A woman may engage in activities outside of the house...

A woman may engage in activities outside of the house, but she has to maintain a link with her home and family and should not be neglectful of the responsibilities laid down for her by the divine code. "NIQAB" NOT MANDATORY While identifying the parts of a woman's body which should be covered, the Qur'an also gives us evidence to refute the claim of those who associate "Niqab" (Veils, 'Ninja style' face covers) as an ingredient of a women's dress code ordained by Allah.

The Example Of Mary Mary the mother of Jesus (p) is mentioned in the Qur'an as the woman chosen and purified above all the women of all the worlds. "And when the angels said: O Mary! surely Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of all the worlds." (3:42) She has been called as an example for the believers and her conduct is called to exemplify: "And Allah sets forth an example to those who believe . . .

Mary, the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity, so We breathed into her of Our inspiration and she accepted the truth of the words of her Sustainer and His books, and she was of, the obedient ones. (66:11-12) In observing her behavior mentioned in the Qur'an, we see that as she appears from seclusion with young Jesus, her people recognized her. Now had she been wearing a "Niqab" to cover her face, her people would not have identified her immediately as she had appeared from seclusion.

This informs us that she was not covering her face i.e. not wearing a "Niqab", as mentioned in the following verses: "And she came to her people with him, carrying him (with her). They (having recognized her) said: 'O Mary! surely you have done a strange thing. O sister of Haroon! your father was not a bad man, nor, was your mother an unchaste woman.' But she pointed to him.

They said: 'How should we speak to one who was a child in the cradle?' He (Jesus) said: 'Surely I am a servant of Allah; He has given me the Book and made me a prophet." (19:27-30) Mary's recognition by her people indicates that she was not wearing a "Niqab" to protect her face from being seen. In the Qur'an there is further evidence which negates the practice of wearing "Niqab".