Husband doesn’t like wife wearing Niqab

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

It pleases us to hear your zeal to follow the commandments of Allah Taala and your enthusiasm to practice hijab. We make dua that Allah removes the predicament you are in. 

Hijab is an essential part of deen. It is necessary for a woman to cover her entire body except for her hand, feet, and face. Allah Taala says in the Quran: 

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لِأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ (سورة الأحزاب 53) 

Translation: O prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers that they should draw down their jilbāb (shawls) over them.

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said in the following Hadith:

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، قَالَ: الْمَرْأَةُ عَوْرَةٌ، فَإِذَا خَرَجَتْ اسْتَشْرَفَهَا الشَّيْطَانُ (ترمذي 1173)

Translation: Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: The woman is one who should be concealed, so when she goes out, the Shaitan seeks to tempt her.

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ: كَانَ الرُّكْبَانُ يَمُرُّونَ بِنَا وَنَحْنُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مُحْرِمَاتٌ، فَإِذَا حَاذَوْا بِنَا سَدَلَتْ إِحْدَانَا جِلْبَابَهَا مِنْ رَأْسِهَا عَلَى وَجْهِهَا فَإِذَا جَاوَزُونَا كَشَفْنَاهُ (أبو داود 1833)

Translation: Ayish (Radhiyallahu Anha) said: The riders used to pass by us when we were with Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in ihram, and when they drew near to us we would lower our jilbabs from our heads over our faces, then when they had passed we would uncover them again.

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا، أَنَّ أَسْمَاءَ بِنْتَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ، دَخَلَتْ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَعَلَيْهَا ثِيَابٌ رِقَاقٌ، فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، وَقَالَ: «يَا أَسْمَاءُ، إِنَّ الْمَرْأَةَ إِذَا بَلَغَتِ الْمَحِيضَ لَمْ تَصْلُحْ أَنْ يُرَى مِنْهَا إِلَّا هَذَا وَهَذَا (أبو داود 4104)

Translation: Ayish (Radhiyallahu Anha) narrates that Asma, daughter of Abu Bakr, entered upon the Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) wearing thin clothes. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) turned his attention from her. And he (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, O Asma, once a woman experiences her menses, it is not appropriate for any part of her body to be seen except this and this. And he indicated to his 

face and hands (till the wrist).

Your husband’s attitude towards hijab is unfortunate. One cannot obey the creation while disobeying Allah.  If your husband wants you to do anything against Islam, then you cannot obey him. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: 

لا طَاعَةَ لِمَخْلُوقٍ فِي مَعْصِيَةِ الْخَالِقِ (مشكاة المصابيح 3696)

Translation: There is no obedience for a creation in the disobedience of the creator.

We advise you to explain to your husband with diplomacy about the importance and virtues of Hijab. Try to obtain a book on following the Shariah and you and your husband read it every day to instill the love of following Islam in his heart. 

When dealing with your husband, treat him with love, kindness, and see to his needs. By this, his heart will soften and it will change his mindset. 

You may also talk to an influential member of the family to inspire your husband to recognize the importance of Hijab. 

Perform Salaat-ul-Hajah and implore Allah Taala to alleviate you from your predicament. May Allah Taala change the attitude of your husband to be in accordance with the dictates of the Shariah.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Shakib Alam

Student - Darul Iftaa

Pennsylvania, USA

Checked and Approved by,

Mufti Ebrahim Desai.