A woman in ইহরাম is prohibited from wearing a niqab (face veil that is tied or fitted to the face) and gloves. However, she may cover her face by draping her headcover (khimar) down over her face when non-mahram men pass by. This is based on নবী করীম's statement that the woman in ইহরাম should not wear niqab or gloves, and Aisha's practice of draping her cover when men approached.
নবী করীম (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) explicitly stated that a woman in ইহরাম should not wear a niqab or gloves. The niqab refers to the face veil that is specifically designed and fitted for the face, with openings for the eyes. This prohibition is agreed upon by all four schools of jurisprudence. However, this does not mean that a woman's face must remain uncovered at all times during ইহরাম.
Sheikh Ibn Baz clarified that while the niqab itself is prohibited, a woman may cover her face by draping her khimar (headscarf) or a separate cloth over her face when non-mahram men are near, as reported from Aisha and other women Companions. Aisha described how they would drape their head covering down over their faces when caravans of men passed by, and then lift it when the men had gone. This method of covering does not constitute wearing a niqab because it is not a garment specifically designed for the face.
Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen affirmed this ruling, noting that the prohibition is specifically against the niqab as a garment, not against the act of covering the face. A woman who believes in the obligation of covering her face before non-mahram men may still do so during ইহরাম using a loose drape from her head covering. There is no fidyah required for covering the face in this manner, as it is distinct from wearing a niqab.
নবী করীম (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) said: 'The woman in ইহরাম should not wear a niqab or gloves.'
নবী করীম (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) said: 'The woman in ইহরাম should not wear a niqab or gloves.'
Riders would pass by us while we were with the Messenger of Allah (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) in the state of ইহরাম. When they came close to us, we would drape our outer garments from our heads over our faces, and when they passed by us, we would uncover our faces.
Riders would pass by us while we were with the Messenger of Allah (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) in the state of ইহরাম. When they came close to us, we would drape our outer garments from our heads over our faces, and when they passed by us, we would uncover our faces.
Scholars from different schools of Islamic jurisprudence offer varying perspectives on this matter.
A woman in ইহরাম may not wear a niqab. She may, however, cover her face by letting a cloth hang from a cap or hat that creates a gap between the cloth and her face. This is known as the 'sadl' method.
Al-Hidayah: the niqab is হারাম but covering the face by draping without touching the face is permitted.
A woman in ইহরাম should not wear a niqab. She may cover her face when necessary (in the presence of non-mahram men) by draping her garment, even if it touches her face.
Al-Mudawwanah: Imam Malik permitted draping the face covering even if it touches the face.
A woman in ইহরাম is হারাম from covering her face with a niqab. She may drape a cloth over her face when non-mahram men are present, even if it touches her face, without incurring any fidyah.
Al-Majmu' by al-Nawawi: the prohibition is against the niqab garment specifically.
A woman in ইহরাম may not wear a niqab. She should drape her head cover over her face when non-mahram men approach. There is no requirement for a frame to keep the cloth off the face.
Al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah: draping the head cover over the face is the method of নবী করীম's wives.
This is a scholarly summary, not a personal fatwa. Consult your scholar for personal rulings.
নবী করীম (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) said: 'The woman in ইহরাম should not wear a niqab or gloves.'
Sahih al-Bukhari #1838 (sahih)Riders would pass by us while we were with the Messenger of Allah (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) in the state of ইহরাম. When they came close to us, we would drape our outer garments from our heads over our faces, and when they passed by us, we would uncover our faces.
Sunan Abu Dawud #1833 (hasan)