your own brothers and sisters is something else. Something we will have to answer for on the day our records are opened.