Asalamulaikum Hazrat.
I was wondering is there an age to limit to how long a father can assist his wife in bathing, and changing their daughter in full nakedness?
Our daughter is now 2 years, and 7 months. My wife is also almost 7 months pregnant. So, it’s not easy for her, but I’m still conscious there must be a limit to when the father should be distracting his gazes?
Jazak’Allah.
الجواب وبالله التوفيق
As per the situation described in your question you can help your wife in the time of need with changing your daughter. Before reaching the age of hadd-e-shehwat(such an age where you or the child may have feelings of shehwat) you can give her a bath if needed. Some fuqahah have documented this age as 4 years whereas others have mentioned it as 7 years. Even if there is Shar‘ai permissibility, in such matters it is best to protect one’s gaze, which is a reflection and requirement of one’s shamefulness and humility.
قولہ لا عورۃ للصغیر جدا و کذا لصغیرۃ کما فی السراج فیباح النظر والمس کما فی المعراج قال ؟وفسرہ شیخنا بابن اربع فما دونھا ولم ادر لمن عزاہ اقول: قد یوخذ مما فی جنائز الشر فبلا لیۃ ونصد واذا لم تبلغ الصغیر و الصغیرۃ حدالشھوۃ یغسلھما الرجال والنساء وقدرہ فی الاصل بأن یکون قبل ان یتکلم الخ (رد المحتار علی الدر المختار،ص 408، 407، ج1
واللہ اعلم بالصواب