Q 1: Is there any evidence that confirms that a woman should veil herself if a seven or nine-year-old boy enters? Some women are used to cover their faces when a seven-year-old boy enters. There is no doubt that a woman should veil herself if an adult enters because this is an agreed-upon ruling; but what about a young boy? Is there any evidence confirming this view? If she has to veil herself in front of him, what will be the meaning of the following Ayah (Qur'anic verse): ...or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. ?

A: A woman should only veil herself in front of pubescent men who are non-Mahrams (not a spouse or unmarriageable relatives). However, she is not required to veil herself in front of children who have not reached puberty or men who are Mahrams (spouse or unmarriageable relatives). Allah (Exalted be He) says: ...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. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful. (Part No. 17; Page No. 192) Allah (Exalted be He) also says: And when the children among you come to puberty, then let them (also) ask for permission, as those senior to them (in age). May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.