عورت کے چہرے اور آواز کا پردہ

Abstract

An old disputed subject of purdah of woman's face and voice was discussed in Question and Answer columns of a learned Urdu magazine "Zindagi-e-Nau" (October and December 2010). . Criticizing the answer of a writer, a critic had raised the following questions: Were woman used to participate in discussions in mixed gatherings of two sexes after the age of companions of the Prophet (PBUH)? Can women participate in the community meetings, parliaments, elections, etc? Can women occupy administrative and business posts and offices, etc? In this paper a detailed study of women's rights of politics, business, and social activities has been made in the light of the Qur'an, the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH), and his four rightly- guided caliphs.