A woman finds it difficult to wear a niqaab

assalamu’alaikum

I have a condition called orthostatic hypotension which causes me to get dizzy and even faint which worsens when wearing niqab due to overheating, especially in the summer months.  Is it permissible for me to reveal my face if I feel dizzy, even if I am out in public?  I try not to leave the house without a need due to my condition. 

Also my 11 year old son has asked me to chaperone his public school class on a field trip to the Bronx Zoo and I have agreed but am worried that I will end up having to remove my niqab if I get overheated there, should I not go because of this?  Would this be considered something that is not a need and therefore not worthy of removing my niqab for?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما

In the aforementioned scenario, it would be advisable to wear a niqaab made of a very thin material which will not prevent air circulation. Even if the niqaab is semi-transparent to the extent that the face may be apparent to someone who looks at it very closely, it would still be better than leaving the niqaab entirely.

والله اعلم

Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala knows best.

Approved by Mufti Husain Ahmad Madani