Removing Hijab in USA due to danger and threats to Muslims

19-9-2001 | IslamWeb

Question:

Due to the incident of USA attack, most of Arabs and Muslims here in USA have been harassed and some of them killed especially women wearing Hijab. I am a woman wearing Hijab and living in USA and I study in the university off campus. I am afraid that wearing Hijab in this situation would bring for me the harassment from ignorant people. Some Muslim friends told me that we can take off our Hijab in this difficult situation. I am not sure about it! I would like to know what should I do?

---

Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
We ask Allah to protect you and all the other Muslims everywhere in the world from all dangers and distress.
Then, we advise you to be patient and take refuge with Allah as Allah is indeed The Protector, The Supporter and The Excellent Helper.
Know also, that mischief and sorrow are lifted only by the Obedience of Allah not the disobedience. So, be steadfast and do not give up your Hijab as it is the symbol of your honor and purity. But if you fear any harassment or bad act, we advise you to stop going to the University until the crisis is over.
On the other hand, we do not support the view of those who said that you could take off your Hijab during this difficult period because your need to study does not reach level of dire necessity as a condition for giving up any Islamic obligation like wearing Hijab. So, you can either leave the university forever or at least during this period.
We remind you also that it is forbidden for the Muslim to live among the non-Muslims except in very special situations.
Please read Fatwa: 
81642 and 81464.
Allah knows best.