Covering up during travel
I**’**m from Saudi Arabia, and I recently read a discussion on another app that honestly surprised me.
A woman said that if she got married and went on a honeymoon, and her husband asked her to wear an abaya and niqab, she wouldn**’**t do it. She said she would wear normal clothes and show her hair instead. Most of the replies were supporting her, saying that “while traveling it should be normal” and that wearing modest clothing abroad could count as “libas al-shuhrah” (clothing of fame/attention).
That confused me, because I feel like a lot of people are using that term incorrectly. Modesty isn**’t only one specific piece of clothing, yes, but at the same time showing your hair isn’**t considered hijab either.
What I also don**’**t understand is the idea that someone changes their religious standards only because they traveled to another country. Allah exists everywhere, not only in our home countries.
I understand that some Muslims differ on niqab, and I understand some people find it difficult. But I don**’**t understand why some discussions make it sound like religious commitment should disappear the moment someone leaves their country.
I**’**m not trying to insult or attack anyone. I just genuinely want to hear respectful opinions from other Muslims, especially Muslims living in Western countries.