The criterion of the face of the woman which can remain uncovered while praying

Question:

Does the prayer of a woman become nullified if what is beneath the chin is unveiled?

And what are the boundaries of the face of the woman while in prayer?

Answer:

In regards to the prayer; only what enters into the criterion of the face is allowed to remain uncovered, and what’s beneath the chin is not from the face, so it’s a must that she covers it.

The (الوجه) face linguistically comes from (المواجهة) facing, and the ‘Arabs don’t use this word except in regards to that which ‘facing’ is obtained by way of it, and it’s a body part which contains organs.

It has a height and a width:
➖The criterion of its height with the Jurists is:

From the start of the hair at the roof of the forehead – no consideration is payed to boldness nor hair on the forehead- until the bottom of the two jawbones.

➖And the width:
From ear to ear.

This is the area which needs to be washed when making Wudhū.

Look at the speech of Ibn Kathīr & Al-Qurtubi in their “Tafsīr” at the statement of Allah, the Most High:

(إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ فَٱغْسِلُوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ)

“When you intend to offer As-Salāt (the prayer), wash your faces”
[Al-Mā’ida:6]

Answered by:
Shaykh Abu Hatim Yusuf Al-‘Inaabi Al-Jazaa’iree – may Allah preserve him.

Source:
t.me/abouhatem/127

Answered on:
20th, Saffar, 1438H

Translated by:
Abu ‘Abdirrahman ‘Abdullaah bin Ahmed Ash-Shingaani