Top-Rated Free Essay
Preview

Awrah in Islam

Better Essays
1250 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Awrah in Islam
Awrah (Arabic: عورة) is the Islamic term that represents a part of the body, whether male or female, who illegally opened or displayed. Awrah is interpreted differently depending upon the sex. In other words, it is obligatory as Muslim to cover and hide themselves from being seen in front of unrelated men or women. Exposing their bodies are unlawful in Islam and is regarded as sin. These obligations to cover themselves based on evidences from Hadith which are :-

"If you marry one slave boy to his daughter or his employer, so the slave girl never looked things at his body (awrah her master). Truly, what is under center until his knee is 'aurat'.'' (Narrated by al-Bayhaqi) Narrated Aisha (the Prophet's wife) : Asma, daughter of Abu Bakar, entered upon the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) wearing thin clothes. The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) turned his attention from her. He said : 'O Asma, when a women reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this, and he pointed to her face and hands(Narrated by Abu Daud)

Differences between awrah men and women are :-

Men
Most Muslims accept that for men everything between the navel and the knee is awrah and therefore should be covered at all times.

Women Rules for women are more complicated. There are a number of scenarios for women:

i)In front of unrelated men (Muslim or non-Muslim), women must cover everything except the hands and face

ii)In front of close male relatives, awrah is the navel to the knee and the stomach and the back

iii)In front of other Muslim females, awrah is from the navel down to, and including, the knees

iv)Awrah in front of non-Muslim women is a point of debate:

Some scholars say that women should cover all but the hands and face. This is to prevent non-Muslim women (who may not understand the rules regarding hijab) from describing the appearance of the hijab wearer to other men

Other scholars say that if a non-Muslim woman can be trusted not to describe a woman's appearance to other men, then she may reveal as much as she would in front of another Muslim woman in her presence. 3)Husband and wife

There is no restriction on what a husband and wife may show to each other in private. The Qur'an encourages married couples to enjoy each other's bodies.

4)Individuals in private

Islam highly values modesty, so even when alone, men and women are recommended never to be completely naked and to cover from the navel to the knee. Exceptions do apply where necessary, for example taking a shower or going to the bathroom.

There is also hadith regarding awrah and prayer which is :-

Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin : The Prophet (peace be upon him) said : Allah does not accept the prayer of a woman who has reached puberty unless she wears a veil (Narrated by Abu Daud).

This hadith shows how important to cover awrah especially while praying. For women, they must cover everything except the hands and face. It is forbidden to cover the face while praying while for men, they must cover from the navel to the knee.

There is relation between awrah with hijab because as exposing the awrah is regarded as sin in Islam, Muslim men and women are required to wear clothes that do not reveal their awrah. The concept of awrah is, therefore, linked with hijab. In fact, modest dress is considered a means to fulfilling the covering of awrah but the debate is focused on how much of the male or female body should be covered.

Many Muslim women, particularly those living in Europe or in South East Asia, wear the headscarf. The type most commonly worn in the West is a square scarf that covers the head and neck but leaves the face clear. Other styles also cover the hair, neck and shoulders completely, but the face and the hands are not covered, as they are not considered awrah for those Muslims who wear it.

But most commonly a women do is wear attire that is made of transparent material that reveals their skin or tight attire that shows their body shape. Sometimes, an attire that they wear reveals luring body parts such as the breast, the thingh and others. There is evidence (dalil) from hadith clearly forbid women to wear like this. In a hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah, Rasulullah s.a.w. said: "Two are the types of the denizens of Hell whom I did not see: (1) people having flogs like the tails of the ox with them and they would be beating people (unjust rulers); (2) the women who would be dressed but appear to be naked, who would be inclined (to evil) and make others incline towards it. Their heads would be like the humps of the bukht camel inclined to one side. They will not enter Paradise and they would not smell its odour whereas its odour would be smelt from such and such distance" (Narrated by Muslim).

With all the evidences Hadith from above, it shows how important us as Muslim to cover and hide our awrah. By cover our awrah it can give so many benefits to us such as prevent from fitnah. The Prophet SAW said :''I did not leave a fitnah after me that could bring more harm to a man except woman" (Narrated by Al-Bukhari). For those who are not cover their awrah yet, believes that Allah is true, his Rasul is true, and Paradise and Hellfire are true. If believe in them, why are the actions speak otherwise?

arratmsha (the Prophet's wife): Asma, daughter of Abu Bakr, e,lppokstle of Allah (peace be upon him) wearing thin clothes. The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) turned his attention from her. He said: 'O Asma, when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this, and he pointed to her face and hands.
Abu Dawudarrated Aisha (the Prophet's wife): Asma, daughter of Abu Bakr, entered upon the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) wearing thin clothes. The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) turned his attention from her. He said: 'O Asma, when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this, and he pointed to her face and hands.
Abu Dawudrrated Aisha (the Prophet's wife): Asma, daughter of Abu Bakr, entered upon the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) wearing thin clothes. The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) turned his attention from her. He said: 'O Asma, when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this, and he pointed to her face and hands.
Abu Dawud arrated Aisha (the Prophet's wife): Asma, daughter of Abu Bakr, entered upon the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) wearing thin clothes. The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) turned his attention from her. He said: 'O Asma, when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this, and he pointed to her face and hands.
Abu Dawud

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Anne Applebaum’s "Veiled Insult" first appeared in the Washington Post in 2006. In this essay, Applebaum aims to convince her readers that it is disrespectful for Muslim women to wear their headscarves or niqabs (full bodied cloak) in our western society, just as it is disrespectful for our women to go to their society uncloaked. In delivering her message she also brings to attention the political issue of whether or not it is religious discrimination to allow, or not allow muslim women to wear their cloaks, and in the end she gives us her opinion, “it isn’t religious discrimination or anti-Muslim bias to tell her that she must be polite to the natives, respect the local customs, try to speak some of the local patois -- and uncover her face.” Applebaum uses her personal experiences combined with her American worldview to convince her readers (the American public) that for Muslim women to wear their cloaks in American culture is disrespectful and insensitive. Although those techniques may have worked, her strongest argument is perhaps playing on the emotions of the still sensitive and emotionally scarred, post 9/11…

    • 1006 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    21. In terms of clothing, what was the norm for both men and women in the Islamic world? P.499…

    • 619 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “Garments were arranged to display the patterns and quality of fabrics on all layers and add bulk to the body image. The more former the occasion or higher the status of the weaver, the more layers worn, with richer materials further indicating wealth.” Explained in Charlotte Jirousek article Islamic Clothing. Wearing the hijab was crucial while in public due to the exposer of the body. Any woman that was unveiled was viewed by men as a naked woman. Women should be covered to protect what is considered the men’s property at all times unless around immediate family in their homes. That is why “Women wear the Hijab around strangers (especially males) that they do not consider as part of their family. It is believed that this lessens the chance of them having bad thoughts about them, this includes sexual desires. They believe that the external part of a person is not important but what it inside.” Said in the article Why Do Woman Wear Hijab, Maureen. Women started to adapt to their cultural upbringings, they believed this was a way to keep themselves treasured. Some Islamic woman seen no harm in this, they didn’t feel as if the men dominated them, or were obeying them as their property. They felt as if all women should feel the need to be veiled so they’re not perceived as just a sex object. They would like men to be attentive to their personalities and mind not their looks. Today, women have more of a choice to be veiled. There are a lot of women who use the hijab and not the gown due to the evolving changes in fashion and liberal few points. They feel that it denies the women the freedom to decide on their own…

    • 1451 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Then, there is a question of veiling herself. In this society woman’s sexuality is considered a danger to herself and a whole community. So, abaya is seen not as an enforced item, but as a protection. It also helps to preserve family honor. The woman’s fidelity doesn’t only determine her own fate, but affects the whole family. Her siblings might not be able to get married; even business might get affected and the family will become outcasts.…

    • 1529 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    As we all know, Burqa is a loose, usually black or light blue robe that is worn by Muslim women, especially in Afghanistan, and that covers the body from head to toe. The burqa is not force by the Islamic holy bible, Koran. It only say that, women and men have to wear modestly in the public. Women, especially, cannot show their body to a man, other than their husband. This is written in the Koran. In Qur'an Sura Nur Chapter: The Light. Verse 31, "And say to the faithful women to lower their gazes, and to guard their private parts, and not to display their beauty except what is apparent of it, and to extend their headcoverings (khimars) to cover their bosoms (jaybs), and not to display their beauty except to their husbands.…

    • 1167 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Contrary to popular belief, not all Muslim women are being oppressed into fully covering their bodies. Instead, a majority of Muslim women around the world have made the decision themselves to wear a head covering or veil. The belief concerning the oppression of Muslim women has resulted from the negative connotation of head coverings associated with Islam. Many people are convinced that Islamic head coverings represent fundamentalist Islam and oppression of Muslim women. This belief is highly misinformed and untrue. Muslim women who choose to veil do so to represent their dedication to their religion. In the past there were many Middle Eastern and African countries that banned different types of headscarves for security reasons or to protect their women.…

    • 524 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Second, the veil is very important to Muslim women because it “often shields women from unwanted sexual advances.” Women who wear the veil often do not wish for attention and do not want their husbands to become jealous of compliments paid to their wives’ beauty at work, which is why they wear the veil. They do not want to seem as a sexual desire to men or…

    • 538 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beyond the Burqa

    • 274 Words
    • 1 Page

    The role of the Burqa is to conceal women’s bodies and/or face says Chris Moore whom wrote The Buirqa – Islamic or Culture?. Islamic men believe that women should wear the burqa as a sign of respect and loyalty to the family but where did they get this idea? Moore says many people would think it is Islamic religion but you can’t really say that and be completely accurate. The reason being is because of these facts Moore states he says that is you read the Quran ( the Muslim Bible) it doesn’t gives that as one of the laws that women specifically have to follow. Rather it says that both men and women should follow a dress code but does in fact say that women have to cover their chest, lengthen their garments to conceal their body as respect for themselves and for both men and women should wear the most important garment of all which is righteousness and modest conduct. Nowhere does it mention or require women to wear such garments as a burqa I feel that Quran just wants women in Muslim community to carry themselves in a respectable manner in society. With the information I got from the passage is that the only reason women have to wear the burqa is because men want to feel as if they have power and control over the women in their society I also feel that women should stand up for each other and make a change to stop this in their culture.…

    • 274 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Dress code affects women more than men; Women have to use clothing that covers all the body but the hands and face. For women, this most visibly means wearing a head scarf that covers the hair and ears and is pinned under the chin, though there are many other styles ranging from simply covering the hair to covering the entire face. This is the sense in which veiling exists in Egypt, but the situation is volatile, with a good deal of variety. Many women do not veil at all.…

    • 225 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Zenda Ring Analysis

    • 1086 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Both men and women would often times veil themselves when they would go out and pray (women would veil the most). This was because they would be able to avoid any distractions when they covered up their body parts (especially their private parts). Veiling was also a way of showing respect when praying. Although, it wasn’t a law that men and women had to veil, but they did it anyway. Ring, shows us this by describing the stories she heard while she was in Karachi. “To begin, we need to question the dominant narrative of purdah, the well-worn story of male honor garnered through the control over women’s sexuality. From this perspective, purdah—both the spatial and sartorial standards of female modesty or “shame” embodied in veiling and seclusion, and the more behavioral and gestural forms of deference and reticence informing everyday interaction—serves to protect women’s virginity.” (Ring 2006: 140). This quote shows that, veiling was an important part during prayer. This way women were able to protect and avoid sexual attention and thoughts from…

    • 1086 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Iraq Vs America

    • 627 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Many in Iraq for example, do not see it this way. Veiling is seen as a protection versus a restriction. The veil protects a woman’s purity, the sanctity of a marriage, and a family’s honor. If a woman was to be uncovered, they believe that the opportunity for infidelity is great. The families honor would be tarnished if the woman were to have an affair or ruin her purity. Elizabeth herself was asked by her husband to wear the veil. Women cover themselves in El Nahra because “an uncovered woman is an immoral woman.” (113) This custom is completely different than the Kung. Women in El Nahra are completely covered while the Kung are nearly naked. In El Nahra, and many other veiling cultures, women are veiled in order to ensure the lineage, honor, and bloodline. By veiling women the men of El Nahra are preserving honor to the family, and having certainty that the children belong to the father, therefore preserving the family…

    • 627 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Negative Liberty In Canada

    • 1248 Words
    • 5 Pages

    This initially sparked controversy when there was a flurry of reaction to Stephen Harper's remarks on Twitter. The most popular Islamic clothing is a hijab that covers the head-and-shoulders; piece of cloth that covers the face, and the niqab that covers the entire face with the exception of few countries like Saudi Arabia where it is the law to wear the niqab. However, it is entirely up to Muslim women whether they choose to wear it or not. This situation is best described according to Isaiah Berlin’s “two concepts of liberty” (Swift 2014, 58-60).…

    • 1248 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Understanding Islam

    • 1309 Words
    • 6 Pages

    In summation, the “Understanding Islam” article by Kenneth Jost, states various accounts of how Muslims and Islam has been misunderstood within the world today. The article starts off with an example of culture of Islam within the Western world. Aishah Azmi, a bilingual teaching assistant in Leeds, England, was suspended for not removing her veil that only reveals her eyes. School officials said this interfered with her ability to communicate with students. Most testimonials from Muslims advocated Azmi; Although England where Christianity is the predominant religion and her customs are seemed to be alien to most, it is “a Muslim woman’s right to dress as she feels appropriate, given her religious views,” says Ibrahim Hooper, director of communications for the Council on American Islamic relations in Washington. Kenneth Jost explains as the face-veil debate illustrates, the distrust stems…

    • 1309 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Essay On Iranian Women

    • 634 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Many Islamic countries require women to wear clothes that do not flaunt or define their bodies in any form. In certain countries such as Iran, additional clothing is required especially when engaging in religious or outdoor activities. Iranian women are known to wear a chador or a loose black robe that covers the body from head to toe. Iranian women in specific have covered themselves for centuries due to religious and family traditions but after the revolutionary government of Iran enforced the wearing of the veil and began restricting women’s rights, the veil or covering of the body represented something very different and changed the meaning of the act all together.…

    • 634 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Oppressive Fashion

    • 1060 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The hijab is a type of fashion that came from Arabian and Islamic beliefs. It is the style of dressing of Muslim women and still continues on today. This fashion generally means covering all of your body except for the face and hands. There is…

    • 1060 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays

Related Topics