Discussion on the ruling regarding a woman covering her face, and advice to men to adhere to the Shari'ah-prescribed dress.

The Shaykh : I know many men who want their wives to observe the Shari'ah-prescribed hijab, and this isThe questioner : the one who asked the second question? Many men want their women to observe the Shari'ah-prescribed hijab, even covering the face, which is among the virtues of deeds but not among the obligatory deeds. Covering the face for a woman is among the virtues of deeds, not the obligatory ones. Many men want their wives to observe this complete hijab such that nothing of her is seen at all, not even her fingernails, as Imam Ahmad said, even in prayer. But this man who wants this complete Shari'ah-prescribed hijab from his wife, his own dress is not Shari'ah-compliant. So, one who lacks a thing cannot give it. We must rectify ourselves before we try to rectify others, for Allah says, and this is the basis of the saying "the horse is from the horseman" .