The ruling on uncovering the face and hands when a woman goes out

Question:
The questioner: Shaykh, it is common for women to go out to the markets, and they uncover their hands and place what is called the burqu' on their faces, which reveals part of their features. So what is the ruling in this regard?

Answer:
The Shaykh: It is obligatory for a woman to cover her entire body, including her face and hands, when she goes out to the market, to work, or when she leaves her house. She must be completely covered so that nothing of her is visible, except if she is among the women who wear the burqu' or the niqab that has an opening for the eyes, or an opening for one eye, the size of the eye or the eyes only. However, if any part of the cheek, or what is above the eyes, or what is below the eyes, is visible, this is not permissible, because there is no need to expose it; it is 'awrah (the part of the body that must be covered), and it must be covered. It is only permissible to expose the eyes if it is the custom of the woman to wear the burqu'. But if it is her custom to wear the head covering, she should stick to her custom and cover her entire face, including her eyes, because this is better, an increase in goodness, an increase in covering. The woman is required to have covering, protection, and modesty. And if the woman is lax, it is obligatory for her wali (guardian)—men have authority over women—that he obliges her to do so, that he obliges her to observe the hijab (the covering prescribed for women), and that she cover herself.