Is it permissible for a woman in Ihram to cover her face?
Chapter on What the Muhrim Must Avoid and What is Permissible for Him
Al-Mughni
Book of Hajj
Primary text
It is forbidden for a woman in Ihram to cover her face, just as it is forbidden for a man to cover his head. This prohibition is established through the statement of the Prophet (PBUH) narrated by al-Bukhari and others: "The woman in Ihram shall not wear the niqab (face veil) nor gloves." The dislike of the burqa' (face covering) is established from Sa'd, Ibn Umar, Ibn Abbas, and Aisha, and no one is known to have opposed this view.
Supporting text
If a woman requires covering her face due to men passing closely by, she may drape her outer garment (jilbab) from the top of her head over her face without it touching the skin directly. This practice is narrated from Uthman and Aisha and is the view of Ata, Malik, al-Thawri, al-Shafi'i, Ishaq, and Muhammad ibn al-Hasan. If the garment touches the skin and she removes it quickly, there is no penalty. If she intentionally maintains the covering while capable of removing it, she must pay the expiation (fidyah).