What is the religious ruling on a woman who speaks to men in the street while uncovering her face on the grounds that it is the custom of her country?

Question:
May Allah reward you. Honorable Shaykh, a questioner asks: What is the religious ruling on a woman who mixes with men in the street and in gatherings while uncovering her face on the grounds that it is the custom of her country?

Answer:
First, the phrase "the opinion of the religion" is not used; rather, one asks, "What is the Shari'ah ruling?" The covering of the face for a woman is not a matter of custom or habit; it is a Shari'ah ruling that it is obligatory for a Muslim woman to cover her face from men, an obligatory Shari'ah requirement. She must not follow customs that contradict the Shari'ah ruling. Yes.