Answered by Sidi Suheil Laher
I understand that generally a man’s awra is the area between his naval and knees. However, are there any instances were exposure of the thigh is not considered to be sinful? The reason I ask is because I prefer to ride a bicycle as a preferred method of exercise during the summer months. I make every attempt to wear long shorts so as to cover my thighs down to my knees. However, there are times when the area above my knee, not a large portion, becomes exposed. I doubt that anyone can see or notice as I am on the move. Yet it is something that I have now become conscious and for the time being I have stopped in the hopes of Insha’ Allah finding a resolution. In addition, I have become slightly more confused because there seem to be conflicting Hadith with this regard. For example, there are Hadith that relate that the Prophet of Allah (pbuh) was sitting in front of one his companions with his thigh exposed. (I think it is Al-Bukhari). Further, there are instances also narrated in Hadith that the Prophet of Allah (pbuh) stated that the thigh is part of the awra. I have also come across the following Information: Man’s `Awrah is divided into two kinds: major (mughalladhah) and minor (makhafaffah). The major `Awrah includes man’s private parts. The minor `Awrah includes thighs. And there is no contradiction between the command of lowering one’s gaze from thighs because they are `Awrah and between uncovering them because they are minor `Awrah.â€� I apologize for the long and convoluted question but hope that Insha’Allah you may be able to clarify the issue.
wa`alaykum as-salam wa-rahmatullah
“ Cover your thigh, for the thigh is [part] of the nakedness.”
[Narrated by : Tirmidhi, who graded it as hasan, and also by
Abu Dawud, Ahmad, Malik and Ibn Hibban.
Similar narrations are also narrated by Ahmad, and by Tabarani in “al-Mu`jam al-Kabir.”
Tirmidhi also narrated, “The thigh is a nakedness” and graded it hasan gharib. Bukhari quoted this as ta`liq.]