❖ Sharʿī Ruling on a Woman Viewing a Non-Mahram Deceased ❖
Question:
What is the Islamic ruling regarding a woman viewing the face of a deceased man who is not her maḥram?
Answer by:
Fadhīlat al-Shaykh ʿAbdul Wakīl Nāṣir ḥafiẓahullāh
✔ Islam grants a Muslim dignity and respect both in life and after death.
✔ The boundaries set by Sharīʿah regarding gender interaction and gaze remain in place even after death.
✔ Thus, just as it is forbidden for a woman to look at a non-maḥram man during his lifetime, it is similarly impermissible after his death.
✘ In many cultures, it has become common to publicly uncover the face of the deceased so that groups of people may "view" the body.
✘ This practice is not established from the Sunnah, and often violates Sharʿī boundaries, especially when non-maḥram individuals are involved.
✔ It is reported that Abu Bakr al-Ṣiddīq رضي الله عنه uncovered the face of the Prophet ﷺ and kissed him after his passing.
✔ This was a private action, done by a close maḥram, not a public display.
A woman is not permitted to view the face of a non-maḥram deceased man.
Any such act is against the rules of modesty and Sharʿī limits, even if the person has passed away.
The practice of group viewings of the deceased's face, especially involving non-maḥrams, is not acceptable in Islamic teachings.
Question:
What is the Islamic ruling regarding a woman viewing the face of a deceased man who is not her maḥram?
Answer by:
Fadhīlat al-Shaykh ʿAbdul Wakīl Nāṣir ḥafiẓahullāh
❀ Foundational Principle:
✔ Islam grants a Muslim dignity and respect both in life and after death.
✔ The boundaries set by Sharīʿah regarding gender interaction and gaze remain in place even after death.
✔ Thus, just as it is forbidden for a woman to look at a non-maḥram man during his lifetime, it is similarly impermissible after his death.
On the Practice of Showing the Deceased’s Face Publicly:
✘ In many cultures, it has become common to publicly uncover the face of the deceased so that groups of people may "view" the body.
✘ This practice is not established from the Sunnah, and often violates Sharʿī boundaries, especially when non-maḥram individuals are involved.
What Has Been Narrated:
✔ It is reported that Abu Bakr al-Ṣiddīq رضي الله عنه uncovered the face of the Prophet ﷺ and kissed him after his passing.
✔ This was a private action, done by a close maḥram, not a public display.
❖ Conclusion:
A woman is not permitted to view the face of a non-maḥram deceased man. Any such act is against the rules of modesty and Sharʿī limits, even if the person has passed away. The practice of group viewings of the deceased's face, especially involving non-maḥrams, is not acceptable in Islamic teachings.