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back, abdomen, thighs and two private parts, are not to be exposed before anyone, man or woman,
excepting her husband.
The above interpretation of the ayah is closer to its intent than that of some other scholars who say that, with
respect to her muharramah (Plural of mahrem. (Trans.)) and other Muslim women, the woman’s ‘awrah is
the area between her navel and knee. Rather, the intent of the ayah seems to support the opinion of some
scholars who say that with respect to her muharramah the woman’s ‘awrah is that part which is not exposed
while she is doing her housework; that is, whatever is exposed during the course of her daily chores may be
seen by men who are her muharramah.
That is why Allâh Subhanahu wa Ta‘ala commands the believing women to cover themselves with a loose
over-garment whenever they go out, for in this way they may be distinguished from non-believing and loose
women. Allâh Ta‘ala commanded His Prophet (s.a.w.s.) to convey to the whole ummah of Islâm this divine
message: O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters and the believing women that they should put on their
outer garments (jalabeebihinna); (That is, whenever they are outside the home or inside it when non-
mahrem men are present. (Trans.)) that is most convenient in order that they may be recognized (as
Muslims) and not be molested.... (33:59)
During the period of jahiliyyah some women used to go out with the attractive parts of their bodies, such as
the neck, upper part of the breast and hair, exposed, and the loafers and lechers would follow them about.
Accordingly, this noble ayah came down, commanding the believing woman to cover herself with her
garment so that no provocative part of her body would be visible, because her appearance would make it
clear to everyone that she is a chaste, believing woman, no lecher or hypocrite would dare to molest her.
It is clear from this verse that the reason for this injunction is not the fear of women’s misbehavior or mistrust
of them, as some people claim, but the danger to them from lecherous and evil men; for the woman who
decks herself out, walks seductively, or talks invitingly always attracts men who lust after her. This verifies
the Qur‘ânic verse,...Then do not be too pleasant of speech, lest one in whose heart there is a disease
should feel desire (for you).... (33:32) Accordingly, Islâm insists that the Muslim woman cover, and so protect
herself; no concession is made in this except to reduce it somewhat for old women. Says Allâh Ta‘ala: And
the elderly among women who are past (the prospect) of marriage—there is no blame on them if they lay
aside their (outer) garments without displaying their adornment; but it is better for them to be modest. And
Allâh is Hearing, Knowing. (24:60)
By “the elderly among women” is meant such post-menopausal women as have no desire for marriage or
sex, and to whom men are not attracted. Allâh has made this concession for them so that they can put aside
their covering garments, such as the chaddor, abaya, burqa, jilbab, and the like. However, the Qur‘ân makes
the condition that this should not be for the purpose of displaying the* adornment but only for ease and
comfort. Despite this concession, it is preferable and better for them to be more perfect in their dignity and
far removed from any suspicion: “but it is better for them to be modest.” (24:60)
Concerning Women Going to Public Baths
In consideration of Islâm’s concern for women’s ‘awrah and its proper covering, the Prophet (s.a.w.s.)
warned the Muslim woman against entering public baths and disrobing in front of other women, who might
subsequently make her physical characteristics a topic of their gossip and vulgar comments.
Similarly, the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) warned the Muslim man against entering public baths without a waist
wrapper. Jabir narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said, Whoever believes in Allâh and the Last Day
must not enter the public bath without a lower garment (to cover his private parts), and whoever believes in
Allâh and the Last Day must not let his wife go to the public bath. (Al-Mondhari in Al-Targheeb says that this
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was reported by al-Nisai and by al-Tirmidhî,who classified it as “good.”, Al-Hakim reported it and called it
“sound.”)
And ‘Aishah said, At first Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) prohibited people from going to public baths, but later
allowed men to enter them wearing a lower garment. (The wording is from the report of Abû Daoud; also
reported by al-Tirmidhî and Ibn Mâjah.)
Exception to this prohibition is made for the woman who suffers from some illness for which warm baths are
beneficial and for women following childbirth. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said
concerning public baths that Men must not enter them without a lower garment. Prevent women from
entering them except when sick or after childbirth. (Reported by Ibn Mâjah and Abû Daoud. One of the
transmitters is Abdur-Rahman Ziyadah ibn ‘An‘am al-Ifriqi.) There is some weakness in the transmission of
this hadith, but it is supported by the rules of the Shari‘ah which makes concessions in worship and other
obligations for a sick person, and by the well-known principle that what is prohibited as a precaution
becomes permissible in the case of need or benefit. It is also supported by a hadith reported by al-Hakim on
the authority of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas, who narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, ‘Beware of a building
called the Public Bath.’ Some people said, ‘O Messenger of Allâh, it certainly removes dirt and benefits the
sick.’ He then said, ‘Then whoever enters should cover his nakedness.’ (Reported by al-Hakim, who
classifies it as “sound.”)
If a woman enters a public bath without a valid reason or need, she has committed a haram act and
deserves the censure of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.). Abul Malih al-Hadhali reported that some women from Homs
or Damascus came to visit ‘Aishah and she said, “Are you from a place where women go to the public
baths? I heard Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) saying, A woman who removes her clothes (i.e., goes naked)
outside her husband’s house tears down the veil (hijab) between herself and her Lord.’‘ (Reported with this
wording by al-Tirmidhî ; also reported by Abû Daoud, Ibn Mâjah, and al-Hakim, who classified it as “sound”
(al-targheeb).)
And Umm Salmah narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, “If any woman takes off her clothes outside her
own house, Allâh will tear His covering from her.”
When Islâm takes such a strict view of women’s entering public baths which are, after all, buildings with four
walls in which only women are allowed, imagine its judgement concerning the nearly-nude women lying
about on beaches and the swimming pools, exposing their nakedness to the hungry and lustful eyes of every
passer-by without any sense of shame. Assuredly they have torn down every veil between themselves and
their most Merciful Lord. And their men are partners in their sin, since they are responsible protectors of their
women. If only they knew!
The Prohibition of the Display of Women’s Attractions
The morals and manners of the Muslim woman are quite different from those of non-Muslim women and the
women of the time of jahiliyyah. The Muslim woman is chaste, dignified, self-respecting, and modest, while
the woman who is ignorant of thedivine guidance may be vain, showy and anxious to display her attractions.
Such display includes exposing the attractive parts of the body, walking or talking in a seductive manner,
displaying her ornament“, wearing revealing and sexy clothes, and the like.
The variety of ways in which women display their attractions is no secret to people, ancient or modern. In
commenting on the verse concerning the women of the Prophet’s household, And be in your houses, and do
not make a display of yourselves in the manner of display of jahiliyyah...., (33:33) Mujahid remarks, “Women
used to walk about among men Qatadah says, ‘They used to walk in a seductive and sensuous manner;‘
while Maqatil says, ‘The displaying of attractions means putting a cloth on the head without tying it, and
toying with the necklace, earrings, and other ornaments in a provocative fashion.”‘
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