Is It Sinful to Refuse the Proposal of a Pious Man Who Wants Her to Wear Niqab?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
A friend of mine got a proposal from a person who is very religious, pious, and perfect in all aspects. He wants his wife to wear the niqab. My friend wears a head covering (dupatta) but doesn’t wear a proper hijab or niqab. She knows it won’t be easy to bring out this change, and she fears she will not get along with that man. Is it a sin if she refuses that proposal, and does that mean she will never get any good proposals?
Answer
Thank you for your question. May Allah reward your friend for being deeply concerned about doing the right thing and for putting Allah’s pleasure first.
Not Sinful
It is not sinful for her to decline the proposal, nor does it mean that she will never get good proposals in the future. I commend her for wanting to marry a man whose religion will not distress her, and I pray she finds a suitable match. Ask her to pray istikhara to confirm her feelings and perhaps have another discussion with the suitor to discuss his flexibility.
Also, here to keep this hadith in mind: The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “When someone whose religion and character you are pleased with proposes to (the charge) of one of you, then marry to him. If you do not do so, then there will be turmoil (fitna) in the land and abounding corruption (fasad).” [Tirmidhi]
Please see these links as well:
- Was It a Mistake to Reject a Suitor Who Would Not Agree to High Dowry?
- Am I Permitted to Supplicate for a Wife Who Wears a Niqab?
May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.
