QUESTION: As a Muslim sister at home with my brothers, (sibling) do I need to cover my head while reciting the Quran even when I am alone in my room?

ANSWER: We thank Al-mighty Allah on your behalf for wanting to know more about your religion.

Allah says in the Quran:  “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over bodies (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms, etc.) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband’s fathers, their sons, their husband’s sons, their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islâm), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful. “(24:31)

This is a commandment from Al-mighty Allah.  It must be carried out when stepping out of your home, or when you have any visitor who is not of your closest relation to you.  It is not obligatory that you cover your head when you are with your brothers. However, even when you are alone in your room, it is important that you cover your head when reading the Holy Quran.

Halal & Haram

Denying your spouse sex is haram

Abuhurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If a man calls his wife to his bed, and she refuses, and he goes to sleep angry with her, the angels will curse her until morning.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari; see al-Fath, 6/314).

Many women are wont to denying their husbands sex especially when there is a minor disagreement between them.  They do this with the erroneous notion to punish their husbands .  This is not acceptable in Islam.   Denial of sex by any of the partner may expose the partner into committing adultery.

A wife should hasten to respond to her husband’s call if he wants her, in obedience to the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “If a man calls his wife to his bed, let her respond, even if she is riding on the back of a camel (i.e., very busy).” (See Zawaa’id al-Bazzaar, 2/181; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 547).

Similarly, the husband must also study the emotional state of the wife and when she shows interest, the husband must deny her.

The husband must show consideration towards his wife if she is sick, pregnant or depressed, so as to maintain harmony and prevent discontent or hatred. Marital sex is divinely ordained and a marital duty of every spouse.  It should be respected and honoured.