Did Allah Almighty command the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in Surat Al-Ahzab to wear the niqab as a protection for them from dangers, and what is the ruling on its obligatory wearing for women now?

Arab women used to uncover their faces like slave women, so the wicked would accost them. This was complained about to the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Then Allah Almighty revealed: {O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused} [Al-Ahzab: 59]. In this verse, He commands them to cover all their bodies to distinguish them from slave women, so they would be known for their chastity and modesty, and not be harmed by lewd glances.

In the same Sura, Allah Almighty revealed concerning the Mothers of the Believers: {And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts} [Al-Ahzab:53]. This includes all women of the Ummah, due to the universality of the reason for the obligation of the hijab, and because a woman's entire body is 'awrah (private parts that must be covered). Therefore, it is not permissible for her to uncover her face or her hands.

The obligation of hijab is even more imperative today. If Allah enjoined it upon the wives of the Prophet and the female Companions because of their purity, then it is even more fitting for the women of this era, in which immorality and transgression have become widespread.