FatwaFederal TerritoriesDress, Awrah & Adornment
IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-933: MENUTUP AURAT KEWAJIPAN AGAMA, BUKAN PILIHAN PERIBADI
What is the ruling on abandoning the headscarf on the grounds of seeking religion in one's own way and claiming it is a matter between oneself and God?
Short answer
Covering the aurat, including wearing the headscarf for women, is a religious obligation and not a personal choice.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Irsyad al-Hukum (Umum)
- Topic
- Dress, Awrah & Adornment
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
Covering the aurat, including wearing the headscarf for women, is a religious obligation and not a personal choice. A person who deliberately rejects this obligation may leave Islam for denying a ruling clearly known in the religion. One who does not fulfil it but still acknowledges it as obligatory commits a major sin and is classed as a transgressor, though not a disbeliever. The claim that it is between the person and God is not accepted, since obedience must follow God's commands.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Namun, sekiranya seseorang tidak menunaikan kewajipan tersebut tetapi masih mengakui akan kewujudannya sebagai hukum Allah SWT, maka dia dikira berdosa besar, fasiq dan melakukan maksiat, tetapi tidak sampai ke tahap kafir.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-933: MENUTUP AURAT KEWAJIPAN AGAMA, BUKAN PILIHAN PERIBADI”, 23 September 2025. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-hukum/umum/6368-irsyad-hukum-siri-ke-933-menutup-aurat-kewajipan-agama-bukan-pilihan-peribadi. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-abandoning-headscarf-seeking-religion-own-way/