Understanding
the Rules of Awrah
Before
answering this question, it is
necessary to take at least
three factors into
consideration: location, who
else is present, and swimwear.
According to Sheikh Abdus
Salam Al-Basuni, information
officer and Shari’ah
(Islamic law) guide for the
Qatar Centre for the
Presentation of Islam, it is
never okay for a woman to swim
in the presence of men who are
not mahrem
(prohibited in marriage) to
her.
Regarding
swimwear, he says that one
must cover at least the area
from the navel to the knee in
the presence of trustworthy
women – but take special
care to respect the
sensitivities of others who
may be offended by clothing
that is too revealing. When
alone with her husband, he
says, a woman can wear
whatever is acceptable to the
two of them.
When
it comes to swimming outdoors,
most scholars agree that all
of the female body should be
covered except for the face
and the hands in public,
automatically disqualifying
traditional bathing attire as
well as clothes that cling to
the body, thus revealing its
shape. Should a private,
women-only pool be available,
it’s required for women to
respect the rules of awrah
(the parts of the body that
cannot be exposed to others).
Sheikh
Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer
and scholar at the Islamic
Institute of Toronto,
explains: “There is general
agreement among scholars that
(a Muslim woman) may uncover
her hair, face, hands, neck,
shoulders, legs from below her
knees as well as feet in front
of (other) Muslim women.”
Sheikh
Abdus Salam cautions against
swimming with those who do not
cover their awrah, and
describes looking at other
people’s awrah as “a major
sin.”
Swimwear
that is both Modest and
Fashionable
Throughout the United States,
Muslim women are finding more
opportunities to swim
according to their needs - and
it is no longer necessary to
depend on long shorts or
leggings and t-shirts as
modest swimwear. Haşema,
for example, is a Turkish
company that began producing
conservative swimwear in 1989.
Shoppers
can select anything from a
sweat-suit styled outfit in
bright colors with a matching
headscarf, down to a tank suit
with shorts sewn with
tanning-friendly fabric.
Matsumi
Design of Canada is marketing
a three-piece swimsuit that
consists of a sleeveless
overall, a matching outer coat
and a headpiece that “won't
stick to the body or describe
the figure,” while Sajeda
International offers two suits
made of water-repellant
Turkish fabric that covers the
whole body.
Splashgear,
an American company set to
launch in September of 2006,
allows buyers to mix and match
headgear, tops and pants to
suit their style.
Entrepreneurs
Meet the Demands of Muslim
Women
Um Sajidah, a revert from
Lynnwood, Washington, was
searching for appropriate
swimwear for her growing
family of girls in the early
nineties. While browsing the
marketplace in Malaysia, she
found a suit that did not meet
her needs, but which became
the inspiration for future
suits instead.
By
1996, she had sewn several
prototypes and was testing
them on her young daughters.
“The difference between my
suits and other models is the
skirt. It makes the suit more
flattering and smoothes out
the curves,” explained Um
Sajidah.
Her
basic suit is made from lycra/spandex
swimsuit material. It has
knee-length pants, a tank body
and a short skirt. She tailors
each suit to the wearer,
adding short sleeves or
lengthening the skirt to
individual taste. To date,
most of her swimwear has been
made for girls, but more women
are ordering for themselves as
well.
Jennifer Suleiman, a customer
who owns both an adult suit
and another for her daughter,
said, “It is comfortable
swimwear that allows the Muslimah
(Muslim woman) to participate
in a vital athletic activity
without sacrificing her
modesty. The colors and styles
are tasteful, yet not
dowdy.”
Swimwear
Opens the Door to Fun and
Fitness
Competition has not been a
concern for Um Sajidah since
most sales are by personal
order and amongst her friends.
She is working on a web site
to widen her audience, but
enjoys providing a means for
Muslim women to protect their
religion while still living
their lives.
“If
my daughters and I have a need
for these kinds of suits,”
said the swimsuit
entrepreneur, “I know there
are other sisters who want to
swim and still be modest,
too.”
While
non-Muslims sometimes look at
the Muslim woman with pity
during the summer heat, we do
have solutions! In the
right environment, and with
the right dress, Muslim women
can enjoy a healthful
lifestyle while also having
fun.
Suits
from Um Sajidah meet the needs
of young swimmers.
