The woman's seclusion from non-mahram men and when it is permissible to uncover the face?
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Question:
They also ask this question: I heard that it is obligatory for a woman not to uncover her face in front of non-mahram men. Is this an obligation (fard) or a recommended practice (sunnah)? Is there a sin on the one who leaves this matter? And should the covering of the face be in all places? Then, there are many circumstances that require a woman to uncover her face, for example, when taking a photo for a passport or an ID card. The woman is covered, then she reveals her face to take the photo, and likewise she reveals the passport or the card bearing her photo to men for verification?
Answer:
Seclusion, as mentioned previously, is obligatory for a woman to seclude herself from a non-mahram man by the text of the Noble Qur'an, due to the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Ahzab:53]. This is general; it did not say: except the face, or the face and the hands. Rather, He (Exalted and Majestic is He) generalized it, and this encompasses the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and others. The cause that the Lord (Exalted and Majestic is He) specified is one that all of us are in need of, all of us are in need of it: [Al-Ahzab:53].
And likewise His saying the Exalted in Surat al-Nur: [Al-Nur:31]. The face and the palms are among the most apparent adornments, and among the greatest innate adornments, with regard to creation. Kohl, jewelry, and beautiful clothes are among the greatest acquired adornments. So the believing woman stays away from this evil, and covers herself and secludes herself, staying away from fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), and being cautious lest she cause fitnah in others, or she herself be caused fitnah in that. Yes.
But uncovering the face out of necessity, in the matters mentioned by the questioner, when there is a need to take a photo of the face, and when revealing the photo for verification, if necessity calls for it; then there is no blame on her; for the sake of necessity. Yes.
And likewise showing her face to the suitor, if the suitor wants to look at her, there is nothing wrong with her uncovering her face for him, so that he looks at her, and looks at her face, her head, her feet, her hand; there is nothing wrong. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) permitted this, he permitted the suitor to look, so there is no blame in that; because this is among the causes of harmony between them if he marries her after looking. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.
They also ask this question: I heard that it is obligatory for a woman not to uncover her face in front of non-mahram men. Is this an obligation (fard) or a recommended practice (sunnah)? Is there a sin on the one who leaves this matter? And should the covering of the face be in all places? Then, there are many circumstances that require a woman to uncover her face, for example, when taking a photo for a passport or an ID card. The woman is covered, then she reveals her face to take the photo, and likewise she reveals the passport or the card bearing her photo to men for verification?
Answer:
Seclusion, as mentioned previously, is obligatory for a woman to seclude herself from a non-mahram man by the text of the Noble Qur'an, due to the saying of Allah the Exalted:
And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts.
وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَاسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ ذَلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّThat is purer for your hearts and their hearts
ذَلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّAnd likewise His saying the Exalted in Surat al-Nur:
except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers
ولا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَائِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَاءِِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّBut uncovering the face out of necessity, in the matters mentioned by the questioner, when there is a need to take a photo of the face, and when revealing the photo for verification, if necessity calls for it; then there is no blame on her; for the sake of necessity. Yes.
And likewise showing her face to the suitor, if the suitor wants to look at her, there is nothing wrong with her uncovering her face for him, so that he looks at her, and looks at her face, her head, her feet, her hand; there is nothing wrong. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) permitted this, he permitted the suitor to look, so there is no blame in that; because this is among the causes of harmony between them if he marries her after looking. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.