Any islamic history folks out there?

As far as I know, historically, face covering started around the time of the Abbassid caliphs who were influenced by the Persians in this regard.

Equally there are many instances during the times of the prophet and early caliphs where certain women have been identified and referred to, in public, which would have been impossible had they been covering their faces.

fatwas aside, historically face covering is a relatively new story.

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