Is it permissible for a pilgrim to wear a medical face mask?

Yes it is permissible for pilgrims to wear medical masks during the rites to protect themselves from air borne infectious diseases; this is considered an indispensable necessity for some of them. A pilgrim who wears a medical mask isn’t obliged to expiate. This is because the ruling on covering the face during hajj is controversial among scholars. Acoording to the Shafi'ites and Hanbalites, it is permissible to cover one's face without the need of expiation. Imam al- Shirazi in his renowned book "al- Muhadhab" permitted the covering of the face and so did Imam al- Nawawi.

Therefore, it is permissible to follow the opinion of scholars maintaining permissibility due to necessity and because the preservation of life is one of the objectives of Islamic law.