Is it permissible for a woman to adorn herself in a moderate, unexaggerated way when going out?
A woman is not permitted to adorn herself when she leaves her home, because Allah the Almighty has specifically allowed the husband and maharim (unmarriageable kin) to see a woman's adornment, as He states: "And not display their adornment except that which is apparent, and let them draw their headcovers over their bosoms, and not display their adornment except to their husbands or their fathers" (An-Nur: 31). Scholars have differed regarding the meaning of "that which is apparent." One group held that it refers to clothes that cannot be concealed, while others held that it refers to the face and hands. The preponderant opinion is that the apparent adornment refers to clothes, and everything of her is 'awrah (that which must be covered), which implies the prohibition of displaying any adornment when leaving the house.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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