This article explains the rulings of the Hanbali madhhab regarding the awrah, including its definition, the limits of the awrah for men, women, and children, and the conditions for proper covering. The rulings are summarized from Sharh Muntaha al-Iradat, Kashshaf al-Qina, and Matalib Uli al-Nuha.

The Awrah & It’s Ruling

In the Shariʿah, the awrah refers to what a person is required to cover or what others are generally prohibited from looking at. Its ruling differs according to the person, the circumstances, and the relationship between those present.

The awrah must be covered at all times, including when a person is alone or in darkness. The Shariʿah does not require a particular type of covering.

The awrah may be uncovered between spouses, and when there is a legitimate need, such as medical treatment, or using the washroom.

The Awrah by Age and Sex

Conditions of Proper Covering

Proper covering must meet seven conditions:

1. It must cover the required area.

   Everything that is required to be covered, as mentioned above, must be concealed.

2. It must be opaque.

   It must not reveal the skin or what lies beneath it. Transparent clothing does not constitute proper covering.

3. It must be loose.

   It must not clearly outline the body’s contours.

   • Clothing that clearly defines the body’s shape does not constitute proper covering. Scholarly consensus has been cited on this point.
   • Clothing that only shows the body’s general size or volume is excused. For example, a woman’s head will naturally retain a visible shape beneath her covering.

   Therefore, clothing that clings tightly to the body and clearly reveals its contours does not constitute proper covering and may fall under the description “clothed yet naked.”

4. It must not itself be an adornment.

   The purpose of covering is to conceal adornment, so the covering itself should not function as an adornment.

5. It must not be perfumed when passing by gatherings of men.

   There is no harm in a woman wearing perfume when she is only among women.

6. It must not resemble the distinctive clothing of non-Muslim women.

   This refers to clothing specifically associated with non-Muslims, such as the distinctive clothing of nuns.

7. It must not resemble clothing of the opposite gender.

The Awrah in Salah

The basic awrah in Salah is the same as the awrah outside Salah, with two important distinctions:

• Adult men: In addition to covering the area between the navel and knee, an adult man must cover at least one entire shoulder in an obligatory prayer when he is able to do so. Praying in two garments is recommended.
• Adult women: The awrah of adult women in Salah excludes the face, and covering it is disliked.

To learn more in-depth about the Salah, read this article.

Unintentional Exposure During Salah

If a small portion of the awrah becomes exposed unintentionally during Salah, the Salah remains valid if the amount is not considered excessive according to customary standards.

If a large portion is exposed but immediately covered, the prayer also remains valid when the exposure was unintentional and covering it requires no excessive movement.

If the exposure is intentional, the prayer is invalid. Likewise, if an excessive amount remains exposed for a long period, the prayer is invalid even when the exposure was unintentional.

The Awrah In Front of the Same Gender

The awrah of a woman in front of another woman is the area between the navel and the knee. The same applies between men. Therefore:

• A woman may look at another woman, including a non-Muslim woman looking at a Muslim woman, at what is beyond the awrah.
• A man may look at another man, including a young, beardless male, at what is beyond the awrah.
• A woman may look at a man at what is beyond his awrah.

However, anything that causes temptation must be covered. Therefore, a woman should observe modest dress among other women according to the customary standards of modesty. Areas such as the back, upper chest, upper shoulders, and arms should not be exposed when doing so is no longer considered modest according to those standards.