Fatwa #31327 August 2000Pakistan
Is covering the face for a women wajib or sunnah? In my country alot of ustazah did not adhere to wearing a niqab, can I learn deen from them?
Answer
Allah Taãla mentions in the Noble Qur'an, '(O Muhammad (Sallallaahu Alayhi
Wasallam), tell the believing males to lower their gazes. tell the believing
females to lower their gazes ...' (Quran 24:29-30). The injunction of
lowering the gaze is clear that it is not permissible for strange males and
females to look at one another. Due to the immorality of times and weakness
of resistance, it is compulsory for a female to cover her face which is the
focus of her beauty. The covering of the face conveniently facilitates the
accomplishment of the purpose of lowering the gaze.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai