Is the statement that covering a woman's face is a religious innovation or an individual obligation correct?
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The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : In Egypt, regarding the matter of hijab, there are some issues among the brothers there.
The Shaykh : What is the issue?
The questioner : About the hijab, specifically about the niqab itself. They say it is a religious innovation, the niqab, and they say it is recommended? Or do they say it is an individual obligation?
The Shaykh : The answer is in the book on hijab.
The questioner : I have read the book, but...
The Shaykh : Well, we have answered this; we said that the one who says it is a religious innovation is mistaken, and the one who says it is an individual obligation is mistaken. The correct view is that it is better and a recommended practice for women. It is permissible to uncover, but covering is better. This is the middle path.
The questioner : In Egypt, regarding the matter of hijab, there are some issues among the brothers there.
The Shaykh : What is the issue?
The questioner : About the hijab, specifically about the niqab itself. They say it is a religious innovation, the niqab, and they say it is recommended? Or do they say it is an individual obligation?
The Shaykh : The answer is in the book on hijab.
The questioner : I have read the book, but...
The Shaykh : Well, we have answered this; we said that the one who says it is a religious innovation is mistaken, and the one who says it is an individual obligation is mistaken. The correct view is that it is better and a recommended practice for women. It is permissible to uncover, but covering is better. This is the middle path.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.