Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalam-o-alaikum!

I was listening to a speech by a prominent religious scholar, one of the best the Muslim Ummah has, Dr Israr Ahmed and he mentioned that a girl/woman must cover her head infront of her father, uncles and brothers too, along with the rest of the body (except face, hands, feet). I thought I had finally complied in full with all that was required in the manner of Hijab i.e. cover the head properly in front of Non-Mehram (Aunts` husbands too), along with full sleeves. As for the question of covering the face, that is a different thing altogether.

But my main question remains: Is it really proven by the Quran and Sunnah to cover the head in front of our Mehrams (except husband) too? Unfortunately, I cannot reconcile myself to it - and I would hate to form wrong opinions without knowing the truth. Please guide me to the right answer.

Assalam-o-alaikum!

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Answer:

Satr woman with her mehram

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 24 Surah Noor verse 31:

31 And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! Turn ye all together towards Allah that ye may attain Bliss.

Your Question: Is it really proven by the Quran and Sunnah to cover the head in front of our Mehrams (except husband) too?

In light of the above absolutely clear guidance of the Holy Quran, the believing woman need not cover her beauty or her head in front of her mehram relatives, children, and her women-folk.

The body parts of the believing woman which she must never ever expose to anyone amongst mankind (except her husband alone) are from the very beginning of her breasts to her knees inclusive.

There is absolutely no ‘satr’ between a husband and a wife bonded in the sacred institution of marriage in Islam.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan