What is a Niqab? Where does it originate?

The Niqab is simply a veil that covers the wearer's face, normally leaving the eyes exposed. The ones we are talking about here are opaque and are not fashion statements! Its origins are lost in the mists of time, but it's usage grew more widespread with the expansion of Islam in the 15^th and 16^th Centuries.

Is veiling only to do with Islam?

We know that some Greek women and especially virtuous Roman women veiled their faces in public. And the same is true of the Persian Empire. So veiling as such pre-dates Islam as a form of modest concealment. But, in the three examples I have mentioned, the use of the veil was social and cultural, and had little or no religious significance.

What do you mean by the term 'Niqaabi'?

Niqaabi is just a slang term, like Hijaabi - one who wears Hijab. Or in this case, one who wears Niqab. More generally, it includes all sisters who cover their faces in public: some fully, some leaving the eyes exposed.

Are women that cover their faces different than the women that only cover their hair and not their faces?

I hope not! It is merely that our interpretation of Holy Writ differs from Sisters who do not veil themselves as we do.

Aren't we simply talking about clothing here?

Yes and No. Of course we dress differently to our sisters who do not veil their faces. But the main difference comes from the way we interpret the relevant passages from the Holy Qur'an and from Hadith. We view it as our duty to hide out faces; not for social or cultural reasons, but because it is what we believe we are told to do in the Holy Qur'an. Other sisters interpret the relevant passages from Holy Writ differently to us, so their 'clothing' will be different to that of a Niqaabi.

Is 'Hijab of the Eyes' something just done by Niqaabi and why?

Keeping one's gaze lowered is an instruction to be found in the Holy Qur'an. (Surah al Nur. 24:31) The previous verse also calls on men to do the same................... It is something that many (hopefully all) Niqaabis do but, from personal experience, it is a hard discipline to master.

I'm interested in the psyche of the one that wears the niqaab as opposed to the one that chooses not to. Do they become more religious?

I would not say that I was any more 'religious' than many of my Sisters who do not wear niqab. I do take my obligations as a muslimah seriously, but I do not think that makes me a 'better' sister than the many who chose not to veil themselves. I have non-niqaabi friends, many of whom out-strip me in piety and knowledge, and to whom I have turned for help in the past. Just wearing a niqaab and covering-up does not in any way guarantee a sister's religosity. It is what lies under the coverings that counts - what the wearer believes, how she acts, and how pure is her soul.

Do they assume a role different than the one that does not?

I would hope the role that every muslimah would aspire to would be a true servant of Almighty Allah and to eventually become a good wife and mother. So, in that, we are no different to any other well-intentioned muslimah.

Where differences do occur is in what was can NOT do. For example, I cannot go roller-blading, mountaineering or ski-ing, nor swim in public. I do not go to the theatre any more, nor to the cinema. But, for all that, I lead a full and interesting life which meets ALL my needs, both spiritual and intellectual.

Why do some muslimahs also veil their eyes?

The eyes have been described as 'the windows to the Soul' and they are very expressive. Regretfully some men see every glance by a woman as inviting, and therefore many Niqaabi conceal their eyes so as not to tempt or distract men who may see them in public.

Isn't it very hot wearing those veils and all that clothing?

The sister replied, "Ah yes, but the fires of Hell are hotter still!"

I'm having a wonderful time with my rainfall. It had been forcasted for three days in Lahore, every morning but sadly, it didn't rain today. Although few of us are happy about this, but I'm not. I love rain. It ruined our plans of meeting and going out and I am sad about that but at the same time it has done the remarkable job of lowering the temperature and cheering the moods. It hinders tranportation and general movement but atleast it doesn't make you sweat 24/7. So do not speak ill of rain.

I'm re-re-re-re-re-reading a book by Hanif Kureshi called 'The buddhist of Suburbia' and the strange thing is that everytime I read it I find it more enjoyable and humorous. If any of you think that depression and wit don't go together, you should read a few pages from any of Hanif Kureshi's novels. They will surely make you feel better about depression if not yourself. I'm also learning English calligraphy by copying alphabets from the samples I downloaded from the internet. I'm tutoring myself so I'm not expecting anything professional, obviously. But hopefully soon I'll be able to write just about everything in calligraphy, which is a step ahead from bubble writing. I calligraphied chij bachee's name on the packing material left from our washing machine and gifted it to her but I guess its not upto the mark. Because later she was asking me what she should do with it and where she should put that err...junk. She didn't actually say 'junk' but she meant it. I know. I'm good at figuring out the 'under-lying' words. Anyway, we'll improve and you'll see. I'll probably be getting paid to do peoples names, who knows! I expect people to respect me for the amazing works I'll do in future.

Some people just don't come online. You rip your insides, you drink safi, you eat almonds, you wash toilets but still no. They only come when they are getting extremely bored and have absolutely nothing else to do, only to chat for 30 minutes and then off they go with their lordly airs. While you leave your homework, skip classes, postpone just about every darn thing thats important to you to talk to them. They move on with life and you just keep raah-tekking, lol. Thats so desperately desperate! And if you're thinking that I did any of the above for someone then....you're right! I did! I do realise that its a public blog and confessions hurt but I'd feel better once its out.

Em Tiddi, I don't like you. You're a peace-of-mind-stealer! Your prank was NOT funny, it was plain brain torture. I went over and over in my mind and tried to recall almost ALL the conversations I've had with you, to see if there's something, some little word or phrase that I uttered, which was offensive and it turns out that there is none! Okay besides all the jokes, there is not one! I tell you! And you ARE stupid, ok!!

God, I feel so empty now. Nothing to whine, no one to lash out at... I guess I'll go now.
take care everyone.

P.S: Zainab, do something about your blog! Its losing popularity!