Some people are saying that covering of face is not necessary and there is evidence from Quran and Hadith about covering a face and also not prescribed through our religion and thus only body can be covered.
What are the opinions of most prominent Islamic scholars or four Imams?
A:When there is corruption and fitnah in the world, as we find in our times, then it is Fardh to wear the Niqaab.
The wearing of the Niqaab for women and the segregation of men and women is established in the Quran. Surah 24 v. 30-31, is an indication to that. However, in another verse of the Quraan, Surah Ahzaab V.59 Allah Ta’ala says: O Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) tell your (pure) wives, daughters and the women of the believers that they should draw down their shawls over them… . Hafiz ibnul Katheer (Rahimahullah) says that Ali ibnu Abi Talha (Rahimahullah) narrates from Hazrat Abdullah ibnu Abbas (Radiyallahu Anhuma), “Allah Ta’ala commanded the women of the believers, when they go out of their homes to take care of some need, they hide their faces with the long sheet (hanging down) from over their heads leaving only one eye open to see the way. (Tafseer ibnu Kathir 3/824-5). From this we understand that the actual command for Muslim women is to stay within the confines of the home. However, if she has to leave the home due to a pressing need or urge then she must leave with her head and face covered. She is allowed to leave one eye exposed to able to see the pathway.
Muhammad bin Sireen (Rahimahullah) says, “I asked Ubaidah As Salmani (Rahimahullah) about the meaning of this verse and the nature of Hijab. He demonstrated it by hiding his face with the long sheet pulled from the top of his head and left it to hang in front of it.” (Tafseer ibnu Katheer 3/825)
In another Verse of Surah Ahzaab (53) Allah (SWT) says, “And when you ask anything from them (the pure wives of the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam), ask them from behind a curtain.”
This rule applies to the entire Ummah and not only to the pure wives of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) (Radiyallahu Anhunna).
Hazrat Aisha (Radiyallahu Anha) said: “While travelling with the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) in a state of Ihraam, men on horseback used to pass by us. As they approached (our conveyance) we drew our Jilbaab garments over our faces until such time as they passed. Only once they had passed us did we expose our faces.” (Abu Dawood Hadith 1835, Ahmed Hadith 24067, Baihaqi Hadith 9317)
Hazrat Asmaa (Radiyallahu Anha) said: “We used to keep our faces covered in the presence of males.” (Ibn Khuzaimah Hadith 2690, Al-Mustadrak Hadith 1668)
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “A woman who is in the state of Ihraam must not wear the Niqaab (Purdah).” (Bukhari Hadith 1741, Baihaqi 8828). This Hadith clearly indicates that if she is not in the state of Ihraam, she is obliged to don the Niqaab. A woman is not allowed to let her veil or scarf touch her face while in Ihraam. For this reason the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) prohibited her from wearing the Niqaab since the Niqaab cannot be worn without it touching the face. However she should cover her face using an alternative method whereby the fabric does not touch the skin.
For further details on this subject refer to Maariful Quraan Vol.7 Pgs 207 -227 at the following link ONE and TWO
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Was Salaam
Shafiq Jakhura (Mufti) M.D. Mangera (Mufti)
Fatwa Dept. Fatwa Dept.