If the husband orders his wife to cover her face, even though it is recommended, is it obligatory for me to obey him?
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The questioner : In your book on hijab, you state that the woman's face is not an awrah (part of the body that must be covered), and then you say that covering it is recommended. So, for example, it is recommended at the level of the second tier of recommendations, which are from the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), like the voluntary prayers, like these things, meaning.
The Shaykh : Yes, it is like that.
The questioner : Okay, since it is like that, for example, is it permissible for a husband to force his wife to do something that is a voluntary act?
The Shaykh : Yes, it is permissible.
The questioner : I mean, for example, I might not fast the six days of Shawwal, and he forces me to fast the six days of Shawwal.
The Shaykh : If he orders you, it becomes obligatory for you.
The questioner : It becomes obligatory for me.
The Shaykh : That you fast the six days of Shawwal. May Allah guide you. Why are you prolonging the speech? Why do you say that, when you mentioned the speech at the beginning? So, keep your speech measured and limited. The best speech is what is little and clear. You said from the beginning, "If my husband orders me to cover my face, I must obey him." We told you, yes. Then you go back and say, "Even if it is the six days of Shawwal, fasting is recommended." How do we build the speech and demolish it, and build it and demolish it? The best speech is what is little and clear. May Allah bless you. And especially now, as you are asking, others are asking, so make your questions concise and brief. S, C, J: Is uncovering the face haram (forbidden) or halal (lawful)? Halal. Is covering it recommended or not? Yes, it is recommended. Okay, if my husband orders me to cover my face, does it become obligatory for me? The answer is yes. If my husband orders me to fast six days of Shawwal, is it obligatory for me? Yes. If he forbids you from fasting the six days of Shawwal, you must stop.
The questioner : Okay, is there evidence?
The Shaykh :
The questioner : This is different from what is in the matter of increasing voluntary acts.
The Shaykh : May Allah guide you. Every time I answer you, you say, "This is different." What is different? Is not fasting an act of worship?
The questioner : Fasting is an act of worship.
Another questioner: If you please, Shaykh, I want to speak to you and I want to explain the issue to you, and I want you to issue a ruling for me in it, if Allah wills.
The Shaykh : Please, go ahead.
Another questioner: I am always, praise be to Allah, Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) guided me to commitment. A relative of mine who repented is committed, even he.
The Shaykh : O my sister, may Allah guide you. Let your guardian be the one who speaks in this matter, and not between you and him.
The Shaykh : Yes, it is like that.
The questioner : Okay, since it is like that, for example, is it permissible for a husband to force his wife to do something that is a voluntary act?
The Shaykh : Yes, it is permissible.
The questioner : I mean, for example, I might not fast the six days of Shawwal, and he forces me to fast the six days of Shawwal.
The Shaykh : If he orders you, it becomes obligatory for you.
The questioner : It becomes obligatory for me.
The Shaykh : That you fast the six days of Shawwal. May Allah guide you. Why are you prolonging the speech? Why do you say that, when you mentioned the speech at the beginning? So, keep your speech measured and limited. The best speech is what is little and clear. You said from the beginning, "If my husband orders me to cover my face, I must obey him." We told you, yes. Then you go back and say, "Even if it is the six days of Shawwal, fasting is recommended." How do we build the speech and demolish it, and build it and demolish it? The best speech is what is little and clear. May Allah bless you. And especially now, as you are asking, others are asking, so make your questions concise and brief. S, C, J: Is uncovering the face haram (forbidden) or halal (lawful)? Halal. Is covering it recommended or not? Yes, it is recommended. Okay, if my husband orders me to cover my face, does it become obligatory for me? The answer is yes. If my husband orders me to fast six days of Shawwal, is it obligatory for me? Yes. If he forbids you from fasting the six days of Shawwal, you must stop.
The questioner : Okay, is there evidence?
The Shaykh :
A woman does not fast a fast other than Ramadan except with the permission of her husband.
لا تصوم امرأة صومًا غير رمضان إلا بإذن زوجهاThe questioner : This is different from what is in the matter of increasing voluntary acts.
The Shaykh : May Allah guide you. Every time I answer you, you say, "This is different." What is different? Is not fasting an act of worship?
The questioner : Fasting is an act of worship.
Another questioner: If you please, Shaykh, I want to speak to you and I want to explain the issue to you, and I want you to issue a ruling for me in it, if Allah wills.
The Shaykh : Please, go ahead.
Another questioner: I am always, praise be to Allah, Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) guided me to commitment. A relative of mine who repented is committed, even he.
The Shaykh : O my sister, may Allah guide you. Let your guardian be the one who speaks in this matter, and not between you and him.