Is it permissible for my wife to remove her niqab at home in front of my brothers, given that she suffers from shortness of breath and my brothers are her maternal cousins, or must she wear it in front of them?

Scholars have differed regarding the ruling on a woman covering her face, and what is most preponderant in our view is that it is obligatory. A Muslim woman must adhere to it outside her home or in the presence of men who are not her mahram, including the husband's relatives such as his brother and paternal cousin. In fact, one should be more cautious of them, due to the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "The in-law is death."

This means that the fear and temptation from him are greater because he can reach the woman and be alone with her, unlike a stranger. It is permissible for the wife to remove the niqab inside the home, provided that no non-mahram men see her. It is not obligatory to cover the face specifically with a niqab; rather, anything that covers the face is sufficient.