Does Brief Niqab Contact With the Face Break Ihram Rules?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

Does briefly pressing a niqab cloth to my face during ihram affect its validity or require a penalty?

While in ihram for ‘Umra, I briefly pressed part of my cap-style niqab against my eyes to wipe tears. The cloth did not remain on the face and only made light, momentary contact. Does this invalidate my ihram or require dam?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.

If the niqab does end up touching the face, then charity equivalent to the amount of Sadaqat al-Fitr is due. And if one wears a niqab whilst touching her face for a complete day, a sacrificed animal (dam) is due. [‘Ali al-Qari, Manasik al-Mulla al-Qari Ma’ Hashiyat Irshad al-Sari]

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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.