Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatallah wa barakatu,
salam,
other translations of the verse:
"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms..."
"And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms..."
"And tell the believing women to subdue their eyes, and maintain their chastity. They shall not reveal any parts of their bodies, except that which is necessary. They shall cover their chests..."
"And say to the believing women that they cast down their looks and guard their private parts, and display not their ornaments, except those which are outside; and let them pull their kerchiefs over their bosoms..."
-[24:31]
the emphasis is on covering the chest, not covering the face or hair.
it says use a 'khimaar' (which means a cloth used for covering) to cover the chests,
so if it is saying draw khimaar 'over' , that allows you a chance to interpret and twist this part of the verse to mean' over face head and everything' ?
You missed a very important part in that ayah that i do want to point out (this maybe a better translation inshallah):
And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss.
For anyone else to see, its haraam. hair, neck, chest, etc. aren't supposed to be revealed, for it will kill their modesty and the whole purpose of that ayah, which is to NOT bring attention upon their bodies. A woman is clearly treated differently when she is covered than when she is exposed. Males have a stronger sexual desire than women do, therefore it is in their best intrest to lower their gaze instead of ask why women are/arent covering. I don't have time to read that thread you provided, but Allah did send down the rasul as an example of how we should live our lives, and the Quran as a guidance,and that is said within the quran since you are apt more about the Quran than the ahadith themselves.
Thus, have We made of you an Ummat justly balanced, that ye might be witnesses over the nations, and the Messenger a witness over yourselves; and We appointed the Qibla to which thou wast used, only to test those who followed the Messenger from those who would turn on their heels (From the Faith). Indeed it was (A change) momentous, except to those guided by Allah. And never would Allah Make your faith of no effect. For Allah is to all people Most surely full of kindness, Most Merciful. (2:143)
A similar (favour have ye already received) in that We have sent among you an Messenger of your own, rehearsing to you Our Signs, and sanctifying you, and instructing you in Scripture and Wisdom, and in new knowledge. (2:151)
Allah provides understanding of the Qu'ran for those who seek it, english translations will not provide that same understanding unless you read it the way it was relevated, in arabic.
He granteth wisdom to whom He pleaseth; and he to whom wisdom is granted receiveth indeed a benefit overflowing; but none will grasp the Message but men of understanding.(2:269)
May Allah guide you and us ameen.
fi aman Allah
walaikum asalaam wa rahmatallah wa barakatu