We should kindly and lovingly encourage our female household members to cover themselves. We should make them adopt the veil by informing them of the importance of covering, as well as the harms of remaining uncovered.

Some Islamic sisters who must leave the home due to some societal necessity, especially when going on a journey, do not cover themselves properly, and they say that it is not possible for them to cover. The following account of Sayyidatuna Umm Hakeem رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا is a sufficient reminder for such Islamic sisters:

Not leaving veiling despite hardship

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Zubayr رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ narrates that on the occasion of the Conquest of Makkah, Sayyiduna Ikrimah’s (the son of Abu Jahl, the enemy of Islam) wife, Sayyidatuna Umm Hakeem bint Haarith رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا accepted Islam and said to the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, ‘O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! Ikrimah (who had not yet become a Muslim) has fled towards Yemen and he fears that you will kill him, so grant him amnesty.’ Thus, the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم accepted her request and granted Ikrimah safety.

Then Sayyidatuna Umm Hakeem رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا went out in search of Ikrimah whilst veiled, where she eventually reached the coast of Tihamah. At the same time, Ikrimah had also arrived on the coast and boarded a ship. The ship began to sway, so the captain said, ‘Remember the Lord with sincerity.’ Ikrimah said, ‘What words shall I say?’ He replied, ‘Say لَا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا الله.’ So, Ikrimah said, ‘It is due to these words that I have ended up here, so allow me to get off here.’ At this point, Sayyidatuna Umm Hakeem رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا had seen him and said, ‘O son of my uncle! I have just come from a great personality who is very merciful and generous; he is the most superior from the people. So, do not throw yourself into destruction!’