Back to search

Is it permissible to complete the memorization and explanation of the Qur’an with a female teacher who issues fatwas that the niqab has no origin in the religion, and permits uncovering the face and hands in front of the husband's brother and the خال‘s husband, based on the principle that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, chose the easier of two matters?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Jurists have differed regarding the ruling on covering the face, oscillating between obligation (wujub) and recommendation (istiḥbab). The preponderant opinion is that it is obligatory, and it is not permissible for a woman to uncover her face in front of a non-mahram man. The assertion that this has no basis is incorrect, as scholars are in agreement regarding its legitimacy. As for the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) choice of the easier of two matters, this does not apply here, as there are two opinions on the matter. A student of knowledge should adopt what he finds preponderant, and whoever finds the obligation preponderant is not permitted to adopt the recommendation. As for taking the Qur'an from a woman and learning knowledge at her hands, there is no objection to that.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Read the full answer on Ftawy