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Fatwa CenterShe wants to wear Niqaab but her husband wants her to wait
Question
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa baraketuh. I want to wear niqab for the sake of Allah subhannahu wa tala, as I believe from the many evidences that covering the face is an obligation upon a muslim women. Alhamdulillah I wear Izdell, gloves and my feet are always covered ( when I leave the home ).. but one thing and one major thing left out is the actual niqab piece. I am alhamdulilliah happily married and I truly and honestly have no complaints, but.... I want to wear the niqab and my husband believes I should wait until we move into our own flat.. which may be another two more years. We are currently living in his father's home.. he has a 20 year brother who lives in the same home. My husband believe that it would be too difficult for me to wear the niqab in the home all the time. But I disagree.. I already wear in the home a big loose abyah, socks and hijab.. Im always covered even in the summer months ( we live in Egypt ). Im trying my best not to irritate him with my conversation about me wearing niqab now. Alhamdulillah I rarely leave the home.. but the fact remains.. that he has a brother whom is mature enough.. and although he is not home all the time and I seclude myself away from him, I still believe that I should be wearing the niqab. Am I wrong? Or should I just be patient and wait like my husband is telling me? I try to convince him.. but his opinion never changes.. he believes I should be wearing the niqab, and he wants me to, but at the same time he wants me to wait. I have no friends, his family Im shy to go to about it as most of them are weak in the deen, and I can't leave the home to buy one for myself. Please tell me what I should do. Im trying my best to remain patient, and not to complain or be argumentative , but ultimately I don't want to displease Allah. Please advise me and advise my husband. JazakiAllahu khairan.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
Scholars have different opinions regarding whether it is permissible for a woman to uncover her face and hands (in front of non-Mahram men) when there is no fear of Fitnah (i.e. temptation). We have previously issued Fataawa 83033 and 83702 regarding the Hijab of the Muslim woman and the different opinions regarding Niqaab (face cover).
The opinion we adopt here in Islamweb is that it is obligatory for the Muslim woman to cover her face in front of non-Mahram men. It is not permissible for her to uncover her face before them. Accordingly, our dear sister has to cover her face before her brother-in-law. She should do her utmost to convince her husband with gentleness and wisdom. If he accepts that, then all the best, otherwise it is not permissible for her to obey him unless she fears that covering her face would cause her harm, in the sense that dissension may occur between her and her husband to the extent that he may divorce her, hit her or the like. If this is the case, she may uncover her face, following the view of those who are of the opinion that it is permissible for a woman to uncover her face, until she becomes able to cover it; for hardship brings ease.
May Allaah grant our dear sister more success and guidance.
Allaah Knows best.
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