Can I take the niqab of if my husband asks me to?
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
Answer
In this day and age the consensus of the scholars is that it is obligatory for a woman to cover her face in front of ghair mahram men (whom marriage is permissible with). (See Raddul Muhtar P532 v9)
If the husband is requesting to take off the niqab in a place or situation where ghair mahram males are present then it will not be permissible for you to obey your husband in this matter.
The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam has said:
“There is no obedience to the created in the disobedience of the Creator.” (Hadith taken from Maariful Qur’an P481 v 5)
However if he requests you to take it off in a situation where there are not any ghair mahram men present then it will be permissible to obey him.
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham.
