Observing Hijab at Home: A Guide for Women in Joint Families

Understanding Proper Hijab Etiquette in Front of Non-Mahram Men

Question: How should women observe hijab at home when there are cousins, brothers-in-law, uncles, and other non-mahram men present? Is it sufficient to wear loose and long ordinary clothes without adornment, along with a scarf and a nose piece to cover the face, or is it necessary to wear a burqa for proper hijab?

Answer: In an Islamic society, the concept of a joint family is not ideal, but it is common in our culture, which brings many issues, including the difficulty for women to observe hijab from non-mahram men.

If you live in a place where both mahram (close relatives) and non-mahram men are present, a woman can uncover her head, hair, face, hands, and feet in front of her mahrams. The rest of her body should be covered from below the neck to the ankles, except in front of her husband.

Regarding non-mahrams, a woman must cover her entire body, including her face. Just as you wear a hijab or burqa outside to prevent strangers from seeing you, you must observe the same level of hijab inside your home in front of non-mahrams. Your clothing should be loose, thick, and simple, not tight, short, or flashy. Even in front of mahrams, avoid wearing tight, short, or flashy clothes, and only uncover the mentioned parts. In front of your husband, you can dress as you wish.

As for the scarf and nose piece, it is clear that you must cover your head, hair, and entire face, including the forehead, from non-mahrams, whether you use a scarf or a large shawl.

 Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi Hafizahullah

❪Jeddah Dawah Center, Hayy Al-Salamah – Saudi Arabia❫