Do I need to wear hijab in front of my non-Muslim family?

Mahram is about family, not faith

A mahram is a man you can never marry because of close family ties (Quran 4:23). That relationship doesn't change when you become Muslim. Most scholars say a non-Muslim father, brother or son is still your mahram, so you can be at home with them without a headscarf, just as before. The Quran's list of people who may see a woman's adornment is based on family ties (Quran 24:31).

Who needs hijab

• No hijab needed: father, stepfather (if he's married to your mother), grandfathers, brothers, sons, uncles, nephews.
• Hijab needed: male cousins, your sister's husband or boyfriend, your mother's boyfriend, family friends, neighbors.

Your mother, sisters, aunts and female friends are women, so they can see you uncovered. See Can I show my hair to female friends? and Who can see me without my hijab?

Family gatherings

Christmas dinner, birthdays and barbecues often mix mahram and non-mahram men. Simple ways to handle it:

• Wear your hijab for the whole gathering if cousins or in-laws are there.
• Keep a scarf handy for when someone unexpected drops in.
• Relax at home on ordinary days with just your parents and siblings.

Explaining it

Family may be confused: "Why do you cover in front of your cousin but not your brother?" Explain that it's about close family you can't marry. Many find it logical once they hear it. Keep your tone warm. Islam asks you to treat your parents with kindness even when they disagree with you (Quran 31:15). See Can I still hug my non-Muslim parents after becoming Muslim?