Most-asked question
Is the niqaab (face veil) compulsory?
406 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 7 South African Darul Iftas (AskImam, Mufti Online, Ibn Masood, Azaadville, Jamiat KZN, MUBZ and others). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.
Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.
Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.
What the Darul Iftas say
“It is recorded in the Kitaabs of Fiqh that covering the nose and mouth in Salaah is Makrooh, hence covering the face in Salaah will also be considered as Makrooh.”
“During the lifetime of your Khala it will be necessary for you to make Purdah from her husband even though it will not be permissible for her husband to marry you (whilst he is married to your Khala).”
“Shariat has encouraged the male and female to see the face and outward appearance of each other for the purpose of marriage. It is not permissible for the male to see the hair of the female even in a photo. It is incorrect for the parents to pressurise their daughter to take out a photo without a Hijab.”
“It is not permissible for a woman to remove her niqab (face veil) in front of her brother-in-law. The brother-in-law is considered a non-mahram (unrelated man), and therefore the rules of hijab and modesty apply in his presence.”
Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.
Read the fatawa
- Performing Ṣalāh with a Pardah MUBZ · 17 Jun 2026
- Essence Of Hijaab Ibn Masood · 10 Jun 2026
- Ulama observing pardah from non mahrams and keeping a distance from non-Muslims Mufti Online · 4 May 2026
- Niqaab (Pardah) In Front Of A Non-Muslim Woman Azaadville · 15 Apr 2026
- Why do females have to wear hijab Camperdown · 2 Feb 2026
- Can a husband force her wife to ware burqa and niqab? AskImam · 26 Oct 2025
- Reciting Bismillah before entering the toilet will serve as a veil from the Jinn Jamiat KZN · 27 Nov 2024
- Parda from One’s Foster Relatives MUBZ · 16 Jun 2024
- Hijaab Styling Ibn Masood · 9 Sep 2024
- Wearing a niqaab in the state of ihraam Mufti Online · 30 Dec 2025
- Pardah From A Khala’s (Mother’s Sister’s) Husband Azaadville · 3 Sep 2024
- Hijab for young girls Camperdown · 24 Feb 2022
- Observing Niqab in front of the Brother-in-law Jamiat KZN · 18 Jul 2024
- Performing Salaah in Niqaab Ibn Masood · 5 Mar 2024
- is it permissible to give photo without hijab(without head covering) to marriage brokers and families who approach for an alliance? AskImam · 28 Apr 2023
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