Fatwa by: Sheikh Muhammad bin Saleh al-Uthaymeen (may Allah protect him)
Question:
Is it permissible for a Muslim woman to uncover her hair in front of a non-Muslim woman, especially if that non-Muslim woman may describe the Muslim woman's beauty to non-Muslim men?
Answer:
This issue is subject to differing interpretations of the verse from the Qur'an:
"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not reveal their adornment except what [normally] appears. Let them draw their veils over their chests, and not reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, or their women..."
[Surah An-Nur: 31]
Scholars have debated the meaning of the word "their women" (نِسَائِهِنَّ) in this verse. Some scholars interpret it as referring to all women, regardless of religion, meaning that a Muslim woman can uncover her hair in front of any woman, Muslim or non-Muslim. Other scholars interpret it as referring only to Muslim women, implying that a Muslim woman should not uncover her hair in front of non-Muslim women.
We lean toward the first opinion, which seems closer to the correct understanding. According to this view, there is no distinction between Muslim and non-Muslim women in this matter, and it is permissible for a Muslim woman to uncover her face and hair in front of non-Muslim women.
However, if there is a fear of fitnah (temptation or harm), such as the concern that a non-Muslim woman might describe the Muslim woman's beauty to non-Muslim men, then it becomes essential to avoid such exposure. In such cases, a Muslim woman should not uncover any part of her body, such as her feet or hair, in front of either Muslim or non-Muslim women to prevent any potential harm.
And Allah knows best.
Question:
Is it permissible for a Muslim woman to uncover her hair in front of a non-Muslim woman, especially if that non-Muslim woman may describe the Muslim woman's beauty to non-Muslim men?
Answer:
This issue is subject to differing interpretations of the verse from the Qur'an:
"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not reveal their adornment except what [normally] appears. Let them draw their veils over their chests, and not reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, or their women..."
[Surah An-Nur: 31]
Scholars have debated the meaning of the word "their women" (نِسَائِهِنَّ) in this verse. Some scholars interpret it as referring to all women, regardless of religion, meaning that a Muslim woman can uncover her hair in front of any woman, Muslim or non-Muslim. Other scholars interpret it as referring only to Muslim women, implying that a Muslim woman should not uncover her hair in front of non-Muslim women.
We lean toward the first opinion, which seems closer to the correct understanding. According to this view, there is no distinction between Muslim and non-Muslim women in this matter, and it is permissible for a Muslim woman to uncover her face and hair in front of non-Muslim women.
However, if there is a fear of fitnah (temptation or harm), such as the concern that a non-Muslim woman might describe the Muslim woman's beauty to non-Muslim men, then it becomes essential to avoid such exposure. In such cases, a Muslim woman should not uncover any part of her body, such as her feet or hair, in front of either Muslim or non-Muslim women to prevent any potential harm.
And Allah knows best.