It is my custom to wear the burqa, and sometimes the niqab, in women’s gatherings such as parties and weddings, or in empty outdoor excursions.

The questioner : The questioner says: It is my custom, O honorable Shaykh, to wear the burqa, and sometimes the niqab, in women’s gatherings such as parties and weddings, or in outdoor excursions that are free of the presence of non-mahram men. However, when I am in the presence of men, or when leaving the house and passing by men, or when going to the market, I lower a covering over the burqa or niqab to cover the eyes, or to cover it entirely if it is itself an adornment. So the question remains: what do you advise me to do? May Allah reward you.

The Shaykh : I advise the questioner, Umm Abdullah, not to make things difficult for herself. If she is in a gathering of women, or in the wilderness, or if she has only her mahrams with her, then there is no need for the niqab, as it is permissible to uncover the face in this situation. She should not wear the niqab, because if she does, people will suspect her of ill intent, thinking she is concealing herself to take people’s secrets, or that she is an extremist who introduces into the religion of Allah what is not part of it. However, if she goes out to the market, or if there are men around her who are not her mahrams, then yes, she should lower the khimar over her face, either completely, or she should put black glasses over her eyes and cover the rest of the face.

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.