Ruling on Covering the 'Awrah
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Fatwa No. ( 5128 )
Q: Since many sectors, including the military sector, have their personnel wear sports clothing that exposes part of the area below the navel and around half of the thigh, or more at times. Given the prevalence of this attire, we hope you will inform us of your opinion on this matter and clarify the legal ruling, as its widespread use over long periods has made it customary and considered permissible for people. May Allah reward you with good?
A: Covering the 'awrah is obligatory by the consensus of the Muslims. The entire body of a woman is 'awrah, and the front and back parts of a man are 'awrah by consensus. The correct opinion among scholars is that the 'awrah of a man is what is between the navel and the knee; based on what was narrated from 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan Ibn Majah 1460Da’if (Darussalam) Narrated by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah , and what was narrated from Muhammad ibn Jahsh who said: Mishkat al-Masabih 3114 Narrated by Ahmad in his Musnad, al-Bukhari in his Sahih as a hanging narration, and al-Hakim in
his Mustadrak, and what was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both), that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and Ahmad, and its wording is: And what was narrated from Jarhad al-Aslami who said: Narrated by Malik in (al-Muwatta) and Ahmad and Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi who said: Good. These hadiths support one another, so they stand as evidence for argumentation. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: Since many sectors, including the military sector, have their personnel wear sports clothing that exposes part of the area below the navel and around half of the thigh, or more at times. Given the prevalence of this attire, we hope you will inform us of your opinion on this matter and clarify the legal ruling, as its widespread use over long periods has made it customary and considered permissible for people. May Allah reward you with good?
A: Covering the 'awrah is obligatory by the consensus of the Muslims. The entire body of a woman is 'awrah, and the front and back parts of a man are 'awrah by consensus. The correct opinion among scholars is that the 'awrah of a man is what is between the navel and the knee; based on what was narrated from 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Do not show your thigh, and do not look at the thigh of anyone, living or dead.
لا تبرز فخذك، ولا تنظر إلى فخذ حي ولا ميتGod’s Messenger came upon Ma'mar when his thighs were uncovered and said, "Cover your thighs, Ma'mar, for the thighs are private parts.”
مر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على معمر وفخذاه مكشوفتان فقال: يا معمر غط فخذيك؛ فإن الفخذين عورةhis Mustadrak, and what was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both), that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
The thigh is 'awrah
الفخذ عورةThe Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) passed by a man whose thigh was exposed, so he said to him: Cover your thighs; for the thigh of a man is 'awrah
مر رسول الله صلى اله عليه وسلم على رجل وفخذه خارجة، فقال له: غط فخذيك؛ فإن فخذ الرجل عورةThe Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) passed by me, and I was wearing a cloak and my thigh had become exposed, so he said: Cover your thigh; for the thigh is 'awrah
مر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وعليَّ بردة وقد انكشفت فخذي، فقال: غط فخذك؛ فإن الفخذ عورة
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.