What is the ruling on wearing the niqab? (The niqab is a piece of cloth by which a woman covers her face excepts for her eyes).

Answer

Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.

The majority of scholars see that the woman’s face is not ‘Awrah. Thus she can show it off. Allah says: “and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent.”        An-Noor: 31

Ibn Abbas explains this part “except only that which is apparent” as the face, hands and worn ring (The Lights of Statements in Clarifying the Qur’an with the Qur’an: 3/513)

The Hanafi scholars prevent the young woman from showing off her face especially this time, not because it is considered ‘Awra but to avoid temptation.

The Maliki scholars say that the beautiful, attractive woman should cover her face and hands; they justify their ruling as immorality is on increase.

The Shafi’i scholars have no consensus. Some say a woman should wear the niqab. Others say wearing niqab is an act of Sunnah.  

To finalize, showing off the face is not considered haram ('Awra); therefore, a woman can choose to wear it or to leave it.