What is the ruling on wearing the niqab in Islam?

Scholars differed on the obligation of covering the face and hands for women. Imam Ahmad and the sound view within the Shafi'i madhhab (definition) held that it is obligatory, while Abu Hanifa and Malik were of the view that it is recommended.

The four jurists agree on the obligation of covering the face when there is fear of temptation (fitna) or corruption of the times.

Among the Quranic proofs for the obligation of covering are: - The Almighty's saying: (O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw over themselves their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused.) [Al-Ahzab:59]. Most exegetes interpreted this as a command to cover the face. - The Almighty's saying: (And when you ask them [His wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts.) [Al-Ahzab:53]. This purity of hearts is not exclusive to the Mothers of the Believers. - The Almighty's saying: (And to draw their headcovers over their chests) [An-Nur:31]. Imam Al-Bukhari narrated from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: "When this verse was revealed, they took their waist wrappers, tore them from the margins, and then covered themselves with them." And Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar interpreted "covered themselves" (fa-khtamarna) as meaning they covered their faces. - The Almighty's saying: (And as for the elderly women past childbearing who do not expect marriage, there is no blame upon them for putting aside their outer garments [but] not displaying adornment. But to modestly refrain is better for them.) [An-Nur:60]. This concession for elderly women indicates that young women are commanded to wear the hijab (definition) and cover the face.

Among the proofs from the Sunnah (definition): - The hadith (definition) of Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The woman is 'awrah, so if she goes out, the Shaytan looks at her." This is evidence that the entire body of a woman is 'awrah. - The hadith of Ibn Umar that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "A woman in ihram (definition) should not wear a niqab (face veil) nor gloves." Imam Abu Bakr ibn Al-Arabi interpreted this to mean that covering the face is obligatory except during Hajj. - The statement of the Mother of the Believers Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her): "When riders would pass by us - during Hajj - one of us would draw her jilbab over her face, and when they had passed, we would uncover it."