I am a new Muslim and have been Muslim for 8 months. My family are Hindu and as a result of my conversion and my marriage have renounced their love and support for me. My husband had converted me and has been largely responsible for keeping me within the folds of Islam, instilling in me fear for and love of Allah.I miss my family very much and am having a great deal of trouble coming to terms with the fact that we will never truly be together unless Allah(SWT)makes them muslim.They say they cannot allow me to practice Islam.I sometimes sink into depression and my Eman suffers. This is a reflection of my weakness. I love Islam. I love Allah and I love Muhammad(SAW) but I am affected by ties of the womb. When I look around me and see Muslims blessed with family , I yearn for my mother’s love. I have been observing niqab for close to 3 months now, at my husband’s request. Depending on the company of the people I am with, the niqab is an issue. I read your evidences for niqab online. It’s not the evidences that I need but the conviction and an eman-boost.I know I should be grateful that Allah (SWT) is testing me as our Lord only tests the slaves whom he loves. Sometimes, unfortunately, due to my own weaknesses, I fail to see this. Please help in dealing with what I should do about my family, how I should deal with this issue of niqab both internally and externally?
May Almighty Allah Ta’ala grant you strength in your Imaan, Ameen.
You are fortunate indeed to have been placed in a situation similar to the
Sahaaba (Radhiallaahu Anhum). They followed their consciousness and despite
all odds, the greatest being family pressure, they sacrificed and preserved
their faith. It was due to their great sacrifices that Allah Ta’ala has
promised them great and lofty rewards in this world and the hereafter.
After having understood the truth, imagine living with falsehood. The uneasy
feeling of grief and agony is a great punishment itself. Be thankful to
Allah Ta’ala for having removed you from being trapped between truth and
falsehood. What is the benefit of the mother’s love whilst being uneasy
internally? Furthermore, the reward for sacrificing the mother’s love, etc.
due to Islam is beyond our comprehension. It can only be understood after
experiencing the bounties of Allah Ta’ala in Jannah. The life in this world
is temporary, the difficulties are also temporary. Patience and tolerance
will be of eternal revenue, Insha Allah.
and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.