𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (468)

A Woman’s ‘Awrah in the Presence of Other Women Question: What is the extent of a woman’s ‘awrah (the parts of the body that must be covered) in the presence of another woman? Sheikh Najeeb Ash-Shar’abi ḥafidhahullāh: A woman’s ‘awrah in relation to another woman is that which is customarily uncovered in the presence of her maḥram men — namely, the areas of adornment — as the Almighty said: “And they should not display their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, or those their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are unaware of the private aspects of women.” [Sūrah al-Nūr: 31] It is stated in Fatāwā Al-Lajnah Ad-Dā’imah (vol. 17, pp. 291–292, question no. 1): “The apparent meaning of the Qur'ān indicates that a woman should not expose herself before another woman except in the same manner as she does before her maḥārim (male relatives) — that is, what is ordinarily uncovered in the home and during household work. As the Exalted said: ‘And they should not display their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, or their women’ [Sūrah al-Nūr: 31]. Since this is the explicit text of the Qur'ān, and this is what is indicated by the Sunnah, it is also what was practiced by the wives of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ, the women of the Companions, and those who followed them in righteousness from among the women of the Muslim nation up to our present time. What customarily becomes exposed before those mentioned in the Āyah are the parts of the woman’s body that normally appear in the home and during household chores, and which are difficult to keep fully covered — such as the head, hands, neck, and feet. As for excessive uncovering, not only is there no evidence from the Qur'ān or Sunnah to permit it, but it also leads to temptation and moral corruption among women themselves. Indeed, such occurrences are known among them. Furthermore, it sets a bad example for other women and involves imitating the disbelieving, immoral, and licentious women in their manner of dress. It has been authentically reported from the Prophet ﷺ that he said: ‘Whoever imitates a people is one of them.’” End quote. Al-ʿAllāmah Al-Albānī (may Allāh have mercy on him) said in Ar-Radd Al-Mufḥim (pp. 74–75): “One of the astonishing things that leaves a Muslim — whom Allāh has rescued from blind adherence to rigid schools of thought — bewildered, is how they can say that a woman’s ‘awrah in front of another woman is only what lies between the navel and the knee! For this has absolutely no foundation in the Qur'ān or the Sunnah; rather, it contradicts Allāh’s saying in the verse of Sūrah al-Nūr: ‘And they should not display their adornment except to their husbands or their fathers,’ until His saying: ‘or their women.’ The intended meaning of ‘adornment’ here refers to the places where adornments are worn — such as the earrings, the bracelets, the anklets, and the necklaces — and this is agreed upon by the scholars of Qur’anic exegesis, and it is narrated from Ibn Masʿūd (may Allāh be pleased with him). Thus, this Qur’anic text clearly indicates that a woman is not permitted to expose before another Muslim woman more than these areas of adornment.” End quote. Source: https://t.me/qweasdzxcmnblkjpoik/5588