Is the hijab an obligation or not, and will she who does not wear it be held accountable?

The scholars have agreed on the obligation of covering the 'awrah (private parts), and that everything except for a woman's face and hands falls within the definition of 'awrah, according to the general consensus of scholars. The scholars have agreed that the hair and body of a free woman, with the exception of her face and hands, are considered 'awrah. The jurists hold that a free woman must cover her entire body except for her face and hands.