What is the response to the arguments for a woman uncovering her face?

Question:
I read an article by a professor at Al-Azhar University in Egypt, the content of which is that the face covering for women is a matter of choice, not obligatory. What is your opinion on that?

Answer:
As for what concerns the hijab, the statements of the scholars have multiplied regarding it, ranging from those who permit it to those who forbid it. The scriptural evidence, for one who reflects upon it, is clear in the obligation of the hijab and covering, and that a woman uncovering her face and her beauties is among the greatest trials, and among the greatest causes of the appearance of lewdness in the lands. The scholars have composed useful treatises and books on this, and the Noble Qur'an has clarified this status. Among those who composed on this is Abu al-Abbas Ibn Taymiyyah and others.
The point is that the hijab is a matter of great importance, and in this era, there has been confusion and disagreement among people, between those who permit it and those who forbid it. Each one may have his own perspective and intend good and pure things, but many people are led by their desires toward permissiveness and laxity. Some people have a good intention and a good purpose, but this is the extent of their independent legal reasoning, and this is the extent of their knowledge. Therefore, it is not befitting for a person of intellect to be lax in this matter.
The correct view is that it is obligatory for the woman to wear the hijab over her face, her hair, and her body; because it is an awrah (the part of the body that must be covered), the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) called it an awrah, and because it is a trial. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: , this is how it came in "the two Sahihs" (al-Bukhari and Muslim). So the matter of women is a trial, and men are afflicted by their inclination toward women, and looking at women, and women are afflicted by that. So it is obligatory to stay away from danger, it is obligatory to take precautions, and to take the measures that prevent danger, and that stand between the two groups from falling into what Allah has forbidden, or that reduce it. And Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says in His great Book: [Al-Ahzab: 33]. The scholars of exegesis said: tabarruj (a woman's display of her adornment) is displaying the beauties and charms. This is tabarruj. It was named tabarruj because of its display, like a standing tower, the standing tower that is seen from afar.
So displaying her beauties and charms is a matter that harms her and harms her society, and causes lewdness and what is wrong. So displaying the face, the face is the greatest of adornment, and if it is accompanied by an uncovered head, the trial becomes greater and more significant.
And Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says: [Al-Ahzab: 53]. He made the hijab purer for the hearts of all, for both males and females. And whoever says: that this is specific to the women, the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), has strayed far from the mark, and has erred. Because if the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) are commanded to wear the hijab despite their piety and their precedence in good, and their being at the peak in good, then others are even more obligated; because they are below them in this regard. So if it is obligatory for the better to wear the hijab, then its obligation for the lesser is even more so; because the danger for them is greater.
And it is authentic from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) in "the two Sahihs" that she said in the story of the slander, when she heard the voice of Safwan ibn Mu'attal lamenting, she said: "And he had seen me before the hijab, so when I heard his voice, I covered my face." This indicates that they used to uncover their faces before the hijab, and after the verse of the hijab was revealed, they covered their faces, they veiled themselves; to stay away from the trial. And is there anything greater than the face? What is greater than the face? It is greater than the hand, and greater than the foot, and greater than the head. The face is the gathering place of adornment, from which her beauty or ugliness appears.
So it is obligatory for women to fear Allah, and for their awliya (close friends of Allah) to fear Allah in the hijab and staying away from uncovering and the causes of trial.
And whoever says it is permissible has erred, whether his intention is good or otherwise. Whoever says it is permissible has erred and did not give the matter its due consideration. Rather, he stopped at some things and missed others.
And whoever says: it is permissible if it is by custom, without beautification, no kohl, or such, or such. But if there is kohl and adornment; it is forbidden. This is something with no standard.
And whoever says: that the woman avoids this and avoids that, all of this is something with no basis. Beauty is for her creation, whether she beautifies herself with kohl or not. Her creation, which Allah created her with, of ugliness or beauty, is what is intended. And if it is accompanied by the beautifiers with makeup and kohl and other things; the trial becomes greater, and the corruption becomes larger.
So the conclusion is that it is obligatory to wear the hijab and cover up and stay away from the places of trial. This is the obligation in the face and others. This is the obligation for the believing women who fear Allah , and they should beware of these books and these articles that call for uncovering, and call for loosening and tabarruj (a woman's display of her adornment). For they are, by Allah, harmful and not beneficial, whether the intention of their doer is good or bad. So whoever has a good intention, Allah forgives him for what he erred in, and he has the reward of independent legal reasoning. And whoever has a bad intention, Allah gathers for him the two evils and the two sins. And there is no power and no strength except by Allah.