Q 6: What is the Islamic ruling on women going out for work with the usual clothing worn on the streets, school, and at home? What is the ruling on women working with their husbands on farms?
A: Undoubtedly, Islam came to honor women, protect them from the evil, maintain their rights, and raise her status. Islam allowed the woman to inherit like men, removed the past, old heinous act of burying her alive, made her marriage conditional upon her approval, and gave her free a hand in disposing of her property if she is of sound mind. Islam gives her many duties on her husband and enjoined her father and relatives to financially assist her when necessary. Hijab (veil) is made obligatory on her in front of nonMahram (not a spouse or an unmarriageable relative) men, so that she may not become a cheap commodity that every body enjoys.
And when you ask (his wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen: that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts.
O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allâh is Ever Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them. Verily, Allâh is All Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, headcover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyûbihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers
And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance
And as for women past childbearing who do not expect wed lock, it is no sin on them if they discard their (outer) clothing in such a way as not to show their adornment. But to refrain (i.e. not to discard their outer clothing) is better for them. And Allâh is AllHearer, AllKnower.