Is the niqab obligatory for women residing in France, whether they are married to Frenchmen, or have immigrated there since childhood, or were born there, bearing in mind that French law prohibits the niqab in public places and imposes financial penalties on those who wear it outside their homes, and many of them need to go out for household and children's matters?
Scholars have differed regarding the ruling on covering the face, and a previous fatwa mentioned the preference for obligation and its evidences. The ruling does not differ for Muslim women residing in France, but if a woman needs to go out and fears harm by covering her face, there is no sin upon her in uncovering it due to necessity.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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