Women's Issues

Q: To what extent should  women use their hijab when their husband or others are performing an act of worship in their rooms ?In other words how much of her body should be covered?

Q: According to Islamic law, women should remain in their homes and only leave their homes if there is an urgent need to, yet we find that there are Ulama who are advertising this program and that program all in the name of uplifting the ummah. Obviously, these women are going to leave their homes to attend these programs and as a woman myself, I know very well as to how women beautify themselves when leaving the home. My question is "Are these Ulama not contradicting themselves so severly?" Many women look at this and think that its totally fine to go because the Moulanas are encouraging it.

Q: Is it permissible for male and female cousins to hug each other and be casual with each other? In many families, I notice male and female cousins hugging and speaking casually. In certain families, I also see brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law interacting casually. Could you give some advice on this issue and inform us of what appears in the Qur'aan and Ahaadith in this regard?

Q: Can a muslim sister at the age of 45 suddenly decide she wants to wear niqab for her remaining years? During all her past years, she wore hijab exposing her face and wrists. What are the prerequisites and stipulations to be adhered to when in purdah? She comes from a very humble home with no car, hence she uses public transport. She has no other option but to do errands like shopping for food by herself. Is that permissible? She is a devout muslim but postponed purdah because of these reasons where she must walk on public roads to take and fetch her child from school. Whenever in public, she feels very vulnerable and guilty. She always considered wearing the purdah but was influenced not to.

Q: A woman had 40 days of nifaas. Then there was no bleeding for two days. Thereafter she started to bleed. What would this new bleeding be? Would it be istihadha or haiz? Also, if it was haiz, would it be counted according to the old habit the one before she got pregnant?

Q: I am pregnant Alhamdullilah and last week I had some bleeding. Alhamdullilah the bleeding stopped but now I am unsure if I can begin reading my Salaah as there are still some black flaky discharge. My underwear remains clean and I can only see the discharge when I go to the toilet. Can I make ghusal and start reading my Salaah or should I wait until the discharge is gone completely.
And please can you suggest a dua that I can read to keep my unborn baby safe and that my baby grows healthy, normal, strong and pious.

Q: Is the wearing of niqaab fardh?