Aslam

Praise be to Allah.Your

keenness to be modest in dress in front of kaafir women is something to be

commended and appreciated, especially at a time when there is so little

modesty and gheerah (protective jealousy – of men over their womenfolk) is

so weak.

With regard

to the issue of kaafir women seeing what ordinarily appears of the Muslim

woman, this is an issue concerning which the Muslim scholars of the past and

present have differed. Under Question no. 2198

you will find a summary of what the scholars have said and the evidence for

each opinion. You will notice that those who say that it is permissible for

a kaafir woman to see a Muslim woman without hijaab have more than one piece

of evidence to support their view.

But it is

worth pointing out the following:

1 – If a

Muslim woman has saheeh evidence concerning some matter of sharee’ah, and

the evidence is clear and the meaning is apparent, then she should follow

it; it is not essential to have two or more pieces of evidence for every

issue.

2 – If the

kaafir woman is not trustworthy and there is the fear that she may describe

the Muslim woman to her husband or say something that will harm her honour,

then the Muslim woman has to beware of her by wearing hijaab, not mixing

with her and so on.

3 – The view

that Muslim women should wear hijaab in front of kaafir women is a valid

opinion and is correct to some extent. Many of the salaf (first generations

of Islam) expressed this view. So if a Muslim woman wants to be on the safe

side regarding her religion and follow this opinion, she may do that. It is

hoped that her caution and her keenness to avoid something doubtful will

bring good results. But she should not denounce those who differ from her in

that, so long as the matter is subject to ijtihaad and differences of

scholarly opinion, especially when there is no fear of fitnah from the

kaafir women.

4 – Women

should not go too far in uncovering in front of their mahrams or Muslim

women, let alone in front of kaafir women. Rather they should not show any

more than that which ordinarily appears, namely the hands, calves, neck and

hair. Modesty is a branch of faith. You will find more details and further

explanation under Question no. 6596. And Allaah

knows best.

May Allaah

bless our Prophet Muhammad.