الحديث الذي رواه الإمام أحمد وابن ماجه والحاكم عن عائشة رضي الله عنها بلفظ : ( أيما امرأة وضعت ثيابها في غير بيت زوجها فقد هتكت ستر ما بينها وبين الله ) . ورواه أحمد والطبراني والحاكم والبيهقي عن أبي أمامة رضي الله عنه بلفظ : ( أيما امرأة نزعت ثيابها خرق الله عز وجل عنها ستره ) ومراده صلى الله عليه وسلم والله اعلم : منعها من التساهل في كشف ملابسها في غير بيت زوجها على وجه ترى فيه عورتها ، وتتهم فيه لقصد فعل الفاحشة ونحو ذلك ، أما خلع ثيابها في محل آمن ، كبيت أهلها ومحارمها لإبدالها بغيرها ، أو للتنفس ونحو ذلك من المقاصد المباحة البعيدة عن الفتنة – فلا حرج في ذلك .

The hadeeth which was narrated by Imam Ahmad, Ibn Maajah and al-Haakim from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) says: “Any woman who takes off her clothes anywhere but in her husband’s house has torn the veil that was between her and Allaah (i.e., He will expose her).”  

A version that was narrated by Ahmad, al-Tabaraani, al-Haakim and al-Bayhaqi from Abu Umaamah (may Allaah be pleased with him) says: “Any woman who takes off her clothes, Allaah will tear His cover away from her (i.e., expose her).”  

What the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) meant was to stop women treating as insignificant the matter of removing their clothes anywhere but in their husband’s houses in such a manner that their ‘awrah can be seen and that they may be accused of intending to commit immoral actions and the like. As for taking off their clothes in a safe place, such as in her family’s house or her mahram’s house, to change her clothes and the like, or to relax etc and for other permissible purposes that are far removed from fitnah, there is nothing wrong with that. 

And Allaah is the Source of strength.  

Al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wa’l-Ifta’, 17/224.

عورة المرأة بين النساء

.إن المرأة كلها عورة عند الرجال الأجانب ، ولا يجوز لها أن تبدو أمام الرجال ولو كانت متسترة بالثياب إذا خيفت الفتنة برؤيتها وطولها ومشيتها . وأمّا ما ذُكِر من أنّ عورتها أمام النساء ما بين السرة والركبة فهذا خاص فيما إذا كانت في منزلها بين أخواتها ونساء أهل دارها ؛ مع أن الأصل وجوب سترها لبدنها جميعاً مخافة أن يقتدي بها وتنتشر هذه العادة السيئة بين النساء ، وهكذا يجب ستر مفاتنها أمام محارمها وأمام النساء الأجنبيات مخافة الافتتان بها من بعض المحارم أو من بعض النساء التي تنقل صفتها إلى غيرها ، فقد ورد في الحديث أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : " لا تصف المرأة الأخرى لزوجها حتى كأنها رأي العين " ومعنى ذلك أنها إذا بدت مفاتنها كصدرها وكتفيها وبطنها وظهرها وعضديها وعنقها وساقيها ، فإن من يراها لا بد أن يأخذ عنها هذه الفكرة ، والغالب أنهن يتكلمن فيها بذكر ما رأين منها عند أهلهن ذكوراً وإناثاً ، وقد يذكرن ذلك عند الأجانب مما يبعث الهمم نحوها ، ومما يسبب تعلق النفوس الرديئة بها . فعلى هذا يلزمها أن تستر مفاتنها ولو أمام المحارم والنساء ، كالصدر والظهر والعضدين والساقين ونحو ذلك . ويتأكد وجوب هذا التستر إذا كانت في مجامع الاحتفالات وبيوت الأفراح والمستشفيات والمدارس ولو كانت في وسط النساء فقد يراها بالصدفة بعض الرجال الأجانب أو الأطفال المراهقين وقد يلتقط لها صوراً عارية يفتتن بها من نظر إليها . وقد ورد الوعيد الشديد على من تتبرج وتلبس الثياب الرقيقة أو الضيقة في قول النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : " صنفان من أهل النار ؛ نساء كاسيات عاريات مائلات مميلات رؤوسهن كأسنمة البخت المائلة لا يدخل الجنة ولا يجدن ريحها " والمعنى أنهن كاسيات بثياب شفافة أو ضيقة تبين حجم الأعضاء أو فيهن فتحات تُظهر صدروهن وثديهن ومفاتنهن . ويعم ذلك بروزهن في الحفلات والمجتمعات العامة . والله أعلم .  

من فتاوى فضيلة الشيخ عبد الله بن عبد الرحمن الجبرين . 
 
 

Is it true that women’s ‘awrah in front of other women is from the navel to the knees?

All of a woman is ‘awrah in front of non-mahram men, and it is not permissible for her to appear before men even if she is covered, if there is there is the fear of fitnah (temptation) because of looking at her and seeing how tall she is and how she walks. Concerning what was said about a woman’s ‘awrah in front of other women being from the navel to the knee, this applies only when she is in her house among her sisters and the women of her household. The basic principle is still that she should cover all of her body lest she be taken as an example and this evil practice become widespread among women. Similarly, she must also cover her charms in front of her mahrams and strange women lest some of her mahrams be tempted by her or lest some of the women describe her to others. It was reported in the hadeeth that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No woman should describe another woman to her husband so that it is as if he can see her.” What this means is that if her charms, such as her chest, her shoulders, her stomach, her back, her arms, her neck and her calves, become visible, whoever sees that will inevitably have an impression of her, and usually women talk about what they have seen to their families, male and female alike. So a woman may mention that in front of non-mahram men [i.e., men who are not mahrams of the woman being described] in a manner that may provoke them to pursue her, or which may cause bad people to form an attachment to her. For this reason, women have to cover their charms – such as their chests, backs, arms, calves, etc., - even in front of mahrams and other women. This covering becomes even more essential in parties, leisure facilities, hospitals and schools, even if there are only women present, because some non-mahram men and adolescent boys may see them or take pictures of them naked which will be a cause of temptation to those who see them. A stern warning has been issued to those who make a wanton display of themselves and wear see-through or tight clothing, when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“There are two kinds of the people of Hell … women who are clothed yet naked, walking with an enticing gait with something on their heads looking like the humps of camels, leaning to one side. They will not enter Paradise or even smell its fragrance.” What this means is that they are wearing see-through or tight clothes which show the size of their frame, or there are openings cut in the fabric which show their chests, breasts and other charms. This is widespread in parties and in general gatherings. And Allaah knows best.   
 

Wearing revealing and short clothes, and the limits of women’s ‘awrah in front of other women

It might be said that it is reported in a saheeh hadeeth that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“There are two types of the people of Hell whom I have not seen yet. People with whips like the tails of cattle, with which they strike the people, and women who are clothed yet naked, walking with an enticing gait. They will not enter Paradise nor even smell its fragrance, although its fragrance may be detected from such and such a distance.” 

The scholars interpret “clothed yet naked” as referring to women who wear tight clothes or light clothing that does not cover what is beneath it, or short clothes. Shaykh al-Islam (Ibn Taymiyah) mentioned that what women wore inside their houses at the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) covered everything from the heel of the foot up to the palm of the hand. All of this was covered when they were inside the house, and when they went out to the market, it was known that the women of the Sahaabah used to wear loose garments which would drag along the ground. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) allowed them to let it trail up to a cubit, but no more than that. 

With regards to the doubts that some women have, concerning the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), “Let no woman look at the ‘awrah of another woman and let no man look at the ‘awrah of another man; the ‘awrah of a woman in front of another woman is from the navel to the knee”, which they interpret as indicating that women may wear short clothes – the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not say that  it is sufficient for women’s clothing to cover the area from the navel to the knee, so this cannot be used as evidence. What he did say was that no woman should look at the ‘awrah of another woman, so he forbade them to look, because the ‘awrah of the woman who is wearing loose clothing may sometimes be exposed when answering the call of nature or for some other reason, so the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade women to look at one another’s ‘awrahs. 

Because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said that no man should look at the ‘awrah of another man, does this means that the Sahaabah wore izaars (waist wrappers) or trousers only between the navel and the knee? Does anyone think that women can go to meet other women wearing nothing but clothes that cover her from the navel to the knee? No one would say such a thing. That only happens among the kaafir women. The confusion that some women feel has no basis; what some women understand from this hadeeth is not correct. The meaning of the hadeeth is clear. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not say that women's clothing should cover only the area between the navel and the knee. Women have to fear Allaah and feel that sense of modesty which is part of the nature of women and which is part of faith, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Modesty is a branch of faith.” And it is said in the proverbial sense, “more shy than the virgin in her seclusion.” It was not even known among the women of the jaahiliyyah to cover only the area from the navel to the knee, such a thing was not known among either women or men; do these women want the Muslim women to be even worse in appearance than the women of the jaahiliyyah? 

In conclusion: the clothing is one thing and looking at the ‘awrah is another thing. With regard to clothing and what a woman wears in front of other women, it is prescribed for her to cover everything from the palm of the hand to the heel of the foot, but if a woman needs to pull up her dress in order to do some work etc., she may pull it up to her knees, and if she needs to roll up her sleeves to the upper arms she may do that too, if she only does it as much as is necessary. But if this is the way she usually dresses, then that is not allowed. The hadeeth does not indicate this under any circumstances at all, hence it addresses the one who is looking, not the one who is looked at. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was not referring to how women should dress; all he was referring to was the ‘awrah. He did not say that women’s dress may cover only the area between the navel and the knee, as these women mistakenly think. 
 

عورة المرأة أمام أطفالها

الطفل إذا كان يعقل العورة ، فإنه لا يجوز للمرأة أن تكشف عورتها أمامه ، أما إذا كان لا يعقل لصغره ، فإن هذا جائز ، ويظهر لي أن من عمره أحد عشر شهراً لا يعقل ، لكن الطفل إذا كان له أربع سنوات أو خمس سنوات فإنه قد يعقل هذه المعاني ، فالمهم أن العبرة في ذلك أنه إذا كان يعقل ويستقر في ذهنه مثل هذه الأعمال فلا يجوز للمرأة أن تكشف العورة المغلظة أمامه .  

د. خالد بن علي المشيقح .

 

Woman’s ‘awrah in front of her children

If the child understands what the ‘awrah is, then it is not permissible for a woman to uncover her ‘awrah in front of him. But if he does not understand because he is little, then it is permissible. It seems to me that at the age of 11 months he will not understand, but if a child is four or five years old, he may understand this matter. The point is that if he understands and such actions will stick in his mind, then it is not permissible for a woman to uncover the most private ‘awrah in front of him.  
 

Dr. Khaalid ibn al-Mushayqih.

عورة المرأة أمام النساء والمحارم

أولا :

عورة المرأة أمام محارمها كالأب والأخ وابن الأخ هي بدنها كله إلا ما يظهر غالبا كالوجه والشعر والرقبة والذراعين والقدمين ، قال الله تعالى : ( وَلا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَائِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَاءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَائِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَاءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي أَخَوَاتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَائِهِنَّ ) النور/31 .

فأباح الله تعالى للمرأة أن تبدي زينتها أمام بعلها ( زوجها ) ومحارمها ، والمقصود بالزينة مواضعها ، فالخاتم موضعه الكف ، والسوار موضعه الذراع ، والقرط موضعه الأذن ، والقلادة موضعها العنق والصدر ، والخلخال موضعه الساق .

قال أبو بكر الجصاص رحمه الله في تفسيره : " ظاهره يقتضي إباحة إبداء الزينة للزوج ولمن ذكر معه من الآباء وغيرهم ، ومعلوم أن المراد موضع الزينة وهو الوجه واليد والذراع ...فاقتضى ذلك إباحة النظر للمذكورين في الآية إلى هذه المواضع ، وهي مواضع الزينة الباطنة ؛ لأنه خص في أول الآية إباحة الزينة الظاهرة للأجنبيين ، وأباح للزوج وذوي المحارم النظر إلى الزينة الباطنة . وروي عن ابن مسعود والزبير : القرط والقلادة والسوار والخلخال ...

وقد سوى في ذلك بين الزوج وبين من ذكر معه ، فاقتضى عمومه إباحة النظر إلى مواضع الزينة لهؤلاء المذكورين كما اقتضى إباحتها للزوج " انتهى .

وقال البغوي رحمه الله : " قوله تعالى : ( ولا يبدين زينتهن ) أي لا يظهرن زينتهن لغير محرم ، وأراد بها الزينة الخفية ، وهما زينتان خفية وظاهرة ، فالخفية : مثل الخلخال ، والخضاب في الرِّجْل ، والسوار في المعصم ، والقرط والقلائد ، فلا يجوز لها إظهارها ، ولا للأجنبي النظر إليها ، والمراد من الزينة موضع الزينة " انتهى .

وقال في "كشاف القناع" (5/11) : " ولرجل أيضا نظر وجه ورقبة ويد وقدم ورأس وساق ذات محارمه . قال القاضي على هذه الرواية : يباح ما يظهر غالبا كالرأس واليدين إلى المرفقين " انتهى .

وهؤلاء المحارم متفاوتون في القرب وأمن الفتنة ، ولهذا تبدي المرأة لأبيها ما لا تبديه لولد زوجها ، قال القرطبي رحمه الله : " لما ذكر الله تعالى الأزواج وبدأ بهم ثنّى بذوي المحارم وسوى بينهم في إبداء الزينة ، ولكن تختلف مراتبهم بحسب ما في نفوس البشر ، فلا مرية أن كشف الأب والأخ على المرأة أحوط من كشف ولد زوجها . وتختلف مراتب ما يُبدى لهم ، فيبدى للأب ما لا يجوز إبداؤه لولد الزوج " انتهى .

ثانيا :

المقرر عند الفقهاء أن عورة المرأة مع المرأة هي ما بين السرة والركبة ، سواء كانت المرأة أما أو أختا أو أجنبية عنها ، فلا يحل لامرأة أن تنظر من أختها إلى ما بين السرة والركبة إلا عند الضرورة أو الحاجة الشديدة كالمداواة ونحوها .

وهذا لا يعني أن المرأة تجلس بين النساء كاشفة عن جميع بدنها إلا ما بين السرة والركبة ، فإن هذا لا تفعله إلا المتهتكات المستهترات ، أو الفاسقات الماجنات ، فلا ينبغي أن يساء فهم

قول الفقهاء : " العورة ما بين السرة والركبة " فإن كلامهم ليس فيه أن هذا هو لباس المرأة ، الذي تداوم عليه ، وتظهر به بين أخواتها وقريناتها ، فإن هذا لا يقره عقل ، ولا تدعو إليه فطرة .

بل لباسها مع أخواتها وبنات جنسها ينبغي أن يكون ساترا سابغا ، يدل على حيائها ووقارها ، فلا يبدو منه إلا ما يظهر عند الشغل والخدمة ، كالرأس والعنق والذراعين والقدمين ، على نحو ما ذكرنا في مسألة المحارم .

نسأل الله لنا ولك التوفيق والسداد .

والله أعلم . 

الإسلام سؤال وجواب

 
Woman’s ‘awrah in front of other women and mahrams

Firstly: 

The ‘awrah of a woman in front of her mahrams such as her father, brother and nephew is her entire body except that which usually appears such as the face, hair, neck, forearms and feet. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, headcover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women”

[al-Noor 24:31]. 

So Allaah has permitted a woman to show her adornment in front of her husband and mahrams. What is meant by adornment is the places where adornments are worn: the place for a ring is the hand, for a bracelet is the forearm, for an earring is the ear, for a necklace is the neck and chest, and for an anklet is the leg. 

Abu Bakr al-Jassaas (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in his Tafseer: The apparent meaning indicates that it is permissible to show one’s adornment to one’s husband and to whose who are also mentioned in the verse, such as fathers etc. It is well known that what is meant is the places where adornments are worn, which are the face, hand and arm… this implies that it is permissible for those who are mentioned in the verse to look at these places, which are the places where hidden adornments are worn, as it says in the beginning of the verse that only outward adornments may be seen by strangers (non-mahrams), but the husband and mahrams are permitted to see hidden adornments. It was narrated from Ibn Mas’ood and al-Zubayr that this refers to earrings, necklaces, bracelets and anklets. 

This applies both to the husband and to the others who are mentioned along with him. The general meaning implies that it is permissible for those who are mentioned to look at the places where these adornments are worn just as it is permissible for the husband. End quote. 

Al-Baghawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The words of Allaah, may He be exalted, “and not to show off their adornment”, mean that they should not show their adornments to a non-mahram. What is meant here is the hidden adornments, as there are two kinds of adornment, hidden and apparent. Hidden adornments include anklets, henna on the foot, bracelets on the wrist, earrings and necklaces. It is not permissible for a woman to show these, or for a stranger (non-mahram) to look at them. And what is meant by adornment is the place where the adornment is worn. End quote. 

It says in Kashshaaf al-Qinaa’ (5/11):  A man may also look at the face, neck, hand, foot, head and calf of a woman who is his mahram. According to this report al-Qaadi said: It is permissible (to look at) that which ordinarily appears such as the head and hands up to the elbows. End quote. 

These mahrams differ in the degree of closeness and risk of fitnah (temptation). Hence a woman may show to her father what she may not show to her husband’s son. Al-Qurtubi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Allaah mentioned husbands first, then He mentioned mahrams, and described them all as equal with regard to showing the adornment. But they may differ according to what is in their hearts. There is no doubt that for a woman to uncover in front of her father or brother is more safe than to uncover in front of her husband’s son. The extent of what she may show may differ, so she may show to her father that which it is not permissible for her to show to her husband’s son. End quote. 

Secondly: 

What is established among the fuqaha’ is that the ‘awrah of a woman with another woman is the area between the navel and the knee, whether the woman is her mother or sister or is not her mahram. It is not permissible for a woman to look at the area between the navel and the knee of another woman, except in cases of necessity such as medical treatment and the like. 

This does not mean that a woman may sit among other women with all of her body uncovered except the area between the navel and the knee. No one does that except women who are promiscuous and negiligent, or immoral and evildoers. The words of the scholars, “The ‘awrah is the area between the navel and the knee” should not be misunderstood, because this does not mean that this is how women should always dress and show themselves among their sisters and friends. No wise person would accept that and it is not what the fitrah (sound human nature) calls for. 

Rather the way a woman should dress among other women is in clothes that cover properly and express her modesty and dignity. She should not show anything except that which appears when she is working and serving others, such as the head, neck, forearms and feet, as we have mentioned when discussing mahrams above. 

We ask Allaah to guide us and you. 

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A

حكم تغطية المرأة قدميها في الصلاة

الواجب على المرأة الحرّة المكلفة ستر جميع بدنها في الصلاة ما عدا الوجه و الكفين لأنها عورة كلها ، فإن صلت و قد بدا شيء من عورتها كالساق والقدم والرأس أو بعضه لم تصح صلاتها لقول النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم : " لا يقبل الله صلاة حائض إلا بخمار " رواه أحمد وأهل السنن إلا النسائي بإسناد صحيح .

و لما روى أبو داود عن أم سلمة عن النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم أنها سألت النبي عن المرأة تصلي في درع و خمار بغير إزار فقال : " المرأة عورة "

وأما الوجه فالسنّة كشفه في الصلاة ، إذا لم يكن هناك أجانب ، أما القدمان فالواجب سترهما عند جمهور أهل العلم ، وبعض أهل العلم يسامح في كشف القدمين ، ولكن الجمهور يرون المنع ، وأن الواجب سترهما ولهذا روى أبو داود عن أم سلمة - رضي الله عنها - أنها سئلت عن المرأة تصلي في خمار وقميص ، قالت " لا بأس إذا كان الدرع يغطي قدميها " فستر القدمين أولى وأحوط بكل حال ، أما الكفان فأمرهما أوسع إن كشفتهما فلا بأس ، وإن سترتهما فلا بأس ، وبعض أهل العلم يرى أن سترهما أولى والله ولي التوفيق  

فتاوى المرأة المسلمة للشيخ عبد العزيز بن باز ص: 57. 
 

Ruling concerning women covering their feet in prayer

 
The free woman who has attained the age of majority is obliged to cover her entire body during prayer, apart from her face and hands, because all of her is ‘awrah. If she prays and any part of her ‘awrah becomes uncovered, such as a shin or foot or all or part of her head, then her prayer is invalid, because the Prophet said:  
"Allaah will not accept the prayer of a woman who has started to menstruate, except with a khimaar (covering)" (Reported by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Ibn Maajah and al-Tirmidhi, with a saheeh isnaad) 
 
Abu Dawud reported from Umm Salamah that she asked the Prophet about a woman who prayed wearing a dir’ (chemise or upper garment) and a khimaar (head cover), but no izaar (lower garment). He said: "The woman is ‘awrah." 
 
As for the face, the Sunnah is to uncover it during prayer, so long as no non-mahram men are present. According to the majority of scholars, the feet must be covered; some scholars allow uncovering the feet but the majority say the opposite. Abu Dawud reported from Umm Salamah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that she was asked about a woman who prayed in a khimaar and qamees (dress or gown). She said, "There is nothing wrong with it if the dir’ (chemise) covers her feet." In any case, it is better to cover the feet, to be on the safe side. As far as the hands are concerned, there is more leeway: there is nothing wrong with either covering them or uncovering them, although some scholars think that it is better to cover them. And Allaah is the Source of strength. 
 

Fataawa al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, by Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz, p. 57 
 

الضوابط في مسألة النظر للعورة في العلاج

فيما يلي ذِكْر لبعض القواعد والضوابط في مسألة : " النظر للعلاج "

أولا : عورة الرجل ما بين السرّة والركبة لقوله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ( ما بين السُّرَّة والركبة عورة ) حديث حسن رواه أحمد وأبو داود والدار قطني . وهذا قول جمهور أهل العلم .

ثانيا : المرأة كلها عورة أمام الأجنبي لقوله تعالى : { وإذا سألتموهنّ متاعا فاسألوهن من وراء حجاب } ولقوله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ( المرأة عورة ) رواه الترمذي بسند صحيح وهذا القول هو الصحيح من المذهب عند الحنابلة وإحدى الروايتين عند المالكية وأحد القولين عند الشافعية .

ثالثا : تَعمّد النظر إلى العورات من المحرمات الشديدة ويجب غضّ البصر عنها لقوله تعالى : { قل للمؤمنين يغضوا من أبصارهم ويحفظوا فروجهم ذلك أزكى لهم إن الله خبير بما يصنعون . وقل للمؤمنات يغضضن من أبصارهن ويحفظن فروجهن .. الآية } وقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : ( لا ينظر الرجل إلى عورة الرجل ، ولا المرأة إلى عورة المرأة .. ) رواه مسلم وقال لعلي رضي الله عنه : ( لا تنظر إلى فخذ حيّ ولا ميّت ) رواه أبو داود وهو حديث صحيح

رابعا : كلّ ما لا يجوز النّظر إليه من العورات لا يحلّ مسّه ولو من وراء حائل وقد قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلّم : ( إني لا أصافح النساء ) رواه مالك وأحمد وهو حديث صحيح ، وقال : ( لأن يُطعن في رأس أحدكم بمِخْيَط من حديد خير له من أن يمسّ امرأة لا تحلّ له ) رواه الطبراني وهو حديث صحيح . قال النووي رحمه الله : وحيث حَرُم النظر حَرُم المسّ بطريق الأَوْلى ، لأنه أبلغ لذّة .

خامسا : العورات أنواع ودرجات فمنها العورة المغلّظة ( السوأتان : القُبُل والدُّبُر ) والعورة المخففة كفخذي الرّجل أمام الرّجل  .

والصغير دون سبع سنين لا حكم لعورته ، والصغير المميِّز ـ من السابعة إلى العاشرة ـ عورته الفرجان ، والصغيرة المميِّزة عورتها من السرّة إلى الركبة ، ( وكلّ ذلك عند أَمْن الفتنة ) وعورة الميّت كعورة الحيّ ، والأحوط إلحاق الخنثى بالمرأة في العورة لاحتمال كونه امرأة .

سادسا : الضرورات تبيح المحظورات ، ولا خلاف بين العلماء في جواز نظر الطبيب إلى موضع المرض من المرأة عند الحاجة ضمن الضوابط الشرعية ، وكذلك القول في نظر الطبيب إلى عورة الرجل المريض ، فيباح له النظر إلى موضع العلّة بقدر الحاجة ، والمرأة الطبيبة في الحكم كالطبيب الرجل . وهذا الحكم مبني على ترجيح مصلحة حفظ النفس على مصلحة ستر العورة عند التعارض .

سابعا : " الضرورة تُقدَّر بقدرها " : فإذا جاز النظر والكشف واللمس وغيرها من دواعي العلاج لدفع الضرورة والحاجة القويّة فإنه لا يجوز بحال من الأحوال التعدّي وترك مراعاة الضوابط الشرعية ومن هذه الضوابط ما يلي :

1ـ يقدّم في علاج الرجال الرجال وفي علاج النساء النساء وعند الكشف على المريضة تُقدّم الطبيبة المسلمة صاحبة الكفاية ثمّ الطبيبة الكافرة ثمّ الطبيب المسلم ثمّ الطبيب الكافر ، وكذلك إذا كانت تكفي الطبيبة العامة فلا يكشف الطبيب ولو كان مختصا ، وإذا احتيج إلى مختصة من النساء فلم توجد جاز الكشف عند الطبيب المختص ، وإذا كانت المختصة لا تكفي للعلاج وكانت الحالة تستدعي تدخّل الطبيب الحاذق الماهر الخبير جاز ذلك ، وعند وجود طبيب مختص يتفوّق على الطبيبة في المهارة والخبرة فلا يُلجأ إليه إلا إذا كانت الحالة تستلزم هذا القدر الزائد من الخبرة والمهارة . وكذلك يُشترط في معالجة المرأة للرجل أن لايكون هناك رجل يستطيع أن يقوم بالمعالجة .

2ـ لا يجوز تجاوز الموضع اللازم للكشف فيقتصر على الموضع الذي تدعو الحاجة إلى النظر إليه فقط ، ويجتهد مع ذلك في غضّ بصره ما أمكن ، وعليه أن يشعر أنه يفعل شيئا هو في الأصل محرّم وأن يستغفر الله عما يمكن أن يكون حصل من التجاوز .

3ـ إذا كان وصف المرض كافيا فلا يجوز الكشف وإذا أمكن معاينة موضع المرض بالنظر فقط فلا يجوز اللمس وإذا كان يكفي اللمس بحائل فلا يجوز اللمس بغير حائل وهكذا .

4ـ يُشترط لمعالجة الطبيب المرأة أن لا يكون ذلك بخلوة فلا بدّ أن يكون مع المرأة زوجها أو محرمها أو امرأة أخرى من الثقات .

5ـ أن يكون الطبيب أمينا غير متهم في خلقه ودينه ويكفي في ذلك حمل الناس على ظاهرهم .

6ـ كلما غَلُظت العورة كان التشديد أكثر قال صاحب كفاية الأخيار : واعلم أن أصل الحاجة كان في النظر إلى الوجه واليدين ، وفي النظر إلى بقية الأعضاء يُعتبر تأكّد الحاجة ، وفي النظر إلى السوأتين يُعتبر مزيد تأكُّد الحاجة . ولذلك لا بدّ من التشديد البالغ في مثل حالات التوليد وختان الإناث اليافعات .

7ـ أن تكون الحاجة إلى العلاج ماسة كمرض أو وجع لا يُحتمل أو هُزال يُخشى منه ونحو ذلك أما إذا لم يكن مرض أو ضرورة فلا يجوز الكشف عن العورات كما في حالات التوهّم والأمور التحسينية .

8ـ كلّ ما تقدّم مُقيّد بأمن الفتنة وثوَران الشهوة من كلّ من طرفي عملية المعالجة .

وختاما فإنه لا بدّ من تقوى الله في هذه المسألة العظيمة التي احتاطت لها الشريعة وجعلت لها أحكاما واضحة وحازمة . وإن مما عمّت به البلوى في هذا الزمان التساهل في مسائل الكشف عن العورات في العيادات والمستشفيات وكأن الطبيب يجوز له كلّ شيىء ويحلّ عنده كلّ محظور . وكذلك ما وقع في البرامج التعليمية المأخوذة نسخة طبق الأصل مما هو موجود في بلاد الكفّار تشبها بهم من التساهل في عدد من حالات التعليم والتدريب والاختبار  .

وواجب على المسلمين الاعتناء بتخريج النساء من أهل الكفاية في التخصصات المختلفة للقيام بالواجب ، وحسن إعداد جداول المناوبات في المستوصفات والمستشفيات لئلا تقع نساء المسلمين في الحرج ، وأن لا تُهمل المريضة أو يتبرّم منها الطبيب إذا طلبت طبيبة لعلاجها .

والله المسؤول أن يفقهنا في الدين وأن يعيننا على القيام بأحكام الشريعة ورعاية حقوق المسلمين .

وهو الموفق والهادي إلى سواء السبيل  

Guidelines on the issue of: Looking for the purposes of medical treatment.

There follows a number of principles and guidelines on the issue of: Looking for the purposes of medical treatment.

Firstly: the ‘awrah [that which should be covered] of a man is the area between the navel and the knees, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “What is between the navel and the knees is ‘awrah.” (A hasan hadeeth narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawood and al-Daaraqutni). This is the view of the majority of scholars.

Secondly: all of a woman is ‘awrah and is to be covered before “strangers’ (non-mahrams), because of the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

“And when you ask (his wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen” [al-Ahzaab 33:53]

and because of the hadeeth, “All of a woman is ‘awrah.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi with a saheeh isnaad).

This is the correct view according to the madhhab of the Hanbalis, one of the two views of the Maalikis and one of the two views of the Shaafa’is.

Thirdly: deliberately looking at ‘awraat is one of the things that are strongly forbidden. One is required to lower the gaze and refrain from looking at them, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them. Verily, Allaah is All-Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts)…” [al-Noor 24:30-31]

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “A man should not look at the ‘awrah of another man and a woman should not look at the ‘awrah of another woman.” (Narrated by Muslim).

And he said to ‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him): “Do not look at the thigh of anyone, living or dead.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood; it is a saheeh hadeeth).

Fourthly: if it is not permissible to look at ‘awraat it is also not permissible to touch any of them, even when there is some cloth or clothing in between. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I do not shake hands with women.” (Narrated by Maalik and Ahmad. This is a saheeh hadeeth). And he said: “If one of you were to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle, this would be better for him than if he were to touch a woman whom it is not permitted for him to touch.” (Narrated by Tabaraani; it is a saheeh hadeeth). Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “Where it is forbidden to look it is also forbidden to touch, and is more forbidden, because that is more pleasurable.”

Fifthly: things that are considered to be ‘awrah are of varying types and degrees. The thing that is “most ‘awrah” is the private parts, front and back. Then there are things that are “less ‘awrah” such as a man's thighs in front of another man.

Sixthly: young children under the age of seven are not subject to the rulings on ‘awrah. The ‘awrah of boys who are able to distinguish matters – between the ages of seven and ten – is the private parts, and the ‘awrah of girls of the same age is the area from the navel to the knees. (All of this is in cases where there is no fear of fitnah). The ‘awrah of a dead person is the same as the ‘awrah of a living person. To be on the safe side, a hermaphrodite (person whose sex is not clear) should be considered to be a woman in terms of ‘awrah, because such a person may be a woman.

Sixthly: in cases of necessity, things that are ordinarily forbidden are permitted. The scholars are agreed that it is permissible for a male doctor to look at the site of illness in a woman when necessary, within the limits set by sharee’ah. Similarly, a male doctor may look at the ‘awrah of a sick man. But he should look at the site of the complaint only as much as is necessary (and no more). The rulings apply to female doctors as to male doctors. This ruling is based on the idea of giving priority to the principle of saving life over the principle of covering the ‘awrah, in cases where there is a conflict between the two.

Seventhly: “Necessity should be evaluated according to its degree.” Although it is permissible to uncover, look and touch, etc., for the purposes of treatment in cases of urgent necessity, it is not permissible under any circumstances to go beyond the Islamic limits or ignore the regulations set out by sharee’ah. These regulations are as follows:

Priority should be given to the treatment of men by men and women by women. When a sick women needs to be uncovered (for medical treatment), preference should be given to a qualified female Muslim doctor; if such is not available, the order of preference is then a female non-Muslim doctor, a male Muslim doctor, and lastly, a male non-Muslim doctor. If it is sufficient to be treated by a female general practitioner (GP), she should not go to a male doctor even if he is a specialist. If a specialist is needed, she should go to a female specialist, but if one is not available, then the female patient may uncover in front of a male specialist. If the female specialist is not qualified to treat the problem and the situation calls for the involvement of a highly-skilled, qualified male specialist, then this is permissible. If there is a male specialist who is more highly-skilled and more experienced than the female doctor, the female patient should still not go to him unless the situation requires this extra level of experience and skill. By the same token, a man should not be treated by a woman if there is a man who is able to carry out the treatment.

It is not permissible to uncover more than is necessary; only the area that needs to be examined should be uncovered. At the same time, the doctor should try to lower his gaze as much as he can, and he should be aware that he is doing something which is basically forbidden, and he should seek the forgiveness of Allaah for anything he may do which oversteps the mark.

If describing the problem is sufficient, then it is not permissible to uncover; if it is possible to examine the site of the problem by just looking, then it is not permissible to touch; if it is possible to examine by touching with a cloth over the site, then it is not permissible to remove the cloth, and so on.

In allowing a woman to be treated by a male doctor, it is conditional that she not be alone in the room with him. So the woman has to be accompanied by her husband, mahram or another woman who is trustworthy.

The male doctor must also be trustworthy and above suspicion with regard to his character and religious commitment. In this case it is sufficient to take people at face value.

The more something is regarded as ‘awrah, the more strictly should the rules be applied. The author of Kafaayat al-Akhyaar said: “Know that the basic idea in cases of need is to look at the face and hands. In order to look at the rest of the body, there should be a certain and definite need, and in order to look at the private parts, there should be an extra-certain need. Hence one should be extremely strict in cases such as childbirth and the circumcision of young girls.”

The need for treatment should be urgent, such as sickness, unbearable pain, worrying weakness and so on. If there is no sickness or urgency, then it is not permissible to uncover the ‘awrah, such as in cases where a person imagines he is sick or in cases of cosmetic issues.

All of the above applies only in cases where there is no fear of fitnah or provocation of desire on the part of either the doctor or the patient.

Finally, it is essential to remember and fear Allaah with regard to this important matter. The sharee’ah has set out many precautions in order to be on the safe side, and has prescribed clear and serious guidelines. One of the most widespread problems of our times is the lax attitude that people have taken towards the issue of uncovering the ‘awrah in clinics and hospitals, as if it is permissible to show everything to a doctor and to do any forbidden thing in his presence. The same applies to educational programs which are brought without censorship from the kaafir countries, imitating them by taking a lax attitude to such matters in the case of education, training and information.

The Muslims have to pay attention to educating qualified women in the various specialties, so that needs may be met. They should also draw up schedules and organize shifts in hospitals and clinics in such a way that Muslim women need never be put in an awkward position, or feel neglected or be subjected to the annoyance of a male doctor when she asks for a female doctor to treat her.

We ask Allaah to help us to understand our religion properly and to help us to follow the rules of sharee’ah and take care of the rights of the Muslims. And He is the Source of help and the Guide to the Straight Path.

Islam Q&A  
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid 

ما هو سن الطفل الذي تحتجب منه المرأة ؟

" يقول الله تعالى في سياق من يباح إبداء الزينة لهم : ( أَوِ الطِّفْلِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا عَلَى عَوْرَاتِ النِّسَاءِ ) النور/31 ، والطفل إذا ظهر على عورة المرأة وصار ينظر إليها ويتحدث إليها كثيراً ، فإنه لا يجوز للمرأة أن تكشف أمامه .

وهذا يختلف باختلاف الصبيان من حيث الغريزة وباختلاف الصبيان من حيث المجالسة ، لأن الصبي ربما يكون له شأن في النساء إذا كان يجلس إلى أناس يتحدثون بهن كثيراً ، ولولا هذا لكان غافلاً لا يهتم بالنساء .

المهم أن الله حدد هذا الأمر بقوله : ( أَوِ الطِّفْلِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا عَلَى عَوْرَاتِ النِّسَاءِ ) النور/31 ، يعني أن هذا مما يحل للمرأة أن تبدي زينتها له إذا كان لا يظهر على العورة ولا يهتم بأمر النساء " اهـ

فضيلة الشيخ ابن عثيمين رحمه الله ، " مجموعة أسئلة تهم الأسرة المسلمة ص 148

ومن الأمور التي تدل على أن الطفل بدأ يظهر على عورات النساء :

- قيامه بوصف المرأة أمام الغير

- تمييز المرأة الجميلة من القبيحة

- المقارنة بين النساء في أشكالهن وصورهن

- إطالة النظر إلى النساء والتحديق فيهن

ولا شك أن الأفلام والمسلسلات والفساد الاجتماعي يؤدي إلى سرعة اطلاع الأطفال على عورات النساء فينبغي الحرص والحذر نسأل الله العافية  

What is the age at which a woman should observe hijab in front of a boy?

Allaah says in the passage where He speaks of those to whom it is permissible to show one’s adornments (interpretation of the meaning): 

“…or small children who have no sense of feminine sex”

[al-Noor 24:31] 

If a child shows some awareness of a woman’s ‘awrah and starts to look at her and talk to her a great deal, then it is not permissible for a woman to uncover in front of him. 

This varies from one boy to another in terms of natural disposition and in terms of the company that he keeps. A boy may have a greater interest in women if he sits with people who talk about them a great deal, and if it were not for that he would not be particularly interested in them.  

What matters is that Allaah has set the guidelines for this matter when He said (interpretation of the meaning): 

“…or small children who have no sense of feminine sex”

[al-Noor 24:31] 

i.e., these are among the ones in front of whom it is permissible for a woman to show her adornments, if they have no interest in women. 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him), Majmoo’at As’ilah tahumm al-Usrah al-Muslimah, p. 148

Among the things which indicate that a child has started to be aware of a woman’s ‘awrah are the following:

-         He describes women to others

-         He can distinguish between a beautiful woman and an ugly one

-         He compares the way women look

-         He stares at women for a long time  

Undoubtedly movies and soap operas, as well as social corruption, lead to children being aware of women’s ‘awrahs at an early age, so we have to be very careful.  We ask Allaah to keep us safe and sound. 
 

Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid