Is it permissible for an unmarried girl to uncover her face and hands in front of people?
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The questioner : Is it permissible for an unmarried girl to uncover her face and hands in front of people or in the street? Please inform us, may Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : It is not permissible for an unmarried girl, nor for a married woman, to uncover her face in front of non-mahram men, whether in the market, in the mosque, during Hajj, during 'Umrah, or in any place or at any time. This is because the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered) is a place of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) and a means to becoming attached to this woman, then contacting her, and then committing fornication, may Allah protect us from that.
And it is known that the means to evil must be blocked; the means to evil must be blocked. For this reason, Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Isra 17:32] So the prohibition against approaching [fornication] is a prohibition against every means and path that leads to it. The prohibition against approaching fornication is a prohibition against every means or path that leads to it.
Accordingly, it is obligatory for a woman, once she reaches an age at which desires are directed toward her, to cover her face and to protect herself from places of suspicion and fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). She should fear Allah the Exalted in herself and in others as well. If others see her face, especially if she is beautiful, their hearts will become attached to her and they will be tempted by her. We ask Allah for safety.
The questioner : O Allah, accept our supplication. Thank you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge, and benefit the Muslims through you.
The Shaykh : It is not permissible for an unmarried girl, nor for a married woman, to uncover her face in front of non-mahram men, whether in the market, in the mosque, during Hajj, during 'Umrah, or in any place or at any time. This is because the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered) is a place of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) and a means to becoming attached to this woman, then contacting her, and then committing fornication, may Allah protect us from that.
And it is known that the means to evil must be blocked; the means to evil must be blocked. For this reason, Allah the Exalted said:
And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.
وَلا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَا إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَسَاءَ سَبِيلًاAccordingly, it is obligatory for a woman, once she reaches an age at which desires are directed toward her, to cover her face and to protect herself from places of suspicion and fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). She should fear Allah the Exalted in herself and in others as well. If others see her face, especially if she is beautiful, their hearts will become attached to her and they will be tempted by her. We ask Allah for safety.
The questioner : O Allah, accept our supplication. Thank you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge, and benefit the Muslims through you.