Jamiatul Ulama KZN Council of Muslim Theologians
Nasihah (Advice): The modesty of the wives of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam
Sayyidatuna Aa’isha Radhiyallahu Anha narrates, “The (caravan of) riders would pass by us whilst we were in the state of Ihram in the company of the Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. When they got close to us, we would draw our outer cloak from our heads over our faces (without letting it touch the face) and when they passed by, we would uncover our faces.” (Abu Dawood)
___________________________________________________
Question and Answer:
- If a woman covers her face wearing the Niqaab in the state of Ihraam during Hajj for 6 hours, then she removes it for one hour and wears it again for 6 hours, does she count it as 12 hours collectively or does she count it separately? Does she have to pay a penalty?
- It is part of a woman’s Ihraam to expose her face whilst in the state of Ihraam. However, in these times of evil and vice being widespread and prevalent even in the Holy lands, it is advisable for a woman in Ihraam to cover her face in a way that the Niqaab/cloth/cap etc. does not touch the face.
In any event, if the Niqaab/cloth/cap etc. is worn in a way that it touches the face for a full day or a full night (12 hours) or more, then it will be necessary (Waajib) upon a woman to compensate for it by offering a penalty (Damm) of one animal (sheep or goat). If on the other hand, it touches the face for less than a full day or a full night (less than 12 hours), she will compensate for it by offering charity (Sadaqah/Sadaqatul-Fitr).
The calculation of 12 hours will be taken into account if the Niqaab/cloth/cap had been worn continuously without any interruption. If the Niqaab/cloth/cap etc. had been removed for Wudhu etc, and then worn again, the calculation of 12 hours will commence again.
Hence, in the enquired case, if a woman wore a Niqaab/cloth/cap that touched the face for 6 hours and thereafter, she removed the Niqaab/cloth/cap for 1 hour and then wore the Niqaab/cloth/cap again for 6 hours, it would have been considered that she had worn the Niqaab/cloth/cap for 6 hours and not 12 hours. In such a case, she will compensate for it by offering charity (Sadaqah/Sadaqatul-Fitr) within the boundaries of the Haram or outside the boundaries of the Haram or at home. (Al-Asl 2/482 – Shaami 2/558)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Muhammed Hamza Farooqui
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
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians
223 Alpine Road, Overport
Durban, South Africa
Tel : +27 (0) 31 2077099
Email: fatwa@jamiat.org.za
Fax : +27(0) 31 2074163
Website : www.jamiat.org.za
