Fatwa by: Sheikh Ibn Jibreen (Hafizahullah)
As for the Burqa, it is a type of garment that is tailored to fit the face, with openings left for the eyes to see through. Wearing such a garment is permissible. Apart from the state of Ihram (during pilgrimage), there is no issue in using it, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"A woman should not wear a Niqab (during Ihram)."
[Abu Dawood, Book of Manasik, Chapter 32]
The Niqab refers to the Burqa, indicating that wearing the Burqa is permissible outside the state of Ihram. However, the openings should not be so wide that parts of the face, such as the nose, eyebrows, or cheeks, become visible, as this may cause temptation for some men. It is more appropriate if a woman covers her face with a thin cloth over the Burqa that does not obstruct vision but conceals the facial features.
The nephew is not mentioned in the following verse that lists the Mahram relationships:
"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not to display their adornment except what is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husbands’ fathers, or their sons, or their husbands’ sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women (i.e., their close female relatives)."
[Surah An-Nur: 31]
Similarly, the nephew is not mentioned in the verse listing prohibited relationships for marriage:
"Forbidden to you (for marriage) are your mothers."
[Surah An-Nisa: 23]
Thus, considering her to be a Mahram is baseless, and it is necessary to be aware of this misconception.
Question 1:
What is the ruling in Shariah for women wearing clothes that have Quranic verses or the Kalimah Tayyibah printed on them?Question 2:
What is the ruling in Islam regarding wearing the Burqa?Answer:
There is no harm in wearing such clothing, but it is essential to ensure that they are not treated disrespectfully or with contempt. If clothes have Quranic verses printed on them, one should avoid wearing them while sleeping or going to private places. If necessary, the sacred text or respected names should be removed from the clothing before wearing it. Otherwise, they must be treated with respect.As for the Burqa, it is a type of garment that is tailored to fit the face, with openings left for the eyes to see through. Wearing such a garment is permissible. Apart from the state of Ihram (during pilgrimage), there is no issue in using it, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"A woman should not wear a Niqab (during Ihram)."
[Abu Dawood, Book of Manasik, Chapter 32]
The Niqab refers to the Burqa, indicating that wearing the Burqa is permissible outside the state of Ihram. However, the openings should not be so wide that parts of the face, such as the nose, eyebrows, or cheeks, become visible, as this may cause temptation for some men. It is more appropriate if a woman covers her face with a thin cloth over the Burqa that does not obstruct vision but conceals the facial features.
Question:
Some elderly women believe that a young man can sit in the presence of his maternal aunt's sister (i.e., his uncle’s wife) because she is like an aunt to him. I tried to correct their misunderstanding by pointing out that the verse specifying the details of Mahram (non-marriageable) relations is very clear, but they remain unconvinced. Could you provide some clarification on this matter?Answer:
There is no doubt that an uncle's wife (maternal aunt's sister) is a stranger (non-Mahram) to her husband’s nephew. She becomes permissible for him after separation from her husband, meaning she is not someone with whom he can be alone, and he cannot look at her face or other adornments.The nephew is not mentioned in the following verse that lists the Mahram relationships:
"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not to display their adornment except what is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husbands’ fathers, or their sons, or their husbands’ sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women (i.e., their close female relatives)."
[Surah An-Nur: 31]
Similarly, the nephew is not mentioned in the verse listing prohibited relationships for marriage:
"Forbidden to you (for marriage) are your mothers."
[Surah An-Nisa: 23]
Thus, considering her to be a Mahram is baseless, and it is necessary to be aware of this misconception.