Answered by: Alimah Siddiqa al-Farsiyyah
Question:
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
Is it a sin not to wear the niqab?
Answer:
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
In principle, the face is not considered ‘awrah. However, in the times we live in, due to mischief and corruption, the covering of the face has become compulsory upon mature women to restrain the masses falling into illicit relationships and lustful glances.[1]
If a woman, due to genuine need and concern, delays donning the niqab, she may be excused. However, without a genuine need or concern, not wearing the niqab is considered a sin.
Only Allāh Ta’ālā knows best
written by Alimah Siddiqa al-Farsiyyah
Check and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
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[1] Radd al-Muhtār Vol.1 pp.406-407, Dārul Fikr Beirut
وَتُمْنَعُ) الْمَرْأَةُ الشَّابَّةُ (مِنْ كَشْفِ الْوَجْهِ بَيْنَ رِجَالٍ) لَا لِأَنَّهُ عَوْرَة بَل لِخَوْفِ الْفِتْنَة
(قَوْلُهُ مُقَيَّدٌ بِعَدَمِ الشَّهْوَةِ) قَالَ فِي التَّتَارْخَانِيَّة، وَفِي شَرْحِ الْكَرْخِيِّ النَّظَرُ إلَى وَجْهِ الْأَجْنَبِيَّةِ الْحُرَّةِ لَيْسَ بِحَرَامٍ، وَلَكِنَّهُ يُكْرَهُ لِغَيْرِ حَاجَةٍ اهـ وَظَاهِرُهُ الْكَرَاهَةُ وَلَوْ بِلَا شَهْوَةٍ (قَوْلُهُ وَإِلَّا فَحَرَامٌ) أَيْ إنْ كَانَ عَنْ شَهْوَةٍ حَرُمَ (قَوْلُهُ وَأَمَّا فِي زَمَانِنَا فَمُنِعَ مِنْ الشَّابَّةِ) لَا لِأَنَّهُ عَوْرَة بَلْ لِخَوْفِ الْفِتْنَةِ كَمَا قَدَّمَهُ فِي شُرُوطِ الصَّلَاة