Is it permissible for a woman to wipe over the sleeves of her gown when performing ablution because she is performing ablution in the middle of a group of men, or that the sleeve of the gown is narrow and it is difficult to roll it up, taking into consideration that she wore the gown while in a state of purity?

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. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

It is not permissible for a woman to wipe over the sleeves of her gown when performing ablution, and if she does so, her ablution is not valid. That is because the sleeves are not among the things which Allaah permitted us to wipe over, like the leather socks, the turban, bandage, cast and socks. The fact that the sleeves of the gown are narrow and difficult to roll up is not a sound excuse for not washing the arms to the elbow in ablution. A woman is obliged to sew the sleeves of her frocks and gowns in a way that is possible for her to perform ablution.

With regard to men looking at her, she may hide herself from them, she could take the water by which she will perform ablution far from the place destined for ablution if men are able to see her there when she performs ablution. 

Allaah Knows best.