Should I abandon wearing the niqab out of the fear of Riya?

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

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

We are required to intend the pleasure of Allah in all of our actions. Without such an intention, our actions remain mere ritual without substance. Executing our actions with the correct intention has been made a condition for the acceptance of our deeds in the court of Allah. Consider the following hadith:

عن أبي أمامة الباهلي رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله ﷺ إن الله لا يقبل من العمل إلا ما كان له خالصا وابتغي به وجهه (رواه النسائي: 3180)

Translation:  Abu Umamah Al-Bahili Radhiyallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: Verily, Allah does not accept any deed, except that done sincerely for him and to obtain his pleasure. (Nasai: 3180) 

However, it is important to note that attaining sincerity in our actions is a working process and is not attained instantaneously. A person must practice on purifying his intention such that all actions are carried out to attain the pleasure of Allah. A person must therefore diligently evaluate his intention at all stages of an action. Namely, prior to carrying out an action, during the action, and once the action has been completed. One must not leave an action during its initial stages due to the fear of lacking sincerity. Instead, one must work to fix his intention.

In the enquired scenario, it is obligatory for a woman to wear the niqab. It is not permitted to leave an obligatory action merely due to the fear of riyā’ (showing off). For example, it is not permissible for one to forgo discharging one’s zakāh due to the fear of riyā’. Accordingly, she is obligated to wear the niqāb in all cases. She should ignore such thoughts and work to achieve sincerity in wearing the niqāb.

Shayṭān is our enemy and he works tirelessly to deviate us from the straight path. When a person performs a good deed, Shayṭān works hard to deviate their intention. Conversely, when a person intends on performing a good deed, Shayṭān works hard to prevent him from performing such a deed by taunting him with the fear of riyā’. One should ignore the efforts of Shayṭān and work to achieve sincerity. Allah will reward a person on their struggle in achieving sincerity in their actions.

We advise your friend to have the courage to wear the niqab and ask Allah to grant her His pleasure. She should recite the following duā:

اللهم وفقني لما تحب وترضى

Translation: Oh Allah! Grant me the opportunity to carry out that which you like and will attain your pleasure. 

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mirza-Zain Baig

Student - Darul Iftaa

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Checked and Approved by,

Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

28-05-1441| 23-01-2020