Obeying a Husband in Regard to not Covering the Face

6-9-2025 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalamu alaikum,My husband told me to choose between him and the niqab because he married his wife without one and that's what he wants. I'm more inclined to believe that it's obligatory, Allahu Alam, even if it's mandatory. I want to get closer to Allah. What should I do? Calm conversations don't help, and we live in a country where there aren't many Muslims, but the niqab isn't forbidden. Thank you for your reply.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Know, dear sister, that scholars have differed regarding the ruling on covering the face. The reason for this difference is due to the difference of opinion regarding the interpretation of the statement of Allah the Almighty: {And not to display their adornment except that which appears thereof.} [Quran 24: 31]

Some Companions, such as Ibn ‘Abbas, ‘Aaishah and others interpreted the visible adornment to mean the face and hands. This is also the view of the majority of the scholars. Others, including Ibn Mas'ud and some of the Tabi‘in (successors of the Companions), understood it to mean only the outer garments, based on other evidence indicating the obligation to cover the face.

Therefore, if your husband is not convinced about the need to cover the face - though it is undoubtedly more cautious and modest - and you fear that insisting on it may lead to serious harm such as divorce, then there is no blame in obeying him regarding uncovering your face, following (imitating) the scholars who hold the opinion that permits it.

Allah knows best.