I have worn niqab for about three years and am happy to share any experiences in general. I believe Islam is clear in its requirement for men and women to cover modestly. This is a big topic, lol, but let me just give a synopsis of the reasons why Muslim women may wear niqab. Some choose to simply because they enjoy the modesty it brings and the preservation of self they feel it gives them. The face being the most memorable part of a person, visually, and also a large part of what makes someone seemingly attractive or beautiful to someone else, the face. So some women choose to cover their beauty preserving it for only those they choose, their family, close female friends, etc.
Other women wear niqab because they believe it is either required by Islam, or recommended by it. This is because of the Qur'an, the Hadith, and the Sunnah:
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Qur'an - Al-Ahzab 33:59
O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
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When this verse was revealed the believing women immediately covered themselves. They looked different from the way they previously dressed and from the non-practicing women. Just as hijab and niqab continue to do today.
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Hadith - Bukhari 6:282
Narrated Safiya bint Shaiba:`Aisha used to say: "When (the Verse): "They should draw their veils over their necks and bosoms," was revealed, (the ladies) cut their waist sheets at the edges and covered their faces with the cut pieces." Hadith - Abu Dawud, Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu'minin
When the verse "That they should cast their outer garments over their persons" was revealed, the women of Ansar came out as if they had crows over their heads by wearing outer garments.
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Hadith: Abu Dawood 4102:
May Allaah have mercy on the Muhaajir women. When Allaah revealed the words “and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)”, they tore the thickest of their garments and covered their faces with them.
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In Islam, the Qur'an is the revelation to the believers, our scripture. "Hadith" is the sayings of the Prophet Muhammed (saws). And the "Sunnah" is the actions of him and the sahabah, or the believing people that lived during the time of the Qur'an being revealed. They were the first generation of Muslims and Muhammed called them "the best of Believers". So many Muslims desire to emulate their example. Hadith and sunnah act to demonstrate how the Qur'an was applied, lived, carried out, etc in every day living.
Shariah, Islamic law, comes from the Qur'an, Hadith, and Sunnah, and guides how to live from daily living of using the bathroom, dressing, cleaning dishes, to prayer, eating, caring for babies, caring for the deceased etc. Similar to how Jewish Law dictates the law in these even these seemingly very small aspects of life, but bringing purpose and meaning to even the small acts of worship in each moment of life.
In Shariah law, the Hadith and Sunnah are just as vital as the Qur'an.
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Muhammed said: I have left among you two things you will never go astray as long as you hold fast to them: the Book of Allah and my Sunnah.
We sent a Messenger to you from among you to recite Our signs to you and purify you and teach you the Book and Wisdom and teach you things you did not know before. Qur'an 2:151
Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah. If anyone turns away, We did not send you [Muhammad] to them as their keeper. Qur'an 4:80
You have an excellent model in the Messenger of Allah for all who put their hope in Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah much. Qur'an 33:21
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The sunnah and hadith is the interpretation, explanation of, and commentary on the Qur'an. A Muslim rejecting it is called misguidance and disobedience, or in other words, disbelief of Islam because the Qur'an says:
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When Allah and His Messenger have decided something, it is not for any man or woman of the believers to have a choice about it. Anyone who disobeys Allah and His Messenger is clearly misguided. Qur'an 33:36
Whatever the Messenger gives you, you should accept, and whatever he forbids you, you should forgo. Have fear [and respect] of Allah — Allah is severe in retribution. Qur'an 59:7
The reply of the believers when they are summoned to Allah and His Messenger so that he can judge between them is to say, "We hear and we obey." Qur'an 24:51
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There are many, many Hadith about how the Muslim women who were there in the time of the revelation of the Qur'an covered up in response. The men also were commanded to lower their gaze and guard themselves. And today, even the stereotypical image of a Muslim man is that of a man in a long robe from neck to wrist and down to the ankles, a cloth on his head, and his face covered with a beard...covered up just as much as his wife.
Of course there are 1 billion Muslims and there is a difference between Islam and Muslims. Islam is the religion, Muslims the people, and you'll see them living, dressing, and acting in a billion ways. Some take laws very seriously and apply them to each part of daily living. Some take them just as theoretical, historical, or even inapplicable. Some, especially those in regions of high illiteracy, have no idea what the very vital written law of their religion says, and thus practice whatever they see, hear, or are taught ending up in gross deformations.
Because of the dahleel (citations from Qur'an, Hadith, or Sunnah) above, many Muslim women in the world choose to wear niqab, and most to wear hijab. In the West, wearing niqab is difficult because it is not an accepted norm and thus can make one a target for harassment, misunderstanding, or worse. Some still choose to wear it because what they feel their religion states is more important than being off-putting, attracting attention, or making them seem allianced with extremists to some onlookers. Their concern is not for the opinions of people they don't know, but that of their faith and convictions. Yes, it is hard to be a niqabi. But "I think it would be absolute hell to wear niqab in the States" couldn't be further from the truth.
In the West, though, even if a woman wants to wear niqab, or feels a religious need to, she might not because the attention it draws may feel more immodest than not wearing it at all.
I feel it's more absolute hell heat analogy for the people that expose their skin to the sun where it literally cooks and burns.
People that live in regions of heat and sun cover up to keep cool. I think people that do cover, men and women, are used to it, adapted. I don't sweat or feel over-heated unless it is over 95*F, humid, and I'm out in the sun. But then I think everyone is feeling a bit steamy.
Just FYI, Muslim women no longer are required to cover when they become past menopause...
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And as for women past childbearing who do not expect wedlock, it is no sin on them if they discard their outer clothing in such a way as not to show their adornment. But to refrain (i.e. not to discard their clothing) is better for them. And Allaah is All‑Hearer, All‑Knower. Qur'an 24:60
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I'd be happy to share personal stories and experience by PM. I just wanted to share the dahleel (citations) and reasons in general why some women choose to. But it's a hot topic for some women, especially in the West, and I don't want to become a punching bag for my own choices and life experiences.
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