Re: Should the Niqab be banned?
And yea … remember that a women cannot do Hajj in Niqab. If Niqab was part of Islamic code than there was no reason a Muslim women had to abandon Niqab while performing Hajj.
I think, that in itself is clear indication and proof that Niqab is nothing to do with Islam … rather, not wearing Niqab during Hajj confirms that Allah do not want Muslim women to wear Niqab.
Allah has created and given face to human so that human can recognize each other. To hide that face in niqab mean insulting the purpose of creating face by Allah … as primary purpose of face creation by Allah is recognition (so that people recognize each other). Looks and beauty is secondary purpose of face creation.
And yea, if what I have written above, that Allah wants Muslims (mea or women) to not cover their face so that they can recognize each other, than obviously those who wear Niqab considering that as command of Allah, are disobeying Allah, for which they would be answerable.
On the other hand, if purpose of covering face is environmental need (saving face from extreme cold or heat) or something else that is nothing to do with Islam … for instance, personal like, dislike or preferences … than that is fine.
Restrictions applicable in the state of ihram are exceptional and applicable only to the state of ihram. So its restriction during Hajj is not a basis to say that it is forbidden apart from Hajj.