An Analytical View on the Ruling of Face Covering (Part 18)
Forms of Permissibility of Showing the Face
The holy law of Islam has always taken into account the conditions and needs of individuals and has never issued unilateral rulings. Therefore, regarding the issue of covering the face, it has allowed women to reveal their faces in necessary situations to alleviate hardship. The following are cases in which revealing the face is permissible:
1. During Prayer
Hanafi jurists have clarified that the face and palms (hands up to the wrists) are not considered Awrah during prayer. Therefore, women do not need to cover their faces during prayer.
Allama Sharanbilali Hanafi, MABH, stated: «وجميع بدن الحرة عورة إلا وجهها وكفيها وقدميها وكشف ربع عضو من أعضاء العورة يمنع صحة الصلاة.» Translation: “The entire body of a free woman (not a slave), except for her face, two palms, and two feet, is considered Awrah. Revealing one-fourth of one of the private parts will invalidate the prayer.”
Sheikh Al-Samnaqani, MABH, said in this regard: «وأمّا المرأةُ فتُواري في صلاتِها كلَّ شيءٍ منها إلا وجهَها، وكفّيها، وقدميها.» Translation: “As for a woman, she should cover everything in her prayers except for her face, her hands, and her feet.”
2. In Hajj and Umrah
According to the Prophetic Hadith, women in a state of Ihram should not cover their faces.
In Sahih Bukhari, Sunan Abu Dawud, and other books of Hadith, it is recorded that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: «لاَ تَنْتَقِبُ الْمَرْأَةُ الْمُحْرِمَةُ وَلاَ تَلْبَسُ الْقُفَّازَيْنِ» Translation: “A woman in the state of Ihram should not cover her face or wear gloves.”
Thus, it is necessary for a woman in the state of Ihram to uncover her face and not wear gloves.
3. In Times of Necessity
Jurists have considered it permissible to reveal one’s face in times of necessity, such as testifying, making a transaction, being judged, or visiting a doctor.
Ibn Mazah, MABH, stated in this regard: «والنظرُ إلى الأجنبيَّة مع ما فيه من خوفِ الفِتنة لا يجوزُ إلَّا لضرورة.» Translation: “Looking at a non-mahram woman is not permissible, given the fear of sedition therein, except in cases of necessity.”
In Majma’ Al-Anhar, in the commentary on Al-Multaq Al-Abhur, it is stated: «ودلَّتِ المسألةُ على أنَّ المرأةَ لا تَكشِف وجهَها للأجانبِ من غيرِ ضرورةٍ.» Translation: “This issue indicates that a woman should not reveal her face to non-mahram individuals, except in cases of necessity.”
Revealing the face in cases of necessity is discussed in detail in authoritative jurisprudential books. Below, we will consider this ruling from some authoritative sources:
A) Revealing the Face When TestifyingH
anafi jurists have stated that a woman should reveal her face when testifying, so that the judge and those present can recognize her.
Allama Ibn Abidin Shami, MABH, said in this regard: «قَوْلُهُ: (وَلَا يَجُوزُ النَّظَرُ إلَيْهِ بِشَهْوَةٍ) أَيْ إلَّا لِحَاجَةٍ كَقَاضٍ أَوْ شَاهِدٍ بِحُكْمٍ أَوْ يَشْهَدُ عَلَيْهَا لَا لِتَحَمُّلِ الشَّهَادَةِ،» Translation: “His saying: (It is not permissible to look at her with lust) means except in cases of need, such as a judge who wants to rule on her, or a witness who wants to testify against her, not for the purpose of bearing witness.”
Allama Akmaluddin Babarti, MABH, said: «ويجوز للقاضي إذا أراد أن يحكم عليها، وللشاهد إذا أراد أداء الشهادة عليها، النظر إلى وجهها وإن خاف أن يشتهي، للحاجة إلى إحياء حقوق الناس بواسطة القضاء وأداء الشهادة.» Translation: “It is permissible for a judge to look at a woman’s face if he wants to rule on her, and it is permissible for a witness to look at her face if he wants to testify about her, even if she fears that he may be attracted to her, as there is a need to restore people’s rights through judgment and testimony.”
B) Showing Her Face to a Doctor In situations where there is a need for medical treatment, Hanafi jurisprudence permits a woman to show her face and necessary areas to a male doctor, provided that there is no female doctor available.
Ibn Najim (MABH) writes in Al-Ashbah wal-Naza’er (p. 218): «الضرورات تبیح المحظورات» Translation: “Necessities make forbidden things permissible,” allowing the physician to examine the area that requires treatment.
It is also stated in the Hadayat Al-Bidayah: «ویجوز للطبیب أن ینظر إلی موضع المرض منها للضرورة» Translation: “It is permissible for a physician to examine a woman during her illness, out of necessity.”
The author of the book Manhiyah Al-Suluk states: «ويحل للطبيب النظر على موضع المرض منها» (أي من المرأة) Translation: “It is permissible for a doctor to look at the location of a woman’s illness out of necessity.”
C) Showing Her Face in Court and Judicial Matters
In judicial matters, such as lawsuits and identifying defendants, Hanafi jurists have permitted a woman to reveal her face.
Allamah Akmal al-Din Babarti, MABH, writes: «ويجوز للقاضي إذا أراد أن يحكم عليها، وللشاهد إذا أراد أداء الشهادة عليها، النظر إلى وجهها وإن خاف أن يشتهي، للحاجة إلى إحياء حقوق الناس بواسطة القضاء وأداء الشهادة.» Translation: “It is permissible for a judge to look at a woman’s face if he wants to rule on her, and it is permissible for a witness to look at her face if he wants to testify about her, even if she fears that he may be attracted to her, as there is a need to restore people’s rights through judgment and testimony.”
Allama Ibn Abidin Shami, MABH, said in this regard: «قَوْلُهُ: (وَلَا يَجُوزُ النَّظَرُ إلَيْهِ بِشَهْوَةٍ) أَيْ إلَّا لِحَاجَةٍ كَقَاضٍ أَوْ شَاهِدٍ بِحُكْمٍ أَوْ يَشْهَدُ عَلَيْهَا لَا لِتَحَمُّلِ الشَّهَادَةِ،» Translation: “His saying: (It is not permissible to look at her with lust) means except in cases of need, such as a judge who wants to rule on her, or a witness who wants to testify against her—not for the purpose of bearing witness.”
D) Showing Her Face When Proposing (to Get to Know the Future Spouse)
Hanafi jurists have permitted a man to see the woman’s face and hands when proposing, as this aids in making an informed decision about marriage.
عن المُغِيرة بن شُعبة، أَنَّهُ خَطبَ امرأَةً، فقال النَّبِيُّ صلىاللهعليهوسلم: «انْظُرْ إِلَيْهَا، فَإِنَّهُ أَحْرَى أَنْ يُؤْدَمَ بَيْنَكُمَا» It was narrated from Al-Mughira bin Shu’bah that he proposed to a woman. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Look at her, for this increases the likelihood of love and affection between you.”
Allamah Marghinani (MABH) said: «ومن أراد أن يتزوج امرأة فلا بأس بأن ينظر إليها وإن علم أنه يشتهيها، لقوله عليهالصلاةوالسلام فيه: «أبصرها فإنه أحرى أن يؤدم بينكما»، ولأن مقصوده إقامة السنة لا قضاء الشهوة.» Translation: “There is no harm in looking at a woman whom one intends to marry, even if he knows that he feels attracted to her, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Look at her, for this increases the possibility of love and affection between you.” Additionally, the purpose of this gaze is to follow the Sunnah, not to satisfy desire.”
Allama Ibn Abidin Shami, the esteemed Mufti of Hanafi jurisprudence, has stated in this regard: «وَكَخَاطِبٍ يُرِيدُ نِكَاحَهَا فَيَنْظُرُ وَلَوْ عَنْ شَهْوَةٍ بِنِيَّةِ السُّنَّةِ لَا قَضَاءِ الشَّهْوَةِ.» Translation: “Like a suitor who intends to marry her, he can look at her, even if it is with lust, but with the intention of following the Sunnah, not satisfying desire.”
Summary:
1. When giving testimony, a woman must reveal her face so that she can be recognized.
2. In the event of medical necessity, it is permissible to reveal her face and other necessary areas.
3. In legal cases, it is permissible to reveal her face to identify a person.
4. In proposing, it is permissible to see a woman’s face and hands.
These rulings are legitimate and based on necessity and need; in normal circumstances, Hanafi jurists recommend covering the face.
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