Obedience is in what is right and good

Question: I married a man. After the marriage, he requested that I should not cover my face in front of his brothers otherwise he would divorce me. What should I do while I fear divorce?

Response: It is not allowed for a man to be flexible with respect to his wife and allow her to uncover her face in front o men. It is not proper for him to be weak and give into his family to the point that his wife uncovers her face in front of his brothers uncles, brother-in-laws, cousins and others who are not mahram for her. This is not allowed. She does not obey him in that matter as obedience is only in what is good and right. In fact, she must wear hijaab and cover her face even if he divorces her. If he does divorce her, soon Allaah will provide her with someone better than him, Allaah willing. Allaah says in the Qur.aan:

{But if they separate [by divorce], Allaah will provide abundance for everyone of them from His Bounty}, [Soorah an-Nisaa., Aayah 130].

It is also narrated that the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) said:

((If someone abandons something for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will replace it with something better than it)).

Allaah says:

{And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him}, [Soorah at-Talaaq, Aayah 4].

It is not allowed for the husband to threaten her with divorce if she wears hijaab and follows those guidelines that lead to chastity and modesty.

We ask Allaah for safety and health.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz
Fataawa al-Mar.ah