Q: Is niqaab (covering the face) fardh (compulsory) for ladies, and why?

A. In cases of necessity a female may expose her hands and face. However, it is ultimately better that she covers her face, too, for the ‘Ulema have ruled that in times of corruption a woman should not even expose her face. The features of the face inevitably attract the looks and attentions of men.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Q: 1. Is a son-in-law mahram to a woman? Can she go with him on Umra/Haj?

2. What other people can be mahram to a 60 year old woman and vice versa?

A: Although a father in law or mother in law is considered Mahram for the daughter-in-law or son-in-law in terms of Shari'ah, but if the age gap between the two is not big then they may not travel together on long journeys.

If the father-in-law or mother-in-law is very old or very sickly, then this ruling will be relaxed. Nowadays ‘very old’ will be an age of 70 and above.

And Allah Ta'aala knows best.

She may travel with any Mahram. A Mahram is a person whom she is not allowed to ever marry.

Moulana Yusuf Laher

Q: Can a son send his mother for Hajj with his cousin brother and his mother? (Cousin brother is my mother's brother's son along with sister-in-law).

A: A lady can go for Haj with her brother's son.

Moulana Yusuf Laher

Q: What is the criterion of hijab that a Muslim lady should follow in front of her father-in-law? It is said that ladies can show their beauty to their father in law as they are mahrams, but I know some fathers-in-law who have bad intentions toward their daughters-in-law. What is the law of hijab in this situation?

A: The father in law will be a Mahram to the daughter in law forever, even after separation from the husband or death. Although he is a Mahram, both should dress modestly in front of each other and he should avoid touching her. If the age gap between the two is not very big, it will not be permissible for him to serve as a Mahram for her on journey.

If she senses a bad intention from him, she should never be alone with him and ensure that he never touches her. If he touches her with lust, the Nikah with the son will break immediately. She must necessarily adopt Purdah from a father in-law who has bad intentions.

Moulana Yusuf Laher

Q: Is it Haraam in Islam to be close to our dear ones (your Mahram)? Is it permissible to hug, cuddle and kiss them so that they know they have not been rejected by the young?          

A: In Islam there is obviously no purdah between mehrams; hence, it will be permissible to hug, cuddle and kiss them. However, the following conditions must be observed:

1) Kissing should be on the cheeks or forehead, not on the lips.
2) Hugging each other while either party is not clothed, that is, not fully dressed, like the chest being bare, for example, is not permissible.
3) Laying together under one blanket is also not permitted.
4) There should be no contact with certain parts of the body whilst uncovered, like the thighs, stomach, breasts, etc.
5) There must be no feeling of lust or desire. The moment either party starts getting feelings of lust or desire, then such hugging, kissing, and cuddling will be haraam.

And Allah knows best
Mufti Siraj Desai

Q: Is it possible for a woman to do umrah with her son-in-law? Is the son-in-law a mahram if he is not her nephew?

A. Although a father-in-law or mother-in-law is considered Mahram for the daughter-in-law or son-in-law in terms of Shari'ah, but if the age gap between the two is not big then they may not travel together on long journeys.

If the father-in-law or mother-in-law is very old or very sickly, then this ruling will be relaxed. Nowadays ‘very old’ will be an age of 70 and above.

And Allah Ta'aala knows best.

Mufti Siraj Desai