How a woman covers her face during Hajj and 'Umrah

Question:
May Allah reward you with good and do you good. Our sister is also asking, and she says: Some people say that it is not permissible for a woman to cover her face during Hajj and 'Umrah. Is this correct? May Allah reward you with good?

Answer:
This is incorrect. A woman covers her face from men, whether she is a traveler, a pilgrim performing 'Umrah, or neither a traveler nor a pilgrim. She covers her face from men in all circumstances, because her face is 'awrah (the part of the body that must be covered). However, if she is in the state of ihram (the consecrated state of pilgrimage), she does not cover her face with a niqab (the face veil) or a burqu' (a veil sewn specifically for the face). But if she covers it with her garment or a khimar (the head covering) that is not specifically for the face, this is obligatory (wajib) for her. This is based on the statement of 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her): "We were with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the state of ihram. When men passed by us, one of us would lower her khimar from her head over her face. When they passed by, we would uncover it." Therefore, a woman covering her face from non-mahram (a relative one may not marry) men is obligatory in the state of ihram and in other states. However, in the state of ihram, she does not cover it with something sewn specifically for the face, such as a burqu' or a niqab. Likewise, she does not wear gloves on her hands, which are sewn or woven specifically for the hands. She does not wear them while in the state of ihram. Instead, she covers her hands with her garment from non-mahram men. As for saying that a woman in the state of ihram uncovers her face and does not cover it from men, this is an error. Yes.