Why Must a Woman Uncover Her Face in Ihram?

Question and answer details
Muhammad Mustafa
Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. I want to know why a woman cannot cover her face while in a state of ihram during Hajj or `Umrah? Jazakum Allah khayran.
On Islam Shari`ah Researchers

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.


Dear brother in Islam, thank you very much for raising this question, which reflects a truthful desire to have a clearer view of the teachings of Islam. May Allah crown this truthful desire with His satisfaction and reward.


Uncovering the face for women in the state of ihram while performing Hajj or `Umrah is related to the category of `ibadat (acts of worship), which are orders of Allah the Almighty. We believe such acts have infinite wisdom, for Almighty Allah is The All-Wise. He does not order anything unwise, and yet in order for us not to disrespect Allah the Almighty, scholars have classified them as ta`abbudi acts, which means that they are rituals that we must fulfill regardless whether their immediate benefits are clear or not.



Second, the rituals of Hajj and `Umrah are very akin to the scenes of the Day of Resurrection when people will be resurrected naked as they were born. The situation will be too hard for them to pay attention to that. The state of ihram is a symbolic reminder of this Day when everyone will pay no attention save to his own destiny and fate. Similarly, every pilgrim should concentrate only on the rituals of Hajj or `Umrah and empty his mind from every concern save devotion to Allah and surrender to His Will.


Allah Almighty knows best.