Surah Nur states that women should cover their heads. I am told time and time again that it is CLEARLY written in the Quran that women should cover their heads and the rest of their bodies except their faces, hands and feet.
The following is a link to Surah Nur 24:31.
http://www.islamawakened.com/Quran/24/31/default.htmIt gives 17 translations of the same ayah. In none of them does it state clearly that the head must be covered. Interestingly, the last translation by Asad gives a little tafseer on this ayah. He explains that in the time of the prophet, women used to use veils as capes and drag it behind their backs, but leaving their bosoms on full display. Asad seems to suggest that the ayah was a way of saying use that veil that you drag behind you to instead cover your bosom ("...draw a veil over your bosom...")
And where is it written that one must cover up the head for prayers or reading holy text?
But before reading sura Nur, I suggest go for reading Sura Nisa....................