Ruling on a woman in Ihraam (ritual consecration) wearing Niqaab

29/11/2009| IslamWeb

Question:

There is a woman in the state of Ihraam who is weak-sighted and cannot cover her face because she does not see very well. She also does not want to uncover her face. Can she wear a Niqaab?

 

Fatwa:

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad, , is His Slave and Messenger.

 

The Messenger of Allah, , said, “A woman in the state of Ihraam does not wear Niqaab or gloves.”[Al-Bukhari] But it is permissible for her to let her head-covering garment drape from her head down over her face when non-Mahram (i.e., marriageable) men pass by her.

If she covers her face with a Niqaab for an excuse such as weak-sightedness, then she is liable to a Fidyah (expiation or ransom) because of committing a violation of Ihraam. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head [making shaving necessary must offer] a ransom of fasting [three days] or charity or sacrifice.}[Quran 2:196]

Thus, she has the option to do either of three things: fast for three days, or feed six needy people half a Saa‘ (double handful) for each, or slaughter a sheep and distribute the meat to the poor people living in the Sacred Sanctuary.

Allah Knows best.