Umrah 2011 (Part 3) - My Niqab Experience in Mecca

While in Mecca I wore the niqab (face-veil) except when I was in ihram. It was my first time and the experience gave me an insight into what it's like to be a niqabi. Granted, I wasn't as anxious about wearing niqab in Saudi Arabia than I was with the hijab in New Zealand because almost every other women wore niqab in Saudi. I felt it was important for me to wear it there for privacy, safety and health reasons (there is construction work going on in the city of Mecca and around the al-Masjid al-Haram therefore there's a lot of dust and debris). In my personal experience men in Saudi, not necessarily Saudi men because there are many foreign workers over there, are disrespectful towards women who don't wear the niqab. I'm not saying this happens to all women but it's not unusual for them to stare and leer and/or physically harass women especially when they don't see a mahram (male family member) with them. At first I thought this happened to me because these men knew I wasn't an Arab (and therefore had less respect for me? I don't know!) but after reading this I can see it's most likely that it happens to Arabs too but maybe to a lesser extent. 

I don't intend to give Mecca a disgraceful reputation by sharing this with my readers. I only want women to be fully aware of the situation in Saudi Arabia before going there to perform the Umrah or Hajj pilgrimage or to live there. I don't believe the way many things work in that country reflect the teachings of Islam and I need to say that. Non-Muslims tend to look at how a certain culture addresses a situation and then apply broadbrush strokes to the rest of the global Muslim community. For instance, an Arab Muslim doesn't necessarily behave like a Malaysian Muslim or an American Muslim. Furthermore, Muslims don't always behave according to Islamic teachings. We live in an imperfect world but if we tried to improve ourselves I am sure this world would be a better place.

So here goes my story. I must admit I felt violated by some of the things that happened to me when I was in Saudi. Men will "accidentally" bump into me and then say, "You're pretty" in Malay (many of them have learned Malay vocabulary, especially shopkeepers). Shopkeepers have openly said to my Mum, "Your daughters are beautiful" or "I'm giving you a discount because your daughters are beautiful".  I doubt this happened to niqabis so I decided I'd wear it. As I expected, I did get harassed the few times I didn't because I was in ihram (there's a hadith that says women are not allowed to cover their face when they are in the state of ihram). Men not only kept staring at me but one even physically touched me by placing his hands on my waist when I was shopping in a mall with my family. Shocked by his action I didn't know how to respond. Of course, I wanted to yell out What the hell?! but I didn't and a part of me wished that I did.

I know for a fact that there are women out there who will say, "Well it's your fault because you didn't cover your face." What happened to men who are supposed to lower their gaze? Is it not good enough that I was wearing a loose abaya and of course, a hijab? Here's another shocker: men still looked at me like I was a piece of meat even when I had the niqab on. I don't get that at all. How much more unattractive can I look? Unfortunately, some Muslim men weren't raised well enough to follow Islamic principles. I say its lack of education and lack of iman. There is no justification for the mistreatment of women in Islam. None whatsoever. They do as they please because they think they can get away with it but they forget that God knows everything that they do and what is inside their hearts and minds.

And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly, bear (on themselves) a calumny and a glaring sin.
{Surah al-Ahzab, verse 58}

I think apart from culture, personal safety is a big reason why women wear niqab in the Middle East. However, I am aware Muslim women mainly wear it for religious reasons. The Mothers of the Believers (wives of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him) covered their face in front of ajnabi men (non-mahram marriageable men).  It is understood that they did so to avoid causing  fitna (temptation) as they had the responsibility of educating Muslims and non-Muslims about Islam as they were some of the closest people to the Prophet (peace be upon him) if not the closest. It was important for men and women alike to take them seriously and not be distracted by their beauty.

O ye who believe! Enter not the Prophet's houses,- until leave is given you,- for a meal, (and then) not (so early as) to wait for its preparation: but when ye are invited, enter; and when ye have taken your meal, disperse, without seeking familiar talk. Such (behaviour) annoys the Prophet: he is ashamed to dismiss you, but Allah is not ashamed (to tell you) the truth. And when ye ask (his ladies) for anything ye want, ask them from before a screen: that makes for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs. Nor is it right for you that ye should annoy Allah's Apostle, or that ye should marry his widows after him at any time. Truly such a thing is in Allah's sight an enormity. {Surah al-Ahzab, verse 53}

There are differences in the interpretation of verses from the Holy Qur'an about whether it is obligatory or optional for all Muslim women to wear the face-veil. The majority of scholars say it was only commanded upon the wives of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassalam but not obligatory upon other Muslim women. There are Muslims who oppose this and there are Muslims who are in support of this opinion. Allah knows best.

My personal opinion after wearing the niqab for a week is that its principle lies on the individual's choice and convictions. One can only recommend what is best for the situation but it's not right to impose the niqab, or the hijab for that matter, on any woman. The most important thing is to instill iman in her and then everything else will fall into place, God-willing. Tell me, how can you teach someone to be modest if you don't inspire them to have inner modesty? The hijab and niqab, if worn for the right reasons, for example, to protect one's haya (modesty, honour and humility) and of course to please Allah subhana wa taala, has many great benefits for the Muslim woman. At the same time, if a woman wears niqab but neglects her prayers, behaves rudely, gossips and slanders others, etc. then she really needs to start asking herself why she wears niqab in the first place. Haya is more than just physical modesty. It is reflected in one's mannerisms too. It's not easy to understand and embody the concept of haya, I don't think I've grasped it perfectly myself, but it is a very beautiful thing and I'm all for the hijab and niqab if it is worn to protect one's haya. I believe nothing bad can come from possessing haya. It is the lack of haya that has negative repercussions.

I know the niqab is a very controversial issue in the West. My take on the whole debate is that if you feel strongly about wearing the niqab then you might want to consider living in a Muslim country where people are more accepting of your choice. We can't blame non-Muslims for not understanding the concept of haya and niqab. To be able to see someone's face is an important aspect of social life in  the West but not in Muslim countries, especially Saudi. At the end of the day you have to choose your battles. If I were to live in a Middle Eastern country like Saudi Arabia I would definitely wear the niqab when I go out. There's no question about it. I actually liked wearing it because it made me feel very modest in terms of my appearance. Plus, I worried less about envy and the evil eye. Although, it has proven to be no guarantee when it comes to guarding women against men. The best thing is to be sincere with God and rely on Him for protection.

"Recite Surat Al-Ikhlas and Al-Mu`awwidhatain (Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An-Nas) three times at dawn and dusk. It will suffice you in all respects."
{Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi}

"Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) used to seek refuge from the jinn as well as from the evil eye until Surah al-Falaq and an-Naas were revealed. When they were sent down, he utilised them and left other things." {Tirmidhi}