Title: Is it Obligatory for a Woman to Cover her Ears & Neck Question: I have gone through all your question/answers and still not clear whether while covering head, bosom, it is still needed to cover ear and neck. Consider the Dupatta in Pakistani society. When a large enough Dupatta is used (by modest women) it can satisfactorily cover bosom and head. But still neck and ear are not covered, also the possibility is there that some portion of hair would be revealing. Briefly my question is: Ears and neck should necessarily be covered If some part of hairs are not covered(not intentionally to show off but the dupatta can not ensure it unless tied. Imran Alam Answer: I agree with you that the directive regarding the covering of the head and the bosom does not clarify whether or not a woman should cover her neck and her ears. In my opinion, by keeping silent on the issue the Qur'an has left the decision on the choice and preference of the individual woman. The Qur'an has prescribed the level of cover necessary and has left the details unspecified with the result that those women, who consider it in accordance with the spirit of the directives of the Shari`ah should cover their necks and ears, while that cover has not been made mandatory for all women. This is precisely the case with most of the directives of the Shari`ah , whereby it prescribes a minimal limit and wants its adherents to develop and elevate their tastes and preferences in the light of the stated prescriptions and the spirit of the directives and the Islamic beliefs and values. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad October 5, 2001