Q 5: Is it permissible for women to discard their outer clothing in the presence of their brothers-in-law?

A: Allah (Exalted be He) enjoins Hijab (veil) by saying: O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). And: ...and to draw their veils all over Juyûbihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) Moreover, Allah (Exalted be He) permits women who are past child-bearing to discard their outer clothing in such a way as not to show their adornment, and He (Glorified be He) clarifies that refraining from doing so is better for them. He (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: And as for women past child-bearing who do not expect wed-lock, it is no sin on them if they discard their (outer) clothing in such a way as not to show their adornment. But to refrain (i.e. not to discard their outer clothing) is better for them. And Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Knower. Besides, Allah (Exalted be He) defined the categories of people who are permitted to look at women's faces: ...and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyûbihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islâm), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. (Part No. 17; Page No. 424) Brothers-in-law are not mentioned in the foregoing Ayah (Qur'anic verse) and thus it is impermissible for them to look at the faces of their sisters-in-law. Likewise, it is impermissible for the latter to discard their outer clothing in the presence of their brothers-in-law lest temptation should arouse. Proof for the foregoing is a Hadith in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: No man stays with a woman in seclusion except Satan will be their third one. It was said: 'Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him), What about a husband's brother,' whereupon he said: 'A husband's brother is like death'. The Hadith informs that the matter of the husbands' brothers is more dangerous because they have undoubted access to the houses of their brothers. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.