Question:
Assalamualaikum,
I have a question concerning what has been written and clarified as a women’s ‘Aurah among women. There are many opinions about this subject…..but we don’t want opinion we want proof. I have recently registered in a swimming class of all women, registered through the Masjid. I was wearing a regular full swim suit with Capri pants. Which I have heard covers the ‘Aurah. What I know is that the Muslim women’s ‘Aurah among women is from her belly button down to just below the knee. Some of the girls…were wearing bikini tops…and the instructor was addressing them about that….when I also realized she was looking at me. She literally said that if I wear that next time, that she will not let me swim unless I wear a shirt. I respect her opinion, but there is Hadith to follow and not her opinion. Is she justified in telling me that, when we are all girls. Please let me know as soon as possible with some evidence and Hadith. Thank You
Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu
Answer:
It is permissible for a Muslim female to look at another Muslim woman’s body. This means that she is allowed to see everything of another Muslim woman’s body parts except that between the navel to below the knees, (Raddul Muhtaar Pg. 381 Vol. 6) So the Capri pants that u speak of is okay. One should be careful not to reveal her body parts to such a person who will describe her beauty to strange men. In front of a non Muslim woman, a Muslim woman is not allowed to reveal from below her shoulders to below her knees.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Shaakir bin Moulana Yaseen Rahim
Attested to as correct by:
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah
Springs
22 June 2006
25 Jumaadul Oola 1427
This Q&A was indexed in 2012 from the website of Jameah Mahmoodiyah, South Africa. The original website no longer exists.
