Islamic Wisdom: Awrah / Satr (Intimate parts of Body) Which Speaks the Overall Covered Body & Islamic Dress Code

Awrah is an Arabic term that denotes the intimate parts of the body, for both men and women, which must be covered with clothing. Exposing the awrah is unlawful in Islam and is regarded as a sin. The exact definition of awrah varies between different schools of Islamic thought.

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.

Hello, Dear Readers and followers, welcome back to my new story, I hope all’s well. Islam is a way of life system that enjoins respect for the purity of life. It ensures the purity of family life as well as the purity of the individual and has teachings that Muslims must follow. One of the teachings that are stressed for both men and women is Haya (Modesty) covers the Intimate parts of the body.

The Islamic concept of Haya (healthy shame) is modesty, bashfulness and shyness combined. It refers to an extremely desirable quality that protects us from all evils. It’s a natural feeling that brings us pain at the very idea of committing a wrong. Haya is the basic building block of Islamic morality. When it is lost everything is lost.

Haya is a self-controlling force rooted in fear of embarrassment, knowing that a respected observer is watching. It regulates man’s actions based on religious law (Sharia), the intellect (‘Aql), and accepted customs (‘Urf). In telling the truth, modesty is reproached.

As Muslims, we should possess both inner and outer modesty. This is reflected in behavior, speech, and appearance, and includes being mindful of God at all times.

Read more about Islamic Modesty (Haya) here;

Islamic Wisdom: Haya: More Than Just Modesty

Islam has taught people to have a sense of modesty and to cover their private parts, this is for both women and men. Islam does not allow women to see the private parts of other women or men (besides their husbands), and men are not allowed to see the private parts of the other men or women (besides their wife).

Exposing the intimate parts of the body is unlawful in Islam as the Quran instructs the covering of male and female genitals and for adult females the Intimate parts. Exposing them is usually considered sinful. Both men and women cover their parts because they feel uncomfortable looking at them.

Exposing intimate parts when needed, such as going to the toilet or bathing, falls under a specific set of rules. Precisely which body parts must be covered varies among different schools of Islamic thought.

In this brief article, I will attempt to shed some light and look comprehensively as to what is a Muslim's Awrat. We also see the various books of Islamic Jurisprudence (fiqh) discussing the issues relating to the awrah or awrat or Satr of both the male and female in great detail.

Introduction:

The Shari‘a requires men and women to cover the intimate parts of the body which are known as awrah or awrat or Satr (Arabic: عورة ‘awrah, Urdu, Persian ستر, Satr) of the human body must, according to Islam, for both men and women must be covered with clothing. Exposing the intimate parts of the body is unlawful in Islam. The covering of one’s nakedness (awrah or awrat or Satr) is of utmost importance for a male and female in Islam, thus the Qur’an and Sunnah have laid great emphasis with regards to this.

The literal meaning of the Arabic word awrah or Satr is something that is hidden or something which should be hidden. It also refers to everything that causes shame when exposed, thus, the Awra of an individual is the area of the body which (normally) causes embarrassment if exposed.

The linguistic meaning of Awrah in Arabic means a weak point along a border and the like.

In the terminology of Islamic Jurisprudence, awrah refers to the area or part of the body that must be covered with appropriate clothing. The Islamic meaning of awrah is Covering that of which exposure is shameful and causes shame, whether the individual is male or female or hermaphrodite.

In Arabic, the term ‘awrah or ‘awrat (عورة) derives from the root ‘-w-r, usually meaning “nakedness”. Usually, the word is used to refer to those parts of the body that shall be covered up by Muslims.

Here in south Asia, we refer to it as ‘Satar or Satr’.

When used in the Islamic context, awrah or Satr means the parts of the human body which are obligatory on the believers to be hidden from everyone else, except his/her partner in marriage.

The exact definition of awrah varies between different schools of Islamic thought.

The first obligation upon a Muslim is to cover these parts of his or her body. It is a primordial obligation that continued throughout the Shari’a of every prophet. A believer is obliged to cover his awrah or Satr; this means that Muslims shall necessarily cover up their body parts that come under the definition of awrah or Satr.

Those parts of a discreet and pubescent person’s body that are harâm (forbidden by Islam) for him or her to leave uncovered during the performance of a namâz and whenever in the company, and which are equally harâm for others to look at, are called awrat parts.

Men and women were commanded to cover their awrat parts through the Sûrat-ul-Ahzâb, which was revealed in the third year of the Hegira, and the Sûrat-un-Nûr, which was revealed in the fifth year. The awrah or Satr of men is different from women.

Before man came upon this earth, (the story is narrated in Qur’an that) Allah u removed the dress of Paradise from adam e and eve (due to their disobeying the order of Allah ) because of which both of them covered their awrah or Satr with leaves.

Allah says: Thus, this aya indicates that covering the private parts is inherent to the nature of man.

In every Shari‘a, from adam to the last of the Prophets Muhammad PBUH, covering the awrah or Satr was obligatory. There may have been slight differences in how much of each part constituted the awrah or Satr but a consensus is established that covering certain parts of the body was a part of the Shari‘a of every prophet.

Everyone agrees about covering the awrah or Satr in front of others but even if one cannot be seen, it is forbidden to be naked without any physical or Shar‘ī necessity.

This is the ruling about awrah or Satr which has been in effect in the Shari’a of all the prophets from the beginning of time and which is equally applicable to both men and women. Therefore, it is not permissible to be naked in front of others or even when alone unless out of necessity.

In Islamic Sacred Text Quran and Hadith:

The term ‘awrah as it is used in the Quran is confined neither to women nor to men. The Quranic text reveals the use of the term in various passages. The below verse is about privacy as the Quranic text states:

O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness — that is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember. (The Holy Quran 7: 26)

Another verse;

“… and let those among you who have not yet come to the age of puberty ask your permission (before they come to your presence) on three occasions; before the morning prayer, and while you put off your clothes for the noonday (rest), and after the late-night prayer. (These) three times are of privacy for you, other than these times there is no sin on you or on them to move about, attending (helping) each other.” (The Holy Quran 24:58).

Another passage in the Quran that uses the term ‘awrah, is in Surah Al-Ahzab where it concerns fleeing from battle.

It states: “A group of them ask the Prophet for leave, saying, “Our houses are ‘awrah”, even though their houses are not awrah. Their intent is to flee the battle.” In this case, the term ‘awrah means “vulnerable”. (The Holy Quran 33:13).

There is another context that relates the story of creation of Adam and Eve in the Garden. In these two instances, the term saw’ah is used as an equivalent to ‘awrah.

The text states:

“O ye children of Adam! We have bestowed dress upon you to cover your nakedness…”.

Another word which almost has the same meaning of ‘awrah, is the word farj (Arabic: فرج‎‎) the plural is furuj (Arabic: فروج‎‎). Another quote concerning covering the ‘awrah is:

“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters, and the believing women, to draw their cloaks (veils) over their bodies. That will be better that they should be known (as respectable woman) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” -Al-Ahzab:59 (Qur’an)

The Quran admonishes Muslim women to dress modestly and cover their breasts and private areas. The Quran explicitly states that “O wives of the Prophet, you are not like anyone among women” (Quran 33: 32) and as such has separate rules specifically for the wives of the Prophet. The Qur’an tells the male believers (Muslims) to talk to the wives of the Prophet Muhammad from behind a hijab (curtain or veil). [Quran 33:53] Some people, especially in modern times, argue that these are not rules for all Muslim women because of the ayah of Quran 33:32. However, the ahadith clearly attest that these were considered universal directions at the time and that most of the face was considered to be part of the body that was to be covered:

“After Muhammad issued the command (Quran 24:31) for women to cover themselves, the women responded by tearing up sheets [or outer garments] to cover their faces.” Sahih Bukhari (60:282)

This passage was as follows:

And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their khimār over their breasts and not display their beauty except to their husband, their fathers, their husband’s fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. (Quran 24:31)

It is mentioned in the following hadith:

‘Abd al-Rahman, the son of Abu Sa’id al-Khudri, reported from his father: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: A man should not see the private parts of another man, and a woman should not see the private parts of another woman, and a man should not lie with another man under one covering, and a woman should not lie with another woman under one covering. (Muslim, Book 3, Hadith 667)

The above hadith emphasizes that a man should not be allowed to sleep with another man in one bed, nor should a woman be allowed to lay with another woman under one blanket or in one bed. Therefore, when we have a daughter or a son who has grown-up (though they have not yet reached puberty) is suggested to separate their beds or bedrooms though they are brother/sister.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself has reminded his friend that his thigh was open, even though he’s a man, because the thigh is a body part that should be covered. The following hadith reads:

Abu Dawud, 4003:

Narrated Jarhad: The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) sat with us and my thigh was uncovered. He said: Do you not know that thigh is a private part.

Sunan Abu Dawud, 4004:

Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Do not uncover your thigh, and do not look at the thigh of the living and the dead.

The awrah for Men in Islam:

In daily life, male awrah is generally not too noticed, men are rarely considered as the cause emergence of lust like women did.

Often encountered in the daily life when men wearing tight clothes and pants, wearing shorts up to the knees, even when in relaxed conditions such as at home or sports around the house, men only wear shorts and tight up on the knee and show up his chest till his stomach and navel. Some things like that could just cause lust and ease Satan to launch their trickery.

The hadith and commandment of Allah below will explain how an obligatory male's clothes according to the Islam shari’a.

• The Males Awrah are Between Navel and Knee

Rasulullah ever said,

“Because between navel until knee is awrah.” (Narrated by Ahmad)

These also applied between brothers and sisters, either with relatives, friends, or others. If exposing the body parts within the boundaries of the awrah is included as sinful because they do not perform the command of Allah SWT to conceal their awrah according to the Islamic shari’a.

So, if a male believer wears shorts above his knees, obviously it is not in accordance with the Islamic shari’a. Allah loves his obedient servant, including his servants who keep His commandments in relation to covering his awrah. If the Islamic religion shari’a is truly done then it will give benefits and prevent evil deeds (munkar), and vice versa.

• Men Are Not Justified to Wear Short Pants up to His Knee

Because the thigh also belongs to awrah, in the Hadith of Jurhud, when the Prophet Muhammad SAW passes through it and the cloth covering his thigh is exposed, later he said:

“Conceal it (your thy), for it is aurat”. (Narrated by Malik).

This is also strengthened with the following hadith

“Do not show your thighs and also do not see the thighs of people who are still alive or dead” (Narrated by Abu Dawud)

It is clear from those hadiths we can conclude that men are also required to wear a decent dress, conceal the awrah, and not show their thighs to others. Generally, thighs are associated with women, women who dress but do not to covering their awrah until their thighs are seen by others are identified as women who are not religious and other prejudices.

We have to avoid prejudices and it is better for Muslims to also learn how to avoid negative thoughts, in fact not only women, but men who show their thighs are also clearly not justified according to Islam. The law of looking at women’s awrah in Islam is clearly not allowed just like men.

• Men Are Not Allowed to Seen Another Men Awrah

Even if they are brothers or close friends,

“And do not a man seen other manawrah….and a man should not be with another man in one cloth.” (Narrated by Muslim)

In the daily life for example a man who lives in the same place like a boarding house or a rented house, or are in the same matter such as hospitality (silaturahmi) by gathered together, sometimes fellow men wear clothes that he thinks are the most comfortable such as very short clothes and pants cause they assuming that with a fellow man it does not matter wearing that kind of clothes, but that matter is not justified in Islam as described with the above hadith, so even though fellow men gathered or are in the same place either at home or wherever they still obligated to conceal his full awrah. Learn more about: benefits of modesty in Islam

• Not Allowed to Wearing Thin and Tight Clothes

In the view of Islam, this matter is as same as not wearing clothes (naked}, because it shows up the body curves,

“O children of Adam, we have bestowed upon your clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness — that is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember.” (QS. Al A’raf : 26)

An example in daily life is sportswear which men generally wear thin and very tight clothes and shorts until the shape and curve of their body are clearly seen while in that place there are so many men and women who are not his mahram because that will cause on lust.

It is better to wear loose clothes or a jacket while exercising, besides its fit with Islamic shari’a, also makes you feel more comfortable.

Another example is a man's shorts and tight shirt so when he bends his body his back is shown. It can be concluded that men should wear polite and loose dresses, not thin, and not shape their bodies. Since we also have to know the ethical values of Islam in our daily life.

The awrah of Men with Women

The boundary of men’s awrah and other women, not his mahram is the same as the boundary of awrah between men, which is within his navel and knee, with the rules as follows:

• Not Arousing Lust

It is way better for men to wear decent clothes and conceal their awrah, not wear flashy clothes in order to be seen by women, to look attractive, or with an intention to invite a lust.

• Not in One Assembly (Face to Face)

It is not permissible for men and women to be close to or face to face since it may cause slander. There are various kinds of slander pal, including awrah that could trigger it.

Males' awrah should only be shown to his wife as the following hadith of Rasulullah:

“Take care of yourawrah except from your wife.” (Narrated by Imam Lima)

So, men are required to conceal their awrah wherever and with whoever he is unless while with their wife.

The awrah While Performing Prayer

Concealing awrah is also one of the valid requirements in worship, Allah said,

“O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid.” (QS. Al A’raf : 31)

Prayer is worship where someone is directly facing to face with Allah, so it should be wearing decent clothes as a form of submissive servant’s an honor to his Lord as said in the hadith of Rasulullah

“Conceal awrah when standing prayer before Allah is a form of exaltation towards Him” (Narrated by Al-Bada’i : 116)

Male awrah is within the navel to his knee, but various hadith narrated that when praying we should wear more covered clothes which cover the upper body (shoulders), Rasulullah ever forbade someone praying only wear a piece of cloth that does not conceal his shoulders at all.

Narrated by Buraidah,

“Rasulullah forbade a person to pray using a blanket without covering it on the shoulders and forbid praying that only wear a pants without a scarf (cloth covering shoulders).”

The above hadith shows that it is an obligation to conceal the upper body while praying. Learn more about: how to increase iman in Islam

It is proper when prayer is accompanied by every best thing, namely by wearing beautiful clothes, clean, and pure. If in front of humans alone we try to wear good clothes, then how if we are in the presence of Allah? Of course, you have to understand how the best clothes are used while worshiping Him, for example wearing a Koko shirt or loose shirt.

The awrah for Women in Islam:

Women’s ‘awrah is a more complicated issue and it changes according to the situation. The Satar of believing women is different. The woman cannot show any part of her body to a non-mahram male.

A woman shall be covered up in front of non-mahram members of the opposite sex to prevent any arousal, protect herself from sexual harassment, and reduce chances of getting confronted with a sexual relationship, because Islam highly values separation between sexes, prevention of fornication, and marriage where individuals love each other long-term because of personality rather than sexual purposes or looks. Non-mahrams are people that are at least one of these three things:

• You can’t show your awrah to
• You can get married to
• You can’t travel alone with to Mecca

Mahrams are the opposite of those three things. Those are all the examples of mahrams to a woman:

• Her father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and any further paternal ancestors that she has
• Her stepfather
• Her sons, grandsons, great-grandsons, and any further male descendants she has from her children
• Her brothers
• Her uncles, whether her mother’s brothers or her father’s brothers
• Her nephews, whether her brothers’ sons or her sisters’ sons
• Her husband (she’s already married to him)

Mahrams that are family members (all except for husband) don’t only have to be related biologically and fully. They can also be half, foster-related (adoptive), or even milk-related. A man that a woman breastfed at least 5 times before he reached the age of 2 becomes her son, meaning he is now a mahram (those common antibodies change a lot).

He also becomes the brother of any other children that the woman has. Cousins and stepsiblings are non-mahrams, despite the popular misinformation saying otherwise (of course it would still be preferable to not marry your cousin in order to try to get away from any extent of a same-bloodline inheritance as possible and because it’s not moral as they likely grew up with you as siblings).

Only uncles, aunts, and stepparents are mahrams. Those are the examples of mahrams to a man:

• His mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and any further maternal ancestors that he has
• His stepmother
• His daughters, granddaughters, great-granddaughters, and any further descendants he has from his children
• His sisters
• His aunts, whether his mother’s sisters or his father’s sisters
• His nieces, whether his brothers’ daughters or his sisters’ daughters
• His wife

The awrah in women are all the body parts except for the hands and face, and according to some scholars, the feet. The awrah in men is the entire area from the navel to the knees. The reason why women have more awrah is that men are biologically more sexual, and as said earlier, Allah is trying to protect you from getting sexually harassed, objectified, or falling into sin because of getting confronted with a sexual relationship.

Allah still believes in justice as part of a successful society. For that reason, while women have to cover many body parts, men must also learn to lower their gaze (not look at a woman that is showing her awrah).

Unfortunately, many men nowadays fail to lower their gaze on a daily basis and it is normalized too, which is what makes people think Islam is ‘sexist’ or ‘oppressive’ against women. Being harsh on women but loose with men is not because of the religion, it is because of culture.

Allah clearly states that on the day of judgment, men and women will be equal and that he dislikes anyone that performs injustice, and will punish them.

There are still limits to showing the awrah with all mahrams too, except for your husband, prepubescent children, or very old people that you are sure completely lost sexual desire.

The part of the awrah that a woman must cover in front of all her mahrams except for her husband, prepubescent children, and very old people is the chest to the knees. She can show her hair, wear short sleeves, and wear shorts that are not shorter than knee-length.

The part of the awrah that a man must cover in front of all his mahrams is the same as the awrah that a man has with non-mahrams: the navel to the knees.

Women can also show their awrah to other women, the same parts of the awrah that they can show to male family members: she must cover the chest to the knees.

However, it is highly discouraged (though not haram) for a woman to show her awrah to non-muslim women unless she trusts her. This is because a non-muslim may not understand the religion and describe the woman’s awrah to people. Be careful with who you trust!

A man’s awrah with other men is also the same as his awrah with non-mahrams and female family members: navel to the knees.

Although the awrah is not the entire body in neither men nor women, some men and women still cover more body parts than needed. Although the hair is technically not awrah in men, many Muslim men still wear turbans, especially because there are many women nowadays that get sexually attracted to men because of their hair.

Many women also wear the niqab. The more you work to reduce sexual desire outside of marriage, the more Allah will be pleased with you! The most important purpose played here is just preventing sexual desire outside of marriage. If a woman doesn’t wear the hijab but doesn’t go out or when she does go out, she’s only surrounded by people who will not get sexual desire (such as prepubescent children, women, and very old people), it is not haram for her to not wear the hijab.

However, none of this should be done by force, not even wearing the hijab like a woman. Doing a good act should be done with Niya (good intentions deep down and wanting to do it for Allah rather than for the look of it).

Allah knows whether or not you have Niya while you’re doing a good act. In countries where women are abused and forced to wear the hijab or niqab, most women actually end up being the exact opposite of religious.

They end up hating and misunderstanding their own religion. If you’re not doing it because you love Allah rather than because you fear your parents, you’re not ready. This may actually give you sins. Allah appreciates people who do actions with love and doesn’t like fake people.

With your husband or wife or when you’re completely alone, there are no limitations on which part of the awrah you can and can’t show. You can get completely naked, as long as it’s just you are your husband/wife or you alone.

The above was a comprehensive look at the Awra of a woman. The extent of the Awra differs from one occasion to another and from one person to another. The whole concept and idea behind this is that Islam desires its followers to live a life that is chaste and free from any type of corruption or immorality. This is the basis for every sound and pure society.

The awrahfor Children in Islam:

The most important thing is for a parent to deal wisely and in a balanced manner with his children’s mistakes. They should beware of letting their eagerness to deal with and correct the mistake cause them to make an even greater mistake.

Children at this age may not understand the implications of such actions. What usually leads them to do such things is seeing certain things on TV. So, we must try hard to find out the source of this behavior and where the children have learned it from, and we should try to protect them and keep them away from the sources of such things.

The feelings that your children have will most likely disappear after a while, especially if you treat them gently and deal with them in a kind and loving manner.

The hadeeth (narration) of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):

“… And separate them in their beds” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, and classed as saheeh/sound by al-Albaani. See Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawood, 1/97)

Try to explain to them how ugly this action is, and tell them that this is something the Shaytaan likes, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O Children of Adam! Let not Shaytaan (Satan) deceive you, as he got your parents [Adam and Hawwa’ (Eve)] out of Paradise, stripping them of their raiments, to show them their private parts. [ Quran al-A’raaf 7:27]

It was narrated that Bahz ibn Hakeem said,

my father, told me, from my grandfather, who said: “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what about our ‘awrah (private parts)?’ He said, ‘Conceal your ‘awrah from everyone except your wife and female slaves whom your right hand possesses.’ He said, ‘What about a man with another man?’ He said, ‘If you can manage not to let anyone see it, then do so.’ I said, ‘What if a man is on his own?’ He said, ‘Allah is more deserving than you should be modest before Him.’” (Narrated by Abu Dawood. Classed as Hasan by al-Albaani. See Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawood, no. 3391)

And tell them that this abhorrent action is something which is done by evildoers and immoral people who are hated by their Lord. May Allah make your children righteous. Ameen

Scholars view:

Muhammad ibn Saalih al-’Uthaimeen (RA), was asked: “There is a phenomenon with some women, wearing short and tight dresses which expose their features and dresses without sleeves exposing the chest and back, appearing almost naked. When we advise them, they say that they do not wear such clothes except in the presence of other women and that the ‘awrah of the woman in front of other women is from the navel to the knee. What is the ruling regarding this, and what is the ruling regarding wearing these types of clothes in front of mahrams?

He (RA) answered: The answer for this is to say that it is authentically narrated [by Abu Huraira(R), said that the Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH) said: “Two are the types amongst the denizens of Hell whom I have never seen, the one possessing whips like the tail of an ox, and they flog people with them. (The second one) women kasiyatun ‘aariyaat: who would be naked in spite of their being dressed, who are seduced (to wrong paths) and seduce others with their hair high like humps. These women would not get into Paradise, and they would not perceive its odor, although its fragrance can be perceived from such and such distance (from a great distance).” Sahih Muslim 5310 and 6840

The people of knowledge interpreted the phrase kasiyatun ‘aariyaat (dressed but naked)” as those women who put on tight, short, or light clothes that do not shield what is underneath.

The Right of the Private Part:

The right of your private part is that you should protect it from everything that is unlawful for you and help it by lowering your eyes this is certainly the best way to help it. And you should also remember death often, and threaten yourself with God and try to make yourself fear God. Preservation from sin and receiving help in so doing are possible by God’s help. There is no strength or power but in Him.

“protecting your private parts” is covering it from other people’s eyes. Consider the following verse:

“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty.” (The Holy Qur’an, al-Nur 24:31)

Every verse in the Qur’an in which the private parts are mentioned is with regard to protecting it from fornication, except for this (above) verse in which it means to protect the private parts from being seen.”

The awrah for religious practices Salat (prayer):

Salat (prayer) is either obligatory (wajib) or supererogatory (mandub). Covering the ‘awrah is one of the conditions of prayer being valid because Allah, may He be exalted, says: (interpretation of the meaning):

“Take your adornment (by wearing your clean clothes) while praying” [al-A‘raaf 7:31]

Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: What is meant by adornment in this verse is wearing clothes whilst praying. This was narrated by al-Tabari in his Tafseer, 12/391.

And the Prophet (sa) said: “Allah does not accept the prayer of a woman of childbearing age (lit. a woman who menstruates) except with a head covering.”

Narrated by Abu Dawood, 641; narrated and classed as saheeh by al-Tirmidhi, 377; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani.

It says in al-Mughni (1/336):

Concealing the ‘awrah from view with something that does not show the skin is obligatory and is a condition of prayer being valid. This is the view of al-Shaafa‘i and ashaab al-ra’y.

Ibn Hajar said:

The majority are of the view that covering the ‘awrah is one of the conditions of prayer. (Fath al-Baari, 1/466)

What is required of the worshipper is to cover his ‘awrah whilst praying, according to the consensus of the Muslims. The ‘awrah of a man is the area between the navel and the knees, according to the majority of scholars.

With regard to women, the hair and the entire body are ‘awrah and she has to cover them, apart from the face and hands. If she does that, then her prayer is proper, according to scholarly consensus.

If a person starts to pray with his ‘awrah covered, then during the prayer he is not sure whether some of it has become uncovered, then he should ignore that doubt and complete his prayer, because the basic principle is that the ‘awrah is still covered, and developing doubt about what you were certain about should not be given any attention.

Al-Bukhaari (137) and Muslim (361) narrated from ‘Abbaas ibn Tameem that his paternal uncle said: A complaint was made to the Prophet (S) about when one thinks that something has happened whilst he praying. He said: “Do not stop until you hear a sound or notice a smell.”

Al-Nawawi said:

This hadeeth is one of the basic principles of Islam and an important foundation of fiqh, namely that things are deemed to still be as they originally were unless there is certain proof of the contrary, and passing doubts do not affect that. End quote.

What the worshipper has to do is to prepare for his prayer before he starts to pray. So, he should put on clothes that he is certain will cover his ‘awrah and leave clothes that he is afraid will let something of his ‘awrah show whilst he is praying, such as short T-shirts and other kinds of clothing which may rise up and show the lower back, lest some part of his ‘awrah be uncovered when he bows or prostrates.

There are in total 14 fard parts of the daily prayer or Salah. These 14 parts must be performed in order for the Salah to be considered valid. These 14 fard parts of the Salah are categorized into 2 main groups which are pre-requisites or before the Salah, and Fard Acts during Salah.

1. Cleanliness of the Body: The human body has to be completely clean from all types of impurities, whether they are impurities in effect or they are impurities in fact. One must obtain the purity whether through Wudu i.e. Ablution or in some cases through Ghusl i.e. bathing. Recommended: Procedure to Perform Ghusl properly as per Islam.
2. Cleanliness of the Garments worn by the individual: All of the garments that are worn by the individual including gloves, socks, cap etc. must be made sure to be pure and clean beyond any shadow of even the slightest of doubts.
3. Covering of the Satr: For the men, the Satr is the part of the body located between the knee and the navel, for the women, it is the entire body, excluding the hands, face, and feet. Women must also ensure that their ankles are not exposed during the prayer.

Rules Related To awrah:

Islamic rules of awrah or covering for both men and women are intended to safeguard and preserve their honor and dignity of them. Rules of covering vary according to whether the degree of risk of temptation is greater or lesser; where such risks of temptation are greater, rules of covering are stricter, and where the risk is minimal, rules are minimal.

Rules of covering are, therefore, stricter in the presence of males who are strangers (who are not related to the woman by blood, marriage or milk relationship). For this category of men, scholars agree that the woman must cover her entire body except for her face and hands.

As for males who are considered maharim (those who are related to the woman through blood, marriage, or milk-relationship, and whom she can never marry) all scholars agree that she does not need to observe the above strict rules of covering; rather all of them agree that she is allowed to uncover her hair, face, hands, neck, feet in front of such relations.

she must cover in the presence of Muslim women, the majority of scholars agree that she may uncover her hair, face, hands, neck, shoulders, and legs from below her knees as well as feet in front of Muslim women.

Final Thoughts:

The awrah in Islam is an intimate or private part is a place on the human body that it is usually customary to keep covered once you hit puberty or are mature mentally with clothing in public areas, as a matter of decency, which only Allah really knows.

Islam has a complete system to keep people safe from these various social temptations and afterlife punishments. As a person grows up, Islam specifies which parts of his body are permissible to expose in front of others and which parts are not.

In this story on the boundaries of Muslim man and woman awrah in Islam, the extent of the Awra differs from one occasion to another and from one person to another. The whole concept and idea behind this are that Islam desires its followers to live a life that is chaste and free from any type of corruption or immorality. This is the basis for every sound and pure society.

May Allah guides us all to the straight path, and that we are able to act upon the injunctions of Shariah in a manner that is most pleasing to Allah Almighty.

Allah knows best.

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