Question:
Assalaamu ‘alaikum
Respected ‘Ulama
Kindly advise on the following matter:
Is a woman permitted to remove her scarf in front of another woman? For example, is it permissible for women to remove their scarves at a wedding that is completely separate from men?
Answer:
Bismihi Ta‘ala
Wa ‘alaikumus salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh
Respected Sister
There are many things which essentially may be permissible but other associated factors may render it undesirable or even completely impermissible. For instance, to wear shoes is permissible and in fact encouraged. However, if it is a male shoe, it will be impermissible for a female to wear it or vice versa.
Having understood the above, in principle it is permissible for a woman to have her head uncovered in the presence of another Muslim female. However, the question is: Why do women who come covered to some ladies gathering or function, now wish to remove the scarf and expose the hair? Is it due to the heat? Then why is it done in air conditioned rooms and in peak winter as well? Why is it only done when ladies have gathered at functions and not if a female went suddenly to visit some ill person? In the latter situation she would not have had her hair done up or made up in some design. Thus it is kept covered. In functions they come with fancy hair-dos and wish to show it off. Such special adornment is to be adopted for the husband, not to show off among other people. Allah Ta‘ala detests anybody showing off. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has expressly forbidden boasting.
The above aspect alone is severe enough to render the practice in question as un-Islamic. A Muslim does not indulge in un-Islamic acts. Therefore this practice should be totally refrained from.
Together with the above, in many instances, there is still a possibility of some man looking at one. How many times doesn’t it happen, that although there is complete segregation, a man slips away into the ladies section? The present day photography craze poses another great danger, since there are many reports of women taking photos of other women, and then showing these photos to their male relatives, or even using them as profile pictures, allowing everyone to see. May Allah Ta‘ala save us, aameen.
8 Rabee‘ul Awwal 1434 / 20 January 2013
Answered by:
Uswatul Muslimah Panel of ‘Ulama