Question Summary:
Can one remove Purdah?

Question Detail:

Asalamu alaikum,

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Sister in Islam

We take note of the contents of your query.

At the outset we wish to remove some of your misconceptions.

It is Wajib (compulsory) to wear a Niqaab (face veil).  It is not only an act of virtue. One is bound to practice on a Wajib act.

If one does not practice on a Wajib act, she will be sinfull.

You also state that you do not wear the veil due to depression. We do not understand how not wearing a veil would help the depression.

You also state that living in U.K, the veil draws attention. That should not deter you from wearing a veil. There are many people that adopt unusual attire and hair style etc that also draws attention. You would observe a Buddhist wearing two pieces of orange cloth with the tikka on his forehead and freely moving around in public places. He is well aware of the attraction he causes but that does not deter him from wearing his religious attire. 

Why should you as a Muslim woman wearing a Niqaab to conceal your beauty as shame and modesty which is an accepted moral be deterred from wearing the Niqaab.

Sister, wearing the Niqaab is also a form of Dawah. Everyone is aware of the immoralities in this era and specifically in relation to social media. Immorality begins with an evil and lustful glance. That leads to extra marital affairs, rape and stealing spouses etc. People now understand the purpose of covering the face and loose garments that cover the form and shape of the body. 

Sister, a woman in Niqaab is not drawing unnecessary attention; she is actually drawing necessary attention and earns respect. If you believe that Niqaab is at least virtuous, although is Wajib, you should not discard the virtuous act of wearing a Niqaab.

We agree that the Niqaab should not be regarded as a traditional practice. We advise you to change your mind set about wearing the Niqaab and bring the courage and wear Niqaab for the pleasure of Allah. When the focus is on the pleasure of Allah, every apparent difficult task becomes easy. Istikhara cannot be done for something that is compulsory to do.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mahomed Yasser Yunus Hussen

Student Darul Iftaa
Mozambique

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.