Also, it is said that a woman is entirely 'awrah (the part of the body that must be covered) except for her face. When and at what times is it permissible for a woman to uncover her face?

The questioner : Also, it is said that 'Umar stated that a woman is entirely 'awrah (the part of the body that must be covered) except for her face. Even so, he said, no. When and at what times is it permissible for a woman to uncover her face?

The Shaykh : I do not know of this statement by 'Umar.

The questioner : No, it is a mursal (a report missing the Companion link) report; it is 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-Rahman al-Sarraj. Yes, that is correct.
The Shaykh : Yes, okay, so does the questioner say that 'Umar stated this?

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : I say that the statement that a woman is 'awrah (the part of the body that must be covered) except for her face is only valid in the context of prayer. If a free, adult woman prays, it is obligatory for her to cover her entire body except for her face, unless non-mahram (a relative one may not marry) men who are not her mahram (a relative one may not marry) pass by. This is what we mean by non-mahram (a relative one may not marry). If they pass by close to her, it is obligatory for her to cover her face, even if she is praying.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : So we say: It is permissible for a woman to uncover her face, except in the presence of non-mahram (a relative one may not marry) men. In their presence, it is not permissible for her to uncover her face, even if she is praying.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : So we say, when? This refers to the time of prayer in his question about "when."

The Shaykh : His question can be understood in this sense.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : Yes.