Women go out adorned in some countries

Q: In our village, women have a bad custom of going out adorned without covering themselves. We have warned them about doing this and advised them to wear Hijab (veil) but the men as well as the women refuse. They claim that there is no harm in women going out unveiled in front of their fellow villagers and that some people say it is permissible when asked about it.I ask you this question and I await your reply: Is it permissible for women to go out unveiled in front of their fellow villagers? I also hope you can advise these people who have been misguided by Satan. Moreover, who are the people a woman is allowed to show her adornment to? This matter is confusing and the villagers boycotted me when I advised them for Allah's Sake. Please give us your answer and may Allah reward you.

A: A Muslimah must cover up in the presence of marriageable men, whether they are her neighbors or others. She is not allowed to expose her face except in front of her Mahrams (spouse or unmarriageable relatives), who are mentioned in Surah Al-Nur where Allah states: ...and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers up to: ...or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. (Part No. 17; Page No. 91) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.