Is it permissible for a woman to expose part of her body, such as her leg or chest, in front of her mahram relatives, like her sons and brothers, and is there a difference in this between male and female mahram relatives?
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The questioner : He asks: Is it permissible for a woman to expose part of her body, such as her leg or chest, in front of her mahram relatives, like her sons and brothers? And is there a difference in this between male and female mahram relatives, given that exposing part of that 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered) stirs up desires and instincts, especially among adolescents?
The Shaykh : I am truly very distressed that such matters are being investigated, because people’s women used to be covered, veiled, and modest. But when people began to mix extensively with others, whether those who came from abroad or those who traveled to their lands, these problems and inquiries arose. There is no doubt that it is better for a woman to cover herself, even from her mahram relatives, in matters that may stir up instincts. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned in his book or treatise on the woman’s clothing: “The women of the Companions wore clothes in their homes that covered them from their hands to their ankles”, from the hand on the arm to the ankle on the leg, and they did not expose a leg or an arm. However, if a woman exposes her arm for work at home in the presence of her mahram relatives or other women, there is no harm. Or if she exposes her leg for work in the presence of her mahram relatives or other women, there is no harm in that. But if she adopts short clothing that covers only to the knee, or only to the elbow, then it is feared that this falls under the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih Muslim 2128 So my advice to my sisters among the women is to avoid these clothes and to ensure that our clothing is covering. And my advice to those in authority over them is not to allow women to wear clothes that contradict what the Shari'ah (Islamic sacred law) requires.
The Shaykh : I am truly very distressed that such matters are being investigated, because people’s women used to be covered, veiled, and modest. But when people began to mix extensively with others, whether those who came from abroad or those who traveled to their lands, these problems and inquiries arose. There is no doubt that it is better for a woman to cover herself, even from her mahram relatives, in matters that may stir up instincts. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned in his book or treatise on the woman’s clothing: “The women of the Companions wore clothes in their homes that covered them from their hands to their ankles”, from the hand on the arm to the ankle on the leg, and they did not expose a leg or an arm. However, if a woman exposes her arm for work at home in the presence of her mahram relatives or other women, there is no harm. Or if she exposes her leg for work in the presence of her mahram relatives or other women, there is no harm in that. But if she adopts short clothing that covers only to the knee, or only to the elbow, then it is feared that this falls under the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him):