Ruling on Women Offering Salah Without Covering their Heads

 Ruling on Women Offering Salah Without Covering their Heads

Q: If a woman who does not wear Hijab (veil) according to the Shari’ah (Islamic law) wants to offer Salah, while part of her hair or her legs is uncovered due to certain circumstances, what is the ruling on this regard? 

A: First, Hijab is Wajib (obligatory) upon the woman; it is not permissible for her to abandon or neglect wearing it. If the time of Salah (Prayer) is due while the Muslim woman who does not wear Hijab or does not wear modest dress, this matter needs further discussion:

1- If she does not wear Hijab or modest dress due to compelling circumstances, she should offer Salah as she is and her Salah is valid and there is no blame on her. Allah (عز وجل) states: “Allâh burdens not a person beyond his scope.” [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2: 286] He (سبحانه) states: “So keep your duty to Allâh and fear Him as much as you can.” [Surah Al-Taghabun, 64: 16]

2- If she does not wear Hijab or modest dress for optional matters such as following customs and traditions, etc., if she uncovers only her face and hands, her Salah is valid and she is to blame if she is in the presence of Ajanib (men lawful for the woman to marry) men. If she uncovers her legs, arm, hair, etc.,

it is not permissible for her to offer Salah in this case and if she does, her Salah is not valid and she is sinful for two reasons:

On the one hand she is uncovered in the presence of men who are not Mahrams (spouse or unmarriageable relatives) for her, and on the other hand she performed Salah in this state.

However, if there are no non-Mahrams (not unmarriageable relatives), the act of Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) is to uncover her face while offering Salah, and as for the hands, they are optional, she may cover or uncover them at her will, according to the most preponderant view of scholars. However, it is best to cover them.

[Majmoo ’al-Fataawa Ibn Baaz, Vol.: 10; pp. 407 - 408]