What is the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered) of a woman in the presence of her mahram (a relative one may not marry)? And do the back and chest fall under the 'awrah?
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The questioner : May the Shaykh be honored, what is the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered) of a woman in the presence of her mahram (a relative one may not marry)? And do the back or the chest fall under the 'awrah, or not? Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : First: May Allah bless you. We must know that there is a difference between saying "What is the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered)?" and saying "What is the clothing that is prescribed (mashru') for a woman to wear?" so that there is no confusion between the two matters.
The clothing that is prescribed (mashru') for a woman to wear should be ample, ample for the entire body, except for the head, hands, and feet, in the case of mahram (a relative one may not marry) relatives. This is what is prescribed (mashru'). As for the issue of the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered), 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, meaning what is between the navel and the knee. However, our saying this does not mean that it is permissible for a woman to go out among women wearing only a skirt down to the knee and up to the navel. No one says this; indeed, anyone who says this is misguided. The meaning is that if a woman is wearing ample clothing and needs to expose her arms for work, or due to an illness in the arm, or something similar, or if she wants to breastfeed her child in front of women and exposes her breast in front of women, there is nothing wrong with it.
So there is a difference between the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered) and the prescribed (mashru') clothing. It is prescribed (mashru') for women that their clothing be ample, and it is permissible for them to expose their head, face, neck, hands, and even their arms, feet, and legs in the presence of their mahram (a relative one may not marry) relatives. But this does not mean that we say: she should wear a short dress in the presence of her mahram (a relative one may not marry) relatives. No, that is a different matter. But if, for example, she lifts her dress out of necessity and her mahram (a relative one may not marry) relatives are in front of her, and her leg is exposed, there is nothing wrong with it. Yes.
The questioner : Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy.
The Shaykh : Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.
The Shaykh : First: May Allah bless you. We must know that there is a difference between saying "What is the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered)?" and saying "What is the clothing that is prescribed (mashru') for a woman to wear?" so that there is no confusion between the two matters.
The clothing that is prescribed (mashru') for a woman to wear should be ample, ample for the entire body, except for the head, hands, and feet, in the case of mahram (a relative one may not marry) relatives. This is what is prescribed (mashru'). As for the issue of the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered), 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, meaning what is between the navel and the knee. However, our saying this does not mean that it is permissible for a woman to go out among women wearing only a skirt down to the knee and up to the navel. No one says this; indeed, anyone who says this is misguided. The meaning is that if a woman is wearing ample clothing and needs to expose her arms for work, or due to an illness in the arm, or something similar, or if she wants to breastfeed her child in front of women and exposes her breast in front of women, there is nothing wrong with it.
So there is a difference between the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered) and the prescribed (mashru') clothing. It is prescribed (mashru') for women that their clothing be ample, and it is permissible for them to expose their head, face, neck, hands, and even their arms, feet, and legs in the presence of their mahram (a relative one may not marry) relatives. But this does not mean that we say: she should wear a short dress in the presence of her mahram (a relative one may not marry) relatives. No, that is a different matter. But if, for example, she lifts her dress out of necessity and her mahram (a relative one may not marry) relatives are in front of her, and her leg is exposed, there is nothing wrong with it. Yes.
The questioner : Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy.
The Shaykh : Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.