Should Fathers Avoid Cleaning Their Infant Daughters’ Private Areas?

Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch

Question

Is it true, as mentioned in an online lecture, that fathers should not clean their daughters’ private areas?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

Legally it would be permissible for a father to clean his infant daughter. Some considered the permissibility to extend till the age of four. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

However, if it is avoidable, such that the mother can do it instead, this would be encouraged, especially when the girl becomes older than 4 years of age.

In addition to the above, I have heard from my teachers that when changing the diaper of a child, it is encouraged that it be done in a private area, not in front of people to see who do not need to.

Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he went on to study at Darul Uloom Seminary in New York and completed his studies at Darul Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen.

There, he completed the memorization of the Quran and his study of Islamic Sciences. Throughout his years of study, he was blessed to learn from many great scholars: Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Habib Kazhim al-Saqqaf, Shaykh ‘Umar bin Husayn al-Khatib, and others.

Upon returning, he joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.