Is it permissible for a woman who is on the verge of divorce due to continuous physical and verbal abuse from her husband to wear the niqab temporarily to avert the danger of him exposing her in public, harassing or assaulting her, especially since he has done so before?

There is no disagreement among scholars regarding the permissibility for a woman to cover her face when not in a state of ihram. Their disagreement lies only in the obligation of covering the face when there is no fear of temptation. Therefore, a woman who believes in the obligation of covering the face is not permitted to uncover it, while a woman who believes it is recommended incurs no sin if she uncovers it. However, it is better for a woman to consistently cover her face from non-mahram men. What is preponderant in our view is the obligation for a woman to cover her face.