As an Old Woman Can I Uncover My Face and Hands in Front of Non-Mahrams?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaykum

I am past the childbearing age and have been for many years now. Is it permissible for me to uncover my face and hands (provided that I do not wear makeup or any other adornment) in front of non-mahrams men?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

Classically, leaving the “outer garments” [without uncovering the nakedness] was considered acceptable when a lady reached her older years as long as there was no fear of undue attention. This includes the face-covering for those that wear it.

Allah Most High says, “As for elderly women past the age of marriage, there is no blame on them if they take off their outer garments, without revealing their adornments. But it is better for them if they avoid this altogether. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” [24:60]

Please also see: Is It Necessary for Women to Wear the Niqab in the Hanafi School? and: The Lawful Nature of Niqab (Face Veiling)

And Allah Most High knows best.

wassalam,
[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Leicester, where he also served as the President of the Islamic Society. He memorised the entire Qur’an in his hometown of Ipswich at the tender age of sixteen, and has since studied the Islamic Sciences in traditional settings in the UK, Jordan and Turkey. He is currently pursuing advanced studies in Jordan, where he is presently based with his family.