I have been following the discussion on ‘Rethinking the Niqab in the West’ and I think we need to step back a little and refocus the discussion on the substantive point of the discussion rather than go off on tangents. In my view there are two points:
1. The wearing of the Niqab in the West; and 2. The right to wear or not.
On the first point it is absolutely clear from the Shar’iah that the Niqab evokes two (I’m leaving the shades of grey out) opinions. Some say it is fard or wajib and others say it is not. There is no way to resolve this difference and we should simply take it as a benefit and thank Allah.
Also, the obligation (or not) of the Niqab is valid whether we live in a minority community or a majority Muslim community. There really is no need for us to go round in circles over this matter.
The second point, and it is this that needs discussion and debate with the etiquette of a Muslim, is about rights. This is broken into further categories, the ‘rights’ available to Muslims to help fulfil their obligations and the rights available to all dictated by the environment and political situation around us.
In my view, there is no need for a discussion on the first, as it really does not matter, the discussion should focus on the latter point. And on this point I think we need to temper our responses with other obligations and ‘rights’ available to fulfil them. An example can be the beard amongst others.
When I think of the beard, immediately what springs to mind is how would I feel if some women were discussing whether I should ‘let the beard grow and trim the moustache’ or whether I should keep the beard and if so, should I (or indeed can I) style it etc. The message I would get is ‘this is what you should be doing or not doing’.
The second thing that comes to mind is what is driving the discussion? Is it the fear of the ‘other’ on the part of some Westerners? Is it the political or religious posturing of some Muslims or Muslim thinkers? Is it driven by opportunists, like Yasmin Alibhai-Brown and her ilk who have discovered that they are ‘Muslims’ now and not ‘black’ or ‘Asian’? Or is it driven by a dilemma that our society is facing?
Apart from the last one, all the others are irrational and agenda-driven and it is important that when we engage in discussions with them, that we are well aware of this. But for those that are facing real dilemmas and issues where the Niqab, or anything else for that matter, presents some hurdles we should be open-minded and allow for the discussion to happen and where necessary the individuals involved to adapt to their needs within the framework of the Shari’ah.
I welcome Muhammad Amin’s blog and the questions he raises for discussion. I do feel however, that some have misread him, and in some of his responses to comments – Muhammad Amin himself has confounded the matter.
I believe we should stay away from having ‘a policy’ on this matter that we seek to ‘impose’ on others, whether this policy be in a secular state like France or from an Islamic point of view or state level. Yes this does mean that if we did have a Caliphate – the Caliph will not and should not have the right to impose the Niqab or oppose it. The Islamic state has no say in this ‘right’ of individuals and how they use it to fulfil their obligations to Allah.
The choice is there for those (and it’s only for women) who are affected by it to make ,and we should do all in our power to keep the ‘choice’ alive and available rather than work towards a stated policy. It is this freedom that we should all seek to protect from an ever-growing dictatorial state that is coming in from the front door of the ‘war on terror’ and the ‘clash of civilisations’ school of thought.
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