What is the ruling on the niqab in Islam, and what are its proofs?

The niqab, which covers the entire face except for the eyes, is something a woman is commanded to wear, based on the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "The woman in ihram should not wear the niqab nor gloves." This indicates that a woman who is not in ihram should wear the niqab and gloves, because a woman's face gathers her beauty and is the most prominent source of temptation in her. Indeed, the jurists have agreed on the obligation to cover it during times of temptation. Allah Almighty has also commanded the covering of the face in His saying: "And to draw their headcovers over their bosoms," and in His saying: "They should draw over themselves some of their outer garments."