What is the ruling on a husband who wants his wife to take off the Niqaab and to only wear the Hijaab, in spite of the fact that he agreed to marry her while she was wearing Niqaab. Afterwards, he asked her to wear only the Hijaab without the Niqaab. What is the Sharee'ah ruling concerning this case if the wife rejects her husband's request? Please, answer me.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

It is well know that the preponderant opinion regarding the controversial issue of women covering their faces is that it is obligatory to do so.  In issues which involve differences in scholars' opinions, one should worship Allaah Almighty according to the opinion which he believes to be the most preponderant, for this is what Allaah Almighty will hold him accountable for, as scholars have said. This applies to the person who has enough Sharee'ah knowledge to enable him to hold a certain opinion as preponderant. However, if one cannot do that, which means that he is one of the common people who do not have the ability to spot such preponderance, then he has to follow trustworthy scholars. If the wife is convinced with wearing the Niqaab and takes this action as a means whereby she worships Allaah Almighty, then it is not permissible for the husband to force her to take it off, especially given that he married her while she was wearing it and accepted that. There is no doubt that wearing the Niqaab is better and secures more covering than uncovering the face. Also, why does the husband ask her to do that?

Anyway, we advise both spouses to have good understanding of the case. Also, we would like to say to the wife: May Allaah make you more adherent to His obedience. We also advise you to not take off your Niqaab for Ali ibn Abi Talib narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “There is no obedience due to any person if it involves disobedience to Allaah; obedience is only in doing that which is right and proper.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

In such a case, the wife will not be regarded as nashiz (rebellious and arrogant).

Allaah Knows best.