Is it permissible for a woman to uncover her hair in front of her paternal uncles and maternal uncles, even though they are her mahrams, given that they are not mentioned in verse 31 of Surat An-Nur?
Scholars have unanimously agreed that the ruling concerning paternal uncles and maternal uncles is the same as the ruling concerning other mahārim (unmarriageable kin) mentioned in the Qur’an. Their not being mentioned in the verse is due to their being in the position of fathers, for Allah named the paternal uncle a father in His Almighty saying: (Or were you witnesses when death approached Jacob, when he said to his sons, "What will you worship after me?" They said, "We will worship your God and the God of your fathers, Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac - one God. And we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.") [Al-Baqarah:133]. Ishmael was Jacob's paternal uncle. And due to the Prophet's saying: "A man's paternal uncle is the counterpart of his father." It is permissible for them to look at what normally appears of a woman, such as the face, head, neck, and leg, provided it is not with lust.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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