BELIEVING WOMEN UNCOVERING IN FRONT OF THE UNBELIEVING WOMEN

Uncovering By Muslimah In front Of Christian/Kāfir Women.

Praise be to Allah.
Firstly:



Allah say in the Holy Qur'an (Interpretation of its meaning): “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, headcover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to the it husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their women…” [al-Noor 24:31]

Base on the verse above and other reseaons some of which were given below, the scholars have said that, there is nothing wrong with a Muslim woman going to non-muslim women for plaiting of hair especially if the muslimah has no better alternative of doing that (ie - having Muslim women to plait the hair for her). Or Muslimah mixing with her mahrams, including the non-muslim ones who are forbidden to her in marriage (because of close ties of blood or marriage, such as the father-in-law), if there is no danger of fitnah from them. Yes. Because there are some irresponsible father in-laws now who, if given chances, can swim beyond their boundaries by wanting to sleep with any manner of ladies or women that come their way. The same applies to non-muslim women among her relatives or others whom she has to mix with for some reason, such as her husband’s mother.

The Muslim woman should call them to Islam in ways that are better, by showing the best attitudes promoted in Islam, such as speaking and acting kindly, whilst adhering to Islamic rulings such as not being the first to greet them and not feeling love towards them in the heart.

With regard to the way she should dress in front of them, it is permissible for a Muslim woman to uncover in front of her mahrams and womenfolk as much as is customary among people of religious commitment and good manners, such as uncovering the head, neck, forearms and part of the calf. Yes. Whether the women and mahrams are Muslims or non-muslims, there is no difference in the ruling.

But it is not permissible for a Muslim woman to wear short clothes in front of them, or thin (ie - see-through) clothes, or tight clothes that show the shape of the ‘awrah.

The scholars of the Standing Committee said: A woman should be modest, even if no one can see her except other women, she should not uncover anything more than what is customary or needs to be uncovered, such as going out in the kind of clothes that she wears when doing housework, showing the face, hands and feet and the like. That is more concealing and farther removed from any doubt or suspicion. {(End quote) Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, Vol. 17 pg. 288-289}

Shaykh Muhamamd ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen said in [Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, (Vol. 12 pg. 276-277)]: With regard to her mahrams what she may uncover is the same as that which she may uncover in front of other women, so she may uncover her head, neck, feet, hands, forearms and calves, etc. But she should not make her clothes short. [End quote]

Secondly:
Some scholars differentiate between Muslim women and non-muslim women, and do not allow taking off the hijab in front of non-muslim women. This is a less correct view, because Jewish women used to enter upon ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) and others among the women of the Sahaabah, and it is not known that they wore hijab in front of them.

The scholars of the Standing Committee were asked:
Is it obligatory to wear hijab in front of unbelieving women, or can we interact with them as we interact with Muslim women?
They replied:
There are two views among the scholars regarding this matter. The more correct view is that, it is not obligatory, because no such thing was narrated from the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or from others among the women of the Sahaabah when they met with Jewish and idolater women in Madeenah. If that had happened it would have been transmitted as less serious matters were transmitted.

And they said:
There is no reason why a woman should not uncover her face in front of another woman, whether she is a Muslim or a non-muslim, because women are only commanded to cover their faces in front of men who are not their mahrams. [End quote]

And Allaah knows best.