Jamiatul Ulama KZN Council of Muslim Theologians
Nasihah (Advice): Adherence of Sahabiyah to the command of Hijab
Sayyidah Aa’isha radiyallahu anha said: ‘May Allah bestow His Mercy on the early emigrant women (Muhaajireen). When Allah revealed: “… and to draw their veils all over their Juyubihinna (i.e., their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)…” (V.24:31) they tore their Murut (woollen dresses or waist-binding clothes or aprons etc.) and covered their heads and faces with those torn Muruts.” [Sahih Bukhari]
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Question and Answer:
- Is it permissible for a woman to remove her niqab in front of her brother-in-law?
- A. It is not permissible for a woman to remove her niqab (face veil) in front of her brother-in-law. The brother-in-law is considered a non-mahram (unrelated man), and therefore the rules of hijab and modesty apply in his presence.
The wisdom behind this ruling is rooted in the following:
- Allah Ta’ala commands believing women to observe hijab in front of non-mahram men. (Surah An-Nur, verse 31)
- There is a greater need for caution with the brother-in-law due to the increased likelihood of interactions during family gatherings, which may lead to temptation or inappropriate behaviour.
- Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam specifically warned about the dangers of being lax in this regard with the brother-in-law. In a hadith narrated in Sahih Al-Bukhari (4831), it is reported: Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said, “Beware of entering upon women.” A man from the Ansar said, “O Messenger of Allah, what about the brother-in-law?” Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam replied, “The brother-in-law is death.”
The scholars explain that the phrase “the brother-in-law is death” is a metaphor indicating the grave danger to one’s faith and chastity that can arise from such situations.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Moosa Salie
Mufti Taahir Hansa
(The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.)
Fatwa Department
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Council of Muslim Theologians
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