Salaam! I believe that niqab is farz. I want to wear it but since I will be the only one doing it in my close surrounding, I do not feel ready to observe niqab during family gatherings. People have been telling me that either you wear niqab all the time or you do not wear it at all. So I would like to know whether it permissible to wear niqab only while going out in the streets or other public places (where there are non muslims strangers) and uncover my face in front of non-mehram relatives (cousins and brothers in law)? I mean is it ok to do it sometimes rather than not doing it at all?
Answer
(Fatwa: 1796/322=TH/1430)
The Shariah ruling does not depend on someone’s willingness and denial. The non-mahram relatives especially brother of husband among in-laws was regarded as ?death? in hadith. Therefore, you should try to observe complete hijab and repent to Allah earnestly for shortcomings occurring in this regard. Keep yourself restrained to define the status of any Shariah matter; since it may lead one to the pit of disbelief and it sometimes results in devastation in this world and the hereafter. May Allah protect us all!
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband