Covering of the face in the Quran.
Q. Was the covering of the face revealed in the Quran? If yes, please give evidence.
A. Yes, the law regarding covering the face was revealed in the Quran.
In Surah Ahzab verse 59, it states, ‘O Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters, and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments (Jalabib) over them’.
While, explaning this verse, the great commentator of the Holy Quran from among the companions of the prophet (S.A.S.) Abdullah bin Abbas said, ‘Allah commanded women of the believers that, when they go out of their homes to take care of some need, they should cover their faces with a long sheet from over their heads (Tafseer Ibn Katheer).
Although some scholars have cited an allowance which has been given in Sura Nur for a woman to expose her face and hands to the wrists, all agree that the above mentioned verse indicated to the fact that women are asked to cover themselves fully. (Except the eyes which are not to be covered).
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan