Title: Is a Muslim Woman Directed to Wear Hijab in front of Non-Muslim Women? Question: Can a Muslim woman be without Hijab in front of a Non-Muslim woman? If yes please also explain how does your answer fit with the verse 24:31 where some scholars say by Nesa'ehen it means the Muslim woman. Rahim United Kingdom Answer: It should be clear that the concept of "wearing Hijab ", as it is interpreted during the present times, is not a part of the directives of the Shari`ah . The Shari`ah , on the contrary, has prescribed a code of etiquettes that should be observed for interaction with others. One of the points in the prescribed code of etiquettes is that women should not intentionally display their adornments to others. Subsequently, the Qur'an has mentioned a few people - as exceptions - interacting with whom a Muslim woman may be less careful in 'not displaying' her adornments. These exceptions include 'their women'. The phrase 'Nisaaehinna' (lit: 'their women'), according to my understanding, is not used for Muslim women, as the phrase does not seem appropriate for 'all Muslim women', but seems to have been used for women with whom the woman under consideration has a close social contact, such as women relatives, women friends, household maids etc. The implication of the referred verse of the Qur'an is not that a Muslim woman should "wear hijab " in front of other women. On the contrary, it is that a Muslim woman should not have the intention of displaying their adornments in front of others - whether Muslims or non-Muslims - except for those who are subsequently mentioned. I hope this would clarify the implication of the verse. Regards, Moiz Amjad January 17, 2003