What is the ruling on going to the beach with a group of brothers and their wives, knowing that one's eyes may fall upon immodestly dressed women, and a husband may be compelled to look at his wife while she is in the sea? Is this action forbidden or permissible?

It is permissible for a woman to swim in the sea or a swimming pool, and this is the default ruling. However, if her swimming leads to looking at 'awrah (private parts), unlawful seclusion, or fitnah (temptation), then it becomes forbidden and subject to an incidental ruling. If these incidental factors are absent, the ruling reverts to permissibility.

If men take their women to swim in the sea, and no negative consequences arise from it, and the women are fully veiled and covered, and no non-mahram (unmarriageable kin) men look at them in a manner displeasing to Islamic law, then it is permissible.

It is permissible to look at women who are in complete hijab to check on their condition if there is no fear of fitnah.

The permissibility of a woman swimming with the aforementioned guidelines does not mean she must do so. A Muslim may forgo some permissible acts to safeguard herself and preserve her honor.