Question: Is the face of a Woman ‘Awra in the Hanafi School?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate,
Assalāmu ‘alaykum dear sister in faith,
In accordance with the Hanafi School, the face of a woman is not ‘awra. The prohibition on showing her face is for her own protection, such that she is not subject to lustful gaze, and to avert illicit dealings. [Hashiyat Ibn ‘Abidin 1:272] Both men and women have been created in a beautiful form. However, the beauty of a woman is gathered in her face.
The Creator of all knows His creation best.
[Ustadha] Iman Badawi
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani