The Opinions of the Fuqaha' of the Four Madhhabs Regarding Hijab

(Part No. 11; Page No. 320)

The third question of Fatwa no. 17880

Q 3: According to Al-Hanabilah (the followers of Imam Ahmad's School of Jurisprudence) a woman who does not wear Hijab (veil) is a Kafir (disbeliever). It is not permissible to supplicate to Allah for her if she dies regardless of her Salah (Prayer). They hold that there is one shape of Hijab and any woman who does not abide by it does not wear the prescribed Islamic Hijab. However, the Maliky scholars hold another view and consider her a Muslim on whom the Janazah (Funeral) Prayer and Du`a' (supplication) are offered.

A: Hijab is an obligation which means that a woman should cover up in the presence of non-Mahram people (not a spouse or a permanently unmarriageable relative). Any woman who does not wear it is sinful and should be forced to wear it. However, if she does not wear it, she will not fall into Kufr (disbelief), neither according to Al-Hanabilah (the followers of Imam Ahmad's School of Jurisprudence) nor other scholars because not wearing the Hijab is a sin less than Kufr and does not bring the person out of the fold of Islam.

May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.

The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta'

Sheikh Abdul Aziz Ibn Baz