The first rule of hijab has been derived from the following passages of the Quran:

“Say to the believing women to turn their eyes away (from temptation) and to preserve their chastity; to cover their adornments except such as are normally displayed; to draw their veils over their bosoms and not to reveal their finery except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their step-sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women-servants, their slave girls, male attendants lacking in natural vigor, and children who have no knowledge of sex. And let them not stamp their feet when walking so as to reveal their hidden trinkets. Believers, turn to Allah together in repentance, that you may prosper.”(The Quran, 24:31)

The second Quranic verse in this connection is as follows: “Prophet, enjoin your wives, your daughters and the wives of true believers to draw their veils close round them. That is more proper, so that they may be recognized (as virtuous women) and not molested. Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (33:59)

Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani, (1914-1999), a famous Salafi hadith scholar, interprets the wording of 33:59, “to cover their adornments except such as are normally displayed,” to mean that the hands and face are exempt from covering. He draws his argument in support of this from the Hadith.

After studying many ahadith in connection with the verse from Surah 33 of the Quran, he writes: “It is clear from the instances drawn from the Quran and the Hadith that, although it accords with the shari’ah and it is preferable for a woman to cover her face, it is not compulsory for her to do so. It would be better if women followed this practice, but there is no harm if they do not.” (Hijab Al Mar'aa Al-Muslima, al-Albani, p. 31)

According to Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani’s findings the following rules of hijab are applicable (Hijab Al Mar'aa Al-Muslima, al-Albani, p. 37):

1. The whole body, except for the exempted parts should be covered.

2. But any veil which in itself becomes an attraction is to be avoided.

3. Garments should not be semi-transparent.

4. Dress should not be tight fitting.

5. Garments should not be perfumed.

6. The form of dress should not in any way resemble that of men.

7. It should not resemble that of non-believers.

8. Garments should not reflect worldly honor.

Source: Spirit of Islam October 2018