The `awrah of a free woman in prayer is all of her body except for the face, hands, and feet; due to the trial of exposing them, especially for poor women. It was narrated from Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Allah does not accept the prayer of a menstruating woman except with a headscarf," in Sahih Ibn Hibban 4: 614, Al-Muntaka 1: 53, Sunan Abu Dawood 1: 173, Sunan Ibn Majah 1: 215, Musnad Ahmad 6: 150, and Musnad Ishaq ibn Rahwayh 3: 687. And from Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her: "Aisha bint Abu Bakr entered upon the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, while she was wearing thin garments, so the Messenger of Allah turned away from her and said, 'O Asma, when a woman reaches puberty, it is not permissible for anyone to see her except this and this,' and he pointed to his face and hands," in Sunan Abu Dawood 4: 62. It was said that this is a weak narration as Khalid ibn Drek did not meet Aisha. In Sunan Al-Bayhaqi Al-Kabir 2: 226, and Sha'b Al-Iman 6: 165, Ibn Al-Qattan Al-Fasi said in Ahkam Al-Nazar p. 60: This hadith is weak. And the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "A woman in ihram should not wear a niqab nor gloves," in Sahih Al-Bukhari 2: 653, Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 4: 162, and Al-Mustadrak 1: 661. If the face and hands were `awrah, it would not be prohibited to cover them. See: Al-Bahr Al-Ra'iq 1: 284.