What should a girl do who wishes to wear the niqab, while her father opposes it out of fear for her, and if she mentions to him the ruling that the niqab is recommended, he says to take the easier option, yet she desires to take the more cautious option religiously?

Scholars differed regarding the obligation for a woman to cover her face in front of non-mahram men when there is no fear of temptation (fitnah). However, what is fatwa-approved by us is its obligation.

If you believe in the obligation of covering the face, then it is not permissible for you to obey your father in uncovering it. You should not leave the house except out of necessity if you are unable to cover it.

However, if you believe that covering is recommended but not obligatory, then it is permissible for you to obey your father in uncovering your face if there is no fear of fitnah. You are not obligated to obey him in this matter. You should be dutiful and kind to your father and avoid mistreating him.

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen mentioned that a child does not obey their parents in abandoning obedience to Allah or in committing disobedience. As for obeying them in abandoning a non-obligatory act of obedience, the matter is left to the child, and one should try to appease them and conceal good deeds as much as possible.