Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
I live on an all female college campus in a residence hall. Since coming to Islam and adopting hijab, I have not allowed any non Muslim woman to see me without hijab (covering everything including hair, neck, ears, etc...) This year I am a resident assistant and find it very difficult, even though I have my own room, to constantly keep my hijab on in front of my non-Muslim female residents (though I have been doing it). I heard from another Muslima that since this is a hardship, it may be permissible for me to wear a different style of hijab (one that leaves my neck and ears uncovered as long as I cover the rest). This would of course only take place when I could be sure that no man would see me. Is this permissible for me?
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
The Hanafi position is that it is obligatory to cover in front of non-Muslim women. Follow this as much as you can.
It is permitted to follow the Shafii or Hanbali positions on this point. See attached answer(s).
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani
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