Talking of inter personal relations, Islam emphasises on respect and honour of both genders and strictly lays down guidelines about the intimate relations. Unlike what happens in the West, where man and woman freely mix with each other, establish intimate relations without the bound of marriage, even now establishing relations between same gender look at the and exhibiting feelings about each other in the open, Islam strictly prohibits such intimacy and forbids believers to `Awrah – the Intimate Body Parts of others when in private and orders lowering down their gaze when looking at each other - lest the Evil entices them to go beyond the bounds set forth in Islam.
Before we share a Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ on this very sensitive subject, let us explain in brief the meaning of Awrah:
'Awrah (Arabic: عورة , ستر, satr) refers to the intimate parts of the human body, which must, according to Islam, be covered by clothing. Most of modern Islamic scholars agree that the 'awrah of a man is the area between the navel and the knees, and the 'awrah of a woman is the entire body except the face, hand; exposing the 'awrah of the body is against Islamic law. It may be seen that the emphasis of covering the 'Awrah of women is more emphasised as it is the unexposed body of the women that is the basis of all evil that gives misleading signals to men for establishment of illegal intimate relations, which in Islam are only restricted between a Husband and wife, and that too in complete privacy.
This Hadith is quoted in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: Book 3 The Book of Menstruation / كتاب الحيض/ Chapter 17: The prohibition of looking at `awrah / باب تَحْرِيمِ النَّظَرِ إِلَى الْعَوْرَاتِ / as Hadith number # 338a as under:
'Abd al-Rahman, the son of Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, reported from his father:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: A man should not see the private parts of another man, and a woman should not see the private parts of another woman, and a man should not lie with another man under one covering, and a woman should not lie with another woman under one covering.
Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا زَيْدُ بْنُ الْحُبَابِ، عَنِ الضَّحَّاكِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي زَيْدُ بْنُ أَسْلَمَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لاَ يَنْظُرُ الرَّجُلُ إِلَى عَوْرَةِ الرَّجُلِ وَلاَ الْمَرْأَةُ إِلَى عَوْرَةِ الْمَرْأَةِ وَلاَ يُفْضِي الرَّجُلُ إِلَى الرَّجُلِ فِي ثَوْبٍ وَاحِدٍ وَلاَ تُفْضِي الْمَرْأَةُ إِلَى الْمَرْأَةِ فِي الثَّوْبِ الْوَاحِدِ " .
The hadith you referenced emphasizes the principles of modesty and privacy that are integral to Islamic teachings regarding interpersonal conduct and gender interactions. It aligns with similar guidance in the Quran and other Hadiths that stress the importance of maintaining personal boundaries and safeguarding one’s modesty. Here’s a detailed explanation of this hadith in the light of related Quranic verses and similar Hadiths:
Explanation of the Hadith:
- Prohibition of Seeing the Private Parts: This part of the hadith stresses that both men and women must maintain their privacy by not exposing their private parts (awrah) to others of the same gender. This reinforces the concept of personal modesty and respect for one's body.
- Prohibition of Sharing Bed Covers: The instruction against two men or two women lying together under the same cover further emphasizes the importance of boundaries and avoiding situations that could lead to immodesty or inappropriate behavior. It serves as a preventive measure against any actions that could compromise modesty.
It is even mentioned that when brothers and sisters reach the age of ten, their beds must be separated for the Evil machination may even permeate between brothers and sisters and crossing the bounds of legitimate relations - something called incest in the Western world.
Quranic Commandments on Modesty:
- For Men: "Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do." Surah An-Nur (24:30-31)
- For Women: "And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap their headcovers over their chests..."
These verses highlight the general command for both men and women to practice modesty by guarding their private parts and lowering their gaze. The hadith complements these verses by specifically outlining situations that must be avoided to protect personal modesty.
Emphasis on Modesty in Other Hadiths:
- Hadith on Modesty as Part of Faith: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized that modesty is a core aspect of a Muslim's faith. (Sahih Bukhari). This general principle underlines the importance of avoiding any actions that would compromise modesty, including exposing oneself or being in compromising situations.
- Hadith on the Awrah (Private Parts): Hadith: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Cover your awrah except from your spouse.” (Sunan Abu Dawood). This hadith underscores that the private parts should remain covered except in the specific context of marriage, reinforcing the same boundaries mentioned in the primary hadith.
Key Themes and Lessons:
- Maintaining Modesty and Privacy: Islam places a high value on personal modesty, considering it a protective barrier against immoral behavior. The hadith warns against situations that could lead to immodesty or temptation, promoting a culture of respect and personal boundaries.
- Respecting Boundaries: The hadith serves as a guideline for how Muslims should interact with others of the same gender, ensuring that personal boundaries are respected. By not seeing or exposing the private parts and avoiding close physical situations, Muslims are better able to maintain modesty.
- Preventing Immorality and Impropriety: The prohibition against sharing a cover with another person of the same gender serves as a preventive measure against potential immorality or inappropriate behavior, promoting a safe and respectful environment.
- Encouraging Conscious Behavior: This hadith and similar teachings in Islam encourage believers to be conscious of their behavior, surroundings, and interactions, always prioritizing modesty and propriety in their conduct.
This hadith reflects a broader Islamic ethic of modesty, respect for privacy, and safeguarding personal boundaries. It aligns closely with the Quranic injunctions that call for guarding one’s private parts and lowering the gaze, as well as with other prophetic traditions that emphasize modesty as a key component of faith. These teachings collectively aim to foster a community where modesty is protected, inappropriate exposure is avoided, and personal dignity is upheld.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Warning and Cautions and Hadith Collection: Morality for more Hadiths on the subject
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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