Principles of Muslim woman's dress at home and outside Fatwa No: 128691
- Fatwa Date:5-11-2009
Dear shaikh As-slam o Alaikum warehmatullahhee wabarakatohuu please help me out of this situation I am a young boy of 23 yrs Al hammadulillah I ma a born Muslim but i got hadaya later on with the grace of Allah , I very much fear from Allah I am also shy to ask that question.
My question to you is regarding to the present world especially in our country Pakistan which is an Islamic country where in summer season ladies wear clothes which are thin opaque or transparent the question is regarding the lawn thin cotton or like dresses of summer to the ladies and keeping the trouser, lower garments, above the ankle.
1)How do i advice to my mahram about this when they are not responsive to such situation firstly they ask about the references where such kind of dresses are prohibited, Secondly they say that when majority of the women wears such clothes, pl z don't say any thing to us the point is that is practice of majority validates such kind of action.
2) Regarding such kinds of clothes at home where only mahrams as mentioned in Surat noor 31 present.
3) Regarding such kinds of clothes in front of husband.
4)Regarding salaah in such kind of clothes at home or away.
5) Regarding such kinds of clothes in public where the upper part is covered by some other clothes but easily seen lower parts legs etc (Astagfirullah) seen from far as in riding on the bike etc in bazaar because in daily routine young people like me have to go to the bazaar especially in these Ramadan and Eid days. What is your advice to us at this situation?
6) What is your opinion regarding the buying and selling of such clothes as the income of such is halal or haraam knowingly done or otherwise?
7) What are the principles of hijab for ladies and gents in home and away with references.
Lastly I want your adequate response to the questions I am very much sure you will guide me out of this situation with references. thank you for bearing me for a long time and giving such services.
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.
First of all, may Allaah reward you for being zealous for the truth and we ask Allaah to increase you in guidance and piety, and make us and you firm on the truth.
Our answer to your questions will be summarized in the following:
1- The evidence (which we are bound to follow) is what is mentioned in the Quran and the Sunnah. Allaah Says (what means): {And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allaah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allaah and the Last Day.}[Quran 4:59] What people do should not be taken into account if their acts are not in conformity with the Quran and the Sunnah.
2- When doing Da’wah, the person calling people (to Allaah) should focus on establish faith in their hearts with things like reminding them of the Greatness of Allaah and the importance of obeying Allaah and His Messenger, and reminding them of death, the Day of Reckoning, and Paradise and Hellfire, as this is most likely to be accepted by people. Indeed, this was the guidance and example of the Prophet .
3- Hijab is a religious obligation and it has some conditions which the scholars mentioned; we discussed this in Fataawa 83702 and 83033. Anything that is not in conformity with these conditions is forbidden. However, you should know that it is not a condition to wear a specific dress for Hijab; any dress that fulfils these conditions is considered Hijab. Moreover, a Muslim should lower his gaze from seeing what Allaah has forbidden as a means of abiding by the Orders of Allaah. In addition to this, one should not go so often to places of afflictions, like the markets except for a necessity.
4- We have already clarified the 'Awrah (parts of the body that must be covered in Islam) of a woman in front of her Mahaarim in Fataawa 90591 and 85449. As regards her husband, he may see from her body whatever he wishes.
5- We have already clarified the 'Awrah of a woman when performing the prayer in Fataawa 83269 and 86325.
6- It is permissible for a Muslim to buy and sell such clothes you mentioned in your question but it is not permissible for him to sell them to a woman whom he predominantly thinks that she will not properly cover her body with it. However, if in general women do not cover their body properly in a particular country, then it is an obligation to avoid selling the clothes that do not cover the whole body of the woman except for whomever one thinks that she will not use it in disobeying Allaah. Consequently, the lawfulness of the income that is earned from selling these clothes depend on the permissibility or impermissibility of selling these clothes.
Allaah Knows best.