Is what has been attributed to the majority—that they permit the uncovering of the face and hands, along with any adornment thereon—a correct statement?

The majority of jurists hold the view that a woman must cover her face from non-mahram men. Some of them consider the face to be 'awrah (that which must be covered), while others do not consider it 'awrah but deem it necessary for a woman to cover it to prevent temptation (fitna).

The Salaf (pious predecessors) differed on two opinions regarding the "apparent adornment" (az-zina az-zahira) that a woman is permitted to display to non-mahram men: 1. Ibn Mas'ud and those who agreed with him believed it refers to clothing. 2. Ibn Abbas and those who agreed with him believed it refers to the face and hands, such as kohl and a ring.

The preponderant opinion is that the "apparent adornment" refers to clothing, and that the face and hands are "inner adornment" (zina batina) which are not permissible to uncover before non-mahram men.

In conclusion, whoever attributes to the majority of jurists the permissibility of uncovering the face while displaying adornment has erred; rather, the majority of jurists are of the opinion that the face must be covered.