İs covering the face obligatory or recommended for women?
Published as Woman covering her face before non mahram men
Question
İs covering the face obligatory or recommended for women?
Answer
It is waajib (obligatory) for a woman to cover her face before non mahram men (strangers).
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
- Answered by
- Mufti Zakaria Makada
- Checked & approved by
- Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
Questions about this ruling, answered only from the archive with sources.
Where scholars differ, it’s safer to take the more cautious view.
Fatawa SA is an independent, read-only index of fatawa already published by Mufti Online — Madrasah Ta'leemuddeen. It is not a fatwa service. For your own situation, please ask a Mufti. Report an issue
For corrections or mistakes, please email us at fatawasa786@gmail.com.
Source: Mufti Online — Madrasah Ta'leemuddeen — https://muftionline.co.za/node/36074
Fatawa SA: https://fatawa.co.za/fatwa/muftionline-36074
Related fatawa
Mufti Online1 Dec 2015Females covering their facesIs it compulsory for a female to cover her face before non-mahrams?- Mufti Online24 Oct 2016Covering the faceI am a staff of a Muslim company. I like to cover my face. In future also I will work in the same place. Am…
- Mufti Online27 Nov 2016Women covering their faces in front of strange menIs it permissible for a girl to keep her face, hands and feet bare in front of ghair mahrams?
Ask Imaam31 May 2006When a country prohibits women from covering their face and they are punished if they do it, does hijrah become waajib?When a country prohibits women from covering their face and they are punished if they do it, does hijrah…
Azaadville15 Apr 2026Niqaab (Pardah) In Front Of A Non-Muslim WomanI would like to know if Niqaab must be observed in front of non-Muslim females. Is the ruling the same as…
MUBZ17 Sep 2024Women Covering Hair within their HomesAs-salāmu ʿalaykum I’d like to know the ruling of woman covering their hair within their homes. Is it…