Woman unveiling her hair to have a photo necessary for passport

30-4-2006 | IslamWeb

Question:

My wife's passport expired, now I have to go for new passport. I reached to the embassy with old passport and required photograph with hezab, by keeping only the face open. But embassy asked to provide picture that ear can be shown. Then again I took photograph by covering head and ear can see but not so clear. This time also embassy not happy. They asked me to take photograph head should be uncovered and ear should be clearly visible. Now in this situation what should I do? Can you please guide me as per Islam what should I do now? Please help me.

---

Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

It is not permissible for a woman to unveil her hair in a way that marriageable men could see her, neither in a photograph or else. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 83033.

However, if a woman is obliged to unveil her hair, then there is no harm on her, Allaah willing, as Allaah Says (what means): {…while He has explained in detail to you what He has forbidden you, excepting that to which you are compelled.}[Quran 6:119]. Nonetheless, you are obliged to stick to the necessity and not go beyond it, as the necessity is valued according to its proper value. If the pictures could be taken by a woman, then it is not permissible for a marriageable man to do so, and it is not permissible to show these pictures to a marriageable man except according to the necessity, and so forth.

Allaah Knows best.