Praise to be Allaah,
The most correct opinion, which is supported by evidence, is that it is obligatory to cover the
face, therefore young women are forbidden to uncover their faces in front of non-mahram men in
order to avoid any mischief, and they should certainly do so when there is fear of fitnah
(temptation).
On this basis, the fuqaha’ stated that in certain situations, women are permitted to uncover their
faces in front of non-mahram men when it is necessary to do so.
These special situations may be summed up as follows:
(1). Proposal of Marriage:
It is permitted for a woman to uncover her face and hands in front of a man who wants to
propose to her, so that he may see them, without being alone with her and without touching her,
because the face gives an indication of ugliness or beauty, and the hands give an indication of
whether the body is slender or plump (which in turn gives an impression about fertility).
Abu Hurayrah {RA} said: “I was with the Prophet , and a man came to him and told him that he
had married a woman of the Ansaar. The Messenger of Allaah {Sallallahu ALayhi Wa Sallam}
said: ‘Have you looked at her?’ He said, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Go and look at her, for there is
something in the eyes of the Ansaar.’”
[Reported by Muslim: 4/142]
(2). Medical Treatment:
A woman is permitted to uncover the site of her illness whether it is on her face or elsewhere on
her body, for a male doctor to treat her, on the condition that her husband or mahram is present,
and if she cannot find a female doctor. It is less serious for her to be seen by a doctor of the same
sex, and she should not be seen by a non-Muslim doctor if a Muslim doctor is available. Also,
she should not uncover more than the site of the problem.
It is not permissible for the doctor to look at or touch more than is necessary, because the issue is
one of necessity and should not be exaggerated.
(3). In Court Cases:
It is permissible for a woman to uncover her face in front of a qaadi (judge) who is to rule either
in her favour or against her, and in this situation he may look at her face in order to know who
she is and for the sake of protecting people’s rights.
The same rules that apply to giving testimony or bearing witness also apply in court cases,
because they serve the same purpose.
(4). In front of Those who are not Mature or those who don't have any Desire because of
Age:
"And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that
they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof;
that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their
husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or
their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands
possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the
shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden
ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allaah, that ye may attain Bliss."
[al-Quran, Surah: 24, Ayah: 30-31]
(5). Old Women:
Old women who are past marriageable age may uncover their faces and what usually appears in
front of non-mahram men, but it is still better for them to remain covered.
“And as for women past child-bearing who do not expect wedlock, it is no sin on them if
they discard their (outer) clothing in such a way as not to show their adornment. But to
refrain (i.e., not to discard their outer clothing) is better for them…” [al-Quran, Surah: 24,
Ayah: 60]
(6). In front of Women:
According to most of the scholars women don't need to cover their face in front of non-Muslim
women too.
(7). Hajj and ‘Umrah:
Women must uncover their faces and hands when they enter ihraam for Hajj or ‘Umrah. At this
time, they are forbidden to wear niqaab and gloves, because the Messenger of Allaah {Sallallahu
ALayhi Wa Sallam} said:
“The woman who is in ihraam must not wear niqab or gloves.”
(8). Compulsion:
Some oppressive regimes have instituted harsh laws which go against the religion of Islam and
rebel against Allaah and His Messenger. These laws prevent Muslim women from wearing
proper hijaab, and some of them even remove their niqaab by force and subject them to the worst
type of oppression and persecution.
Women who wear niqaab have been subjected to harassment in certain European countries,
where they have been subjected to harm, and Islam and the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) have been slandered.
Therefore, when a woman is certain that she is likely to be subjected to unbearable harassment,
she is permitted to uncover her face. It is better to follow a scholarly opinion which is less
correct than to expose herself to trouble at the hands of evil men.
We ask Allaah to reform the Muslims. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad
{Sallallahu ALayhi Wa Sallam} and his family, ameen.
