❖ Source:
This fatwa is extracted from the book “500 Questions & Answers for Women”, based on the verdicts of the Scholars of the Ḥaramayn, translated by Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbdullāh Salīm.
✿ Question:
Is it permissible for me to uncover my face and remove my veil when traveling outside of Saudi Arabia? Since we are far from our homeland and no one recognizes us there, my mother persuades my father to compel me to leave my face uncovered. Her justification is that when I veil my face, they suspect I might be casting glances at others, whereas if my face is uncovered, they can monitor where I look.
✿ Answer:
It is not permissible for you—or for any Muslim woman—to be uncovered in non-Muslim countries, just as it is not permissible in Muslim lands. Veiling from non-maḥram men is obligatory, whether those men are Muslims or disbelievers. In fact, veiling from disbelievers is even more necessary, as they possess no faith to restrain them from violating the sanctities ordained by Sharīʿah.
Obedience to parents—or anyone else—is not permissible if it involves committing acts that Allah has prohibited. Neither for you nor for anyone else.
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ﴾
“And when you ask them (the wives of the Prophet) for anything, ask them from behind a veil. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts.”
[Al-Aḥzāb: 53]
In this verse, Allah has clearly explained that veiling from non-maḥram men is a means of purification for the hearts of both men and women.
Similarly, Allah ﷻ says in Sūrah al-Nūr:
﴿وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ...﴾
“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze, and guard their chastity, and not to display their adornment except what is apparent thereof, and to draw their veils over their bosoms...”
[Al-Nūr: 31]
This verse continues to enumerate the maḥārim before whom adornments may be shown and prohibits displaying beauty to other men.
And the face is the foremost aspect of adornment.
Therefore, removing the veil abroad—even if no one recognizes you—is prohibited. Veiling is a duty regardless of place or familiarity.
[Shaykh ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn ʿAbdullāh ibn Bāz رحمه الله](Former Grand Muftī of Saudi Arabia)
