Awra (Nudity).

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question: Assalamu alaykum

Can you please explain in detail the awra (nudity) of a man in different situations, in front of men, women, unmarriagable kin and so forth?

Answer: Wa ‘alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh

I pray you are well.

‘Awra and Modesty

It is impermissible for a man to expose the area from the bottom of the navel to the bottom of the knees in front of other men and women. This is his ‘awra in front of men and women.

However, there are other concerns, and just because one can expose his chest, for example, it doesn’t mean he should. This should be restricted to activities like swimming, etc. Otherwise, one should still dress with dignity even in situations where minimal clothing is required.

The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, said, “Every religion has a [characteristic] trait. The trait of Islam is modesty.” (Ibn Majah).

There is no ‘awra between spouses, but they should cover themselves with a blanket when they are intimate in light of the above hadith and others which encourage modesty in the presence of angels.

(Ibn ‘Abidin, al Hadiyya al ‘Ala’iyya).

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.

Wassalam,
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 to study and sit at the feet of some of the most erudite scholars of our time.

Over the following eighteen months he studied a traditional curriculum, studying with scholars such as Shaykh Adnan Darwish, Shaykh Abdurrahman Arjan, Shaykh Hussain Darwish and Shaykh Muhammad Darwish.

In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years, in Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, Theology, Hadith Methodology and Commentary, Shama’il, and Logic with teachers such as Dr Ashraf Muneeb, Dr Salah Abu’l-Hajj, Dr Hamza al-Bakri, Shaykh Ahmad Hasanat, Dr Mansur Abu Zina amongst others. He was also given two licences of mastery in the science of Qur’anic recital by Shakh Samir Jabr and Shaykh Yahya Qandil.

His true passion, however, arose in the presence of Shaykh Ali Hani, considered by many to be one of the foremost tafsir scholars of our time who provided him with the keys to the vast knowledge of the Quran. With Shaykh Ali, he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Qur’anic Sciences, Tafsir, Arabic Grammar, and Rhetoric.

When he finally left Jordan for the UK in 2014, Shaykh Ali gave him his distinct blessing and still recommends students in the UK to seek out Shaykh Abdul-Rahim for Quranic studies. Since his return he has trained as a therapist and has helped a number of people overcome emotional and psychosomatic issues. He is a keen promoter of emotional and mental health.