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Who can see me without my hijab?

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Your husband, your mahram men, women and young children. Mahram men are close male relatives you can never marry, like your father, brothers, sons, uncles and nephews. Any other man, including cousins, brothers-in-law and male friends, counts as non-mahram, and hijab applies in front of him.

The Quran's list

وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ أَخَوَٰتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُهُنَّ أَوِ ٱلتَّـٰبِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُو۟لِى ٱلْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ أَوِ ٱلطِّفْلِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا۟ عَلَىٰ عَوْرَٰتِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ "...and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women." Quran 24:31

In plain terms:

  • Your husband.
  • Your father and grandfathers.
  • Your father-in-law (husband's father).
  • Your sons, grandsons and stepsons (husband's sons).
  • Your brothers and half-brothers.
  • Your nephews (sons of your brothers and sisters).
  • Women, and children too young to notice women's bodies.

Uncles and milk relatives

Your paternal and maternal uncles are also mahram, since you can never marry them (Quran 4:23). So are relatives through breastfeeding, like a "milk brother," and your stepfather if he consummated the marriage with your mother.

Who isn't mahram

  • Male cousins.
  • Brothers-in-law and your sister's husband.
  • Your husband's uncles and nephews.
  • Adoptive brothers or fathers, unless related by breastfeeding.
  • Male friends, colleagues, neighbors and doctors (except in medical necessity).

Many converts are surprised that cousins are on this list. See Do I have to wear hijab in front of my in-laws? and Do I need to wear hijab in front of my non-Muslim family?

How much can they see?

Your husband can see everything. With mahram men, you can show what normally shows at home: hair, neck, arms and lower legs. With women, the same applies. See What can I wear at home in front of my father and brothers?

Key points
  • Mahram men are relatives you can never marry.
  • Father, brothers, sons, uncles and nephews are mahram.
  • Cousins and brothers-in-law are not.
  • Women and young children can see you too.
Tip: Draw your family tree and mark who is mahram. It takes five minutes and saves a lot of confusion at family gatherings.

People also ask

What can I wear at home in front of my father and brothers?

You can show your hair, neck, arms and lower legs, what normally shows doing housework. Avoid very revealing clothes.

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Do I need to wear hijab in front of my non-Muslim family?

Not in front of your father, brothers, sons, uncles or nephews, even if they're not Muslim. Male cousins and in-laws are different.

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Can I show my hair to female friends?

Yes, with Muslim women all scholars agree. With non-Muslim women scholars differ, and many allow it if they're trustworthy.

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Do older women still need to wear hijab?

The Quran gives older women some relief: they may set aside outer garments, though modesty is still better. Here's what that means.

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At what age should a girl start wearing hijab?

Hijab becomes required at puberty. Before that, girls can try it for fun, but they shouldn't be forced or pressured.

Read the full answer →