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What is the ruling on looking out of the window without a hijab when there is no one looking, and what is its interpretation in light of the hadith: "Are you two blind?" regarding Ibn Umm Maktum?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

It is permissible for a woman to look from the window if she is safe from strangers looking at her and from her looking at them. However, it is preferable to adhere to the hijab for fear of someone passing by and seeing her. The permissibility of uncovering the hijab when there is no fear of temptation is indicated by the hadith of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) regarding letting down the jilbab when riders passed by, and the hadith of Fatimah bint Qais concerning her 'iddah (waiting period) in the house of the blind Ibn Umm Maktum. As for her looking at strangers without them seeing her, it is forbidden if done with lust, but permissible if not done with lust and there is no fear of temptation. This is indicated by the hadith of Aisha regarding her watching the Abyssinians play and the Prophet (peace be upon him) shielding her.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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