Is it okay for a woman in America in the current situation to remove her Hijab? (Meaning in a Difficult Situation)

Ruling of Hijab Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils (Khumur) over their bosoms (neck and chest) and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband´s fathers, their sons, their husbands´ sons, their brothers or their brothers´ sons, or their sisters´ sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn you all together towards Allah, that you may attain Success. (Surah Nur: verse 30-31)

What Do some Muslims say “Khimar” is What Do some Muslims say “Khimar” is? What was it used like when the Quran was being revealed? What did Allah mean by it as mentioned in the Quran? [Same confusion as meaning of “Muttahhiroon” in Surah Al-Waqi’ah None touch it (the Quran with Allah) except the purified. (Surah Al-Waqi’ah, verse 79)]

What does the word khimar mean in classical Arabic? Here are some explanations of the linguistic meaning of "khimar": Imam Abu'l-Fida ibn Kathir: "Khumur is the plural of khimar which means something that covers, and is what is used to cover the head. This is what is known among the people as a khimar." The dictionary of classical Arabic, Aqrab al-Mawarid: "[The word khimar refers to] all such pieces of cloth which are used to cover the head. It is a piece of cloth which is used by a woman to cover her head."

Continued… Shaykh Muhammad al-Munajjid on Islam Q&A: "Khimaar comes from the word khamr, the root meaning of which is to cover. For example, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Khammiru aaniyatakum (cover your vessels).” Everything that covers something else is called its khimaar. But in common usage khimaar has come to be used as a name for the garment with which a woman covers her head; in some cases this does not go against the linguistic meaning of khimaar. Some of the fuqahaa’ have defined it as that which covers the head, the temples and the neck. The difference between the hijaab and the khimaar is that the hijaab is something which covers all of a woman’s body, whilst the khimaar in general is something with which a woman covers her head." Shaykh Muhammad Nasiruddin Albani: "The word khimaar linguistically means only a head covering. Whenever it is mentioned in general terms, this is what is intended."

Imam Abu Abdullah Qurtubi: "Women in those days used to cover their heads with the khimar, throwing its ends upon their backs. This left the neck and the upper part of the chest bare, along with the ears, in the manner of the Christians. Then Allah commanded them to cover those parts with the khimar." Imam Abu'l-Fida ibn Kathir: "'Draw their khumur to cover their bosoms' means that they should wear the khimar in such a way that they cover their chests so that they will be different from the women of the jahiliyyah who did not do that but would pass in front of men with their chests uncovered and with their necks, forelocks, hair and earrings uncovered." From the above we can see that the khimar covered the hair, but left the forehead, ears, neck, and upper chest uncovered. When Allah SWT commanded the women to draw their khimars to cover their bosoms, the women were to draw the ends of the khimar forward and fasten it so that their foreheads, ears, necks, and upper chests were covered. 

Another Verse for Hijab O Prophet! Enjoin your wives, daughters and the believing women that they should draw their outer garments over their persons. That is more proper, so that they may be recognized (as noble and chaste women) and not bothered. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (Surah Ahzab: verse 59)

Hadeeth on Hijab “Ayesha reported that Asmaa, the daughter of Abu Bakr came to the Messenger of Allah (SWT) while wearing thin clothing. He approached her and said, ‘O Asmaa! When a girl reaches the menstrual age, it is not proper that anything should remain exposed except this and this.’ He pointed to the face and hands.” (Abu Dawood) 

What is a Difficult Situation in which a woman can remove her Hijab?

Allah says: Whoever disbelieves in Allah after his belief… except for one who is forced [to renounce his religion] while his heart is secure in faith. But those who [willingly] open their breasts to disbelief, upon them is wrath from Allah, and for them is a great punishment. Quran 16:106 This verse is evidence that when a person is forced or does something unlawful under duress and he/she hates doing the unlawful thing but due to being forced he/she did it, then he/she will not be punished.

Every Muslim has to implement Islamic law, with all possible means, in all affairs, being social, economical, etc., in accordance with the verse: (interpretation of the meaning) "Say: My prayer, my sacrifice, my life and my death are for Allah". On certain occasions Muslims may be ruled by a non-Islamic system, which makes it very difficult for them to practice their religion. Their example may be similar to that predicted by the prophet, (peace be upon him): " There will come a day where a Muslim holding fast to his deen (religion) is like he who is gripping a hot coal" (Al-Tirmidhi, sahih). When a Muslim is faced with such a situation, he should hold fast to the teachings of the Qur'an, keep himself within a good Muslim community, and strive his best to implement Islam, asking Allah's forgiveness for things he could not implement. Allah, the Merciful, has stated that (interpretation of the meaning): "Allah does not require from a soul more than what it can bear".

When the situation becomes too difficult and over-bearing, a Muslim enters in a state of "adversity" or "necessity" (al-dharoorah) where unlawful things become permissible. This is a great rule in Islam which reflects its mercy and appreciation to its followers. However, this issue is very sensitive as many Muslims, out of their ignorance, mistreat this rule. For example they neglect the consequences which says: "The state of necessity should be dealt with in proportion to its measure." Therefore it is very important to mention the constraints and conditions under which the rule of necessity is applicable. Some of these are mentioned in the next slide:

1. That the permissible degree or amount of the unlawful action he/she is allowed to commit be just enough to get him out of the state of necessity. 2. That there is no other alternative in facing the state of necessity other than committing the unlawful act. 3. That the duration of the concession be restricted to the duration of its cause. 4. That the necessity is actually existing and not only anticipated or expected.

When someone is faced by necessity and all its conditions and constraints are observed then the unlawful thing becomes lawful to him. Here are few practical examples to illustrate the above: It is permissible for the Muslim to eat from the dead animal if he finds nothing halaal to eat, and he will die if he doesn't eat. Another example is: it is permissible for a Muslim to utter the words of kufr (disbelief) when he is under a painful torturing that he cannot bear. A third example is: A woman can remove her hijab if she is being tortured, physically abused or her honor is at stake.

Movie About the Hijab (inner fight) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoe5SN--CkY Movie Hijab in a difficult situation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnEumnhHyK8   Taking off Hijab in a difficult situation: https://islamqa.info/en/69432 Hijab True story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1O7HEs7ER4