[Jaysh]

His wife does not think that niqaab is obligatory; should he force her to wear it?

Question:

I read many fatwas regarding niqab, and that it is obligatory according to the better opinion of the scholars. My wife is convinced that it is preferable, taking other scholars’ opinions. She says that she might wear it in the future if Allah wills. My wife is religiously committed Alhamdulillah. My question is: Do I have to force her to wear it now or shall I let her choose and just keep advising her?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Women have to cover their faces in front of non-mahram men according to the more correct of the two scholarly opinions, because of evidence that has been explained in the answer to question no. 11774.

Many of the fuqaha’ who do not think that the face is ‘awrah are of the view that it must be covered if there is the fear of fitnah, and when there is a great deal of corruption.

The husband is enjoined to protect his family and warn them against haraam things. Hence he should strive to convince his wife to cover her face, and if she refuses he should force her to do so and she is required to obey him, because he is telling her to do something that is permissible in her view, and it has to do with his right to protect his honour and she does not think it is haraam.

In the answer to question no. 97125, we explained how couples should deal with issues concerning which there is a difference of scholarly opinion. Among the things that we said there was: With regard to everything that is permissible for her, he has the right to prevent her from doing it or make her follow his opinion if he thinks it is haraam, and she must accept that if her doing it will cause harm to her husband and expose him to humiliation or disrespect. For example, covering the face is an issue concerning which the scholars differed, but there is no one who says that it is haraam to cover the face. If she thinks that it is acceptable to uncover the face, he has the right to prevent her from showing it before non-mahrams, and he has the right to make her follow his opinion, which is that it is obligatory to cover the face – which is the more correct view – and she does not have the right to go against him. She will be rewarded for doing that if she seeks reward for obeying her Lord by obeying her husband and does that which is more concealing.

Moreover we say: what is preventing the wife from covering her face and protecting herself from the gaze of those who would stare at her? It is well known that the face is the focus of beauty and the source of fitnah, and the first thing that attracts the gaze. If she thinks that it is mustahabb and not obligatory, there is nothing wrong with doing what is mustahabb and brings one closer to one’s Lord and pleases the husband, and makes her more like the believing women such as the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the wives of the Sahaabah.

Every believing woman should be keen to cover in this manner, and should hasten to do it, and to praise Allaah for having caused her husband to tell her and encourage her to do it.

We ask Allaah to enable us all to do that which He loves and is pleased with.

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A

Islam Question and Answer - His wife does not think that niqaab is obligatory; should he force her to wear it?

[Spice]

Why...? I was in the middle of posting something

[Spice]

Originally Posted by bluey

Assalam 'Alaykum,

I know too many people who have issues with this. I.E: Husband not wanting his wife to wear Niqaab/Hijab or vice versa. People should talk these things through before getting married.

Yeah, thats really the best way to go about something like that. Its important to discuss issues which can cause problems later before the actual nikkah. Also, one shouldnt assume that these things will 'come' later, purdah is really difficult for some women, and its best to make ones desires clear from beforehand in terms how the wife should or should not dress- as a woman should make clear her expectations of him.

[Jaysh]

Originally Posted by Spice

Why...? I was in the middle of posting something

I don't want to give anyone the chance to attack me. All attacks will have to be directed towards Shaykh Salih al-Munajjid now.

[thejellymill]

wow way to be mature.

[bluey]

Originally Posted by Spice

Yeah, thats really the best way to go about something like that. Its important to discuss issues which can cause problems later before the actual nikkah. Also, one shouldnt assume that these things will 'come' later, purdah is really difficult for some women, and its best to make ones desires clear from beforehand in terms how the wife should or should not dress- as a woman should make clear her expectations of him.

Definitely. I agree.

I know a couple where the Woman is struggling with Hijab, because her husband before getting married did not mention it at all.

And I also know a couple where the Woman wants to wear Hijab, and her husband doesn't want her to wear it.

And when it comes to the Niqaab, it's an even more important issue. A lot of practicing guys aren't cool about Niqaab either, so you should make it clear while considering a potential about wearing it. Wa Allahu Aa'lam. [And of course vice versa, if you expect your Wife to wear it].

Of course, there are possibilities of such problems arising even though you've talked everything out, because some people tend to change after they get married or differ when it comes to some views later.

[AceOfHearts]

The fact that these audacities occur, husbands forcing wives to cover their faces against their will (and I have personally witnessed cases of these) indicates their disbelief in Allah and the Last Day. These people's conduct do not betoken the wisdom of believers and they really do not believe in Allah or the Last Day, nor really do they conform to the sublime morality.

They are only interested in conforming to a religion of nostalgia, satisfying their vain desires and ways of doing things and more over a mentality which fulfills their nostalsgic way of life. judging by the Qur'an, their words and actions are deprived from real fear of Allah. Yet it is these people who mislead the world into thinking they are the flagbearers of true believers.

Here we have a poster, posting a barbaric article on allowing a husband to force his wife to cover her own face outside (as if he has any right to do that to her) all in the name of Allah's religion. Their pathetic, nonsensical, narrowminded and shallow words such as the following

Moreover we say: what is preventing the wife from covering her face and protecting herself from the gaze of those who would stare at her? It is well known that the face is the focus of beauty and the source of fitnah, and the first thing that attracts the gaze. If she thinks that it is mustahabb and not obligatory, there is nothing wrong with doing what is mustahabb and brings one closer to one’s Lord and pleases the husband, and makes her more like the believing women

...reveals just how backward and shallow their minds are primarily due to a lack of understanding of Allah and disbelief hidden in their hearts. Consistant feature: OBESSION with women and covering women. For them being a Muslim woman is covering as much as you can. Indeed, they would prefer if all women became walking ghostly shadowy figures.

The saddest thing is for those who believe in Allah, is that it is these so called Muslims make it double hard for the believers to invite disbelievers into faith in Allah, since obstacle one is clearing misconceptions and obstacle two is explaining the existence of Allah.

Allah knows the hypocrites who innovate and deceive and mislead. Dont think you are getting away with these...giving a crooked image of Allah's sublime path and misleading people.

[bluey]

Originally Posted by AceOfHearts

The fact that these audacities occur, husbands forcing wives to cover their faces against their will (and I have personally witnessed cases of these) indicates their disbelief in Allah and the Last Day. These people's conduct do not betoken the wisdom of believers and they really do not believe in Allah or the Last Day, nor really do they conform to the sublime morality.

You're making huge statements, saying they do not believe in Allah or the Last Day. I.E- Making them out of the folds of Islam. Be careful of what you say, because it can come against you on the day of judgement.

They are only interested in conforming to a religion of nostalgia, satisfying their vain desires and ways of doing things and more over a mentality which fulfills their nostalsgic way of life. judging by the Qur'an, their words and actions are deprived from real fear of Allah. Yet it is these people who mislead the world into thinking they are the flagbearers of true believers.

Conforming to a religion of nostalgia and satisfying their vain desires? The Niqaab is a valid article of faith in Islam.

Here we have a poster, posting a barbaric article on allowing a husband to force his wife to cover her own face outside (as if he has any right to do that to her) all in the name of Allah's religion. Their pathetic, nonsensical, narrowminded and shallow words such as the following

Shaykh Saalih Al Munajjid is a respected scholar. We wouldn't want to indulge in gheeba do we? If you disagree, the adab of a Muslim is to disagree politely.

...reveals just how backward and shallow their minds are primarily due to a lack of understanding of Allah and disbelief hidden in their hearts. Consistant feature: OBESSION with women and covering women. For them being a Muslim woman is covering as much as you can. Indeed, they would prefer if all women became walking ghostly shadowy figures.

The Niqaab is an accepted article of faith in Islam and has been since the time of the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam. The Prophets sallalahu alayhi wasallams wives would cover from head to toe, including their faces and so would the other Women of the believers. Countless women from then, till now, wear the Niqaab and cover from head-to-toe. The ulema have valid evidence for the Niqaab. Are all these people shallow and backward and have disbelief hidden in their hearts? Subhan'Allah. At the very least, the Niqaab is mustahabb.

[shadha]

With regard to everything that is permissible for her, he has the right to prevent her from doing it or make her follow his opinion if he thinks it is haraam, and she must accept that if her doing it will cause harm to her husband and expose him to humiliation or disrespect...If she thinks that it is acceptable to uncover the face, he has the right to prevent her from showing it before non-mahrams, and he has the right to make her follow his opinion, which is that it is obligatory to cover the face – which is the more correct view – and she does not have the right to go against him. She will be rewarded for doing that if she seeks reward for obeying her Lord by obeying her husband and does that which is more concealing.

Absolutely ridiculous and the fact that he tried to manipulate God into this equation, "Oh God will be happy with you and will reward you because you are obeying your husband" is pitiful.

I sincerely hope the wife in question tells her husband to go screw himself.


shadha-

[Salika]

I agree with Jaysh. He should force her.

He should steal all her clothes so she has no choice. If that doesn't work, he can steal all her kitchen ware and blackmail her that way.

Wisdom and mutual respect have no place in a marriage (especially respecting the wife)

[TrentReznor858]

Originally Posted by Salika

I agree with Jaysh. He should force her.

He should steal all her clothes so she has no choice. If that doesn't work, he can steal all her kitchen ware and blackmail her that way.

Wisdom and mutual respect have no place in a marriage (especially respecting the wife)

at the idea of Jaysh forcing his wife to do anything at all

[shadha]

trent: at the idea of Jaysh forcing his wife to do anything at all

at the idea of Jaysh having a wife to begin with.


shadha-

[Salika]

Originally Posted by TrentReznor858

at the idea of Jaysh forcing his wife to do anything at all

This is true. I can't imagine Jaysh really forcing his way to do anything.

[Asvi]

so niqab is fard now??