A Dialogue with a mutabarrijah

[Common Excuses for Abandoning the Ḥijāb — and Their Replies] ✍🏻 The mutabarrijah says: “I love Allāh, and that is enough.” We reply: Our Lord, Blessed and Exalted, said: “Say: If you truly love Allāh, then follow me (i.e. The Prophet ﷺ); Allāh will love you.” 🌹 ✍🏻 She says: “Religion is ease.” We reply: The veil itself is ease. It is not difficult to place a piece of cloth upon yourself. It does not prevent your breathing so that you suffocate! Allāh says: “Allāh intends ease for you.” 🌹 ✍🏻 She says: “Tabarruj is a minor matter, unlike killing or fornication. I do not commit major sins.” We reply: Allāh says: “You think it is insignificant, but with Allāh it is great.” And the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ described among the people of Hellfire, those whom he had not seen in his time: “Women clothed yet naked, deviating and causing others to deviate; their heads like the humps of camels. They will not enter Paradise nor even smell its fragrance.” Do you see? They will not enter Paradise, nor even smell its scent! And you say it is a minor matter! 🌹 ✍🏻 She says: “I am still young, I will wear the veil when I grow older.” We reply: Have you ever seen a cemetery with a sign that reads: ‘For adults only’? Why do you assume death will wait until you are older? And what about the young women who have died—where do you place them in your reasoning? Will you not take heed? 🌹 ✍🏻 She says: “I will wear the veil after marriage.” We reply: A person may be deprived of provision because of sins they commit. Marriage is a provision—and you may be deprived of it due to your sin. 🌹 ✍🏻 She says: “My husband does not approve of the veil.” We reply: There is no obedience to any created being if it involves disobedience to the Creator. Moreover, a husband who feels no protective jealousy for his family is considered dayyūth. 🌹 ✍🏻 She says: “I am not convinced of the veil. I will wear it once I am convinced.” We reply: Our Lord, Blessed and Exalted, said: “It is not for a believing man or woman, when Allāh and His Messenger have decided a matter, to have any choice regarding it.” And the veil is part of the religion, just as prayer and fasting are. Strange indeed! Would you abandon prayer and fasting simply because you are unconvinced? Would you dare say to Allah, plainly: ‘I am not convinced of Your command—convince me!’🌹 ✍🏻 She says: “The veil prevents me from learning and working!” We reply: Veiled women study and work without hindrance. That said, paradise is more precious than your studies or your career. And what is with Allāh is better and everlasting. 🌹 ✍🏻 She says: “I fear people’s mockery.” We reply: You should feel honoured! They mocked and ridiculed the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ—who is better than all who tread the earth. This is the path of the prophets and the righteous: mocked by the ignorant and the worthless among people. Islam began as something strange, and it will return to being strange—and indeed, it has returned to strangeness. So certainly, people will mock you. 🌹 ✍🏻 She says: “I cannot bear the veil in the heat of summer.” We reply: Hellfire is far hotter. Allāh says: “It almost bursts with rage.” And do you know what this worldly heat is? It is but a breath of Hellfire itself. Yes, by Allāh, only a single breath. For in the ḥadīth, the Fire complained to its Lord, saying: “My Lord, I consume myself.” So He permitted it two breaths: one in winter and one in summer. The coldest cold we feel in winter is from its breath, and the most intense heat in summer is from its breath. This is only a single breath—so by your Lord, how will you bear its full heat and its bitter cold? 🌹 ✍🏻 She says: “Everyone in society is like this.” We reply: That is an excuse uglier than the sin itself. It is the very argument of the people of Hell: “Indeed, we found our forefathers upon a way, and we follow in their footsteps.” And Allāh says: “If you obey most of those on earth, they will lead you away from the path of Allah.” 🌹