Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta explains that one of the prohibitions of ihram for women is wearing a niqab or any face-covering that directly touches the face, based on the Prophetic narration: “A woman in ihram should not wear a niqab.”

However, Islamic law allows women in ihram to cover their face loosely when needed, such as using a veil or cloth that does not touch the skin of the face. If it accidentally touches the face and is immediately removed, there is no sin involved.

The ruling further clarifies that intentionally covering the face with a niqab during ihram requires expiation according to the majority of jurists. The expiation is optional between fasting three days, feeding six poor people, or offering a sacrifice, as stated in the Qur’anic verse: “...then an expiation of fasting or charity or sacrifice.”

The Hanafi school adds further detail, considering a longer duration of covering the face as requiring a sacrificial animal, while shorter durations require charity.

Thus, the core principle is avoiding a fitted face covering during ihram while allowing modest shielding when necessary, preserving both ritual purity and practical needs.