In a Muslim society, the code of veil provides a basis for a separate sphere of activities for women. Since it demands some kind of segregation, it defines separate spheres for men and women and consequently generates the debate on whether women are allowed to go out of their homes and whether they can work. In this paper, we will study the code of dress and veil from the said perspective and will attempt to understand related commandments, whether they demand separation of men’s and women’s spheres and how they were practiced during the era of the Prophet (peace be on him) and his Companions
Introduction
What is the sphere of a woman’s activism is the burning issue of the day. The prevailing perception is that her real status is to stay at home. But this opinion is based on the regional concepts instead of the Qur’┐n and Sunnah. If some normative texts (nu╖┴╖) are presented in support of this opinion it is only because they are superficially interpreted, ignoring their context. In this paper, we will discuss the issue in the light of the Qur’┐n and Sunnah and will attempt to uncover the true intentions of the related normative texts (nu╖┴╖). It is to note that hundreds, if not thousands, of incidences have been recorded in the ╒ad┘ths which contradict the current concepts about the sphere of women’s activism.
Based on direct and profound study of the texts of the Qur’┐n and the Sunnah, we hold that the Qur’┐n and Sunnah do lay down rules and regulations of going out of homes for women but they forbid them neither from working nor from going out of home. On the contrary, the very existence of rules and regulations of going out of homes for women indicate that they have the right to go out and interact with men because if they did not enjoy such freedom then the law would be purposeless.
PARTNERS
