Can a woman take off her Hijab in the presence of her non-Muslim stepfather?

3-9-2015 | IslamWeb

Question:

Is it permissible for my Muslim wife to take off her Hijaab in the presence of her non-Muslim step father? Please, include proof from the Quran or the Sunnah if possible.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

There is nothing wrong if a woman takes off her Hijab in the presence of her stepfather because he is a Mahram to her, even if he is a non-Muslim. That is because there is no difference regarding the rulings of a Mahram between Muslims and non-Muslims such as the permissibility of shaking hands, being in seclusion with him and travelling with him, unless he is one of those who believe that incest is allowed or a dayyooth (cuckold, weak man who feels no jealousy over his womenfolk). In that case, the woman should beware of him and regard him as a non-Mahram. The proof that a stepfather is a Mahram to the step-daughter is that Allaah Almighty says (what means), stating non-marriageable men by ties of blood and marriage: {…and your step-daughters under your guardianship [born] of your wives unto whom you have gone in…} [Quran 4: 23] 

Allaah Knows best.