What is the ruling on a woman disguising herself in men's clothing and wearing a mustache or similar in order to participate in jihad, fleeing from the violation of her honor, and is this considered imitation, or does it invalidate her jihad and diminish her reward?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is not permissible for a woman to imitate men unless there is an extreme necessity, such as fearing for her honor when being arrested. If disguising herself in men's clothes and appearance might save her, then there is no blame upon her due to necessity, and her reward will not be diminished. Allah Almighty said: "And He has detailed for you what He has forbidden to you, except what you are compelled to [eat or do]." Honor is one of the five necessities that permit committing a prohibited act to preserve it.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/124363
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 124363
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy