What is the ruling on removing the niqab due to hardship, difficulty breathing, and headaches resulting from wearing it, especially since the doctor recommended removing it after LASIK surgery to protect the eye?

A woman is permitted to remove her niqab if she genuinely fears harm to herself, such as assault or physical violence. However, she is not permitted to remove it merely due to exposure to verbal abuse, mockery, or ridicule. It is preferable to consult scholars in her country to assess the situation.

We advise seeking Allah's help and relying upon Him, increasing supplication in the last third of the night, frequently reciting "Hasbiyallahu wa Ni'mal Wakeel" (Allah is sufficient for me, and He is the best Disposer of affairs) and "La ilaha illa Anta, Subhanaka inni kuntu min adh-dhalimin" (There is no god but You; glory be to You! Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers). Also, maintain the morning and evening remembrances, recite Surah Al-Ikhlas and the two Mu'awwidhat (Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas) three times in the morning and evening, and say: "Bismillahil-ladhi la yadurru ma' ismihi shai'un fil-ardi wa la fis-sama'i wa Huwas-Sami'ul-'Alim" (In the Name of Allah, with Whose Name nothing on earth or in the heavens can cause harm, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing) three times.

When fearing oppression, one should say: "Allahumma Rabba as-samawati as-sab'i wa Rabba al-'arshi al-'adheem, kun li jaran min fulan ibn fulan wa ahzabihi min khalaiqika an yufrita 'alayya ahadun minhum aw an yatgha, 'azza jaruka wa jalla thana'uka wa la ilaha illa Anta" (O Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the Magnificent Throne, be a Protector for me from so-and-so son of so-and-so and his factions from Your creation, lest any of them transgress against me or oppress me. Glorified is Your protection and mighty is Your praise, and there is no god but You). When confronting an unjust ruler, one should say three times: "Allahu Akbar, Allahu a'azzu min khalqihi jamee'an, Allahu a'azzu mimma akhafu wa ahdhar, a'udhu billahil-ladhi la ilaha illa Huwa al-mumskis-samawati as-sab'i an yaqa'na 'alal-ardi illa bi-idhnihi min sharri 'abdika fulan wa junudihi wa atba'ihi minal-jinni wal-insi, Allahumma kun li jaran min sharrihim, jalla thana'uka wa 'azza jaruka wa tabaraka ismuka wa la ilaha ghairuk" (Allah is the Greatest, Allah is mightier than all His creation, Allah is mightier than what I fear and dread. I seek refuge in Allah, besides whom there is no god, Who holds the seven heavens from falling upon the earth except by His permission, from the evil of Your servant so-and-so, and his soldiers and followers from jinn and humans. O Allah, be a Protector for me from their evil. Glorified is Your praise, mighty is Your protection, blessed is Your name, and there is no god other than You).