Should I Marry a Girl Who Doesn’t Wear Hijab?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

There is a girl who wants to marry me. She is gentle and prays regularly, but she doesn’t wear a hijab. I told her unless she wore the hijab, I didn’t want to marry her because I didn’t want to share any sin, and moreover, I didn’t feel comfortable. We have known each other for many years. Am I doing the right thing? Or should I marry her and give her time? She said she might wear hijab in the future anyway, but she doesn’t know when. Please advise.

Answer

Thank you for your question. May Allah reward you for your intention to obey Allah and His Messenger and apply the religion to your life.

Hijab

You should pray istikhara about this girl and follow your heart. My instinct tells me to advise you to marry a girl who wears hijab as you should seek a girl first and foremost for her religion, outwardly and inwardly. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “A woman is married for four things: for her wealth, for her lineage, for her beauty, or her piety. Select the pious; may you be blessed!“ [Bukhari & Muslim]

Please see these links as well:

• Can I Marry Someone Who Doesn’t Wear the Hijab as a Second Wife?
• Marrying a Practicing Non-Hijabi

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.