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Fatwa CenterHijab may conflict with medical training and career
Question
I know that (al-Niqab) covering face is an obligation, so I am intending to wear it, Insha Allah. But I am a doctor and I am Egyptian. I haven't finished my Master degree yet in Cairo University. This step will affect my career as the doctors there are refusing even al-Hijab. I wear an Abayah (outer garment). So my question is whether to wear al-Niqab face cover now, even if I can't finish my Master degree and lose my work (which I don't need financially) or leave wearing it only to become a good Muslim doctor which is useful for Islam. Keep in mind that I am not sure will I be able to wear it in future or not after completing this degree.
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
The preponderant opinion of Muslim scholars is that covering the face and the palms of the hands is compulsory on every Muslim woman. Those scholars who are of the opinion that covering the face is not an obligation but merely a recommended act, stipulate many restrictions for uncovering the face, which could hardly be implemented nowadays.
They stipulate that uncovering the face is permissible only for the woman who is not beautiful, and who does not apply any adornments on her face or palms such as kohl, lipstick, finger ring and henna, etc. It is also a condition that the environment be religious i.e. no dissoluteness or depravity.
Therefore, covering the face becomes an obligation nowadays. And as a matter of fact ignoring this obligation is not permissible except in time of terrible hardship or dire necessity. At such a hard time a woman is allowed to leave this obligation.
If it is possible to complete your medical training where women students are able to practice Shariah, it would be better for you.
If the Muslim community is in dire need of your specialization and there is no other way free from committing prohibitions to acquire such specialization other than studying in the university which you mentioned in your question, and where you are compelled to uncover your face and palms, in that case it seems to us that doing so is permissible. However, it should be restricted only to the limits of necessity.
Allah knows best.
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