How should the tasattur (hijab) of a Muslim woman be in the presence of her mother-in-law and father-in-law who are non-Muslims? Can she uncover her head?

Dear Brother / Sister,

All of the body of a woman except her face and hands is haram to show to non-mahram men. However, she can uncover her head in the presence of the men who are mahram like her father-in-law except when she is praying. For, the organs like the head and arm are not regarded as awrah for them. However, when she is alone with her father-in-law, it is better for her to cover her head, setting a good example. (al-Fiqh 'ala al-Madhahib al-Arba'a, I/192; Halil GÜNENÇ, Günümüz Meselelerine Fetvalar, II/192)

Accordingly, if a Muslim woman uncovers her head in the presence of her father-in-law, it is not a sin. However, the decree changes in the presence of non-Muslims. Therefore, it is not appropriate for a woman to uncover her head in the presence of her father-in-law who is a non-Muslim. For, According to the majority of the scholars, it is not appropriate for a Muslim woman to uncover her head even in the presence of non-Muslim women. Therefore, it is not appropriate for her to uncover her head in the presence of her father-in-law who is a non-Muslim.

As for her mother-in-law:

According to Hanbalis, the awrah places of a Muslim woman in the presence of unbelieving women are like the awrah places of mahram men: between the navel and knees. According to this madhhab, a woman can uncover her head in the presence of her mother-in-law.

According to the majority of the scholars, all of the body of a woman except the parts that are seen while doing housework is awrah.

The point that this disagreement is based on is the difference in the interpretation of the verse in the chapter of an-Nur.

“The believing women should not display their beauty except to their husbands… or their women..." (an-Nur, 24/31)

Hanbalis and some scholars say what is meant by "those women" are all women; there is no difference between Muslims and non-Muslims. Therefore, it is permissible for a Muslim woman to uncover the parts of her body that are permissible to uncover in the presence of a Muslim woman in the presence of an unbelieving woman.

According to the majority of the scholars, what is meant by "those women" is Muslim women; that is, the Muslim women who have properties like chatting together and being sisters in religion. Accordingly, it is not permissible for a woman to uncover any parts of her body except her face and hands in the presence of non-Muslim women. (Tafsiru Ayatil-Ahkam bil–Azhar, II/164; Wahba Zuhayli, İslam Fıkhı)

The awrah places of a woman in the presence of other women are like the awrah places of a man in the presence of other men. Therefore, Muslim women can look at all parts of the body of the other Muslim women except the parts between the navel and knees. However, a non-Muslim woman can look at only the face and hands of a Muslim woman. She cannot look at the other parts.

Accordingly, a woman whose father-in-law and mother-in-law are non-Muslims had better cover her body parts except her hands and face in the presence of her father-in-law. We advise her to cover her head in the presence of her mother-in-law acting upon the general ijtihad of the Islamic scholars. However, if she is sure that there will not be mischief and that her mother-in-law will not mention anyone about her beauty, she can uncover her head by imitating Hanbali madhhab.

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