Aisha was Ummul-Mu’minin. As such it was important that no Muslim would like to marry her after the death of the Holy Prophet (SAW). So, she had to strictly hide behind nikab. Her case (for this specific reason) can not be considered for the common Muslim women.

Excellent May Allah reward the Imam and translators. Is there and original link to the Arabic version of this article?

at least were muslims and it is not sunnat it is mustahab?(preferable)

Thank you so much for this beautifully written article stating the different perspectives of the schools and scholars. It was most enlightening. I personally have nothing against women wearing burqa/niqab, hijab, jilbabs/overcoats, head scarfs, neck scarfs, or no scarfs – although if I were an employer or father/mother I could certainly see the pros/cons from certain perspectives. However, who am I to pretend to be Allah and judge women on these variations? What I do judge (I ask forgiveness for this but am human) is the rampant “immodesty” of modern lifestyles of both men and women. May those who published this article get many rewards and blessings for a well articulated overview of different schools/scholars. It was most helpful yet does show some differences in opinion early on therefore I take away that some diversity in Islam is to be accepted. Also – it becomes obvious in studying Islam that the revelations and hadith were specifically aimed for the culture of the time as were the teachings of the previous prophets. Our task is to bring the “pillars and principles” into modern times – not argue over details that even the scholars differed on.

What in the Quran and Sunnah lead some to believe that the Niqab / covering of the face is mandatory for women?

Also, does the author of this article feel that wearing jalbab (an outer garment over one’s regular clothes) is mandatory for women?

W.salam

I would like to clear my stance regarding Imam Qurtube, you said “Qurṭubī prefers it because, since the face and hands appear in everyday activities and in worship, such as in prayer and in pilgrimage, it is suitable for the exception to refer to them [i.e. the face and hands].”

and when we see his commentary it does states “”I say: Since the normal case is that a woman’s face and hands are revealed by the force of habit and for worship, as this is required in salat and hajj, then it is appropriate to say that the exemption applies to these”[from his tafsir of Surah an-Nur ayah 31]

But here is contradictory statement, Imam Qurtubi (671 H) said:
لما كانت عادة العربيات التبذّل، وكنّ يكشفْن وجوههنّ كما يفعل الإماء، وكان ذلك داعية إلى نظر الرجال إليهن، وتشعب الفكرة فيهن، أمر الله رسوله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن يأمرهن بإرخاء الجلابيب عليهن إذا أردن الخروج إلى حوائجهن
Because this bad thing remained in Women of Arab, and they don’t cover their faces like slave women and this practice of them was a reason of Men looking at them and with respect to them this was leading them to transgression, So Allah commanded his Rasul to tell them that they should cast out their garments our their selves when they intended to go outside in any necessity.(end quote from the tafsir of surah al-Ahzab verse 59)

Qurtubi said face and hands are not awrah but here he also says not to cover the face is bad thing?

please clear, plus do you agree with Qurtubi`s second statement?

JazakAllah Khair for this article. Niqab is something that deserves respect. And i think very highly of women who do wear it, especially in the non-Muslim countries. However, one thing is for real: the Hukm of Hijab/head covering. Muslim women should inshAllah do it.

As for Niqaab, scholars have various fatwaas for it and Allah SWT knows best. Those who do it for fear and love of Him, are great women. I admire them. :]

JazakAllah, Wasalam.