What advice is directed to the husband who rejects his wife's wearing of the Shar'i hijab for fear of social ostracization, or being accused of extremism, or due to his belief in personal freedom of choice?

The hijab is an unalterable obligation, and responding to Allah's command concerning it does not depend on the husband's satisfaction. The essence of Islam is submission to Allah's decree and obedience to His law. Whoever accepts Allah as Lord, Islam as religion, and Muhammad (peace be upon him) as Prophet; this necessitates that he obligates himself and everyone under his guardianship to what Allah and His Messenger have commanded, even if it goes against his desires and customs. As Allah Almighty says: "It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error." (Al-Ahzab: 36).