The Meaning of Tabarruj and Its Ruling

A message was sent from Riyadh by (S. M. Sh). He asks about the tabarruj of women. He says: What is the ruling on the tabarruj of women in the presence of non-mahram men in the markets, and likewise in the homes in the presence of the husband’s brother, some uncles, and maternal uncles... and so on, in the presence of those who come to the house?
Answer: Tabarruj is: displaying one’s beauty and charms, such as displaying her hair, face, neck, and the jewelry in her ears or neck. All of this is called tabarruj. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says: [Al-Ahzab: 33]. The scholars interpreted tabarruj as displaying one’s beauty and charms, from her chest, her neck, her ears and jewelry, her hair, and the like. Likewise, the face, according to the most correct of the scholars’ opinions, is among the charms; because a woman’s beauty, loveliness, and adornment are displayed through her face. All of this is forbidden and not permissible, and it is of the tabarruj that Allah, Mighty and Majestic, has forbidden, whether it is in the presence of the husband’s brother, the sister’s husband, the husband’s paternal uncle, the husband’s maternal uncle, or the like, and in the presence of other non-mahram men as well. What some women do in the markets—may Allah protect us from it—of tabarruj and being lax in displaying some of the hair, or the face, or the neck, or the leg, or the feet, or the like, all of this is reprehensible and all of it is forbidden, and . Therefore, it is obligatory for her to be cautious, to cover herself, and to observe hijab; because this is among the causes of safety. And Allah says, Exalted is He, in His great Book: [Al-Ahzab: 53]. So covering and hijab are purer for the hearts of everyone, purer for the hearts of men and the hearts of women. And although the verse is about the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), it is general for the wives of the Prophet and other than the wives of the Prophet.
So it is obligatory for women to stay away from tabarruj and displaying one’s beauty. Among this is walking with a swaying gait and being coy; this is also of tabarruj. Among this also is uncovering the hijab from the head, or the chest, or the arm, or the leg, or the like of what is worn... some people do this with short clothes. If this is done, it is of fitnah and of calamity, and it is included in what Allah, Mighty and Majestic, has forbidden. So it is obligatory to be cautious of that. The woman is an awrah, and her danger is great for herself and for others. So it is obligatory for her to be far from the causes of fitnah by observing hijab and wearing the jilbab that covers her from her husband’s brother, her husband’s paternal uncle, her husband’s maternal uncle, and the like. And the only ones who are mahram are her husband’s son, her husband’s father, and her husband’s grandfather; these are mahram. Her father, her grandfather, and her children from other than him are mahram without doubt, like her own sons.
But some mahram are also feared for their evil. Some mahram may be an open sinner, so she should be cautious of that, even if it is from her husband’s sons from other than him, and even if he is a mahram. She should have insight and caution, and be modest in her appearance in the presence of her mahram; lest fitnah occur from some of them with her. It has reached us that many things happen because of laxity. A woman may be tempted by some of her mahram, or they may be tempted by her, in this time when knowledge has decreased and faith has weakened. She may be tried by her brother, tried by her paternal uncle, or tried by her maternal uncle, and they are mahram. She should be cautious and be modest, covering everything except her face and her hands in the presence of her mahram. This is the most cautious for her and closest to safety.
As for non-mahram, such as: the husband’s brother, such as: the sister’s husband, such as: the non-mahram people in the markets, these are non-mahram. It is obligatory to cover from them in everything, even the face and the hands; because this is fitnah, so it is obligatory to be cautious of it. And Allah, Mighty and Majestic, has created men with an inclination toward women, and likewise women. So it is obligatory for everyone to be cautious of obeying Satan and his play. We seek refuge in Allah from Satan. Yes.
Then another matter that should be noted is that it is obligatory for the man to be cautious of these things, whether he is the husband’s brother or the husband’s paternal uncle. He should be cautious and not be lax, but lower his gaze. And if he sees laxity from his brother’s wife, he should admonish her and remind her, and say: You are not a mahram, so you must cover yourself and observe hijab. He should not be lax; because , and people are in danger from his evil and his schemes, so it is obligatory to be cautious. Likewise, if he sees in the markets a woman who is committing tabarruj, or displaying her adornment, he should rebuke her and explain that this is forbidden, and not be lax in these matters. And likewise, the shopkeepers, if they see someone committing tabarruj and displaying beauty, they should rebuke her, even if she does not buy from them. Allah will compensate them with good. He should rebuke the one who is lax, and remind her of Allah, and that this is forbidden, and that it is obligatory for the woman to cover herself and observe hijab in her buying from people and in her entering the markets. She must observe hijab and cover herself so that nothing of her is seen; because she is a fitnah, especially in this era when modesty and knowledge have decreased, and faith has decreased and jealousy has weakened.
So it is obligatory for the woman to be far from the causes of fitnah, and it is obligatory for the man to be far from it also, by lowering his gaze and by rebuking the women who commit tabarruj, whether he is in his shop, or on the road, or in any place. This is the affair of the Muslims among themselves: cooperation in righteousness and piety, and caution against the laxity that harms everyone. And there is no power and no strength except by Allah. Yes.