The Ruling on a Muslim Woman Veiling Herself from Disbelieving Women

The question: We return at the beginning of our meeting, Your Eminence the Shaykh, to a letter from our sister (N. A. G.) from Riyadh. Our sister asks in this episode and says: We have a Christian maid. Is it obligatory for us to veil ourselves from her, or not?
Answer: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, and may Allah send blessings and peace upon the Messenger of Allah, upon his family and his Companions, and upon those who follow his guidance.
As for what follows: First, we must know that it is not permissible to bring disbelievers into this peninsula, whether they are Christians or others such as Buddhists, Hindus, and the like. This is because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered the expulsion of disbelievers from this peninsula, and he (peace and blessings be upon him) advised at his death to expel them from this peninsula, which is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the Gulf states. All of these are the Arab peninsula. Therefore, it is obligatory that disbelievers not be allowed to remain there, including Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Communists, and polytheists—everyone whom Islam rules to be a disbeliever. It is not permissible for them to remain or be allowed to stay in this peninsula, nor to be brought into it, except in cases of extreme necessity that the one in authority deems necessary for a temporary matter, after which they return to their country. This is like mail that comes from a disbelieving country, and similar things where necessity may call for their coming to this kingdom and similar places like Yemen and the Gulf states.
As for bringing them in to reside here, or to serve here, or to work here, it is not permissible to bring them in. Rather, it is obligatory to suffice with Muslims in every place, and the funds spent on these disbelievers should be spent on other Muslims. One should select from among the Muslims those who can perform the work according to their capacity and ability. Those who need these polytheists should look at countries where there are Muslims and bring in Muslims who will suffice them in place of these disbelievers. They should choose from among the Muslims those who are farthest from religious innovation and evil, so that they do not bring in anyone but one who is good, who benefits the country and does not harm it. This is the obligatory course. However, if someone is afflicted with some of these disbelievers, such as Christians, he should strive to get rid of them and return them to their countries as quickly as possible according to what is feasible. It is not obligatory for a woman to veil herself from a Christian or Buddhist woman or the like, according to the correct view. Some scholars held that a Muslim woman must veil herself from disbelieving women; based on the saying of the Exalted in Surat al-Nur: [al-Nur:31]. When He mentioned those from whom displaying adornment is prohibited, He said: [al-Nur:31]. Some scholars said: "Their women," meaning: the believing women. So if the women are disbelievers, the believing woman does not display her adornment to them. Others said: The meaning of "their women" is the category of women, not specifically the category of believing women, whether they are believers or not. This is the stronger view: that it is not obligatory for the believing woman to veil herself from a disbelieving woman.
The Jewish women were in Madinah during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and likewise the polytheist women used to enter upon the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). It was not reported that they veiled themselves from them. If this had been the case with the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or with others, it would have been reported, for the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) did not leave anything unreported. This is the preferred and stronger view: that it is not obligatory for the believing woman to veil herself from a disbelieving woman. She may see her face and hair, just as she may see those of a Muslim woman. This is the correct and stronger view, and Allah is the One to be asked for help. Yes.