The Ruling on the Niqab for Women
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Question:
In his final question, this questioner asks: We ask about the niqab for women, and if it is obligatory, what do we say to those who hold a different opinion, O Shaykh?
Answer:
A woman is an awrah (part of the body that must be covered), and the niqab is obligatory for her. It covers her face and her entire body from the non-mahram (a relative one may not marry) man. In the early days of Islam, she was permitted to uncover her face and hands in the presence of men and to mix with them. Then Allah abrogated that and revealed the verse of the hijab (the covering prescribed for women), which is His saying, Exalted is He: [Al-Ahzab:53], meaning: from behind a screen: [Al-Ahzab:53]. And He, Mighty and Majestic, said: [Al-Ahzab:59]. They are to be recognized by the jilbab (the outer garment) that covers their faces and bodies. This is the final ruling. In the initial ruling, women were permitted to uncover and sit with men. Then Allah revealed the hijab to protect them and safeguard them from the causes of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), and for the men as well.
Therefore, uncovering is a sin. It is not permissible for her to uncover herself to anyone other than her mahram (a relative one may not marry) except in the state of ihram (the consecrated state of pilgrimage). In ihram, she removes the niqab and covers her face with something other than the niqab, such as the khimar (the head covering) or the jilbab (the outer garment). As for the niqab that covers her face while leaving an opening for her eyes, or a single opening, this is prohibited in ihram. It is a specific covering and a specific hijab from which a woman is prevented in ihram. However, covering her face with something else, such as the khimar or what is called the shaylah, is permissible.
As was narrated from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), who said: "We were with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the Farewell Pilgrimage in the state of ihram. When the riders approached us, one of us would lower her khimar (the head covering) over her face from her head, and when they passed, we would uncover it." Or she said, "her jilbab (the outer garment) over her face." This indicates that covering the face with something other than the niqab for a woman in ihram is permissible. Thus, there are two benefits: covering without the niqab, achieved by placing the jilbab (the outer garment) or the khimar (the head covering) she wears on her head over her face in the presence of a non-mahram (a relative one may not marry). Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good, O Shaykh.
In his final question, this questioner asks: We ask about the niqab for women, and if it is obligatory, what do we say to those who hold a different opinion, O Shaykh?
Answer:
A woman is an awrah (part of the body that must be covered), and the niqab is obligatory for her. It covers her face and her entire body from the non-mahram (a relative one may not marry) man. In the early days of Islam, she was permitted to uncover her face and hands in the presence of men and to mix with them. Then Allah abrogated that and revealed the verse of the hijab (the covering prescribed for women), which is His saying, Exalted is He:
And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition
وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَاسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍThat is purer for your hearts and their hearts
ذَلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّO Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لِأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلابِيبِهِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَنْ يُعْرَفْنَ فَلا يُؤْذَيْنَTherefore, uncovering is a sin. It is not permissible for her to uncover herself to anyone other than her mahram (a relative one may not marry) except in the state of ihram (the consecrated state of pilgrimage). In ihram, she removes the niqab and covers her face with something other than the niqab, such as the khimar (the head covering) or the jilbab (the outer garment). As for the niqab that covers her face while leaving an opening for her eyes, or a single opening, this is prohibited in ihram. It is a specific covering and a specific hijab from which a woman is prevented in ihram. However, covering her face with something else, such as the khimar or what is called the shaylah, is permissible.
As was narrated from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), who said: "We were with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the Farewell Pilgrimage in the state of ihram. When the riders approached us, one of us would lower her khimar (the head covering) over her face from her head, and when they passed, we would uncover it." Or she said, "her jilbab (the outer garment) over her face." This indicates that covering the face with something other than the niqab for a woman in ihram is permissible. Thus, there are two benefits: covering without the niqab, achieved by placing the jilbab (the outer garment) or the khimar (the head covering) she wears on her head over her face in the presence of a non-mahram (a relative one may not marry). Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good, O Shaykh.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.