It's really a shame upon us that, now-a-days Muslims are divided on the issue of Niqab.

Some
says it's voluntary, some says it's fard. But if you study Quran and Ahadith with proper
understanding, undoubtedly you'll realize that it's fard. Let's see what does Quran and Ahadith
command us regarding Niqab:

"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw
their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or
one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable
women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allaah is Ever Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful." [Al-
Quran; Surat Al-Ahzab; Chapter: 33; Verse: 59]

Ibn 'Abbaas {RA} said: "Allaah commanded the believing women, if they go out of their
houses for some need, to cover their faces from the top of their heads with their jilbaabs,
and to leave one eye showing."

Aa'ishah {RA} used to say: "When (the Verse): 'They should draw their veils over their
necks and bosoms,' was revealed, (the ladies) cut their waist sheets at the edges and covered
their faces with the cut pieces." [Sahih Bukhari 6:282]

"The wives of the Prophet {Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam} used to go to Al-Manasi, a vast
open place (near Baqia at Madinah) to answer the call of nature at night. 'Umar used to
say to the Prophet {Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam} "Let your wives be veiled," but Allah's
Apostle {Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam}) did not do so. One night Sauda bint Zam'a the wife
of the Prophet {Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam} went out at 'Isha' time and she was a tall
lady. 'Umar addressed her and said, "I have recognized you, O Sauda." He said so, as he
desired eagerly that the verses of Al-Hijab (the observing of veils by the Muslim women)
may be revealed. So Allah revealed the verses of "Al-Hijab" (A complete body cover
excluding the eyes)." [Sahih Bukhari 1:148]

When the verse "That they should cast their outer garments over their persons" was
revealed, the women of Ansar came out as if they had crows over their heads by wearing
outer garments. [Abu Dawud, Narrated by Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu'minin]
 

The Hijab is a garment that does not show the woman's figure. Jeans and certain obvious
garments do not meet this requirement. Similarly, garments must not be transparent, or it will fail
to fulfill the criteria of being Hijab.

"The Apostle of Allaah {Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam} was brought some pieces of fine
Egyptian linen and he gave me one and said: Divide it into two; cut one of the pieces into a
shirt and give the other to your wife for veil. Then when he turned away, he said: And
order your wife to wear a garment below it and not show her figure." [Abu Dawud, Narrated
Dihyah ibn Khalifah al-Kalbi]

When the Prophet {Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam} commanded that women should be brought
out to the Eid prayer place, they said, "O Messenger of Allaah, some of us do not have jilbaabs."
The Prophet {Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam} said, "Let her sister give her one of her jilbaabs
to wear." [Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim]

This hadith indicates that the usual practice among the women of the Sahaabah was that a
woman would not go out without a jilbaab, and that if she did not have a jilbaab she would not
go out. The command to wear a jilbaab indicates that it is essential to cover. And Allaah knows
best.

 
 

It was narrated that 'Aa'ishah {RA} said: "The riders used to pass by us when we were with
the Messenger of Allaah {Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam} in ihraam. When they came near
us we would lower our jilbaabs from our heads over our faces, and when they had passed
by we would uncover our faces." [Abu Dawood: 1562]

We have tried our best to explain the ruling on NIQAB according to Quran and Ahadith. As a
Muslim, we are supposed to follow Quran and Ahadith. The call is to wear NIQAB, which is a
must for Muslim women.

Reference:  Al-Quran and Ahadith