What is the ruling on a woman going to public baths where women bathe naked and shave their private parts in front of others without reservation, given that the woman is unable to lower her gaze, and what is the ruling on going to these baths when there is no hot water available at home?

Scholars have differed on the ruling regarding women entering public baths (hammams), oscillating between prohibition and detestability (karahah). Some have made an exception for cases of necessity, provided there is security from the uncovering or viewing of awrahs (private parts). If there is a necessity, it is permissible for you to enter, such as in cases of menstruation, post-natal bleeding (nifas), or illness, and if it is not possible to perform ghusl (ritual bath) at home, and provided you are safe from your awrah being seen. If there is no excuse, then her entry is forbidden. If a woman is accustomed to the hammam and finds it difficult to abandon it, some scholars permit her entry.

Currently, with the prevalence of forbidden acts in hammams and insufficient covering by women, some scholars deem entry forbidden unless the hammam is empty for you, or you are with those permitted to see your awrah. Therefore, you should be cautious and avoid entering hammams if possible, and strive to perform ghusl in your home.

Some scholars have made it easier to enter hammams – despite the abundance of forbidden acts and the difficulty of guarding against them – when there is a need, provided one strives to avoid and denounce the forbidden acts as much as possible, and lowers one's gaze.

In summary: You should not enter the hammam if you can do without it. If you need to, do not enter unless you are safe from the uncovering or viewing of awrahs. However, if you are harmed by not entering, we hope that you have latitude to enter, provided you denounce forbidden acts as much as you can, and lower your gaze as much as possible.