What is the limit of a woman's 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered) in the presence of another woman, and likewise the 'awrah of a man in the presence of another man?
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The questioner : What is the limit of a woman's 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered) in the presence of another woman, and likewise the 'awrah of a man in the presence of another man?
The Shaykh : First, it must be known that this hadith which is constantly cited by those who want women to wear clothes that are not modest or covering—this hadith means that it is not permissible for a woman to look at the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered) of her sister. But what clothes should the sister wear? She must wear covering clothes so that she does not fall under the authentic hadith:Sahih Muslim 2128 The scholars said: "Clothed yet naked" means that she has a covering, but it is thin and does not cover, or she has a covering but it is short, or she has a covering but it is tight. So the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered) of a woman in the presence of a woman is like the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered) of a man in the presence of a man. This is the known position among the scholars. It is not permissible for a woman to look at what is between the navel and the knee of another woman. But the woman being looked at must wear the clothes that are prescribed for her to wear, which are covering clothes. Because if women were to use whatever clothes they please and say that the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered) of a woman in the presence of a woman is like the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered) of a man in the presence of a man, that would be incorrect. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh. This is a questioner for the program who says.
The Shaykh : First, it must be known that this hadith which is constantly cited by those who want women to wear clothes that are not modest or covering—this hadith means that it is not permissible for a woman to look at the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered) of her sister. But what clothes should the sister wear? She must wear covering clothes so that she does not fall under the authentic hadith:
AbU Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) having said this: Two are the types of the denizens of Hell whom I did not see: people having flogs like the tails of the ox with them and they would be beating people, and the women who would be dressed but appear to be naked, who would be inclined (to evil) and make their husbands incline towards it. Their heads would be like the humps of the bukht camel inclined to one side. They will not enter Paradise and they would not smell its odour whereas its odour would be smelt from such and such distance.
صنفان من أهل النار لم أرهما، قوم معهم سياط كأذناب البقر يضربون بها الناس، ونساء كاسيات عاريات مميلات مائلات لا يدخلن الجنّة ولا يجدن ريحهاThe questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh. This is a questioner for the program who says.