No, showing one's face is not inherently haram (forbidden) in Islam for women. However, the extent of covering required varies among different interpretations and scholars.
Different Perspectives on Women's Dress in Islam
There is a spectrum of views on modesty in Islam, particularly regarding women's dress.
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Moderate View: Many modern Islamic scholars advocate for covering the body except the face, hands, and feet in public. [This aligns with the statement: "Most modern Islamic scholars agree that, in public, a woman must cover the entire body except the face, hands and feet."] This is often interpreted as a balance between modesty and practicality.
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Stricter View: Some interpretations mandate covering the face (niqab) or even the entire body (burqa) as part of a woman's religious obligation. One source indicates: "The most correct opinion, which is supported by evidence, is that it is obligatory to cover the face, therefore young women are forbidden to uncover their faces..." This perspective emphasizes a higher degree of seclusion and modesty.
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More Lenient View: Other scholars hold a more lenient view, arguing that while modesty is essential, the specific requirements are less stringent and can vary based on cultural context. For instance, a Quora answer states: "My simple answer is No; but a Muslim woman must always be modest & wear a respectable dress."
It is important to note that there's no single, universally agreed-upon interpretation of what constitutes appropriate dress in Islam. Individual choices often reflect personal beliefs and cultural context.
Conclusion
The permissibility of showing one's face in public for Muslim women is a matter of differing scholarly interpretations, ranging from mandatory covering to a more flexible understanding based on modesty and context. Therefore, a definitive "yes" or "no" answer is not accurate.
