Can a husband force her wife to ware burqa and niqab?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

It is compulsory upon a woman to adhere to the laws of Hijab in front of Ghair mahram men.[i] Ghair Mahram refers to those men with whom marriage is permissible. The obligation of Hijab is clearly understood from the following verse:

{يَاأَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لِأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ} [الأحزاب: 59]

Translation: 

O Nabi (ﷺ)! Tell your wives, your daughters and the women of the Mu’mineen that [when they have to leave their homes for some necessity] they should draw down their ‘jalaabeeb’ over themselves. (Suratul Ahzaab: 59)

It is a major sin for a woman to discard and violate the laws of Hijab. Shariah has made the husband the guardian of his wife. Shariah has obligated the guardian to stop his dependants from violating the laws of Shariah. This is understood from the following verse:

{يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا} [التحريم: 6]

Translation: 

O you who have Imaan! Save yourselves and your families from the fire [of Jahannam].

Accordingly, a husband is under obligation to ensure his wife adheres to the laws of Hijaab. If he does not do that, he will be sinful. The husband should adopt wisdom and diplomacy in advising his wife and use effective measures in order to make her understand and influence her on the obligation of adhering to the laws of Hijab.

When anyone advises on the laws of Shariah, one should put emotions aside and appreciate the advises and make an earnest effort to practise on the advices.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai.