Ruling on a woman appearing before her paternal and maternal cousins in the presence of a mahram

A message arrived from the Republic of Egypt, sent by one of the sisters from there. She says: The one in need of Allah (may Allah be pleased with her), our sister, has four questions. In her first question, she asks: Is it permissible for me to appear before my paternal cousin with my face uncovered, in the presence of a mahram, knowing that I am wearing a niqab? What is the difference between the hijab, the khimar, and the niqab? And what is obligatory by the Shari'ah?
Answer: Appearing and coming forward to greet one's paternal cousin, maternal cousin, neighbors, and non-mahram relatives is permissible. You may appear and greet them; there is no barrier to you greeting your relatives, whether they are the children of your maternal uncle, the children of your maternal aunt, the children of your paternal uncle, or the children of your paternal aunt. However, this must be with covering, with hijab. You greet them and return their greetings, and you ask about their families, their children, and their circumstances; there is nothing wrong with this. All of this is good, and all of this is part of good character. "Righteousness is good character." Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) has prescribed for us the greeting, both initiating it and returning it. But you must observe hijab, whether by khimar, niqab, or other forms of covering. A woman must observe hijab in the presence of non-mahram men, even if they are her paternal cousins, even if they are her maternal cousins, or the children of her maternal aunt, as Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Ahzab: 53]. Hijab is observed from behind a door, from behind a screen, from behind a curtain inside a tent, or from behind a khimar over the face. She covers herself, covering her hair and body with the khimar while sitting with the group, greeting them and returning their greetings, but she remains covered by her hijab, her khimar, her jilbab, or otherwise.
As for the niqab, if it covers everything except the eye or the eyes, it is sufficient. However, the khimar is better than it and provides more complete covering. The obligatory duty for a woman in such a situation is to fear Allah the Exalted and to be careful to stay away from the causes of fitnah. She should not cause fitnah, nor should she be a cause of fitnah. This is what is obligatory for her. And Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says: [An-Nur: 31]. So Allah has made clear to His servants what is appropriate, prescribed for them what is appropriate, and forbidden them what harms them, (Glorified and Exalted is He). Adornment includes the face, the hair, and other things, so it is not permissible to reveal it except to mahrams. As for speaking with relatives, there is nothing wrong with it if they are non-mahrams, as mentioned earlier. But she must not shake hands. She greets them and returns their greetings, but without shaking hands. Handshaking is for a mahram, such as her brother, her paternal uncle, her maternal uncle, or for women. As for shaking hands with non-mahram men, even if they are paternal cousins, it is not permissible. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, when some women wanted to shake hands during the pledge of allegiance: . And Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: . This is what is preserved from him (peace and blessings be upon him), and we have a good example in him, as Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: : [Al-Ahzab: 21]. And because handshaking carries a danger in it, some scholars have said that it is more severe than looking. May Allah grant everyone success and guidance. Yes.