Question:
As-Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakaatuhu, Dear Sir,
Is it permissible for a woman to pray in trousers in her home or in a public place? The second question: Is it permissible for a woman to pray and to leave the house with a wig and what is the Hukm (ruling) of this for the woman?
From Moomen Al-Harby
Answer:
Wa Alaikumu Salaam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu,
a. It is not permissible for the woman to leave (her house) and enter into the Hayaat ‘Aammah (public life) unless she is in the Shar’i clothing that achieves three aspects:
The covering of the ‘Awrah, no Tabbaruj and the Jilbab.
So it is not sufficient to cover the ‘Awrah when going out, rather the Jilbaab must be worn over the normal clothing, and she must not be Mutabarrijah where Tabarruj means the adornment (Zeenah) that attracts attention. So the wearing of trousers covers the ‘Awrah however it is Tabarruj if a Jilbaab is not over it. And the wig covers the hair however it is considered as Tabarruj because it attracts attention. Therefore it is not permitted to wear the wig in an explicit manner in the public life (Hayaat ‘Aammah) even if a Jilbaab was worn unless a Khimar (veil) that covers the wig completely is worn over it and no sign of it is left to be seen. This is because the Zeenah (adornment) even if covered is considered as Tabarruj if it attracts attention. This is like what He سبحانه وتعالى said in relation to the Tahreem (prohibition) of the sound of the anklets that are worn on a woman’s leg underneath her dress. When her foot strikes the ground, the sound of the bangles is emitted that indicates their presence. Therefore it is Tabarruj and even if it is covered because the emitting of a sound is what attracts attention:
وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِنْ زِينَتِهِنَّ
“And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment.”
(An-Nur: 31)
b. As for the prayer of the woman inside her home then it is stipulated that her ‘Awrah is to be covered and it is not a condition for her to wear the Jilbab.
As for her going out to the Masjid or the open space of the ‘Eid prayer, then indeed it is obligatory for her to wear clothing that achieves three aspects:
Clothing that covers the ‘Awrah, clothing that contains no Tabarruj and the Jilbab.
Therefore her prayer outside her home needs to meet the three aforementioned requirements. As such it is not permissible for her to pray outside her home in a place like the Masjid for example, if she is wearing trousers or a wig because trousers and the wig fall under the category of Tabarruj i.e. the Zeenah (adornment) which attracts attention even if it covers that which is underneath them. Therefore her prayer in them is not Saheeh (valid) and she is sinful for simply leaving her home and entering the public life without the Shar’i dress which includes the three previously mentioned aspects.
Your Brother,
Ata Bin Khalil Abu Al-Rashtah
18 Rajab 1434 AH
28 May 2013 CE