Stop Wearing Hijab? depression

[chadouti]

Aselam Alaikoum

I am an American convert, msulim for almost 3 years now. My husband is from Morocco and e have been married for over 2 years. About 6 months ago I began wearing hijab all the time. My husband has never been very supportive of this and sometimes he even asks me to take it off when we go out together. He thinks that as I live in a Western country where the hijab is not the norm that I draw more attention to myself and that it is better not to wear it. However he says this is my decision, it is betwee me and Allah, and he does not force me to do anything. My family is not supportive and even hostile toward the hijab snd I am obliged to take it off if I go anywhere with them. My husband's family has even criticised me for wearing them when we go to visit them in Morocco! My husband does not pray and I feel that I need more support but most of the muslim sisters I know are very extreme and strict and I do not feel comfortable around them either.

What I would like to know is, is the hijab strictly obligatory or are there situations where it is tolerated for a woman not to wear it? Wll a woman automatically be punished, go to hell for not wearing it, or would she be judged as an overall picture of the goods she does and her sins in order to make a decision? If I pray 5 times per day, dress modestly, fast and do good but don't wear hijab, can I be just as loved as a sister who does wear hijab?

I think that yes this is possible, however the fact that I already put hijab shows that I understand why it is important, so if I take it off maybe I am a hypocrite? I am struggling here very much and would like to know form an Islamic standpoint the implications of not wearing the hijab, of being a convert living in a Western country, and thinking that wearing it brings more harm than good and taking it off? I was a teacher and now can't teach in public schools because of hijab...

I have been suffering from severe depression, and my husband an I are worried, as I was severely depressed in my youth and attempted suicide at age 13. I have been feeling better for several years alhamdullilah but lately I have felt very isolated from my environment, and this especially since I have started wearing hiab and although I ask Allah in my prayers to help me with this I still feel that wearing the hijab aggravates my depression because I feel so distant from my family and strange in my envorinoment in the work field and in my community and that I will feel less depressed without hijab. I suffer from social anxiety, don't like to take medicationw hich only helps so much and counseling helps but I still feel that the hijab contribute much to my social anxiety.

Could depression and anxiety be considered a medical reason to not wear hijab? My depression and anxiety makes me question myself thinking oh you're just making excuses or that makes you a hypocrite what if later you want to wear it again? Then I say to myself no that's not true you have always had this problem and depression causes many problems in my marriage nad I don't see it should be bad if hijab causes more depression and anxietyand my husband prefers I don't wear it then maybe I should not. And if later in life I overcome these problems then you can start wearing it again, why not?

Is this logical? Is depression and anxiety a legitimate medical reason? Sorryfor the long explanation...

Shukran

[Imam]

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Wa'alaykum 'Assalam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


All Praise be to Allah who is the Lord of the Worlds, and may Endless Blessings be showered upon His Most Beloved, and Final Messenger of Islam, Hadrat Muhammad Mustafa Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam

As mentioned in previous answers to questions, it is important to note that the hijab, covering of the head is not only wajib (obligatory) for all Muslim women, but also is a sign of Islam, in society today. It is therefore important, that we as the represents of the religion of Islam, in western society, upohold our identity, lest there be nothing left of our religion, of us, and our welfare.

It is a sad case to hear that where for example someone is married to another person from the middle/far east, that instead of them encouraging those practices and norms of ancient Islamic civilisation, and tradition, they discourage and disparage, what is regarded as pleasing to the Almighty Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, the tradition of the prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam and the practices of the ancient Muslims.

Since the hijab has been encouraged by Muslims, it is nevertheless an object of wisdom, and this which works in many ways, and is something which is important to the female gender in society. Apart from it being a sign from the practices of the Women of the Ennobled Household, it prevents:

Onlookers from looking at you in a demeaningful and evil way.
Gives you a sense of belonging.
Prevents you from actions which you would not otherwise do.
Gives you a sense of identity to those who are around you.
Makes you modest, and respectful.
Prevents you from dressing like those who have not embraced the faith.
Makes you a represent of the True Religion that you follow.

These are just some of the blessings of wearing the hijab, the list of which is quiet exhaustive. However, by wearing it, and not realising it's advantages, is something which we should all know about.

A woman wearing a hijab can be just as acceptable, powerful, educated, learned, in the eyes of the Almighty, just as a man, which would never have been applicable, had the hijab never have been worn. Those women who do not wear the hijab, simply because they do not want to be labled as Islamists, or extremist, still have the responsibility of identifying which of the values it is, that they have. The misbelievers, disregard this, they will have to answer for it, in the Hereafter, as do most westerners. However, which should try and do the most we can in order to uphold our beliefs, our religion, our reason for existence, and most of all the reason for why we are living. Failing to do this will render us in failing to realise who we actually are, and for what purpose we have come into existence.

In essence, the covring of the head is wajib, regardless of whether it is with a hijab, scarf, hat, or other object. Since this is the sign of our religion, it will help us exist and be realised amongst those who have not yet embraced the religion of Islam, but those also, who have.

I pray to Allah the Almighty, that He safegards this sign for us from the evils of the world, and may He make it, a form of blessing for our sisters, not only in this world, but also the Herafter.


Jazak'allah for your question.





Wallahu A'lamu Biththawaab


M. Waseem Ashrafi