By: Dr. Yusuf Al Qardawi, Qatar

Women’s ‘Awrah
Whatever of the woman’s body is not allowed to be shown constitutes her ‘awrah. It must be covered, for exposing it is haram.

Consequently, with respect to non-mahrem men and non-Muslim women, a woman’s ‘awrah is her entire body with the exception of her face and hands, accordingto the interpretation we have preferred. We agree with al-Razi’s argument that Islam has permitted her to expose those parts of the body, the face and hands, which need to be exposed in order to carry out daily busiand for giving and taking; it has commanded her to cover what it is not necessary to expose, and has forgiven her accidental, inadvertent exposures or such exposures as are required by necessity. All this is in accordance with the flexibility of Islam. Says al-Razi, “Since the showing of the face and hands is necessary, the jurists had no choice but to agree that they are not ‘awrah, and since the showing of the feet is not necessary, they have differed concerning whether or not they are ‘awrah.” (Tafsir ‘awrah.” (Tafsir of Fakhr al-Deen al-Razi, vol. 20, pp. 205-206.)

With respect to the above-mentioned twelve categories of mahrem relatives, a woman is permitted to expose her hair, ears, neck, upper part of the chest, arms, and legs. Other parts of her body, such as the 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 Allah 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. Allah Ta’ala commanded His Prophet (PBUH) to convey to the whole ummah of Islam 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.) 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’anic 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, Islam 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 Allah 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 Allah 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. Allah 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’an 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 Islam’s concern for women’s ‘awrah and its proper covering, the Prophet (peace be on him) 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 (peace be on him) warned the Muslim man against entering public baths without a waist wrapper. Jabir narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) said, Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day must not enter the public bath without a lower garment (to cover his private parts), and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day must not let his wife go to the public bath. (Al-Mondhari in Al-Targheeb says that this was reported by al-Nisai and by al-Tirmidhi, who classified it as “good.”, Al-Hakim reported it and called it “sound.”)

And ‘Aishah said, At first the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) 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 Abu Daoud; also reported by al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah.)

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 (peace be on him) 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 Majah and Abu 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 (peace be on him) said, ‘Beware of a building called the Public Bath.’ Some people said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, 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 (peace be on him). 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 the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) 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-Tirmidhi; also reported by Abu Daoud, Ibn Majah, and al-Hakim, who classified it as “sound” (al-targheeb).)

And Umm Salmah narrated that the Prophet (peace be on him) said, “If any woman takes off her clothes outside her own house, Allah will tear His covering from her.”

When Islam 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 the divine 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.”‘

The ways in which women displayed themselves during the period of pre-Islamic jahiliyyah included mingling freely with men, walking seductively, and wearing a head-covering in a manner which exposed the ornaments and beauties of the head and neck. But during the present period of ignorance of the divine guidance the display of feminine attractions has gone to such vulgar extremes that the women of the pre-Islamic era appear in contrast to be models of chastity and dignity!