I wore the veil twice but I could not bear it so I took it off; each time I wore it less than 5 days. Than I once made Allah a promise if I buy a new car I will wear it, and I am in the process of purchasing a new car, but I am afraid if I wear it again I will take it off again. Moreover, my family and I are facing a financial problem and I am working at a company whose owner might fire me if I get veiled. Question: is there a penance for this? I am not ready to wear the veil yet but I made a promise!

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The Muslim is he who surrenders himself to the Commands of Allah. Allah Says (what means):

• {It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error.} [Quran 33:36]

• {But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you, [O Muhammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission.} [Quran 4:65]

Dear noble sister, remind yourself that your Lord, in whose hands all your matters are, orders you to wear Hijaab. Do you feel safe from death? What would be your condition when you will be in front of Allah while you had known the orders of Allah and did not put them into action?

Remind yourself, O noble sister, that Allah has blessed you with good health, means of living and sense of hearing and listening. Even your pulsation and breath are in the Hands of Allah. You cannot do anything if Allah does not give you power. How bad to disobey the Lord and to ignore Hijaab, in spite of all these uncountable and unlimited blessings!

Know that Hijaab is a sign of your honor, indication of your chastity and modesty, and above all, the Command of your Lord. Therefore, do not neglect it and ask forgiveness of Allah for the previous negligence, and firmly decide to never commit such a sin again.

Know that implementing the Commands of Allah is not related to having a car or job.

O noble sister! Allah, who has provided you the means of living while you are disobeying Him, will never prevent it if you obey Him. Every man has to face some obstacle in his life. Allah examines His slaves only to distinguish between the good ones and bad ones and to know the truthful and the liar.

Do not hesitate to comply with the Orders of Allah and should halt at the limits set by Allah.

We ask Allah to take care of you and guide you to only that which is good.

For more benefit on the evidence for Hijaab and its conditions, please refer to Fataawa 81554, 83765, 83702, 81494, 354259 and 83033.

Allah knows best.