Is it written in the Koran that women have to cover their faces?

Answer 1

No, covering the FACE is not required by the Islamic religion.

What is required is covering the whole body including the hair with the exception of only the hands & the face.

Here are some Verses and narrations which address women's clothing include:

• "And say to the faithful women to lower their gazes, and to guard their private parts, and not to display their beauty except what is apparent of it, and to extend their head coverings to cover their bosoms, and not to display their beauty except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their womenfolk, or what their right hands rule (slaves), or the followers from the men who do not feel sexual desire, or the small children to whom the nakedness of women is not apparent..." (Surah An Nur: 31)

• "O Prophet! Say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the faithful to draw their outer garments close around themselves; that is better that they will be recognized and not annoyed. And God is ever Forgiving, Gentle." (Surah al-Ahzab: 59)

• Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin: "Asma bint Abu Bakr entered upon the Apostle of Allah while she was wearing thin clothes. The Apostle of Allah turned his attention from her. He said: 'O Asma', when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this,' and he pointed to her face and hands." (Sunnan Abu Dawud 32:4092)

• Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin: "Safiyyah, daughter of Shaybah, said that Aisha mentioned the women of Ansar, praised them and said good words about them. She then said: 'When Surat an-Nur came down, they took the curtains, tore them and made head covers of them.'" (Sunan Abu Dawud: Book 32, Number 4089)