Who Can See a Woman Without a Hijab?

Can I stand on the balcony without my hijab?

Can I sit with a stranger woman without my hijab?

Most hijabis have plenty of unanswered questions about who can see a woman without a hijab. We all know the basic family members who are allowed to do so: father and siblings. But there’s more to it.

Here’s everything you need to know about the subject.

Who Can See a Woman Without a Hijab?

There’s been a large debate recently over who can see a woman without a hijab, although Islam’s rulings are pretty clear about it. However, with the huge global diversity, not all women have the same access to these rulings and their jurists.

Generally, women can sit without a hijab in front of mahram men who are prohibited from marrying her.

The word ‘mahram’ means permanently unmarriageable, a man who’s prohibited from marrying that woman because of a blood relation, an in-law relation, or any other reason that we’ll discuss below.

Here’s who these men are:

1- Close Family

The mahram men in your close family include your father, brothers, and grandfathers on both sides. All these men can see you without a hijab because they’re your mahrams.

If you have a step-father, he, too, is considered a mahram and can see you without a hijab because he’s prohibited from marrying you.

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As for step-brothers, there’s been a debate about that.

If you and your step-brother share the same mother, then he’s a half-brother rather than a step-brother, which means he’s a mahram, and you can reveal your hair in front of him. However, if your step-brother is merely your step-father’s son, and you don’t share any blood relation, then he’s not a mahram. You should maintain your hijab in front of him.

2- Extended Family

The other family members who can see you without a hijab are your uncles on both sides. However, only your uncles can see you without a hijab; their sons—your cousins—can’t because they’re not prohibited from marrying you. So, they’re not considered mahrams.

Likewise, your aunts’ husbands aren’t mahrams.

Other than your uncles, your mother’s or father’s uncles—on both sides—are your mahrams, so you can take your hijab off in front of them as well. A woman’s brother is a mahram to her and all her progeny, including her children and grandchildren.

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3- Marital Family

The most obvious person in your marital family who can see you without a hijab is your husband. However, that’s not it. Your father-in-law can see you without a hijab as well because he’s your mahram.

However, your husband’s brothers aren’t your mahrams, so you’ll have to keep the hijab on in front of them. The same goes for your husband’s brothers-in-law.

4- Milk Brothers

A lot of people don’t know that there’s such a thing as milk brothers in Islam. If it’s your first time hearing about it, milk brother means a man who got breastfed by your mother. Or, a man whom you breastfed from his mother.

When a man and a woman had been breastfed by the same woman, they’re considered milk siblings, and they’re permanently unmarriageable, which means the man is a mahram.

According to Bukhari (2645), the Prophet Muhammed said (It is forbidden to breastfeed what is forbidden from parentage). In other words, your milk brother gets the same treatment in Islam as your actual brother. You can’t marry him, and you don’t have to wear your hijab in front of him.

There’s been a debate on this topic regarding your milk brother’s brothers. Are they mahrams too?

No, Islam’s rulings are clear about this. Only your milk brother is a mahram. Neither his father nor his brothers are. In other words, it’s permissible for you to marry one of his brothers, and you can’t take your hijab off in front of them.

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5- All Women

It’s a no-brainer that Islam’s hijab rulings don’t apply to women. You can take your hijab off in front of any woman whatsoever.

However, there’s been a debate about women from other religions or kaafir women. Some Muslims thought that you can only take your hijab off in front of Muslim women, but that’s not true.

According to the more correct of the two scholarly views in Islam, all women are treated the same with it comes to hijab. So, it’s not obligatory to wear your hijab in front of any woman.

That’s unless you suspect that a woman is taking your pictures or describing you in an unethical way to a stranger man. In that case, it’s better for your sake to keep wearing your hijab, but you’re not obligated to do so by Islam.

What Can a Woman Reveal in Front of Her Mahrams?

A woman can sit without a hijab in front of her mahrams, but that doesn’t mean she can wear too revealing clothes. There are still some guidelines to abide by, especially if the woman doesn't trust all her mahrams.

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According to Shaykh Muhammad Saalih ibn ‘Uthaymeen, a woman can reveal her face, neck, arms, calves, and feet in front of her mahrams. However, she should cover the rest of her body to prevent unnecessary reactions.

Before Leaving, Take a Look at These EMMA Best Sellers

Before leaving, take a quick look at EMMA's global best-sellers—your wardrobe may be ready for an upgrade before the winter starts!

Persian Queen

Persian Queen is one of EMMA's most iconic hijabs, and it's a global bestseller for obvious reasons. Between its Persian influences and bright colors, it's a wardrobe joker card that you can wear on many outfits. It'd look great with pink, red, blue, yellow, and, of course, white.

Turath in Modal

Turath is loved by EMMA fans worldwide because of its Arabic-inspired patterns that look like something out of a folkloric ancient story. The pattern is so intricate and well-defined that you'll feel as if you want to zoom in on every little detail and marvel at it.

Eden

Featuring pretty much all colors on the wheel, Eden is one of EMMA's most versatile hijabs. Because of its broad-spectrum color palette, you can wear it with any color you want, though it pairs exceptionally well with purple, black, olive green, and nude colors.

That's a hijab you can wear during all seasons while rocking every one of your outfits!

Frequently Asked Questions

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