I live in a European country that is Muslim by name only. I wear a Niqaab. When I go out to any place, people give me looks of astonishment and disapproval. Even those who are religiously committed reject my appearance. Resentful looks increase around me, and everyone tries to draw others' attention to me. While some people get scared and keep away from me, others laugh and make abusive comments. Is it permissible to take off the Niqaab when I am in this country and wear it again when I come back to my homeland?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

A Muslim who adheres to his religion at this time needs a great deal of patience to withstand the harassment and ridicule that he receives, and that is to seek a reward from Allaah Almighty.

So, you have to adhere to the legitimate form of Hijab and pay no attention to others' looks or ridicule. You are not the first to be ridiculed due to adherence to the religion. In the Quran, Allaah Almighty has related the conditions of the early believers as well as the suffering that they experienced due to the unbelievers' ridicule. Allaah says (what means): {Indeed, those who committed crimes used to laugh at those who believed. And when they passed by them, they would exchange derisive glances. And when they returned to their people, they would return jesting. And when they saw them, they would say, "Indeed, those are truly lost."} [Quran 83: 29-32]

So you have to be patient, as the harder the obedience is, the greater the reward will be. This is applicable especially at these times, which have been described by the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in the Hadeeth: "There will come a time to people when the one who is holding on to his religion will be like the one who is holding an ember." [At-Tirmithi and Ahmad]

The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, also said: "Worship during the time of conflict is like migration to me." [Muslim and others]

Allaah Knows best.