Salam, i am 17 years old and i have a 20 years old sister. she is un-married, she had an accident in the kitchen due to which both her hands are fully bandaged, including fingers (doctor said she has 2-3 layers of skin boiled). Now she cannot do anything on her own, since my mum is nt physically fit to help her, i have to help my sister with evrything. From drinking a glass of water, to changing and bathing. my question are, 1) in this situation is it permissable for me to see my older sister nude (since i have 2 change her cloths, bath, ect)? 2) me performing Istinjah on her, dose this nullify my fast? She dose not find it comftable to have a unknown woman (a nurse) pampering her in such manner, therefor i do all this for her. Please post reply ASAP, because i would not want to do an act for which all my fardh roza breaks. Jaza-kamull'ah

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

In principle it is not permissible for a woman to look at the 'Awrah (parts of the body that must be covered in Islam) of another woman as it is confirmed that the Prophet forbade this, and because we are ordered us to lower our gaze. However, in case of necessity, like in the case when a person is in a condition whereby he cannot cleanse himself from urine and excrements, then in such a case, it is permissible for a man to seek the help of his male relative or any other man so that he would remove the filth from him and cleanse his body. This permissibility is so that the person would be able to perform his acts of worship in a state of purity, and cleanse his body so that he will not be harmed by the filth or harm others. The same ruling applies to a woman in seeking her female relatives help.

However, the necessity should be assessed according to its proper value, so if it is possible to cleanse the person without looking at his/her 'Awrah, it is forbidden to look at his/her 'Awrah and it is not permissible to be lenient in this regard.

On the other hand, looking at another person's 'Awrah does not invalidate one's fasting whether it is permissible or forbidden to look at the 'Awrah. However, looking at one's 'Awrah while it is forbidden to do so, may decrease the reward of one's fasting. Similarly, helping someone else to cleanse himself/herself from urine or excrements does not invalidate one's fasting.

For more benefits on the things that invalidate fasting, please refer to Fatwa 85377, and also to Fataawa 84062 and 92295 on the limits of the 'Awrah of a Muslim woman with another Muslim woman.

Finally, we ask Allaah to cure your patient and greatly reward you for the help you are providing for her.